Artina Promotional Products

New Hand Sanitizing product

2009-10-19T14:30:00.002-04:00

With all of the discussion surrounding various flu types, the one thing that experts agree on is that you must keep your hands clean. Sometimes that is easier said than done, especially when you are in different business and social situations.
The promotional products industry has stepped up by offering various sizes and formulations of hand-sanitizers. From a pocket spray to desk top pumps, you can provide hand sanitizer to any of your clients and customers....keeping them safe and reminding them of your name.
The large majority of hand sanitizing products are alcohol-based. However, there is a new product on the market that is non-alcohol based. This new formula stays on hands and keeps working for up to 30 minutes after application, while traditional sanitizers stop working after 5 seconds. It is approved for food service, so you can apply the product and immediately prepare or serve food. Since it is alcohol free, it will not dry out your already winter-ravaged hands.
It has been tested and is FDA compliant. For more information and details including test results and data, call Artina at 800-433-5587 or visit us online at www.artina.com.

Artina Fall Product Showcase

2009-09-10T08:35:00.002-04:00

Artina Promotional Products is please to announce that we are hosting a Fall Product Showcase at our showroom in Powell, Ohio. The event is set for October 8th and there are two times available. Breakfast will be offered from 7:30-9:30 and lunch will be offered from 11:00-1:30. The event will feature new products for the Fall/Holiday season as well as giveaways and a free set-up coupon for those that attend. You can visit our website www.artina.com/rsvp/ for more details or to RSVP for the event. You may also call 800-433-5587 for more information.

We hope to see you there!

Healthy Workforce Act & Promotional Products

2009-08-27T08:03:00.004-04:00

In April of 2009, the Healthy Workforce Act of 2009 was introduced to the Senate and House for consideration. This legislation would give a tax credit to employers who implement wellness programs. An employer would receive a 50% tax credit for the costs of providing employees with a qualified wellness program up to $200 for the first 200 employees and $100 for each employee above that. Wow, what an incentive, plus the employer will see the benefits when the cost of their insurance decreases and they see increased productivity from their energized employees.
However, what will motivate employees to participate in the program? Employers will need to provide incentives to join the program and recognize achievements for those who continue. These items can include anything from water bottles, towels and pedometers to bags and watches. Making a contest for the participants to strive for also offers the opportunity to recognize the participants with trophies and other awards. These are tangible things that can be kept at their desks to remind them and others of the achievements realized through the wellness program.
Ask your promotional products professional for other creative ideas that can help your employees reach their fitness goals. You can check out some ideas at www.artina.com or just give us a call at 800.433.5587.

Artina Team visits screenprinting/embroidery facility

2009-07-23T09:36:00.003-04:00

The team at Artina Promotional Products recently visited a screenprinting/embroidery facility located in Ohio. The visit provided a unique opportunity for the team to get a firsthand look at how both screenprinting and embroidery are done, start to finish. The team toured the facility for the graphic design team to seeing how a screen is burned. We were able to see many jobs being printed, everything from one color imprint to multiple colors.
After the printing tour, it was on to the embroidery room to see how the embroidery is done. Take a look at some of the photos...http://artina.shutterfly.com/209
Do not hesitate to ask your Artina representative to explain the printing process to you further in depth. There are many unique printing techniques that can give your t-shirts a more retail look. Visit www.artina.com for apparel options or call 800.433.5587.

New features on www.artina.com

2009-06-22T14:05:00.002-04:00

If you haven't visited www.artina.com in a while, you should definitely check it out. You will notice that the home page looks a little different. In response to several growing trends, Artina has added three category search buttons to make the site a little easier to navigate.
The first category is the items 1.00 and under category, with ever-tightening budgets, Artina noticed that clients were gravitating towards these lower priced items and decided to make things a little easier.
The second category is Eco friendly items. The demand for these eco items has increased significantly over the last couple of years. The offering for eco friendly promotional products has also increased, so we thought, why not make them a little easier to find so that everyone can do their part to save the environment.
The last category that was added to the home page is the 24 hour rush service button. All the products in this category are available to ship in a 24 hour period. Rush service has become more and more necessary these days, so again, Artina wanted to make things as easy as possible for our clients who are already behind the eight ball.

