Tag Archives: Gemline

Gemline Now Carries Bobble

12 Nov

1 filter = 300 water bottles

From the Bobble website, “The mere fact of bottled water is itself a funny thing. Clean, serviceable tap water flows directly into the majority of the world’s homes in industrialized nations. While of varying quality, it is free and widely available. Yet this resource goes largely untapped”.

From this simple statement,  Bobble has moved forward since 2008 to built a worldwide retail brand that is recognized for both quality and style. Starting in their 2013 line, and ready right now for holiday orders, Gemline is now offering exclusively for our industry, branded BPA-FREE Bobble bottle reusable drinkware.

Available in eight colors, the Bobble 18.5 oz Filtered Water Bottle from Gemline offers a standard black or white ink only imprint on the band of 1.25in x 1in.

These are exactly the same bottles that are sold in their retail line except with the added vantage of your company’s message or logo. The Bobble replaceable carbon filter easily removes chlorine & organic contaminants from municipal tap water, with one filter good for 300 refills.

When thinking about reusable drinkware Bobble is a great name for marketing because it is a global brand with a strong sustainable reputation, and also the end-user can take your bottle with your brand message and simply replace the filter online or at any one of hundreds of retail establishments carrying the Bobble line. This ease of replacing the filter means the bottle will last longer in the hands of your target audience, which translates to your brand also lasting longer in the hands for your target audience.

So the end result is a long-lasting bottle, with the great sustainability reputation, that is constantly promoting your brand to your target audience. The Bobble bottle is a slam dunk for programs targeting schools, spas, fitness centers, or health care. And because of the retail brand appeal it is a great idea for programs promoting active life-styles in the 20-40 age bracket.

If you are ASI and wish to learn more about branding the Bobble line contact Andrea Catalano at Gemline. If you are interested in Bobble bottles 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.

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Laminated 100% Recycled Shopper Now Featuring 8 Designs

30 Jun

Laminated 100% Recycled PET Fabric

The Laminated Recycled Shoppers from Gemline are still one of the most popular recycled bags on the market. Since we last mentioned these bags in 2010, Gemline has continued to add pre-printed designs to this line, and with the Fall 2012 additions, there are now eight unique designs to choose from.

The popularity of these bags rests in the pre-printed art and messaging, with statements like “I used to be a water bottle” and “100% recycled” worked into the design.

Each bag is indeed made from a laminated 100% Recycled PET fabric, estimated to keep about the equivalent of three water bottles worth of plastic out of the landfill.

All bags are the same size with a 13″L 15″H 8″W main compartment and generous gusset for maximum capacity. They all feature 23.5″ shoulder straps and are kid-friendly/CPSIA compliant.

The following video from Gemline gives you an idea of how big and bold these bags really are, and what can be achieved by simply adding client artwork to the pre-existing motifs available  in blue, purple, red, natural/brown, royal, caribbean, and summer green.

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If you are ASI and wish to learn more about Gemline and their complete line of 100% recycled bags contact Andrea Catalano. If you are interested in these great pre-printed bags to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

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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.

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Getting Ready For Fall at the Farmer’s Market

9 Sep

Recycled Cotton Market Bag

Fall is in the air. Well since I live in Dallas and it is still 90+ degrees this first week of September, let me say the idea of Fall is in the air. And Fall means fun at the farmer’s market.

I really do enjoy weekends at the market and every season brings a new selection to the stalls. Cauliflower, Butternut Squash, Fall Apples, Sweet Potatoes, and of course Pumpkins all come out around this time of year.

But look around at the shoppers. Even though I am at the farmer’s market I am surrounded by reusable bags bearing the names of the big food store chains of Dallas – Central Market, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Tom Thumb.

The thing about a farmer’s market is normally everyone brings their own bags. And since a printed shopping bag is really also a small moving “billboard” might I suggest if you are planning a marketing push this season that has anything to do with food or foodies, think about getting some printed bags to the farmers market for distribution to the crowds.

Like a tee shirt, most folks do not throw away bags. Indeed, again like a tee shirt, most shoppers have a favorite bag that they use over and over because a quality shopping tote is held on to for years.

Here is a hint. YOU WANT YOUR BRAND ON THAT BAG.

