Arelco Promotional Group Inc.

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

2008-08-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

From their inception as appropriate-for-daytime-wear wardrobe standby (or inappropriate, depending on who’s doing the judging), T-shirts have been the put-upon younger brother of the apparel clan. Slacker. Underachiever. Slob. Uniform of the basement-dwelling video-game player, or worse, the go-to garment for sweaty work outside or on the treadmill.
Yet, in the 10 years of so, there’s been a bit of a shake-up in the hierarch. T-shirts grew up. In fact, they became king.
In an effort to emanate a more offbeat vibe, many designers began adding them to their collections, emblazoned with rock-and-roll icons and/or ironic witticisms.
Among those “incredible, creative designs” are those having to do with the T-shirt fabric itself, its shape and an influx of embellishments. Below, these three advancements are discussed further:
Special Effects: The shift to more on-trend detailing (which mimics a vintage, distressed look) will set promotional T-shirts up to be noticed on their own stylish merits. T-shirts are worn for going out and for setting a fashion statement. As this happens, T-shirts are being adorned with more upscale designs and fashion details.
Flattering Fits: Better cuts and silhouettes make the new T-shirt a business-friendly garment. T-shirts are becoming acceptable wear in business-casual environments, leading to a need for tailored T-shirts with flattering fits and refined finished details.

New Embellishments: The call for higher style options goes beyond even the fabric and cut of the T-shirts. Creativity in imprinting is growing in popularity, bringing new logo ideas and incarnations into the market. Advancements in decorating technology means higher-quality logos, greater use of metallics and well as the addition of rhinestones, grommets and nailheads.
With all these developments, and more on the horizon, the T-shirt will continue to grow and change in order to meet the needs of an increasingly retail-conscious industry.

PAPER OR PLASTIC

2008-08-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

Though the “one and done” nature of disposable drinkware might make distributors shy away, the sheer volume of these items in the world is the key to their inherent branding and promotional power. People drink every day in a multitude of public environments. Drinking from an unimprinted cup is a waste of advertising space.
Can include: Paper, plastic or other disposable cups
Great for: “Lunch and learn” corporate education programs, pharmaceutical companies, sporting events
Imprinting options: Silk-screening and pad printing are often best for low-quality orders that need quick turnaround. With proper timing and budget, high-speed offset or flexographic printing works well for higher quantities and custom manufacturing. Flexography also allows for four-color process, full bleed and complicated graphical reproduction, he added.
Plan the promotion: Since these items are not meant for repeated use, widespread distribution is the most effective way to communicate branding, Getting an end-user’s message out to the people can be as easy as passing logoed cups to the tailgating masses at sporting events and concerts.

ON-THE-GO GULP

2008-08-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

The ubiquity of the tumbler-as-promotional-product is about as unmatched as its apparel equivalent: the polo shirt. And, like the polo, its inherent function might be perpetual, but new styles, colors and designs are making the traveling drinkware’s statement a lot more fashionable than ever before. Look to specific features, such as dishwasher-safe, heated or oversized options, for new takes on an old favorite.
Can include: Tumblers, sports bottles, travel mugs
Great for: Automotive and financial industries
Imprinting options: For imprinting, suppliers offer pad printing on standard logos, and screen printing when the logo requires larger-than-standard or other custom needs. Laser engraving is available in metal-finished items, which allows a mug to become personalized.
Plan the promotion: Coupling a tumbler or mug promotion with coffee beans or tea bags is an easy, yet always-appreciated, choice. However, to go a little more corporate, bundle travel drinkware with business-card holders or leather padfolios so executives can bring entire show on the road.

RAISE A GLASS

2008-08-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

Glassware has a high-perceived value at [an] affordable cost in most cases. Though, for obvious reasons, people might shy away from glass items in favor of more durable styles, There has been a resurgence in its popularity over the past three or four years. Glass can work equally well with more upscale promotions, as well as simple giveaways. Its effectiveness can be contributed to, the familiarity of the items, the universal utility and price.

Can include: Champagne flutes; wine, shot or margarita glasses; pilsners and other specialty bar items
Great for: Bars and restaurants, charity events, souvenirs, college
Imprinting options: Direct screening (in which colors are applied through a fine mesh screen) is the most popular glass-imprinting method, because, you can get the most color onto the ware. Logos also can be applied as decals, as well as cut directly into the glass (etching)
Plan the promotion: Pairing comes naturally with these items. People appreciate having glass sets, be it tumblers or stemware or even glass mugs. For greater impact, match the sets with liquor, chocolate or T-shirts (for a more casual end-user).

Organic, Fair Trade and Cotton

2008-05-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Even though more and more consumers and manufacturers are turning to organic supplies and fair trade practices for their products, there are still a vast majority of people who don’t know what organic and fair trade really is. Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemicals (pesticides and chemical fertilizers), employing innovative farming and weeding practices instead, and does not genetically alter the cottonseed. Fair-trade means that no child-labor was used and that the farmers who grew the cotton and the manufacturers who sewed the t-shirts were paid a living wage, not just the minimum wage the country it was produced in can get away with paying (some areas of the world pay their workers around a $1/day or less!).

Organic food is becoming more and more popular but organic clothing is still a mystery to some. Consider: if it takes about 1/3 pound of chemical fertilizer to produce one pound of non-organic cotton. And it takes about one pound of cotton to make one t-shirt. These toxic chemicals get into the ground water, air, and soil and so because of evaporation and rain (this planet really is a whole) get back into your soil, air, and ground water. Eventually, we do end up ingesting these chemicals. Of course for those people and animals living near cotton growing areas, the negative health impact is even more severe and immediate.

In U.S. commerce, the environmental impact of how we produce and sell our goods is usually never taken into account. With the invention of Walmart, Target, Costco and other superstores, this environmental impact is even further neglected as we are able to buy more things cheaply without seeing how what we are buying is hurting the earth and those who make it. Sadly, we will end up "paying" for the environmental cost sooner than we think and many people in the world are already paying the cost with the pollution and over farming of their land.

Though organic and fair trade goods do cost more, we seek to be competitive with other non-organic t-shirt printers even though that means our profit margins are lower because organic and fair-trade cotton does cost more. There are several factors for this but the two main reasons are because there is not yet an economy of scale for organic, fair-traded cotton - not enough people are demanding it over conventionally produced cotton. And with U.S. businesses sending factories to countries that do not have minimum wages, child working laws, or humane working standards, prices of conventional goods are artificially cheap - the workers who made them are not properly compensated. But as we demand fairly paid workers and chemical free cotton the prices for these things will go down.

USB Lanyards for a Client Promotion

2008-03-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

It had to be useful and unique, this was our approach for creating an item with one of our clients the British Columbia Technology Association. Since they are all about tech and we are all about promotions we merged two products into one and produced a USB Lanyard! Our client loaded their conference presentations on to the USB drive and the attendees received one of these cool USB Lanyards with their registration. This promotion turned out to be a successful 'green' product promotion saving them unwanted paper, no trees were harmed, identity front and center on the lanyards.

