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Typical Imprint Methods - a little 411 on how your logo is imprinted

6/29/2014

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Silk Screen / Screen Printing

This is a process used for apparel imprinting and for imprinting on other types of products.  Basically a woven mesh screen is used to support an ink-blocking stencil to receive a desired image.  Open areas of mesh (your artwork) is where the ink is transferred; a fill blade or a squeegee is moved across the screen, pumping ink through the open areas.  Polyester mesh is used more commonly nowadays; silk was used before synthetic materials came about (hence silk screen).   This method of printing has been around since 960-1279 AD ... so, a long time.

When screen printing apparel, an underbase of white is needed on a colored product (no underbase needed if the product is white) in order for art to be imprinted on top of that white layer.  This ensures color-matching.  We could always print without the underbase to create a vintage look and feel, but keep in mind that the colors being imprinted will be laying on a colored surface, so that colored surface will manipulate the colors being imprinted directly on it.
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Embroidery

The good ol' needle and thread method.  This is of course another way to get your logo on an apparel item, towel, blanket, bag, etc.  Your artwork is converted into a digitizing file (dst), which is what's needed in order for the embroidery machines to embroider your logo.  Pricing is based on stitch count and it's always good to run the logo by me to be sure it will embroider well - fine lines and details may/may not embroider well, depending on its intricacy and size of the logo.
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Pad Printing

Pad Printing is extremely effective on rounded, uneven, or slanted product shapes. It is also perfect for small and intricate logos. A silicone pad is used to transfer the ink onto the product; using an "indirect offset gravure" printing process, an image is transferred from the cliche (printing plate) via a silicone pad and onto an item. The pad can hit various levels on a product at one time. 
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Laser Engraving/Etching

As you'd expect, a laser is used to mark a surface of an item without cutting into the surface.   A beam is emitted from the laser engraving machine and the controller traces patterns onto the surface.  The engraving color will be what the material's color is below the surface.  Oxidation can be used to create more of a contrast of the engraving color.  When something is laser etched, a diamond tip is used to engrave the logo.  Laser engraving is great use on wood and metal products.  There's also a laser-like/satin etch technique that can be used on drinkware, for that frosty-imprint look (sandblasting may also be used).  This method also ensures your logo to be on the item forever - there's no way it could rub-off.  

Dye-sublimation

I love dye-sublimated products.  Art is printed using CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black - the four colors used to print all the colors of the rainbow and then some, also known as four color process) where a film is placed on the product and heat is applied to turn the image into vapor and then back onto the product.  So the ink goes from being solid, then a gas, then back to a solid again.  This process creates gorgeous images.  An example of this would be a dye-sublimated lanyard - you get to create a fully printed lanyard, vs taking a stock lanyard and imprinting on top of the material -- the image basically becomes a part of the lanyard.  Dye sublimation is also great for apparel, custom bags, ribbons, etc.  PMS color matching isn't guaranteed since we're printing this using CMYK, but we will always do our best to match them as best as possible. 

Transfers

A transfer is created in a very similar method to screen printing, however, the ink is applied to a sheet of transfer paper instead of directly onto the material. The transfer is then pressed onto the product using a combination of heat and pressure. This method allows for unlimited color separations (CMYK) that always require an underlay (we'd need to print a layer of white below the image in order to capture the correct colors).
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Poppers!

6/28/2014

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These are just fun, not to mention funny.  Imagine how excited you'd be to receive one of these!  They really shoot the ball out fast and far and they come in different animals / targets. 
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Small USB/Webkey with Adhesive on the back - stick it anywhere!

6/27/2014

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This is a really innovative product for those that use USBs and webkeys.    For those of you who do not know what a webkey is - it's a custom USB device programmed to open a specific URL when inserted into a computer (it'll open up the webpage automatically if you're on a PC, you'll manually have to open the site if you're using an Apple product. It will also depend on your computer's security settings).  