If not exactly free advertising, the average cost per impression of a shopping tote (i.e. the cost per view of your logo) is so very low, handing out a good bag that will last for years is a much, much better return on advertising dollars then print ads, TV ads, even billboards. The secret is to tie your brand to a good bag. No one uses a Yugo for a company limo. In the same respect skipping on your bag budget is not a good idea when you are using the bag itself as a vehicle to promote your brand.

Here are two videos on bags from Gemline that I think would work great for any promotional event targeting shoppers that would frequent a farmers market. The Gemline pre-printed Laminated 100% Recycled Shopper Set (adding your logo to a pre-printed bag is an easy way to get more bang for your marketing buck) and the very sturdy and understated Recycled Cotton Market Bag.

If you are ASI and wish to learn more about these Gemline products contact Andrea Catalano. If you are interested in bags to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

The videos.

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Greening Zebra with an Eco-Chic Pen

20 Jul

Zebra Eco Jimnie Clip Retractable Ballpoint

In 2011 Gemline started to Zebra Pens as part of their custom printable writing instruments line. Custom printed Zebra pens are exclusive only to Gemline, and Gemline offers over 110 items from the Zebra Collection. You have likely seen Zebra Pens before.

Zebra is a global brand, with a focus on precision writing tools at affordable prices. Zebra Pen Corporation was founded in New York in August 1982 as an independent corporation wholly owned by Zebra Co. Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan, which start making pens in 1914.

Zebra also seems to be a socially responsible company, supporting a number of organization in the US including City of Hope, Kids in Need, and The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Gemline offers two Zebra pens in their LivingGreen line, the Eco Jimnie Clip Retractable Ballpoint made from 75% post-consumer waste materials and the 2 Color Retractable made from 70% post-consumer waste, and available with Breast Cancer Awareness clip on PINK pens.

Two pens out of 110+ is not a very impressive first step, but as is often the case with sustainable materials, the first few items as really just a test. If they sell, more will follow. This seems to be the same methodology used by BIC Graphics as well. Indeed all the “brand” names seem to still be behind promotional only names like Shepenco when it comes to sustainable material offerings.

Still Zebra is a know name and global brand, with 100 years of history and reputation standing behind that brand, so the Eco Jimnie is a first step. Let’s give Zebra and Gemline some time and see how long it takes them to run with the idea of sustainable models throughout the Zebra line.

If you are ASI and wish to learn more about Zebra pens from Gemline contact Andrea Catalano. If you are interested in Zebra pens to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

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100% Recycled Impulse Lunch Cooler

10 Feb

100% Recycled Impulse Lunch Cooler

I think the new 100% Recycled Impulse Lunch Cooler from Gemline is a slam dunk for any marketing program aimed at promoting healthy eating or healthy food choices.

Why? This is a high style tote that happens to be 100% recycled material, and in the minds of most audiences healthy and eco-friendly go hand-in-hand.

Water Motif Pre-Print On Side Gusset Green and Blue Bags.

The 100% Recycled Impulse Lunch Cooler allows the marketer to position their heathy eating message/brand on a platform that is also ‘healthy’ for the environment. Win-win.

The 100% Recycled Impulse Lunch Cooler is an adult size lunch bag at 8″L x 9″H x 6″W. Too often in our industry folks see a lunch style tote and stop thinking about adults. I think that is a mistake, a lot of adults bring their lunch to work, and bringing lunch to work carries both an economic and healthy choice message that should work well in our current economic climate.

Imprint area is front pocket only at 5″W x 3″H, and as the name suggests the cooler is made from a laminated100% recycled PET fabric. Bags run BLACK, BLUE, GREEN, and RED. As a bonus the 100% Recycled Impulse Lunch Cooler comes with a pre-printed gusset in either a water bottle or checker motif. The handles of these bags are printed with the text MADE FROM WATER BOTTLES.

Like all Gemline bags the 100% Recycled Impulse Lunch Cooler is in compliance with the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), and can be tracked to its point of production.

Check the video for a great overview look at these bags. (They mention school events, but that is a bit of a knee-jerk reaction when talking about this shape of bag, I would much rather see this bag representing an organic frozen apple juice or other healthy food line.)

If you are ASI and wish to learn more about Gemline products contact Andrea Catalano. If you are interested in the 100% Recycled Impulse Lunch Cooler to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

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Gemline Introduces Video

16 Jan

For 2011 Gemline is not only introducing a bunch of new eco-friendly products, they are also bringing video to their website.