Change to Tagless by Hanes

2008-02-21T05:29:00.000-08:00

New from Hanes is their Tagless T for ultimate neck comfort available in Short and Long Sleeve for Adults and youth. View styles on the Arelco website in Canada and the USA

On Point With Promotional Products

2008-01-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

Experts agree that once a company’s brand is selected, it’s important to get the message out in as many ways as possible.
“You need to build your brand, and the way to do this is through public relations,” Ries says. “In its purest form, PR translates into magazine articles, newspaper stories and speeches. Promotional products are also a great way to get a brand’s message out.”
Ries cites an example where a traditional promotional product—a button worn by rental-car employees—produced dramatic results. “Avis very successfully positioned itself against the rental-car leader, Hertz, with the slogan, ‘We’re No.2; we try harder,” she says. “Part of the Avis campaign included a button with the words, “We try harder,” which all employees were required to wear. There’s nothing better than asking employees to wear a button that says ‘We try harder’ because the fact is employees will try harder.”
In Your Marketing Sucks., Stevens writes about the benefits of integrated marketing, which utilizes several different ways of marketing—not just one. He writes: “Create messages that are sent to the prospective customer/client through direct mail, e-mail, advertising or public relations—or, most powerfully, through a combination of these components unleashed simultaneously…you will have a far greater impact if everywhere a prospective customer looks he sees your message.”
In fact, Stevens’ company uses promotional products and recommends them for clients’ direct mail campaigns. “We have a client that sells backup services for computers,” he explains. “When the company representatives met us, they were selling their service as a commodity. In other words, they ha no real brand. We changed the name of the product to Red Boomerang because it was a metaphor for what the product does: You can toss away data and then retrieve it at the click of a mouse.”
“To launch the service—to make it a brand as opposed to a commodity—we bought lots of red boomerangs and imprinted the company’s URL on them,” Stevens continues. “We sent them to prospects and clients, and they opened the packages because no one gets something like that. We took a product from a commodity to a brand through the use of a promotional product.”

Rollabind Journals & Organizers

2007-11-22T09:50:00.000-08:00

Rollabind offers the ultimate in organization flexibility. Peel off or press in journal pages of all sizes without causing the edges to fray. The binding system holds the pages in place and allows the pages to turn up to 360 degrees. Pages are easily removable without having to unsnap any part of the journal and the pages can be interchanged within the journal, or even placed inside another journal.

What is Rollabind? Click here to find out.

How to use Rollabind? Click here to find out.

Click here to see product selection in US$ or CAD

Obtain quotes for Rollabind products from us here

Ringing in the Gifting Season

2007-10-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

For decades, the holiday season, which encompasses Thanksgiving through the New Year, has been a time of demonstrating to family, friends, clients and co-workers a heartfelt gratitude and recognition via gift giving.
Now is the perfect time to become the holiday gift promoter for all your clients, regardless of type of business or size. The IRS allows businesses to deduct $25 or less for holiday business gifts, per recipient. This is good news, especially if a business owner says he or she may not have the money. A little something goes a long way!
Holiday gift planning needs to be judicious and it’s so much more about glitz and glamour. The business is promoting good will, making key statements and reinforcing relationships, so therefore, the gifts need to be completely appropriate to accomplish these missions. As the promotional products consultant, you should keep in mind that the giver of holiday gifts needs to consider timing, intent and make sure the right gift is given to the recipient. Corporate logo placement may need to be understated and discreet on some items, or it can be blaring and in-your-face in others.
The season for planning, presenting and delivering holiday items seems to get earlier each year, observes Ken Cecco of HPC Global. For example, planning and distribution of information starts during the end of summer “and we are receiving orders for product now in August for holiday promotions.”
“My experience has been that in most cases the same gift is given to everyone regardless of job title,” relates Laura Lee Pullara of Bulova. It’s also becoming clear to corporations that giving cash or the like does not have the same lasting impact as an actual gift. Non-tangible gifts are forgotten quickly and do not leave a lasting impression.
Liz Schmidt of Hit Promotional Products comments, “Companies are more frequently using higher value items such as chairs, bags, blankets, amenities, etc., imprinted with their logo for holiday gifts for both clients and employees.”
Gift cards, for all intents and purposes here, are not much of a competitive factor; they have their uses among friends, family and co-workers – and this is good news because promotional products consultants can have a field day showing off a vast amount of high quality products.
There’s a fun world out there.
Over the past five years, Logomark has seen a boom in “technology-based gifts, especially portable items, music and cell phone accessories and items to make travel easier, like our new Internet Phone/Mouse,” says Erin Howard. “Recently, we’ve seen a demand for items that look classy, but don’t break the bank. For example, some solutions that we’ve provided for that demand include wine and bar accessories – they’re fun, chic and don’t have to be expensive.”
At Prime Line, Jeff Lederer says he has seen this area become a tremendous growth sector. The industry, he relates, has gone from nice clocks to gift sets to unique items like wine and cheese sets, wooden poker sets, high-tech items and much more. This year, Prime actually is offering a $3,400 massage chair, custom oil portraits and even a toaster that toasts the client’s logo in the bread. “This all highlights the burgeoning plethora of holiday gifts,” he remarks.
Food gifts always have been popular during the holidays, even more so in the past couple of years, reports David Miller of Chocolate Inn. “In fact, food is the number-one corporate gift for the holidays. Everyone appreciates delicious food around the holidays.”
According to the report, “Food Gifting in the U.S.” by research firm Packaged Facts (published June 1, 2007), “interest in food gifts is booming, with sales up56% from 2004 to 2006, spurred by frustration with traditional gifting and the desire to give a gift that is unique, personal, indulgent, convenient, fun to share and sure to please.”
Corporate spending on food gifts increased by 14% during that period. Much of this is attributed by Packaged Facts to the rising interest in gourmet, natural/organic and other specialty foods.

ECONOMIC FACTORS
The economy has always somewhat dictated certain practices, including how much holiday gifting a company will commit to. With the current real estate market in a snakepit, companies in that industry may be having a hard time justifying how or even if to gift this year. This is the sensitive industry, and by extension, interior design and services and products related to new homes The savvy distributor needs to be sensitive to this and perhaps the approach should be one of logic: “If you have always given holiday gifts in the past and don’t now, this sends a message that your company is in trouble. This is a message we need to avoid. Here are some much more economical options to keep your name out there and the goodwill flowing, until the market picks up.”
Schmidt observes that the economy has a significant impact on promotional gift giving. As profits increase so do employee rewards, marketing budgets, etc. “We are hoping for an optimistic 2007 season with another positive industry sales increase,” she says.
In agreement is Sarah Manley of Custom HBC Corp., who notes that the economy will impact the number of gifts that most people will choose to give. The top client will always get an upscale item. “The key is to reward most of your clients,” she says. Custom HBC’s holiday products range from $1 to over $200 with many items less than $20, so you have more leverage to reward all your clients, not just the upper tier,” she says.
Chocolate Inn foresees a very strong 2007 season because holiday gifts are usually recession prone, Miller points out. Keeping the tradition is vitally important in an uncertain economy. “If a company typically gives holiday gifts annually this is something that its customers have come to expect and the company would not want its clients or customers calling to ask why it did not send out gifts this year.”
Companies that have traditionally given holiday gifts to employees tend to follow suit, regardless of the economy, Pullara points out. Giving a holiday gift is another way to recognize and appreciate the year long efforts of employees. Pullara’s been quoting product for holiday gifts since May. “It looks like its going to be a good year for gift giving in the corporate world.”
Lederer opines, “The economy does have some impact – but more on lower priced items. I think that companies still give gifts – albeit maybe at lower quantities depending on the company or industry giving the gift. Fortunately companies like Prime do have gift items of varying price points so that evens this out a bit – should companies cut back on budget or quantity.”