One additional thing of note on the website, don't forget about the Live Chat feature. When an operator is online, just click to chat and have all your questions answered! It's an easy way to get fast information with the click of your mouse.

If you have additional feedback or suggestions for our website, let us know. We are always looking for ways to improve our service to you.

Artina Wins Awards :)

2009-06-08T15:06:00.005-04:00

Artina Promotional Products (and yours truly) is pleased to announce that our little blog has won an award. May 29th our blog was awarded a MAME award from the BIA of Central Ohio. MAME (Marketing and Merchandising Excellence) honors the top achievers for the membership of the BIA. There are a variety of awards, some are specific to the home-building industry, others are inclusive of the associate members.
The Artina blog is a fairly new feature to the Artina website and is designed to provide the latest news in the promotional products industry as well as to educate our clients about the myriad of uses for our items.
Artina was also recognized for the Ideas in Promotion Show with a MAME award for best one-time event. This is also an educational event held for our clients each Spring.
So, if you haven't read the blog or been to our Ideas in Promotion Show...check them both out.

Fitness and promotional products

2009-05-22T15:03:00.002-04:00

Did you know that this week was fitness week? I didn't either, so don't worry about that. Even though this week was the "official" fitness week, you can incorporate fitness into your work life every week. Many companies are promoting wellness programs with discounted gym memberships, weight loss challenges etc. Promotional products are a great way to promote your programs and keep people motivated to lose the weight and get in better shape. People spend more waking hours at work than anywhere else, so workplace wellness is critical for setting the tone for their eating and exercise habits.
Employers also realize several benefits to providing a workplace wellness program.
1. Enhanced recriutment and retention of healthy employees.
2. Reduced health care costs - from 20-55%
3. Decreased rates of illness and/or injury.
4. Reduced employee absenteeism - by 6-32%
5. Improved employee relations and morale.
6. Increased productivity - 2-52%
Also, depending on the scope of your program, tax benefits may be available to you as the employer for offering the wellness programs.
So, that being said, you offer the wellness program, how do you get people to use it? There are a variety of promotional products that can serve as reminders, aids and incentives to participate in the program. Visit us at www.artina.com or give us a call at 800.433.5587.

Promotional Products and Marketing in a tough economy

2009-05-12T08:57:00.003-04:00

Why do promotional products deliver the best return on investment in an unsettled economy? Why should they be a vital part of your marketing mix?

1. They increase sales...62% of customers do business with the company after receiving a promotional product.
2. Brand awareness...84% of customers remember the business that provided them with the promotional product.
3. Return on investment...at .004 per impression, promotional products have the best CPI of popular advertising mediums.
4. Improved relations...42% of customers view the business more favorably after receiving the item and virtually none indicate a negative feeling.
5. Frequency and repetition...a key to advertisting. Promotional products are kept on average for 7 months and many are used in business every day.

Check out www.artina.com for the latest in ideas to promote your business.

Artina Merges with Align Interactive

2009-04-22T08:38:00.002-04:00

Artina Promotional Products is proud to announce that Align Interactive (formerly CTPro and Kingston) has joined forces with Artina to service its’ promotional products clients and online store programs. Artina is an industry leader, with experience ranging from promotional products and awards to apparel programs for countless clients in a variety of industries.

Artina is in it’s 42nd year in business and is very strong with finding and providing creative solutions to various client needs, events and business challenges through the use of promotional products. Align Interactive’s strengths have been in e-marketing and e-commerce; particularly the development and marketing of public facing web stores and online company stores. The companies’ strengths mesh well, and combined, bring a great breadth and depth of service capabilities and offerings to their clients.

Three members of the Align Interactive team have moved to the Artina Promotional Products office in Powell as of the first of April, and have already begun fulfilling customer orders as Artina. Included in those three is Jeff Ivany, owner and President of Align, who joins Artina as an Independent Consultant, as well as two other team members who have been instrumental in developing client relationships and servicing their needs.