The videos are simple, short, clear, and easily linked to individual product pages, i.e. not tucked away under a videos section in a seperate area of the Gemline website. Lastly Gemline is using the YouTube platform for their videos, which makes them super easy to share with clients and distributors alike.

Here are three great eco-friendly products from Gemline that are now supported by video on the Gemline website: the very popular Laminated 100% Recycled Shopper introduced in 2010, new for 2011 the Topsail Recycled Cotton Boat Tote, and the Arctic Insulated Shopper.

So let’s start with the video of the Laminated 100% Recycled Shopper, which I wrote about back in August of 2010.

Next let’s look at the new Arctic Insulated Shopper, which is a continuation of two very popular ideas, the idea of the 100% recycled (rpet) material mated with the idea of the pre-printed bag, which allows a client to get more visual bang for less marketing bucks.

With regard to the Arctic Insulated Shopper and the 100% recycled material claim, I am assuming Gemline is referring to the shell of the bag itself, as most foil insulation materials we have seen in the past are not made of recycled materials. Again, it is important to point out the bags are made from recycled materials, which does not necessarily mean they are themselves recyclable. Once our office gets a sample of one of these bags to play with, I plan to write a full review. But on first pass, yes I like this bag.

The last video sample is of the new Topsail Recycled Cotton Boat Tote.

This bag is actually a big deal. With the sky high cost of cotton, many suppliers are reducing the number of natural and organic cotton bags in their line. Gemline, it seems, is going the other way and introducing new bags, like the Topsail Recycled Cotton Boat Tote. I really like the color choices in this bag, and as a 120z cotton bag, this guy is going to be a sturdy, strong, long lasting unit. Again, having the video online really helps “sell” the bag. But isn’t that the point.

If you are ASI and wish to learn more about Gemline products contact Andrea Catalano. If you are interested in the bags shown in these videos to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

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Laminated 100% Recycled Shopper Set

4 Jan

Laminated 100% Recycled Shopper Set Main Bag

I suspect the next couple of blogs are going to be all about what is new for 2011. Well let us just say, a lot.

A good starting place is the the new Laminated 100% Recycled Shopper Set from Gemline, one of 80 new products Gemline is introducing for 2011. With the bag ban expected to heat up in 2011, shoppers are a great giveaway idea.

All three bags in the set — which consist of a carry bag accompanied by two folders — are made from 100% Recycled PET Fabric. The carry bag dimensions are 13″L 15″H 6″W with a long shoulder handle, and the foldaway interior bags run 11.75L 13.5H 6W with a grab-style handle. All bags are lead-free.

Like the original Gemline 100% Laminated bags (which are still available in 2011) these bags offer a preprinted eco art design, however the eco theme branding is much larger and bolder on this set of bags than the original 100% bags from Gemline.

Pre-printed bags give you much more bag for your buck because you are getting a fulling designed theme bag (the pre-print) without having to run the 5000 plus units that is often needed for an all over custom design run. More color, more design, smaller price.

Runs of the new Laminated 100% Recycled Shopper Set start at just 50 units. Great for small events or office programs.

Interior Bags Folded

In the case of the Laminated 100% Recycled Shopper Set from Gemline the custom imprint area is on the main carry bag only. Both interior bags are 100% imprinted units with no added area for logo.

Italy will ban single use bags starting in 2011. In the US Oregon and Colorado might do the same, as well as many individual US cities and municipalities. As these bans become more common promotional multiple use bag like the Laminated 100% Recycled Shopper Set from Gemline will become more and more important, as the options for consumers is getting smaller and smaller, i.e. bring a bag with you to the store or buy a bag there.

If these bans do become the standard, and the single use plastic bag goes away, I think the multiple use bag is going to become the tee shirt of the next decade, i.e. the defacto giveaway / walking billboard that everyone is happy to receive.

If those multiple use bags are made from recycled material, natural cotton, bamboo, or other sustainable / biodegradable materials, that is great. If they all get made out of nylon or hard plastic, that is a problem in itself.

Blue Interior Bag Open

If you are ASI and wish to learn more about Gemline and their complete line of 100% recycled bags contact Andrea Catalano. If you are interested in these great pre-printed bags to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

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Latitudes Foldaway Shopper; Colorful, Smart, Fun

12 Aug

The new Latitudes Foldaway Shopper from Gemline is the perfect foldaway bag for all seasons. As more U.S. states and indeed entire countries move to ban plastic bags, this fun, colorful shopper is an easy use and store bag, great for any marketing program aimed at shoppers in need of a bag on the go.