GIFT MATCHING
Just about anything, really, can be given as promotional gifts, including apparel. For maximum holiday impact, the sky is the limit, for anything is a gift. A great idea is to try and take a block of time with your client and prospect list along with catalogs and advertisements. Match potential executive gifts, preferred vendor gifts and for smaller businesses, such as pizza parlors and auto mechanics, holiday giveaway items.
There also may be clients who send the same gifts every year, because recipients have come to expect that gift, and the clients’ mindsets may be “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” This is a challenge, however, the way to break this mindset if you find cases wherein the annual expected gift does not give the maximum returns, is to start with a small substitution rather than a complete gift overhaul.
Manley says Custom HBC would like distributors to think outside the typical basket ideas and brose its Personal Care Gift Catalog for some of the more unique gifts in the industry. For example, the Safa line of products contain authentic Dead Sea salt, mud and water with high mineral content to promote radiant, nourished skin. The Body Basics line includes bath and body products with specialty bath shoppe quality and the Acadian line of candles are premier-quality candles found in high-end gift stores.
“Our products make people look good and feel good and are a personal way to encourage, motivate or say thank you. Giving gifts with a personal touch makes the recipient feel special.”
When it comes to fine, more luxurious gifts such as watches, Pullara advises to be proactive and present this category with a positive approach; don’t wait for the client to mention, “Hmm. What about a watch?”
When presenting a Bulova watch or Bulova clock option, “I strongly suggest that actual samples are shown. Looking at a picture of a timepiece cannot effectively show the quality and value. Also, have a sketch prepared prior to the meeting with the end-user logo on the dial and/or caseback. Having the sample and showing the sketch is a sure way to close the deal.”
If there seems to be some price or other resistance, Pullara says that focusing on the longevity of this type of gift may just seal the deal: watches are inherently an heirloom item. Giving a watch as a gift is a story that is likely to be passed down through generations, with the giver of the gift (end-user) being the main character. Also, every time the employee looks at his or her watch, it’s a subconscious reminder of who gave it.”
“Researchers have shown that promotional products have a positive impact on company’s sales, so while companies are researching for holiday gifts, distributors should sell on the point of giving branded promotional items, thus gaining company exposure while still participating in holiday gift giving,” Schmidt advises. “Companies can use promotional products at this time to reward their employees and increase company morale while at the same time gaining company acknowledgement and increasing sales.”
Don’t forget holiday packaging – as presentation is key, too. Work with your suppliers to show clients various wrapping and packaging options.
Before you sell the holiday, it may be a good idea to do your own self-promotion. A postcard mailer, or graphic email reminder going out now to your entire client and prospect base is a good idea to get holiday shopping front-of-mind.

It’s A Wrap

2007-10-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

Packaging is absolutely a key motivator for food and beverage purchases. The visual-appetite connection is one that is visceral, and savvy food markets have known this for decades. In promotional products, manufacturers have the additional challenge of overall presentation plus the promotional message. Here’s how promotional food and beverage packaging can work for you – and your clients.
“Packaging is the first thing the customer sees,” says Strong of Chocolate Chocolate. “Cheap packaging paints a picture as to the quality of what is inside. We have invested six-figure amounts this year to have the ability to print six-color process on our boxes as the demand is pushing for bigger and better while promoting the giver at all times.”

“We are taking customization to a new level this year,” he says. “For example, a lawyer could give a beautiful six-color printed box that is individualized down to each recipient. Or building management companies could have a personalized product for each tenant, no two alike.”
First impressions are important, aggress Freuler of Taylor & Grant, and when someone receives one of the company’s signature Studio Gift Towers or its Death by Chocolate gift basket, it makes an immediate statement about the person or company giving the gift. “We constantly create innovative packaging ideas that have an after use,” she notes. “One of the three R’s is reuse, so in addition to finding unique, new ways to package our treats, we ask ourselves; could it be used again? This dramatically increases number of impressions, and therefore is a strong sales incentive for the distributor.”
Freuler adds that most gift items offer many color options from the package, to the ribbon and finally the imprint. Taylor & Grant’s “Build Your Own Masterpiece Program” allows distributors to build a gift tower specifically geared towards their clients tastes and budget.
Each gourmet delicacy offered by Fresh Beginnings is individually packaged, enclosed in a protective seal, and then placed in a canister lined with decorative wrap, protected by bubble pack and enclosed with an airtight seal. This ensures maximum freshness and products are delivered intact, not broken, says Fox.
There are several ways Fresh Beginnings canisters can be utilized for promotions. The company offers many stock design canisters that can be sent with or without an imprint. Also available is a four-color process that offers flexibility. For example, four-color process art can be placed on a white canister lid, but the distributor client can choose a variety of canister bottoms that delivers a beautiful presentation to the recipient. This process also allows companies to send a photograph and use the holiday canister as a yearly commemorative one.
When people start their days with truly delicious, rich coffee, all sorts of wonders are possible. Your client’s logo and name will then have a positive connotation in the target recipient’s mind. Richard’s Gourmet provides its coffee in fully customized packaging. Salzman says his company actually prints the entire surface of the coffee bag for a complete custom wrapped design.
Because food and candy are consumed, the packaging and any customization of the actual food “is critical,” asserts Janowski of A La Carte, which makes custom molded chocolate, imprinted gumballs, jaw breakers and Sprees and custom-molded gummies. The company also produces individual candies with imprinted wrappers, imprinted cello bags of candy and a wide variety of tins, jars, boxes and bottles that are imprinted. “The most effective promotions designed by distributors combine the packaging with the food so that the promotion or gift creates a very powerful message,” he says.
One distributor combined the client’s holiday gift with a promotional vehicle by designing a glass jar with the client’s logo filled with a mix of chocolates that were imprinted with the client’s major brands so that the recipient not only received a great looking and tasting gift, but was exposed to the client’s line of products.
Sweet Nut Trees has designed a series of wooden collectables that not only delivered a fine food gift, but will long adorn the desk or shelf of the recipient. This line of collectibles is geared towards the construction, distribution, equipment and warehousing industries, says Robbins. The line of wooden collectibles can be laser engraved, while tins, gift boxes and glassware can be screen printed. Personalized gift cards are also available on any item.
Similarly, Dancing Deer shaker wooden boxes are “elegant yet whimsical, simple and distinguished,” O’Keefe explains. “Gussied up is out. Artful is in.” The company offers customization on its shaker boxes, as well as custom ribbon, custom gift cards and custom labels.
Chocolate Inn, says Miller, has revamped its packaging for the chocolate products in its new catalog; the packaging now has a more upscale look for a higher perceived value, he says. For example, all gift boxes have a cloggy black bottom and either a coppery-gold or black-silver foiled lid. Boxes are tied with a matching black/gold or black/silver ribbon plus a complimentary gift card tied to the ribbon. All packaging can be foil stamped with the client logo or message.
In 1979, Maple Ridge Farms started packaging all of its gourmet foods in wooden collector’s boxes on which it branded the client’s logo, says Riordan. The next year it added hardwood cutting boards branded with the client’s logo. Maple Ridge Farms also added logo-customized desk accessories, jelly bean dispensers, a variety of gift boxes and towers, and a line of collectible wooden trucks, all bearing the client’s logo.
For example, “we create many gift baskets using foods from a particular city, region or country,” says Riordan. “To help promote an incentive trip to France, we created a basket with nine different foods from France, a French guide book, a corkscrew and two wine glasses. We also do many customized gifts where the distributor sends us an assortment of promotional products to include in each gift”

Why Talk about Awards

2007-10-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

Award shown created by Arelco Promotional Group Inc for our client Playground.

There the Oscar’s, Golden Globes, and the Webby Awards. Companies and organizations give out all types of awards such as Best Employee, Recognition to Sales Teams, Thank You to their Development Teams, Customer Service Awards, Attendance, Safety Awards, and so many more.

When considering doing awards for your company, you have to factor in a few important questions first. The main one being: Who are you recognizing and why? Once you’ve answered that, consider these.

Is there a specific theme to your program?
Is there an event date?
Will there be more than one level of recognition to your program?
How many recipients will you have for each level?
What is your budget for each recipient?

After you’ve come to a decision on those, look at and consider what type of piece will accommodate your needs and budget. Do you want a desk item or a wall plaque? Which designs catch your eye? What materials and shapes do you like?