Recognition Programs

2009-04-09T10:16:00.002-04:00

Does your company have an employee recognition program? Are you considering one? Are you considering to eliminate or cut back on the one you have?
Employee recognition programs are more essential now than ever. Why?
1. Recognition boosts people's esteem and performance...they need to feel important and satisfied.
2. It signifies that someone notices and cares about their performance and them. It can lead to new motivation, improved performance and increased self-esteem.
3. Recognition is more important than ever...the competition to hire and keep the best workers is at an all time high. Not only that, but ordinary people need to produce extraordinary results. 4. Recognition creates role models and heroes for the rest of the team. It recognizes the kind of performance that is noticed and other employees aspire to that.

Artina Promotional Products provides a wide range of recognition programs with not only symbolic awards but other types as well. Check out www.artina.com for ideas or give us a call at 800.433.5587.
Keep an eye out for the next post where we will delve further into the Recognition Program topic. In the meantime, we would love to hear about some of your recognition programs or any questions you may have.

Calendar advertising

2009-03-24T15:32:00.002-04:00

As you are evaluating your marketing budget this year, I am sure you want to be sure that you are getting the most bang for your buck. There are many choices out there, but, have you considered calendars? Calendars provide careful targeting, clear messaging and long-term visibility. These attributes make them a high-impact, low cost advertising medium.
Did you know that the average person looks at a calendar 12 times a day, when you do the math on that it's 4380 times per year. 83% of customers purchase items from the advertiser that gave them the calendar and 94% of all business people can recall the message on their calendar.
With such a powerful impact on not just the people that receive the calendar but all those that see it, why wouldn't you spend some of your advertising budget on calendars. There are many ways to customize a calendar, from adding your name at the bottom or top to a completely custom wall calendar. The options are endless.
You may think it is too early to think about ordering calendars, however, many calendar manufacturers offer early order discounts and they will hold the order to ship at a later date. So, you get to take advantage of the price break, but you don't have to figure out where to put them.
Call Artina Promotional Products at 800-433-5587 or contact us via the web www.artina.com to discuss how calendar advertising can work for you.

National Volunteer Week

2009-03-17T07:56:00.003-04:00

National Volunteer Week is fast-approaching, this year's dates are April 19-25. The theme for the week is "Celebrating People in Action." National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate those individuals that dedicate themselves to taking action and helping to solve problems in their communities. Without volunteers, many services that are offered by non-profits and other organizations could not function. So, it is important that those who take the time out of their busy schedules be recognized for the hard work that they do.

This week is a chance to give thanks to those people in whatever way your organization can. Many organizations recognize those individuals with a promotional product. Promotional products are a great gift and leave a lasting impression on the recipient. Some organizations choose to offer something that is useful, mugs, lunch bags, etc. However, others go the route of something a little more along the lines of an award, for example actual awards, paperweights, pen sets, etc. Depending on your budget, your promotional products representative can help you select the item that is right for your organization. Whatever item you decide on, be sure that your volunteers will know that you appreciate their efforts and it will help to keep them coming back.

We would love to hear some of your most successful Volunteer Week promotions, so please feel free to comment.

If you are looking for just the right gift for your volunteers, please call Artina Promotional Products at 800-433-5587 or visit us on the web at www.artina.com.

Why do flash drives vary in price?

2009-03-05T08:01:00.002-05:00

If you think you are getting a bargain on inexpensive flash drives...you may want to think again. There are several ways that you can get taken unaware when you are purchasing flash drives, especially if you are getting them from an online resource. One rule of thumb, if you get three bids and one is significantly lower, beware. It is likely to be a fake.
Industrial hackers target the low cost flash drive market and with some simple software they can make a 32MB flash drive appear to be as valuable as a 4GIG drive. Another thing to beware of when purchasing flash drives is recycled memory. Recycling memory allows for the production of very low cost flash drives, but the quality is never as good as a first run piece and therefore, is likely to fail.
So, you are thinking about purchasing flash drives for your upcoming promotion. It is important to ask your promotional products distributor about the things referenced above. They should be able to get the information for you if they do not already know the answers. Most of the suppliers of memory to the promotional products industry are reputable and are using first quality items. You should always consider getting a sample, especially if you are planning to upload files before you hand out the items. Be sure that the file fits on the drive and that it works properly. The cost of flash drives has come down significantly over the past year, so do not be afraid of a low cost item. But, do be very cautious. Also, keep in mind that the cost of memory changes weekly, so the price you get this week may be different next week.
You can visit our website to check out some of the latest memory stick styles...http://www.artina.com/taxonomySearch/87/780.

