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Recycled Material Caps at ASI Dallas

15 Feb

Design Your Own

When we were at the State Fair of Texas talking about sustainability, it was fun to point out that the rPET caps from USA Headware we were showing were made of the same 100% recycled content rPET materials found in the seats of the Nissan Leaf.

What got our attention at ASI Dallas was that USA Headware can take that same material, and go from the standard – and rather plain – caps we showed at the State Fair, to pretty much any custom cap design that they could have produced using virgin materials.

Take a look at these two videos we shot at the ASI Show at the booth for USA Headware. In one we are talking about sustainable solutions, in the other we are pitching custom caps to a client of ours called the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).

Notice the background does not really change. Why? Because it really did not need to change. Virgin polyester from petroleum or non-virgin polyester from old water bottles (i.e. rPET), the point is today it simply does not mater. The caps look the same regardless of source material. The costs on a custom job runs about the same regardless of source material.

So all that really matters now is the client: the company or organization asking for the caps and if, as they are starting their marketing project, they want to think about a more sustainable alternative.

If that company or organization is promoting a sustainable message, they better choose to go with the sustainable cap.

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If you are an ASI distributor looking for sustainable cap solutions talk to Buck Hogle at USA Headware. If you are interested in getting sustainable caps for your company or event, contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

Gund Bears are Kid Safe

13 Feb

CTG900 Baby Bear

First, there is nothing particularly sustainable about Gund stuffed animals.

They not made from recycled materials, they do not have organic cotton stuffing. The reason I wanted to talk about Gund bears –  available to ASI via Vitronic Promotional Group -  on this blog is because I recently found out that these bears at child safe, to age ZERO. This is not something Vitronic mentions on their website. Perhaps it is something Gund just assumes people know about their products. But it is very, very important.

You see, in our industry there are a lot of items out there – including stuffed animals and rubber duckies – that look a lot like toys, but are not toys, by which I mean they are totally not child safe.

If you are running a program like the one done by the San Antonio Police Department’s “Teddy Bear Program” (stuffed animals are handed out to children who have either witnessed or been a victim of a crime to provide them comfort during a difficult time) or one of the many programs where bears are handed out in hospital settings, for example, it is a really good idea to make sure those bears are kid safe. (At ASI we all remember the Shrek glasses incident.)

If items are being given to children - moving past the whole targeting kids with marketing question – at a minimum you need to make sure that those items are actually safe for children. Both to protect the children and to protect your own marketing effort. And if your are looking for stuffed animals, I really suggest you take a look at Gund.

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But do not take my word for the Gund safety standards, contact Vitronic Promotional Group and request documentation on these bears. If you are ASI and want to talk about Gund for your next project, contact Rory Campbell at Vitronic Promotional Group. If you are interested in the Gund bears to promote your own business, contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

Spring is Coming…

8 Feb

Great idea sent to us by Illiniline. ASI 62190 • PPAI 11235

Fun Color 60s Theme Pens Made From at Least 30% Post Consumer Waste

4 Feb

Reminiscent of times of THE Jerry, Jimi & Janis, the fun-colored Jerry, Jimi & Janis Stick Pens from Shepenco are listed on their website as a call-back to the way-out 60s, full of vivid colors that tickle the imagination.

Let’s Rock and Roll with our new JIMI™ stick pen. This bold fun design is sure to be the favorite of the Fun Crowd.

Regardless of their nostalgic appeal these pens are a modern example of Shepenco’s growing line of sustainable writing instruments.

The Jerry, Jimi & Janis stick pens are made from at least 30% post consumer waste material. This is a fun, colorful pen, great for recycling education and sustainable businesses that do not want a meek pen to promote themselves.

The new JANIS™ stick pen brings rainbow strokes of colors. Just writing with these stick pens will bring old memories into focus.

Each pen features its own unique blend of colors as well as a large 3/4” x 2″ imprint area that will work well for messaging and logos. All three styles are available as pencils & stick pens. All three styles – pen or pencil – contain at least 30% post consumer waste material.

We love them for all things fun, concerts, music promotions, theme parks, band and bar promotions, cruises, fundraisers, and music festivals.

The new JERRY™ stick pen will bring out that younger you. And if you don’t remember the 60s, well you can start your own new trend.

So if you’re looking for fun pen with a sustainable message, these Jerry, Jimi & Janis stick pens from Shepenco might just be the ticket to see your event “keep on truckin’ along.”

If you are an ASI member with questions about Shepenco Joyce Allen is the Shepenco contact. If you are interested in these items to promote your own business, contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

Best Idea 2012: h2go-v volt

8 Jan

20 oz h2go double wall 18/8 stainless steel water bottle, vacuum insulated with threreaded lid

In the sustainable arena it is generally agreed that for reusable drinkware, stainless steel bottles are safer and easier to maintain than aluminum, plastic, or glass. So the question then becomes, which is the better stainless steel bottle to promote your brand or event?