Awards are an atypical example of promotional products. They’re generally not given away liberally or made to attract outsiders. Instead, they help retain talent within an organization and increase morale. Have you spent any time talking to people who do sell awards programs? They’re not only lucrative, but they keep your customers happy, as well.

About the award that Arelco Promotional Group Inc produced for our client Playground

PLAY
Play wanted an award featuring their “combined people” logo in an art piece. The award recognized the contributions of key team members at the company's year-end celebration.

The logo was cut into aluminum, layered behind glass. The logo was featured prominently on the award, shown raised above the head of an individual. This special effect was created by Bravo's exacting equipment and expertise in precision cutting. The personalization information was sandcarved and colour filled into the black granite base.

Dimensions: 5”W x 8”H x 2.5”D (at base)

Jackets Get Technical

2007-10-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

Outerwear is right in step with retail by melding high-tech function to stylish designs, producing practical jackets with broad appeal.

If outerwear was ever perceived as a static niche within the decorated apparel channel, it’s not seen that way anymore. Outerwear is attracting attention by extracting the hottest trends from retail to produce fresh ideas that will have everyone’s heads turning. “Jackets are much more fashion oriented these days,” says Vanessa Keefe, director of marketing for Charles River Apparel, Medfort, Mass. “They utilize performance fabrics, hot retail colors and convenient features.” Customer expectations have risen over the years, as most expect the marriage of fashion and function even in the wholesale sector.
By definition, trends have short staying power. The lifespan of a popular color, specific functionality or performance fabric can vary dramatically, so manufacturers are keeping an eye on retail trends to determine what to incorporate in their lines. They have to juggle how many hot trends to incorporate into collections full of strong selling classics.
“Colors are huge in outerwear right now,” Keefe says. “We offer an array of colors to satisfy the corporate, school/team and college markets, and also keep a close eye on trends at the retail level. We tend to choose colors with some longevity that won’t be in one minute and out the next.” Colors such as delicate pinks, pastel and dusk blues, cranberry and charcoal have made their way into Charles River’s line because they have staying power and are colors people will want to wear a year or two from now. “The last thing a buyer at a corporation wants to see is a jacket that is never worn due to the outrageous color of the moment,” she adds. “What contributes to such a huge perceived value in wearables — especially jackets — is their ability to last and be seen regularly on many.”
Performance fabrics is a trend that seems to have staying power. It’s in high demand and a major selling point for outerwear. Consumers want jackets that are wind- and water-resistant, yet still have a soft hand. They want a finish like the one on Ultra 8 Ottoman fabric from Troy, N.Y.-based Sportsmaster Apparel — lightweight yet rugged, and water-repellant but still breathable. “[When it comes down to it,] customers are expecting more technical fabrics at a reasonable price,” says Danny Tsai, marketing manager for Tri-Mountain, Irwindale, Calif.

ALL IN THE DETAILS
A jacket’s functionality and specialty detailing can set it apart from the competition. Several jackets from Sportsmaster Apparel have convertible collars — worn up or folded down — as well as charcoal heather lining to hide dirt and add a neutral color that won’t compete with the decoration. The company’s Jackets also include the EZ Deco system, which has “hidden zippers on the left chest and bottom band, and snap-down half moons at the neck to hide the embroidery backing,” says David Arakelian, sales and marketing director for the manufacturer. “They give this inexpensive jacket a higher perceived value.”
Manufacturers such as Hartwell Apparel, Hartwell, GA., and Charles River Apparel are rolling out men’s jackets that have traditional fits, but unconventional add-ons. Mini pockets on sleeves for spare change, keys or a small cell phone can create a personalized feel, as well as specialty pockets inside the jacket.

BROAD APPEAL
Whether it looks like a rain jacket, a ski jacket or a fashion jacket, consumers seek outerwear that will transition across climates and activities. Sportsmaster Apparel’s Liberty and Adirondak jackets have become classics because of their versatile styling. “They can be worn casually to a ball game or the market, but also can be worn as workwear for the landscape or construction industries,” Arakelian says.
The demand for multipurpose jackets continues to increase. “You no longer need a raincoat, light-weight windbreaker, denim jacket, dressy jacket and winter jacket,” Keefe says. Manufacturers are combining a variety of features to introduce stylish multiseason and multipurpose jackets. “Now a jacket will feature an outer shell that is breathable, water-proof and wind-proof with linings that feature bonded fabrics for warmth without bulk or even zip-out linings,” she adds. It is these types of jackets that feature styling that will take you from the weekend to the office. “As society becomes more time-crunched and is constantly multi-tasking, outerwear will need to be just as multifunctional to fit its needs,” Keefe says.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Though outerwear trends evolve every few years, jackets have a longer staying power than other garments common to the decorator channel. As fashion and color trends change, consumers will update their wardrobes with the latest styles. But people always have trouble getting rid of a perfectly good jacket, especially with manufacturers implementing performance finishes, fresh colors and specialty detailing in their outerwear lines. “Jackets have been, and continue to be, a good vehicle to get your brand identity seen by numerous people,” Arakelian says. “The better the jacket, the more it will be worn and the more people will see the message.”

By Haley Shuler
Reprinted from Impressions Magazine September 2007

Fleece Flourishes in a comfort-driven market

2007-09-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

Versatile fleecewear offers casual style throughout the four seasons.

Today’s consumer is all about living a causal lifestyle. The recent surge in activewear sales combined with society’s acceptance of loungewear as appropriate garb for running errands proves that comfort is top priority. It’s not surprising then that fleecewear is trending up in both retail and wholesale markets.
“People are now wearing out what used to be considered [strictly] loungewear,” says Christi Pack, marketing manager for Hanes Printables, Winston-Salem, N.C. “Sweatpants and yoga pants have become staples in people’s wardrobes throughout the year.”
While activewear may be the fastest growing sector of apparel, fleece is thriving as it transcends from a winter-only product to a year-round layering garment. In response to this trend, Charles River Apparel, Medfor, Mass., has expanded its fleece offerings so that it now accounts for nearly 20% of the company’s collection, according to Vanessa Keefe, director of marketing. Other manufacturers are increasingly aware of the popularity of this cozy product, including Atlanta-based Jerzees. “Over the course of the past year, and really, since September [2006], the fleece market has been up, and [continues] to trend up,” notes Ryan Andersen, marketing manager.

STANDOUT STYLES
When it comes to popular fleece styles, hoodies take the cake. “Hoods continue to experience extremely strong growth and are popular with men, women and youth,” Pack says. Bryan Reed, director of marketing for MV Sport/Weatherproof Garment Co., Bay Shore, N.Y., agrees. “Hoods have outsold everything,” he notes. One of the company’s most popular fleece products is a women’s hooded style (#185), which MV Sport plans to expand in colors as well as patterns, adds Reed.
Another standout style is full-zip fleece jackets, according to Keefe. “Our most popular style for adults in general is our [full-zip] Evolux fleece jacket (style 9931) for its soft fleece and sharp good looks,” she says. The women’s Voyager Fleece jacket (style 5702) is another successful full-zip style. “It has been by far out most successful fleece with women — it is specifically designed and sized with a woman’s body in mind.”
Mike Trull, owner of Pacific Fleece & Apparel LLC, San Leandro, Calif., believes that the popularity of the full-zip style comes from a market driven by women. “The female influence is [now] greater in the market place,” he adds. “The full-zip [fleece] lends itself more to what the female market is looking for, as opposed to a pullover.
Pack adds that women especially are receptive to new fleece pant styles. “Women have really taken to out women’s fleece pant (style W550) and its matching full-zip hood (style W280),” she says. “Fleece is loose and allows for free movement for exercise and activities, not to mention [it’s] durable, so it can withstand wear and tear.”
However, Keefe adds that vests and pullovers also are strong in the market. “We see pullovers used more at the college, school and team levels, [while] the corporate market would prefer to have more convenient full-zip styling,” she says.