Coop advertising

2009-02-17T08:58:00.002-05:00

So, you want to order promotional products to leave behind on sales calls or give out at trade shows but your budget has been reduced. There is a creative way that you can still get these items and...not have to pay for them! If your business is a distributor of various brands, there may be opportunities that you are missing. Many companies offer coop dollars to their distributors to aid in the marketing of their lines. Promotional products are a great way to accomplish this, your logo and the manufacturer's logo can both go on the item. You get your name out there, they get there name out there and you didn't have to pay for anything. It is obviously a great benefit to your manufacturers to have you pushing their product lines first, so they are more than willing to partner with you in marketing efforts.

If you are not sure if your partners offer coop advertising dollars, just ask. Of course, with multiple logos on the items, your promotional products professional can steer you towards the appropriate items that allow adequate imprint area.

In this economy, advertising is more important than ever, so don't miss out on an excellent opportunity to maximize your partnerships.

BPA...toxic or not

2009-02-02T12:57:00.002-05:00

By now everyone has heard the debate over BPA (bishpenol A) and plastic containers. According to Fast Company magazine, over 7 billion pounds of the chemical were produced in 2007. It is used in everything from dental fillings to baby bottles. The debate centers around the chemical leaching into our food and drink from the containers that we consume them from. There are a multitude of studies out there and Fast Company found that there are a significant number of studies that find on both sides of this debate. However, the studies that find the chemical to be harmless to humans seem to be funded by interested parties. These range from chemical associations to companies that use BPA in the production of their products. The article in Fast Company is informative and lengthy, and I recommend that everyone read it.

So, how does this impact promotional products. Well, you are about to purchase water bottles for your company picnic and you don't know what to do. Fortunately, manufacturers in the promotional products industry have responded to the controversy by manufacturing a wide range of bottles and other plastic products that are BPA free. As a matter of fact, the majority of water bottles offered are in fact BPA free. So, you can order water bottles and other plastic items without the worry over this questionable chemical. Be sure to ask your promotional products professional for BPA free items as well as FDA compliant products. And of course, if your state is under Prop 65 legislation or you are shipping to a state that is, be sure to let your promotional products professional know that as well. There are specific products that meet Prop 65 guidelines and they need to be labeled in a specific way as well.

Artina Promotional Products is proud to offer Prop 65 compliant and BPA free products. Feel free to check us out at www.artina.com or give us a call at 800-433-5587.

What's new for 2009?

2009-01-19T16:51:00.002-05:00

So, you are planning your promotional products budget for the year and you need to decide on the products you are going to purchase. Are you tired of the same old things? Want something that is going to grab your prospect's attention? Now is the time to sit down with your promotional products professional and learn about the new items for the year. The industry's big event was held last week and all of our vendors launched their new products. The catalogs are coming in every day full of new ideas. So, give your rep a call and see if you can get some catalogs.
Also, if you would like an opportunity to see these products in person, just check out www.ideasinpromotion.com. Each year Artina invites a select group of vendors to exhibit in a trade show format especially for you...the promotional products user. This is a great opportunity to network and brainstorm for the events that you have coming up this year. The event is April 2nd this year, be sure to mark your calendar. You can RSVP on the Ideas in Promotion site or you can send an email to info@artina.com.