For 2012 I am voting for the h2go-v volt from Express Line. This 20 oz. double wall 18/8 stainless steel water bottle is vacuum insulated and features a high impact threaded lid. This vacuum insulated bottle keeps cold drinks cold. It also makes for a slightly heavier bottle, which I see as a plus for a promotional item, as the h2go-v volt has a heft to it that conveys value, strength, and quality, all words that most businesses would like to associate with.

To top if off, the Express Line offers the h2go-v volt with an amazingly appealing chrome finish. The chrome finish makes any logo pop brightly and is a much better canvas to your logo than the standard stainless steel natural finished offer on most bottles. But you’re not limited to this wow/bang chrome, indeed the h2go-v volt comes in eight finishes, with bright colors like apple, orange, and fire engine red leading the pack.

Express Line will even add a carabiner to the bottle for $0.50.

The Express Line offers many, many, many stainless steel drinkware options. I think the h2go-v volt beats them all when judged for functionality, classic design, and flat out coolness. The h2go-v volt is really most appreciated in person, when comparing apples-to-apples with another bottle, so I suggest you get your hands on one before doing any bottle buying in 2012.

If you are an ASI distributor Jarel Guerrero is the contact to talk to at Express Line. If you are interested in the h2go-v volt to promote your own business or event, contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information, pricing, and samples.

2012 Could Be the Year of the QR Code

29 Dec

The QR in QR code stands for QUICK RESPONSE. In 2012 plan on seeing them everywhere because they really do not cost anything.  Think about it, if the content exists online and the code is only a bit of extra ink on your pre-existing product or design, where is the extra cost?

USB Flash Drives are still a great way to transport data, and sending a drive is still much better than sending 40 paper notebooks, etc., of information. But you still have to make the drive. With a QR code you are talking about an addition of ink, and nothing more.

Yes, you can pay for a custom QR code to better match your brand or product – indeed my company sells those custom designed codes – but you don’t need custom designed codes to make QR work for you; you just need pre-existing content, or a way to produce content online to which to link the QR.

QR to Like Us On FACEBOOK

An example. (Everyone got your phones ready?) To the right is a QR code to like us on FACEBOOK.

I can print this on caps, on cups, on camper vans, it does not matter. And each time this code is scanned it brings you to our FACEBOOK site.

The practical and sustainable solutions for QRs are huge. A QR code to a .pdf program, like those developed by GOTCHA! Mobile Solutions means you can simply use one banner with a QR code selection at your next trade show event to deliver all your printed material to your clients email in-boxes in a .pdf format. This can happen whether or not your salespeople even interact with the client.

If you are working to be a more sustainable organization, using a QR code in this way at trade shows not only saves you a ton of money on printing but also demonstrates your commitment to sustainable marketing practices (i.e. no trees get hurt).

Okay, delivering sales information might be boring. How about QR at every painting in the Dallas Museum of Art that links to the WIKI page of that artwork or the artist or something the DMA produced itself and already has on its website. Cost to DMA – Zero. Bonus to clueless art buffs – HUGE.

Or take QR Tag2donate or QR Tag2Video solutions also being developed for the promotions industry by GOTCHA! Mobile Solutions. The first gives you a simple clean platform to take donations anywhere and anytime, the second a clean way to access video on the web without having to search it out, great for political poster (see the candidate speak) and product ads (how good does that cleaner really work on pet stains? Scan the code and see.).

Expect QR codes to be used on more items and in more ways in 2012. Expect QR codes everywhere, because QR is coming. They already think it is cool in Hollywood, and this is likely the only thing real you will every see on CSI.

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If you are ASI and wish to learn more about QR Codes and Mobile Media contact GOTCHA! Mobile Solutions. If you are interested in QR to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

XL Insulated Recycled P.E.T Shopping Bag

22 Dec

WBA-XR10 - XL INSULATED RECYCLED P.E.T. SHOPPING BAG

Look at this monster of a bag from Ariel Premium Supply, Inc. The XL Insulated Recycled P.E.T Shopping Bag is a jumbo sized tote made from Recycled P.E.T containing 85% post-consumer water bottle material and 15% from other recycled material.

The 16″ x 22″ x 11″ XL Insulated Recycled P.E.T Shopping Bag is currently only available in black, which is a shame, but with a huge 13″ x 11″ front and back imprint area Ariel can be forgiven. Come on, and 11″ gusset, that is huge. Add the easy to carry reinforced handle and classic lunch bag design and this is a winner.