FEEL-GOOD FABRICS
While fleece garments are commonly made from equal blends of polyester and cotton, Hanes’ Pack points out that fleece made with higher percentages of cotton is gaining market popularity. The company recently added several new styles that are constructed of 80% cotton/20% polyester, which is more, of course, than the 50/50 blend that has been standard in the value-priced market segment, she says. “You’re seeing a trend toward higher cotton garments at retail, and we really feel that the softer hand and comfort it provides is important for [our] new products,” she explains.
And as fleece discards its status as a winter product, it’s not surprising that lighter fabric weights are quickly trending into this sector of decorated apparel. “Our 8- and 9-ounce [lighter-weight styles] have been the most dominant in the fleece market,” says Andersen.
“We have found that fleece is no longer a winter-only fabric,” explains Keefe. “Our lightweight microfleece is 8.3 ounces, which is perfect to wear on its own or as a layering piece during outdoor activities. One benefit of fleece is that it is easily dressed up or down, [making it] cutting-edge in fashion as well as a replacement for casual weekend wear.”
However, though many manufacturers are offering fleece styles in weights as light as 8 ounces, this doesn’t mean heavier weights are losing popularity. Reed says that MV Sport’s 9- and 11-ounce fleece styles are selling equally. “Heavyweight fleeces do really well, even though [the lighter 9-ounce style] sells year-round,” he adds.

CORE COLORS
While apparel categories such as women’s wear and performancewear are experiencing strong consumer demand for bright fashion colors, the fleece sector isn’t experiencing the same movement. “We offer a wide variety of colors, but the traditional black and navy still reign supreme with colors such as red and royal making a good showing as well,” notes Charles River’s Keefe. Jerzees’ Andersen agrees, saying that true navy, birch, black and oxford are core top sellers.
Many manufacturers agree that basic colors tend to work best wince fleece items are intended for long-term use as jackets or blankets. “Not only do school/team and college colors influence our color pallets, but we also keep a very close eye on trends at the retail levels,” explains Keefe. “We tend to choose colors from retail that have some longevity and won’t be in one minute and out the next. The last thing a buyer at a corporation wants to see is a jacket that, due to the outrageous color of the moment, never gets worn.”

By Susie McManus
Reprinted from Impressions Magazine August 2007

Eco gifts that give back

2007-07-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

A guide to giving reusables

Environmental factors usually aren’t taken into consideration when it comes to gift giving. For example, the holiday season produces more waste than any other time of the year. (During the month of December its been estimated that households generate about 1 million extra tons of garbage per week!) In an attempt to counter this wastefulness, consider giving gifts that actually help people consume less.

Reduce and Reuse appear before Recycle in the mantra “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” because of the importance of the two to the environment. While recycling has its place in helping the environment and should be done whenever possible, as consumers move their attention and actions environmentally forward and reduce the amount of their consumption, a far greater positive impact on the environmental can be made.

Recycling is great place to start, but there are plenty of ways to reduce and reuse as well. A simple and effective way involves the adoption of “reusables” – a term for smart, practical items designed to help people consume less, preserve natural resources and save money. Examples range from stylish reusable shopping bags & reusable bottles to gift bags that are either re-usable or made from recycled materials. Innovative, eco-friendly, and functional, these products continue to give back after each use.

Womens Athletic Wear

2007-07-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

Over the past few years, the explosive growth of a very diverse women’s market has both revolutionized and transformed the wholesale apparel industry. For years, the only option available to women in the promotional-products industry was a basic men’s polo or a one-size-fits-all T. But now, the options for women are endless. From fitted Ts and tanks to sheer fabrics and super-soft cotton knits, in-style fashion trends are readily available for women to be used as promotional products, for corporate events, school organizations, and athletic groups, to name just a few.
Just as women want choices when they shop at their favorite department store, they want these same diverse options at the wholesale level. With this growing demand to follow retails trends, the wholesale apparel market is now seeing a tremendous amount of growth in another segment of what once used to be a niche women’s market. In fact, women’s athletic wear has become so mainstream in the retail market that it is now being demanded by the wholesale-apparel industry. And thanks to many style options, athletic apparel has become a part of many women’s everyday lives.

All-purpose fashion
Women’s athletic wear has become much more fashionable and functional over the past few years providing women with an abundance of coordinating styles that function in their busy everyday lives. It has become the leisurewear that they not only wear to the gym, but something that they want to wear while running errands, attending a company retreat, or going to their children’s sporting events. Because athletic apparel has transitioned into being both active and casual at the same time, the wholesale industry understands the need to provide women with what they seek—apparel for everyday comfort and a great fit combined with a keep sense of style… and all in the same garment.
No longer will an old pair of college running shorts and their husband’s favorite T fly. Coordinating looks designed specifically with women in mind attracts the most savvy and the most purposeful of shoppers. Women now have the option to buy much more fashion-forward styles that make them feel good while wearing them but provide added performance technology such as dry-wicking and anti-microbial attributes that make them ideal for athletics and everyday life as well. From fitted yoga pants to tank tops with built-in bras with moisture wicking capabilities, women’s athletic wear has become much more consumer-friendly because it speaks to the needs of a very diverse market and that market’s unique lifestyle.

Calling all athletes
Now that there are so many different options in the women’s apparel market, promotional-products distributors may be left wondering to just what types of clients they will begin selling athletic and leisurewear apparel. Just as the styling options in women’s apparel are endless, so too are the opportunities to find a perfect fit for these diverse styles in the promotional industry. What is important is to think out-the-box and utilize athletic styles that fit everyday life. By thinking in these terms, distributors will realize that there is a much larger market out there for this product than they may have originally imagined.
One of the most common misconceptions is that athletic apparel is really only sold to health clubs and sports teams; but the reality is that it can also be an excellent promotional product for a variety of different clients as well. What about that corporation with an upcoming company-wide retreat or weekend picnic? A moisture-wicking polo or a water-resistant shell provides an alternative to the basic T-shirt and is something that the employees will be able to wear at the office that next week or on the weekend while running around town.
What about the local marathon? Runners are training in athletic apparel, so many marathon sponsors are increasing their entry fees for the run to now provide the runners with dry-wicking performance Ts. They realize that because the runners are training in the type of apparel, they will be more apt to wear this shirt in the run as well as throughout their continued training.
Within women’s specific categories, there are many options for performance apparels, especially at the college level where fitness and busy lifestyles run hand-in-hand. Sororities can use items like fitness pants and water-resistant outwear to showcase their letters, and university book stores now offer an assortment of athletic-inspired options for day wear that display university teams and logos. Cheer and dance teams are a key target for this type of athletic wear because most often these teams invest well in practice and spirit wear that outfits each member every day of the week.
Whether it is a runner or an office manager wearing athletic apparel, these women are making purchases based mainly on the way it makes them look and how it makes them feel. When deciding on what type of athletic apparel will best suit a particular client, fit and functionality are the most important reasons why a woman purchases a specific garment. Because of this, women’s performance apparel must be available in a variety of sizes because every woman’s body type is different.
There is no doubt that the athletic wear industry is on the rise and expected to grow leaps and bounds in the next several years. Women are already reaping the advantages of this growth by the style and product offerings that can be found at the wholesale level. It is a good time to be a woman, and a great time to take advantage of this exploding category of apparel.

