promotional t-shirts

Feb

2015

3 Surprising Things You Don’t Know About…Promotional Apparel

When shopping for promotional apparel, don’t make the mistake of missing out on 3 key factors that matter and should be part of your decision-making process.

We interviewed our Sr. Merchandising Manager Megan McConnell and she shared her top 3 things that people need to know about purchasing promotional apparel.

Protection Factors

The trend of protection factors in fabrics also applies to promotional apparel. OSHA recommends your workforce be protected from UV Rays and monitor themselves for skin cancer regularly.

Many customizable items have fabric that is rated for UVA-blocking ingredients. Also, you can find micro-bacterial fabrics throughout promotional categories such as apparel and even home goods.

Port Authority Ladies Tech Pique Polo

Port Authority Tech Pique Polo

Quality Standards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has strict requirements for apparel labeled or sold as “Youth” apparel. The fabric must be labeled for origin of location, contents and safety issues like flammability. A hooded promotional sweatshirt labeled for “Youth” does not have drawstrings around the hood, per USCPSC guidelines.

Gildan Youth Heavy Blend Hood

Get a sample!

Pinnacle recommends you request an actual sample when purchasing promotional apparel or uniforms. This helps with both product use and sizing. With a sample in hand, you can see better how the embroidered image will look and you can get a feel for sizing in length and width. Looking for tall or extended sizes? Talk to your Account Manager for more information! Call us today at 800-351-4226.

When thinking about promotional apparel for your organization or your customers, think about these 3 surprising things that help guarantee the customized apparel you choose will help you to Make the right impression.™

Pinnacle Promotions

3 Surprising things about Promotional Apparel! – A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Jan

2015

3 Surprising Things You Don’t Know About…Embroidery

Embroidery, as a process, goes back thousands of years. The earliest recorded embroidered garment dates back to 700 CE. Today, the embroidery process is completely digitized, though some of the foundations of embroidery are still key to the process as a whole.

Old Tools

-Hoop
The use of the embroider hoop dates back to the beginning of the process. They were originally made of wood, bone or ivory. Today, they are made of wood or plastic. Even machines with multiple stations still require one hoop per station. Hoops are necessary to keep the fabric taut while working.

Photo by Teunie

-Fabric
Thread or yarn is used in the embroidery process. Modern commercial embroidery thread is most often made of cotton or rayon, and available in unlimited color combinations.

New Tools

-Computer design
“In 1980, Wilcom introduced the first computer graphics embroidery design system to run on a minicomputer. “
The ability to design a multi-colored image has come a long way, but it still the hardest art to set-up because it requires the highest minimum font sizes. Detail is limited because in embroidery you are using thread instead of ink, and are confined by the size of the thread.

-Computer machinery
Current embroidery machinery can run more than 55 heads at once with more than 25 colors at one time. Tajima and Barudan are two top embroidery machine manufacturers.

Photo from Tajima

Method

-Process
The age-old process of pulling the fabric tight, setting it into a hoop and stitching into it, remains the same. However, the types of fabric and the speed of which determines the length of the process. The average logo contains approx. 8,000 stitches or less.

-Material
Embroidery is a sturdier, more substantial imprint process than screen-printing. You can embroider on most fabrics, from cotton to blends to full polyester or rayon. The favorite location for apparel, and the spot that receives the most impressions, is the front, left chest.

Embroidery remains the second most popular imprint method for promotional apparel. The ability to customize embroider on a bucket hat or a polo shirt, a soft-side cooler or picnic blanket, allows the customer to be flexible in the promotional product choice, even when limited by design. Click for more information on other imprint methods. Contact us for more information about your logo and how we can embroider it on just about anything!

Pinnacle Promotions

Bet you didn’t know THIS about embroidery! – A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Oct

2014

If You Could Be A Promotional Product Which Would You Be?

Take our promotional products personality test!

Click on the product to see what your choice says about your work place personality:

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Share this post if you know someone who matches one of these products!