I know we are in the middle of winter but looking at the XL Insulated Recycled P.E.T Shopping Bag all I can think about is summer picnics. For caterers, ice cream parlors, wine and cheese shops, this is a great promotional item that clients will use throughout the year.

And the XL Insulated Recycled P.E.T Shopping Bag works with the biggest bag theory as well. The biggest bag theory (my own idea) is that the biggest bag in the trunk or cabinet is the bag that people grab most often. At a tradeshow the biggest bag theory says that all bags handed out will be placed in the biggest bag handed out. So if you want your bag noticed, make sure it is BIG.

These is a great, practical bag made from sustainable materials. Nice job Ariel, now how about some colors in 2012?

If you are ASI and wish to learn more about Ariel Premium Supply contact Joseph Warmbrodt. If you are interested in the XL Insulated Recycled P.E.T Shopping Bag to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

Gemline’s Recycled Essential Lunch Kit

16 Dec

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Time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. A perennial favorite is diet, which usually means out with the heavy restaurant lunches, in with the BYO healthy lunches from home.

Recycled Essential Lunch Kit

The Recycled Essentials Lunch Kit from Gemline offers a handsome black lunch bag kit made from 70% recycled PET fabric, with PEVA lining and PU fabric backing (non-PVC). This black bag is 7″L x 10″H x 6.5″W. It has a side pocket for water bottle, fold top with Velcro closure, front zippered pocket. The bag also includes educational product hangtag and is kid-friendly/CPSIA compliant.

But this is no ordinary lunch bag, as the kit includes a stainless steel water bottle (which also can be decorated), a plastic reusable food container, and a cotton cloth napkin. Just add fruits, veggies, and logos, and you’re good to go.

And there are lots of decorating options. You can print on the Front Pocket Center (4.5W x 4H), Front Pocket Upper Center (4.5” x 2H), Water bottle front panel center (1.75W x 2H), or Water bottle front panel upper center (1.75W x 1H). You can embroider the Front Pocket Upper Center (2” dia.). And you can do a Gemphoto on the Front pocket center (4W x 4H).

If you are ASI and wish to learn more about these Gemline products contact Andrea Catalano. If you are interested in The Recycled Essentials Lunch kit to promote your own business, or as end of year gift idea, contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

Holiday Tree in a Bag

12 Dec

At ECOFEST this year, the City of Arlington gave away 500 trees for planting in the City. Trees are truly the lungs of the planet and what could be more sustainable than giving the gift of a living tree and making that part of your holiday traditions? This is the idea behind the Holiday Tree in a Bag from Western Promotions.

The tree in the bag is a gift of a Blue Spruce Evergreen. Western Promotions explains that it ships only seedling plugs, never bare-root trees, so it can guarantee each one will be beautiful for years to come. And of course the longer your gift sticks around, the more often the client is reminded of you and your company.

Each tree is packed in a 100% cotton drawstring bag, with a festive red bow and growing instructions. You logo may be printed directly onto the bag in up to 2 colors. Or, you can have your logo printed on a hang tag of seeded paper in up to 4 colors.

If you are interested in the the Holiday Tree in a Bag for your own winter marketing contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing. Act fast, because Western Promotions offers this tree only through December 31, 2011.

 

100% Recycled Credit Card Size Ice Scrapers

9 Dec

Credit Card Ice Scrapers

Here is another smart and practical promotional idea from Garyline that I think is great for this time of year, the 100% recycled material 3250 Credit Card Ice Scraper.

I have written before about the sustainable materials line from Garyline, and how it always seems to be practical as well as creative. Currently working with a pool maintenance client we got to talking about inexpensive ideas to keep their brand in front of their client during the winter months.

A simple idea presented at that meeting was to imprint the Credit Card Ice Scraper with two simple  taglines. Either, ‘Winter is Here, Is Your Hot Tub Ready’ for clients with hot tubs, or ‘Spring is Coming, Is Your Pool Ready’, for clients with pools. These items would be left during services scheduled for December, January, and February, and also given away/sold during the winter months at the client’s retail locations.

It is a simple idea to keep client’s name in front of their customers during this traditionally slow period for pool services, while at the same time reminding current and possible clients that pool maintenance is key to proper pool upkeep.

Made in the USA and Union printed, the Credit Card Ice Scrapper runs in both recycled materials and standard materials, with BLACK, ECO (TAN) and DARK GREEN the only color options available in the 100% recycled material. As the name suggests product size is about the size of a credit card at 3 3/8″W x 2 1/8″H. An optional keyring attachment is available as well.

If you are a promotional items distributor looking for more information on Garyline items Stu Schoenfeld is your contact at Garyline. If you are interested in the Credit Card Ice Scrapper for your own winter marketing contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

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