Custom Promotional Products

2009-01-05T13:11:00.004-05:00

So here it is, another year has come and gone and it is time to get down to the business of planning 2009. No matter the industry you are in, the competition is fierce and will get more so in 2009. Everyone is looking for the next great promotional item, in their budget, that sets them apart. Well, have you ever thought about making it? That's right....Artina can help you design your own promotional products, manufacture them overseas and deliver them at a cost much lower than domestic production. Is there a bag that you love but it must have another pocket? That's fine, let's make it. We can also take bags and other promotional products and tweak the designs to fit your specific needs and budget.
Pricing is typically better on these items than domestic production, so it helps stretch your budget. A couple of things to consider when you are thinking about doing a custom, overseas project. Do I have the lead time needed? Typical lead time for an overseas project can range from 60-120 days, so be sure to allow that amount of time when planning the project. Can I order enough to meet the minimum quantity needed to produce the item overseas? Quantities in the past have been much higher than they are now to produce items overseas. The best way to determine if you meet the minimum requirements is to have a discussion with your promotional products professional.
Call your Artina rep today to start discussing how to get a unique, cost-effective promotional item done overseas to meet your 2009 needs. 800-433-5587, you can also check us out at www.artina.com.

Are promotional products a good value?

2008-12-18T08:09:00.002-05:00

So, it's the end of the year and you are planning your 2009 marketing budget. Did the promotional products that you used in 2008 make an impact? Should you do more in 2009? A recent study by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) recently outlined the impact and cost per impression of promotional items with interesting results. The study included business/professionals that had received promotional items within the last 12 months and were all 21 or older. Here are a few of the results:
More than 84% of the respondents recalled the advertisers of the promotional items they had received. Furthermore, 42% of the respondents had a more favorable impression of the advertiser after receiving the item. Nearly 25% said they were more likely to do business with that advertiser. A whopping 62% of the respondents had done business with the advertiser after receiving the promotional item.
Not only do promotional products work, but they have staying power. According to the study, pens are the most recalled items, followed by shirts, caps and bags. 81% of the promotional items that were kept were kept because the recipient considered the item to be useful. More than three-quarters of those surveyed said that they had kept their promotional items for more than 6 months!
Bags were reported as the most often used promotional items with an average of 9 times a month. Which also delivers the most impressions with an average of 1,038 impressions per month. The average cost per impression of an ad specialty item is $0.004. Therefore, marketers get a much more favorable return on their investment from ad specialties than nearly any other popular advertising media.
For more information and details from this study, contact your Artina rep at 800.433.5587 or www.artina.com.

Shirts - cotton/poly v. cotton

2008-12-01T13:57:00.002-05:00

So, it's time to get shirts for your staff. First you have to decide whether you want a woven shirt or a golf shirt. Once you decide that, then you have to choose between a cotton/poly blend and a 100% cotton shirt. How do you decide? Which is better?
Overall, the cotton/poly blend shirts are more popular when it comes to corporate apparel. The blended items feature an enhanced level of durability that can lengthen the life of a garment by as much as three times. Polyester can also withstand high-temperature laundering, which makes the blends hold their color longer. Cotton/poly blends also have a stain release feature and they are often wrinkle-free.
So, in short cotton/polyester blends are a logical choice when it comes to corporate apparel. They last longer, wash better and wear more easily than 100% cotton shirts.
Check out www.artina.com for options or get in touch with your Artina rep at 800.433.5587.

New Federal Guidelines for Promotional Products

2008-11-19T10:46:00.003-05:00

Beginning in 2009, there will be new federal guidelines governing promotional products. They are set to take effect in February 2009 and may affect the promotional items that you purchase. The new guidelines are primarily focused on Phthalates and lead in products that are intended for children under the age of 13.
These new guidelines will require a Certificate of Conformity for all products intended for children that fall into this age group stating that the product complies with these guidelines. This certificate must accompany the product through US Customs as well as with every domestic shipment. Proof of conformity must be provided for all components and inks from a legitimate testing lab if the product is intended for children under the age of 13. Also, depending on the product category, things like flammability, packaging and FDA standards might apply. Lead levels are set at 600 parts per million for fabric and inks but they will eventually get lower. The target date for the new lower levels to be implemented is August 2009.
Artina Promotional Products will keep posting updates on this blog as they become available, as the guidelines are still evolving and we are still learning how this will effect our industry and you as the consumer of our products.