This product has an adhesive on the back so you can stick and re-stick it to anything - business cards, postcards, flyers, or any document/product.
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Sticky Stand + Wallet Holder ALL IN ONE! 

6/27/2014

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I got a little too excited when I saw this, my co-worker can attest because she thought something big happened, but I was just getting excited over silicone; I love the silicone wallets and I love the new sticky stands (see my two previous posts) - you'll get the best of both worlds with this product!!  This is another item we can customize overseas.

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It's summertime, time to cool down with these ice cubes and whiskey rocks!

6/27/2014

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So I'm sure you've seen whiskey rocks being sold in stores - it's a great giveaway, especially for summer (ok, who am I kidding, these are great to use all year round)!  Wind down a busy day with a nice, ice cold drink (whiskey, a cocktail, ice tea) and throw these 'ice cubes' in there!  You have different types to choose from - steel, ceramic, soap stone, Tritan Copolyester.  There are also sets that come with glasses (branding would go on the glasses, some rocks come with a little mesh bag when you want to throw them in the freezer, and it also comes in a nice gift box). 
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Wood Journals

6/27/2014

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These are so awesome-looking!  It has the luxurious look and feel of wood; the cover consists of a unique mix of wood and paper (so the cover isn't a thick piece of wood, it's the weight of a normal journal).  They're perfect bound and comes in three sizes:  4" x 6",  5" x 7",  5.5" x 8.5".  Contains 100 sheets.   Love the simple, natural look.
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LED Watches

6/26/2014

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This piece came out earlier this year - it's a silicone LED watch.  You touch the face of the watch when you want to know the time and touching the face also changes the functions (can tell you the hour and minutes, date, or seconds).  The bright red or white (different LED watch) LED light illuminates the face, not to mention these come in fun colors (we can do these as a custom piece overseas!).  These are actually being sold at MOMA stores too ... ours just don't cost as much ;)  AND  you can brand them!  Boom.
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The Effectiveness of Promotional Products as an Advertising Medium

6/26/2014

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This was a study conducted by PPAI in 2009 (I know, I wish there
was a more recent one), based on about 1,005 participants
who had received a promotional product in the past 24 months.  
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The Message
How do recipients feel about receiving a promotional product? What purpose do they think the item serves? What actions do they take? These are crucial questions every advertiser should know and understand, as the answers can have a dramatic impact on their ROI.

How Consumers Feel
• 83% of American consumers surveyed like receiving a promotional product with an advertising message
• 48% would like to receive promotional products more often
• 38% feel promotional products serve as a constant reminder of the advertiser

How Consumers Act
If free promotional products were being handed out by an advertiser at an event/mall/tradeshow which of the following actions would consumers most likely take?
The Result
According to these survey respondents, promotional products help resonate advertising messages.  When asked to think of a promotional product they had received in the past two years and to recall 1) the specific product, 2) the advertiser, and 3) the message -- a whopping 76.2% recalled all three key pieces of information. 

The Staying Power
Promotional products are powerful, both as effective forms of communication and as useable, necessary tools. The following results reveal just how seamlessly promotional products integrate into life, impacting the daily routines of the recipients.

• 91% had at least one promotional product in their kitchen
• 74% had at least one promotional product in their work area
• 55% had at least one promotional product in their bedroom closet/storage space

The Takeaway
 Target audiences: 

     Like promotional products. 
     Keep promotional products.
     Want more promotional products.

And, to illustrate the direct impact to your bottom line, add in the impressive recall rate
and strong purchase habits post-receipt.

Source
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Drinkware

6/26/2014

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I'm almost never without my Lahlouh branded Camelbak water bottle and I also use this other 24 oz vacuum insulated thermal bottle basically everyday - it keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold ALL DAY.  It's big but it still fits in most cup holders (see the aspen bottle, 2nd image down).  Water bottles and other drinkware are basically another type of item that will definitely get lots of use - lots of guaranteed brand exposure!   There are various brand name drinkware companies we can co-brand with - Camelbak, Contigo, Thermos, Nalgene, Kleen Kanteen, SIGG, KOR, Blender Bottle, etc.