By Erin Talbot and Brinden Asher
Reprinted from Promowear Magazine May/June 2007

Fabric Unravelled

2007-05-31T11:13:00.000-07:00

Demystifying a garment’s description

This handsome jersey knit garment is made of 100 percent 30/1 combed ring-spun cotton. The high-quality 4.5 oz. shirt will keep end-users dressed for success.
The description above is so short, so unassuming, yet within the compact jumble of numbers and words lies a plethora of terminology and history. This article will (hopefully) clarify everything distributors don’t understand but need to know to talk the apparel talk with their clients. Nothing hinders a sale more than a lack of knowledge, so let’s get educated.

NEW JERSEY KNIT?
Knits are created by interlocking loops of yarn. The process creates slack in the threads of the final fabric. The result is a fabric that stretches. The amount of stretch depends on the type of knit stitch used. There are several types of knits: Jersey knits, rib knits and interlock knits. Jersey knit, named after the British island in the English Channel, is the most durable of the knits, making it common in T-shirts and other casual garments. It is light-weigh and has fine, vertical ribs on the front (outside if it is made into a garment) and a subtle, horizontal pattern on the back (inside).
Rib knits have heavy ribs running vertically down the fabric. They have the greatest stretch capability, allowing them to nearly double in size if stretched across. For this reason, they are often used in collars and sleeves. The added stretchability also makes rib knits good for garments, such as leggings, that should be worn skin-tight. Often, rib knits are further categorized as 1x1, 2x1 or 2x2. These numbers refer to the width of the ribs and the space in between them. In a 1x1 rib knit, the space between the ribs is the same width as the ribs themselves. This is also true of 2x2 rib knits, but, in this case, the ribs and spaces are twice the width. A 2x1 rib knit has ribs twice as wide as the spaces between the ribs.
Finally, interlock knits provide the softest feel and best drape of the knits, making them good for finer garments. The knit stitches are tighter, making interlock garments warmer than rib or Jersey knits. Interlock-knit fabric is slightly more stretchable than Jersey-knit and slightly less so than rib-knit fabric.

1:30 BRUSHED RUNG-SPIN O’CLOCK?
Cotton fiber in its natural state is a tuft surrounding the seed of the cotton plant. Technically, it is a fruit. In order to make yarn out of the cotton, the fibers must be straightened and aligned. There are two methods used to do this. The first method is called carding. This uses boards or rollers with interlocking metal teeth to align the fibers. The other method is called combing. Combing uses two metal combs to prepare the cotton. The teeth separate only the longest fibers, resulting in a cotton thread that is softer and stronger than carded cotton. When not hindered by price, garment manufacturers tend to choose combed cotton, as it results in a more desirable garment. In both methods, the fibers are then twisted together into thread in a process known as spinning.
Now prepare for some archaic measurements. The “30/1” in the description of a cotton garment refers to the “weight” or diameter of the thread. A standard spool of cotton thread is called a “hank.” Each hank has 840 yards of cotton rolled onto it. The cotton number is the number of hanks required to weigh one pound. The letter “s” often follows the number when referring to single threads. So, 30s cotton requires 30 hanks to weigh one pound. The higher the number, the thinner the thread. A 60s cotton is twice as fine as a 30s cotton. In the example above, the cotton is “30/1”, meaning that each fiber is one strand or “ply” of 30s cotton. The lower number refers to the ply. A two-ply thread is created by twisting two threads together, a three-ply thread is created by twisting three threads together, and so on. If a cotton thread were numbered 20/2, then it would consist of two, 20s threads together, the result is stronger than the single thread. Using two, 20s threads together also creates a softer thread than a single 10s. “30/1,” “30 singles” or “30s” are all equivalent expressions. While the number systems for other fibers, such as wool, are similar, they rely on spools with different lengths of fiber and are thus not able to be compared to the system of measuring cotton thickness.

4.5 OUNCE OF COTTON?
When in fabric form, cotton weight refers to the weight of one square yard of fabric and in no way refers to the actual weight of the garment itself. Heavy-weight garments are thicker and generally warmer than lighter-weight garments.
When trying to make the next sale, remember the terms. Sales are always easier when one knows the product, inside-out and right-side-in.

Article by: Laurence Liss
Reprinted from: Promotional Marketing May 2007

CHECKMATE

2007-05-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

Computer accessories offer a winning strategy to promotional products distributors

International chess master Gary Kasparov’s loss to the computer Deep Blue in 1997 was a benchmark for computing. It was the first time a computer beat a reigning human world chess champion. At the time, Deep Blue was the 259th most powerful computer on earth. Today, the raw computing power of Deep Blue can be matched in almost any off-the-shelf personal computer.
Computer technology may be the most quickly advancing market, which means the wealth of computer-related promotional products is ever increasing.
For consumers and end-users, processing speed and capacity aren’t the only factors driving demand. Style and design come sharply into play. Consider the iPod explosion. “MP3 player” and “iPod” are almost synonymous in the United States, even though iPods are far from the cheapest or highest capacity music machines on the market. What iPod offers is sleek presentation and countless marketing dollars. Distributors can take advantage of Apple’s hard work.
“Anything iPod-related is selling,” said Daniel Oas, CEO of Calibre International, Irwindale, Calif. Calibre’s line includes a crank-powered flashlight that charges an iPod as well as speakers for MP3 players. Oas said both items are selling well. “I’d say, right now Apple is the hot thing,” he commented. Oas also noted the popularity of “smooth iPod white.” One item in Calibre International’s line is a USB-powered mood light, finished in sleek, white plastic.
Beyond design, the proper balance between utility and cost is key. Currently, Calibre International’s most popular tech item is a star-shaped USB hub which Oas said is successful, chiefly because it is inexpensive and works well. Harris Cohen, founder and president of All-In-One Manufacturing, San Diego, also stressed the importance of finding balance in tech promotions. “We’re at a crossroads,” he said. “You’ve got the promotional products business merging into the high-tech market and it’s a different game there because the items are not one-dollar pens.” All-In-One Manufacturing’s tech line focuses on high-end accessories, especially memory.
Cohen keeps a careful eye on trends and developments in technology. When Microsoft announced a feature called ReadyBoost as part of its new Windows Vista operating system, his company was poised to take full advantage of the capabilities. ReadyBoost allows a computer to treat a sufficiently fast USB flash drive almost the same way it would treat RAM. This enhances the computer’s performance. All-In-One Manufacturing responded by ensuring that its FileSafe line of flash memory drives was ReadyBoost-certified. “That’s a really big thing and we’ve been promoting that because it’s state-of-the-art,” said Cohen.
Promotional opportunities for flash drives will expand as prices continue to drop and capacity continues to increase. As Cohen said, in the future, “everyone will own one.” Flash drives could soon permeate educational institutions. One flash drive could easily hold every syllabus for every class a student takes over his or her entire educational career. Memory devices can also be used for personalized promotions. Cohen described campaigns in which flash drives were imprinted with a logo, a message and with each end-user’s name. Each drive could then be loaded with personalized marketing data for each specific end-user. Cohen is also working on sophisticated uses for the drives in medical and personal safety fields, but could not elaborate further at present.
Other soon-to-be ubiquitous items, according to Cohen, include Web cameras. Popular video sharing sites and Internet-chat services are making streaming video devices necessary computer accessories. Cohen said these are very good promotional items because they have the potential to sit on a desk for years.
Keeping up with the technology may seem overwhelming to some distributors, but stretching boundaries is necessary, according to Oas. “You’ve got to try new things and give them a year or two.” Oas cited several items he added to his line, which had relatively few sales at first but which picked up after six or more months. Oas said customers want to see these items even if they are not quite ready to purchase them. “If you don’t show some interesting things, then they don’t think you’re on the cutting edge,” he said.
Finally, technology facilitates security-related products. “That’s the end-game,” said Cohen. “Without security, you’re just open to trouble if it falls into the wrong hands.” Security systems can be as advanced as thumb-print scanners or as simple as mechanical locks, but all serve to make the end-user more secure and increase confidence and excitement about a promotion. With these carefully planned moves, and by looking at current trends, any distributor can checkmate sales in the computer accessory market.