Artina wins BBB Integrity Award

2008-11-04T09:20:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday, October 29th, Artina Promotional Products was awarded the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award. The award has several stringent criteria that involve various aspects of the business including supplier, employee and customer relations. General operational integrity is also a major factor. Founder and President, Chris Bouzounis, accepted the award on behalf of the company.
With 41 years of service under it's belt, Artina is looking forward to continuing to serve the Central Ohio community that made this honor possible. Bouzounis is especially proud of this award, as he believes that without integrity, you have nothing.
To learn more about Artina Promotional Products, visit our website at www.artina.com. Check out the news section to learn more about the company and other honors.

Food gifts for the holidays

2008-09-16T15:05:00.002-04:00

It is that time of year again...time to think about how you are going to thank your clients for their support in 2008. Did you know that your promotional products distributor can help you if food gifts are on the top of your list? Purchasing food gifts through your distributor is efficient and best of all, the items are branded with your logo in creative ways so the recipient will remember the gift long after the food is gone.

Food gifts are great ways to thank your customers and vendors. They are easily shareable with the entire office and a wide range of fresh, great tasting food is available. You will be surprised with the freshness and quality of the food and often times, the food is fresher than the leading mail order companies. It is typically not packed until the day it is to ship. Check with your distributor to get some tasting samples.

Artina Promotional Products is proud to offer Maple Ridge Farms for food gifts. They offer everything from food towers to ham and turkey. Call 800-433-5587 to learn more.

Corporate Gift Giving

2008-09-03T09:49:00.002-04:00

The holidays are fast-approaching and as they do, many companies are thinking about corporate gifts. While December remains the most popular month to give gifts, many companies are trying to set themselves apart with gifts to clients throughout the year. There are many reasons to give a gift to a client that are not limited to thanking them for their business.

Here are a few reasons:
1. Your client received a promotion. What a great time to send a personalized gift that they can use in their new role.
2. Your client stopped by your trade show booth. They are already your client but took the time out of their day to swing by, so send them a small token to thank them.
3. Your client placed an order with you. Just a small item to say thanks for your continued support can go a long way in terms of customer loyalty.
4. Your client or someone in their family had a child. There are a plethora of baby items in our industry, send a diaper bag, blanket or a nice photo frame to congratulate them.
5. Referrals...wow, no easier way to build your business. So, be sure your client knows you appreciate that they think enough of you to refer you to one of their associates.

These are just a few of the reasons to give a client a gift, there are many more. Corporate gifts leave a lasting impression for your clients and show that you value the relationship past getting the order. This will help to build loyalty and hopefully your business as well.

BPA - What is it and is it dangerous?

2008-08-20T13:16:00.003-04:00

We have all heard the news regarding BPA in water bottles, baby bottles and canned foods. The story is that the BPA leeches into the food or beverage that is placed in these containers, thereby harming the consumer. A recent study by the FDA found however, that the trace amounts of BPA that does leech into the consumables is not harmful to adults or children.

The promotional products industry immediately responded to the BPA scare by offering many products that are BPA free. Those products are still available, however, consumers should not hesitate to continue to purchase the old stand by products as well.

Several states are working on legislation to regulate the amount of BPA that can be in a product that will be used by children three years and younger, so when you are purchasing products, check the state you will be using them in to see if they have enacted legislation.

Imprinted promotional products v. blank corporate gifts

2008-08-08T13:55:00.001-04:00

There is not a right or wrong answer when it comes to this question. The best answer is to take care in selecting an appropriate item and think twice about whether or not to put your corporate logo on it.
The ultimate success of a promotional product as a gift for an employee, client or vendor, is whether the recipient uses it or not. Certainly having your logo on it gets more advertising miles out of the product. However, that is assuming they are using the product and seeing the logo each time. If they throw it in their box of junk in the garage, or trash it, then not only did your advertising dollars go down the tube, but so did the recipient’s feeling of appreciation.
Some things to think about when deciding whether or not to imprint the item:
What is the message you are trying to convey?
Cost of item (the higher the price, consider, no imprint or a more subtle imprint such as deboss or tone on tone)
Consider an add on item that can hold the logo (for example – a nice duffle bag with no imprint accompanied with a luggage tag that has the logo)
If you choose not to put the logo, don’t be afraid that the recipient will not remember where it came from – in fact they will likely never forget.