Regardless of which side of the ban the bag argument you are on, banning bags in practice means an increase in the need for shoppers to bring their own, and that is an opportunity for marketers.

The Latitudes Foldaway Shopper comes with a built in bag of its own in the bottom left corner. This allows the unit to fold down to a simple teardrop shape, easy to keep in a purse, school bag, or glove compartment. Branding is possible both on the main body and the corner pouch, so that your brand is visible with the bag open or closed.

As for the details, the Latitudes Foldaway Shopper has 18″ shoulder straps, unfolds to 16″L 15″H in size, and is made from 210d polyester (we would have preferred a recycled fabric, maybe in 2011?). The bag tests PVC free and is listed as kid-friendly being CPSIA compliant.

The Latitudes Foldaway Shopper is available in a number of bright, happy colors including sky blue, red, black, lime with forest green pouch, and orange with gray pouch. EQP is $2.98. Like many Gemline totes the bags can be manufactured to a client’s exact color or design as a custom job.

If you are ASI and wish to learn more about Gemline and their complete line contact Andrea Catalano. If you are interested in the Latitudes Foldaway Shopper to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.

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2010 Resolutions: Less Water Bottles, More Stuff Made From Water Bottles

15 Jan

According to Wikipedia, in 2008, U.S. bottled water sales topped 8.6 billion gallons for 28.9% of the U.S. liquid refreshment beverage market, exceeding sales of all other beverages except carbonated soft drinks, followed by fruit juices and sports drinks. According to another study, in 2006, 38 billion plastic drinking bottles ended up in global landfills which will [only] begin to decompose in the year 2706.

If 2010 is finally the year your organization stops buying bottled water for employees (instead why not provided reusable drinkware?) and starts buying goods recycled from water bottles, here are a few items I suggest you think about. {Note: When I say recycled from water bottles I am normally using a shorthand term that our industry uses for items made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), a recycled material derived from used water bottles, yogurt containers, and like plastics.}

Following the lead of retailers like Patagonia, the promotional market offers many apparel choices of items made from recycled plastic soda bottles, often called Recycled Polyester.

In 2010 Ash City will offer 38 items made from Recycled Polyester, including their very popular e.c.o. fleece jackets and vests (EQP $39 -$47) and their new MEN’S RECYCLED POLYESTER INSULATED TEXTURED JACKET (EQP $99.00). Other items in the line included polos, performance sport shirts, caps and office bags, with enough selection (and price choice) to move the whole team to eco-friendly apparel.

Another manufacture to look at is Gemline which offers a number of bag and tote options, including their stylish Recycled Messenger Bag, and their new for 2010, “I USED TO BE A PLASTIC BOTTLE” 100% recycled PET fabric shopping tote.

Like some other manufacturers of rPET shopping totes, Gemline pre-prints their tote with a message, in this case the words  “I USED TO BE A PLASTIC BOTTLE”, on the base of the bag to leave no doubt with your target audience that they are receiving / using an item made from used material.

The bag also offers a large imprint area for your organization logo or message. These study 13″L 15″H 8″W are a great substitute for the average shopping bag with a current EQP of $2.48 per unit.

But of course rPET is not just for shopping totes.

One of the more impressive bags to come out in 2009 was the Wilson® Eco Carry Bag from Norwood which is made from 100% recycled fabric. The Wilson® Eco Carry is also a 100% true golf bag, with the same weigh, feel, and quality construction expected from the Wilson brand. The only real difference is that this bag used to be water bottles. There are even matching Wilson Eco Core golf balls, in this case the center of the golf ball (not the outside shell) is made from recycled materials. The Wilson® Eco Carry has an EQP of $155.67.

In addition to these samples rPET is being used in the promotional industry for caps, tshirts, padfolios, backpacks, even golf umbrellas.

The point is that if you want to stop buying bottled water, and instead start buying items made from the thousands of bottled water bottles that are rapidly filling our landfills, the promotional item industry offers many options for your organization to be a little more green in 2010.

If you are interested in information on these items please take a look at the manufacturers websites, and the links to past articles from 2009. 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.

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