When it comes to insulated drinkware, there are two types: vacuum insulated or foam insulated.  Like I mentioned above, vacuum insulated pieces keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold all day; foam insulated pieces keep its contents hot or cold for a few hours.  Just something to keep in mind.



Also, matte colors are very 'in' right now and look really sleek - ie a matte black water bottle with a glossy black imprint for a great tone-on-tone look!  Subtle and so cool looking.


What's cool this year are infuser bottles - they come with removable cages where you can put lemons, limes, strawberries, etc, to infuse your water.  I can say that your water intake will increase when you use these infuser bottles; at least that seemed to be the case when we were testing them out!


Another thing to keep in mind are the alternative imprint methods out there for drinkware.  We can do four color process prints, glitter prints, and mirror prints.  The mirror print is really cool - an innovative print process allows you to view your art from the inside out. The reflective imprint shows through a clear item to give it a mirror effect, allowing you to brand drinkware in a whole new way!



There's no way I can leave double wall drinkware out.


Ok so I could keep going with more water bottles, tumblers, mugs and such, but I will leave you with one more item:  thermochromatic mugs.  When the mug is hot or cold, it will show a hidden message/imprint:
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Sweat Activated Tees - Sweat and Reveal Hidden Messages

6/25/2014

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So these are really cool. Sweat activated tees show hidden messages - we can add onto some stock tees or we can create completely custom hidden messages (48 unit minimum).  Great for sports events, gyms, just for fun, etc. 

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Amplifying Speaker - Wait really though, read below and ask me to see this in person

6/25/2014

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No Bluetooth. No wires. Just place your phone on top of the speaker and your music is magically amplified!  Works for any type of phone. You really need to see this product in person to get the entire 'WOW' effect! Everyone that sees this is pretty amazed.  It's a great giveaway where you can take the time to explain to the recipient how it works - that way you're getting some face-time AND you get to show him/her something really, really cool. Trust me, they will remember it.  
There are also other versions this type of speaker comes in, take a look at the images below:

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Glowing Portable Charger

6/25/2014

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Your logo glows when this is in use!  It features a 7800 mAH battery with two USB charging ports and a digital capacity display (digital display color will match the color of the glowing logo).  It's metal and has a mirror finish on both sides - the glowing logo really pops and the entire piece itself looks really clean.  This comes with a black micro fiber pouch, adapter set (micro, mini, Apple 30 pin, iPhone 5 lightning), and comes packaged in a black window box.  Use it to power your phone, tablet, etc!
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Phone Accessories - Sticky Stands & Wallets

6/25/2014

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Everyone has a cell phone - brand a phone accessory that will be visible to the owner and to everyone around them!

This sticky stand works kind of like those silicone slap bracelets - it has a safe 3M adhesive on the back and all you do is push down on it and the two legs pop up to act as a phone stand.  I have one on my phone and I use it as a phone stand and when the legs are kicked up, it also acts as a comfortable phone holder when I have it in my hand as well!  Not to mention I'm constantly playing with it, but that may just be me :)
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These silicone wallets are super useful!  This also has a safe 3M adhesive on the back and can hold your ID, credit cards, business cards, etc.  When I don't want to carry a bag or a wallet, I just stick the cards I need into this thing and that's it!        I've had clients ask, "Well, aren't you afraid of losing your phone?"  Yes, there is the possibility that you will lose your phone, but if I'm only needing to keep track of my phone and not anything else, the likelihood that I'm going to lose my phone decreases.  Plus, I've never actually lost my phone before - it's attached to my hip (this is probably the case with most people)!  With this wallet and the sticky stand, we can customize the silicone/imprint to your PMS color(s).  It can also come with a mirror on the back, or we can make it glow-in-the-dark!
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