FAST Facts:
1) Solid state drives are likely to replace hard disk drives in the coming years.
2) The computing power of most cellular telephones is now well beyond that of the computers that aided early NASA astronauts.
3) According to Moore’s Law, computing power doubles roughly every two years.

Article by: Laurence Liss
Reprinted from: Promotional Marketing May 2007

Visually Stunning Plastic Cups

2007-05-17T10:29:00.000-07:00

NEW TO THE WORLD!
This is truly a breakthrough in printed drinkware. What makes this type of cup so special? Image quality! Most old style injection molded and thermo-formed plastic cups are imprinted with silkscreen or rotary offset AFTER they are formed. Visstun™ cups are printed FLAT and THEN formed. Lithographic 4-Color Process printing on a flat sheet allows us to deliver hi-resolution, photo-quality images. The result is a cup with stunning graphics that rival a company's annual report. Finally, a cup worthy of a corporate image!

HOW ARE THEY MADE?

FLAT plastic sheets are printed on our Heidelberg® and KBA UV lithographic printing presses at over 300lpi (second order stochastic screening) for a print quality that far surpasses old style cup imprinting methods.

FLAT printed plastic sheets are die-cut to the characteristic "fan-shape" sidewall form needed to manufacture the cup.

Using our custom engineered cup machinery, the FLAT printed and die-cut sheet is wrapped into the basic cup shape, the bottom is placed and sealed, and the top lip formed — all this at speeds over 140 cups per minute.

Making Green with Green: ORGANIC APPAREL EXPLODES INTO PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

2007-04-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

In researching organic apparel, one supplier asked why anyone would need an organically produced shirt. “You’re not going to eat it,” he said. When it was explained that the term “organic,” when applied to clothing, meant it was produced without pesticides or harmful fertilizers, the supplier still saw no purpose and asked what difference it would make to the shirt.
It was a bad way to begin delving into a major trend in the promotional products industry, but it touched upon widespread misconceptions about the terminology. It also cast some light upon industry practices and viewpoints, which do have far-reaching implications.
The consequences of ignoring environmental concerns have been measurable for some time but are just now beginning to appear in American culture. The realities of global warming are supported by the research and data of scientists across the globe. Pollution is epidemic in some places, and mercury, as a result of mining and energy production, has prompted the government to warn Americans not to eat fish taken from many U.S. waterways.
So it is not the shirt that minds the pesticides: it is people and animals.
When talking about apparel, organic has little to do with the end product and much to do with the process. Whereas with organic foods the difference is discernible in taste, when it comes to fabric, very little distinguishes an organic item in a crowd. “It’s hard to identify organic cotton or any other kind of organic fabrication,” said Brinden Asher, director of marketing at Los Angeles, Calif.based Bella. In January, the company launched its organic line and “people are just really ecstatic about the product,” said Asher.
Morey Mayeri, president of New York’s Royal Apparel, also said the look of organic apparel is “really no different.” Royal Apparel has had organics in its line for the last three years and is further along in the development of the products. Right now, the company’s organic products are available in seven different colors. According to Mayeri, Royal Apparel is considering a slightly different look to its organic clothing in order to differentiate it. This may include tags as well as seam stitching differences. Bella, new to the organic market, has not yet codified the dyeing process for organic products. Asher said it is likely, “when we come out with color, we’ll bring out specialty colors.” Right now, Bella offers organic fabrics in the natural color of the cotton. This is an off-white color due to the fact that the cotton has not been bleached.
Part of the reason dyeing is an ordeal when applied to organic apparel is the dyes must also meet special standards and have minimal negative ecological impact. Just getting the raw cotton is more complicated if it is to meet USDA organic standards. For a product to be certified organic, it must be grown in a certain manner. The plants must come from non-genetically-modified seeds. Weed control must be done through mechanical means (tilling or plowing undesirable plants under the soil to kill them) as the first line of defense instead of using herbicides. Pest control must be performed in a similar manner, by cultivating natural predators or plants that pests tend to avoid in conjunction with the desired crop. Different crops must also be grown on a field in rotation, which replenishes soil nutrients without resorting to chemical fertilizers. Crop rotation also helps control soil erosion which can lead to unhealthy conditions in local rivers and streams.
Obviously with this many controls, there are also more costs associated with organic lines. At first glance, one might think the price gap between organic and traditional apparel would be huge, but this is not the case. “You’re paying a little bit more, but you’re obviously paying for a particular reason and, generally speaking, those customs who are looking for organic have no problem paying that additional [cost] because they know what’s behind it.”
Supply and demand also play important rolls in the current price of organics. According to Mayeri, the amount of organic cotton and yarn available is limited and that inherently means higher prices. But Mayeri also said the additional cost hasn’t hindered orders at all. On the contrary: “I see the numbers growing every single week. Where we used to sell a few thousands pieces a week, now we’re selling tens of thousands of pieces a week,” he said.
So who is buying all the organic apparel? Seekers of organic materials are not necessarily granola-eating, unreformed hippies. There are some big businesses looking to organics to prove a commitment to the environment. Oil producers and car manufacturers are just a few of the types of companies looking to outfit organically, this in addition to national organic food retailers and practitioners of spiritually centered health activities, such as yoga. Asher said the trend is finding its way into retail products as well, a point supported by Mayeri. “It’s really exciting,” he said, because the demand for organics is “coming from all different avenues and walks of life now.”
Most standard promotional products have a life span of only a few months, after which they end up in a landfill. In the promotional products industry, the infiltration of organic and sustainable practices is a welcome relief to environmentally conscious end-users, suppliers and distributors. “The promotional products industry is almost the counter-balance to saving and reusing,” said Asher. “It’ll be interesting to see where people go with organic products in other categories besides apparel.” Only time will tell.
Certain aspects of the organic market segment are more known, though. It’s safe to say organic apparel is here to stay. “It’s only going to get bigger and better,” said Mayeri. Royal Apparel is trying to keep up. The company continues to add new styles to its organic offering and has one of the most diverse lines available. Meanwhile, Asher said the number of companies offering organic products and introducing organic lines continues to grow rapidly. She noted the market will eventually level off, but that does not necessarily mean that demand will, only the booming growth of supplier lines.
Neither Asher nor Mayeri anticipate organic apparel overtaking traditionally produced apparel. The least expensive product will probably continue to be non-organic because they do not require additional oversight and standards. Of this topic, Mayeri said, “as far as surpassing [traditional apparel], I would hope so, but to be realistic, I don’t think so.”
Perhaps part of the success of organic lines comes from the enthusiasm of the companies involved. A salesman who believes in his product is easy to spot and usually has a success story. The organic producers express an exuberance for sustainable products. Mayeri said Royal Apparel didn’t base the decision to offer organic products on the demand, rather “we just believed in the whole theme and the products.” Asher exhibited similar enthusiasm: “We weren’t just going to create any kind of organic product,” she said. After extensive research and making sure the garments would meet Bella’s quality standards, Asher said, “we’re really proud of the product we have.”
Everyone is an environmentalist at heart. Those that aren’t simply have the good fortune to be far away from the noticeable effects of pollution. The tune always changes when the impact is felt directly. Going green with apparel will help keep the conscience and the planet healthy and clean.

Fast Facts
1. Organic apparel is not readily distinguishable from traditional apparel.
2. To be certified organic, cotton must be grown with no restricted herbicides or pesticides.
3. Many organic lines remain the natural color of the cotton because environmentally friendly dyeing techniques are still in development.

Article by: Laurence Liss
Reprinted from: Promotional Marketing March 2007

9 tips for achieving logo nirvana

2007-04-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

As you well know, a logo serves as the personality and opening statement made to the public. Some widely recognized logos include the bull’s eye for Target, swoosh for Nike and the Apple for Apple computers. All are memorable as the symbol of the company they represent and their brand promises. We don’t even have to see a written description or company name.
It is important to realize the power of a unique and effective logo and what it can accomplish for an organization’s identity. Here are some tips for creating logos that are just as impressive as those mentioned.

#1: Express the Organizations Personality
A logo cannot sing and dance, but it can express the personality, purpose and promise of an organization. In fact, it is vital for a potential customer to learn something about the organization just by looking at its logo. It can also provide a clear and consistent image of the company. Even the colors that make up a logo are an important component in helping to accomplish this goal. Blue, for example, communicates trust.

#2: Pop Goes the Logo!
The most effective logos come alive and jump off the page or wherever they are displayed. Make sure a logo is bold, memorable and pops. Ensure that the design makes sense for the business and don’t be afraid to test it with existing and/or potential customers to get their feedback. What you think works might not resonate with your customers.

#3: Keep It Simple
A logo’s design should be simple and clean. Attempting to do too much with a logo will only confuse the target audience and blur the message. A confusing logo is forgettable and useless. Sometimes less is more.

#4: Make Sure the Logo Is Flexible
A logo must work well across all channels, as it can be displayed in numerous places online and in print. Legibility is key, and a logo should work in both black and white and color, as it may be on documents that will be faxed or photocopies. A logo that cannot be viewed clearly is not effective. Keep in mind that a logo may be viewed on a small object like a business card or on a larger item, such as a presentation folder.

#5: Make a Statement
Many logos also include a tagline, which is a statement of the products or services you proved and separates your organization from others. Some well-known taglines include Subway’s “Eat Fresh” or Nike’s “Just Do It.” Like the design of the logo, a tagline should be short and to the point, but memorable. As you design your logo, or help your clients develop theirs, incorporating a tagline can be an effective marketing took and it is one best developed in conjunction with the logo.

#6: Research a Logo
While your logo might symbolize something positive in the United States, it might stand for something entirely different in other cultures. Research the meaning behind your logo before you finalize it, as it may convey a negative message to those from other cultures. Many organizations do business with individuals and organizations from other countries and cultures, which makes it vital to create an internationally friendly logo. And of course, make sure another organization is not using the same or a similar logo design, especially if they are a competitor.

#7: Use It!
Now that you have a logo, it is time to use it everywhere, both online and in print. Put it on all of your marketing materials, including business cards, letterhead and even envelopes. Include it in your e-mail signature, on your Web site and use it in all correspondence to reinforce your company and encourage repeat customers and referrals. Once you have a solid logo that makes an impact, it should be synonymous with your company name.

#8: Protect Your Logo
If it’s your own logo, give clear, specific guidelines to anyone who will be working with your logo and insist on approvals for any use of it. Be clear as to how the logo should be used, in what form and on what media. Let them know not to distort the mark and ensure they use enough clear space. If it is used incorrectly, fix it immediately. Advise your clients to do the same. Your logo is the symbol of your company and it needs to be consistent.

#9: Be Consistent
A logo is not something that should change regularly. It takes a lot of work to come up with a logo and it takes an even greater amount of time for customers and prospects to remember it and associate it with your brand. Changing a logo regularly will confuse your target market and cause more harm than good. Spend the time to develop a stellar logo and associated tagline now to reap the benefits in the future.

Article by: MELISSA CROWE
Reprinted from: Advantages April 2007

Slazenger Brand

2007-03-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

Since 1881 Slazenger has been outperforming the competition – on the playing fields, courts, and courses. Leed’s is now the exclusive supplier of Slazenger to the promotional products industry for Bags. Click here to see product selection in US$ or CAD

Slazenger Apparel is available to the Promotional Industry, products include men's shirts, outerwear and gloves, view the collection in US$ here.

Obtain quotes for Slazenger Apparel and their Bags from us here

Eco-Promo

2007-02-19T19:23:00.000-08:00

In the promotional products corner of the world, the green scene is taking root, too. Expect an increasing number of suppliers to offer green lines and products in a variety of categories. “A seismic shift is occurring toward sustainable practices,” says Dale Denkensohn, president of Petaluma, California-based supplier ECOnscious“. By purchasing organic cotton products, everyone can be a part of this movement, make a positive statement about their brands and at the same time reduce their environmental impact on our planet.” “Going green is a huge trend,” says Jason Finnis, president of Vancouver, British Columbia-based supplier Hemptown Clothing Inc. “When a company decides to purchase organically made apparel, it’s not just buying a promotional t-shirt—it’s making a statement. When someone receives one of these garments, it’s probably the first time he or she has ever been given a hemp, bamboo, soy or recycled polyester t-shirt—so, it becomes an instant conversation starter.”Finnis believes that through the inherent eco-friendly benefits of organic apparel, ordering environmentally friendly promotional products can become part of a company’s social responsibility mandate. “At the end of the year, the company can issue a report stating where the company stands environmentally and promotional products become part of its public relations efforts,” he says. “The company can not only allocate money for green promotional products from its marketing budget but also from its PR budget.”The west coast is a hotbed for eco-friendly cars and green homes. So it may be no surprise that Vancouver, BC-based distributor Arelco Promotional Group Inc., initiated a Eco-Friendly products category for its USA and Canadian clients. Vice President Richard Wolak says, “We feel that using eco-friendly products is the socially responsible thing to do.”

Common Fabrics of Athletic Apparel

2007-01-09T23:09:00.000-08:00

Polyester: This fabric is still popular today, albeit with some major upgrades since the '70's. It's most used of all manufactured fibers. Polyester is wrinkle-resistant, resists stretching and shrinkage and is washable or dry-cleanable.

Cotton: This fiber outsells all man-made fibers combined, according to Cotton Incorporated, proving that cotton is king. It is comfortable, absorbent and can be easily laundered at home.

Microfiber: Because of its wicking ability, microfiber allows perspiration to pass through the fabric, making it a superior choice for sports apparel. It can be woven tightly to insulate against wind, rain and cold.

Rayon: Be certain to read the label in rayon garments, because some are machine-washable and others must be dry-cleaned. This fabric makes great athletic wear not only because it is soft and comfortable, but also because it drapes well and resists static.

Spandex: The fabric of choice in the 1980's is still around today-but in the form of high-performance sportswear. It is lightweight, resistant to body oils and perspiration, and can be stretched more than 500 percent.

Light-emitting shirts! New for 2007

2006-12-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

Lumalive fabrics feature flexible arrays of colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs) fully integrated into the fabric - without compromising the softness or flexibility of the cloth. These light emitting textiles make it possible to create materials that can carry dynamic messages, graphics or multicolored surfaces. Fabrics like drapes, cushions or sofa coverings become active when they illuminate in order to enhance the observer’s mood and positively influence his/her behavior.

Lumalive jackets are comfortable to wear, and the Lumalive fabrics only become obvious when they light up to display vivid colored patterns, logos, short text messages or even full color animations. The electronics, batteries and LED arrays are fully integrated and invisible to the observer and wearer. The jackets feature panels of up to 200 by 200 mm², although the active sections can be scaled up to cover much larger areas such as a sofa.

“Taking the Lumalive fabrics from prototypes to integrated products has been a major challenge,” said Bas Zeper, Managing Director of Photonic Textiles, Philips Research. “The light emitting textiles have to be flexible, durable and operated by reasonably compact batteries. Fitting all that into a comfortable, lightweight garment is a considerable engineering success.”

T-shirts, Jackets and other apparel will be available from Arelco Promotional Group Inc in early 2007.