Pinnacle Promotions

If you could be a promotional product which would you be? A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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18

Sep

2014

7 Awareness Products that Make a Big Impact
Everyone is talking about it! The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The challenge was started by golfers on a television show called the Morning Drive, and brought full-circle when golfer Chris Kennedy challenged his cousin and connected the challenge to fundraising for ALS research. The challenge has helped to raise almost $95 million dollars this year, whereas the ALS Association raised just over $2 million dollars in all of last year. The Pinnacle Art department was recently challenged, and they performed their own ice bucket challenge. (Watch the Pinnacle Promotions Ice Bucket Challenge HERE)

If your organization doesn’t have the notoriety yet of the ALS challenge, there are things you can do to generate awareness for your cause or event with the use of promotional products. And, when thinking about awareness products the first question you should ask yourself is, “What do I hope to accomplish with this promotional item?” Most of our top promotional products fall into one of three categories: Giveaways, Prizes, For Sale.

Here are some examples of products our clients have used for Awareness events, and the categories in which they were used:

Giveaways

1.
Awareness RIbbon Keychain

2.
Debossed Silicone Wristband

Prizes

1.
Max Performance Smartphone Armband

2.
Bottle for a Cause Custom Water Bottle with Silicone Bracelet

For Sale

1.
Ribbon Car Sign Magnet w/ Custom Imprint

2.
Neon Fruit Infuser BPA Free Water Bottle 24 oz.

3.
Die Struck Sandblasted Lapel Pin

Brand the right promotional product for either a giveaway, a prize or as a for-profit item, you can put your event or cause logo on an item that can extend the reach of your message. Use the branded items to share your story, to start a conversation or to raise money. Awareness is the ultimate goal even if you aren’t using an ice bucket to get your cause out there.

Do you have a favorite promotional product from an event or cause? Share a picture with us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/pinnaclepromotions.

Pinnacle Promotions

7 products that will get your cause noticed! A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos #awareness

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Posted by Lee in Awareness Promotional Products, 0 comments

14

Aug

2014

What Happens After a Big Breakup
Your last breakup may not have been worth millions of dollars. But, perhaps you too had to decide what to do with a corporate logo after dissolution or split. Perhaps you needed to find an outlet for your uniforms after a company name or logo change. Or, maybe you decided not to give that favorite concert t-shirt back to your ex. Either way, there’s a lot more to think about after a big breakup than just the feelings. Don’t forget to consider the stuff!

Manchester United Defend (Photo credit: Paolo Camera)

Manchester United, one of the champions of the Barclay’s Premier Football League in England, made big news recently when they switched from Nike to Adidas as the main supplier for their kits. The deal is the highest uniform deal of all time in any sport. Adidas will pay Manchester United $1.3 billion over 10 years to provide uniform kits.

The Initial Breakup:
Nike decided after a 10-year relationship that ManU wanted too much money to continue the relationship. Did this have anything to do with Manchester’s recent poor performance in the Premier League? They finished 7th this past season. Either way, when word got out that Nike was moving on, sports powerhouse Adidas was more than happy to move in. Adidas worked a deal to pay $130 million per year for the next 10 years to Man United. They expect $400 million in sales per year to generate from this relationship. Man U put Nike on notice in January, and the Adidas deal was done by June. The new kits start in the 2015-2016 season.

Intellectual Property and New Gear:
Of course, the brand owns their logo as intellectual property. But as part of the complete kit, Adidas will outfit Man U with an updated, slightly tweaked logo, and full game and training uniforms (down to the underwear). However, the deal is only for playing and training wear. Unlike with the Nike contract, now the team will control any other licensing for promotional products directly.

Old Gear:
And what is the team to do with the old, outdated Nike gear? The team will continue to use the kit through the 2014-2015 season. But, what happens to the gear after that?

Often, teams need an outlet for getting rid of outdated products. Some clubs sign the old items and give them to charity. Others are required to donate the items, but not in a geographical area that they can be resold or profited. It can be mandated that the items be sent to third-world countries and given to charity.

Man U is hosting a contest this season so that people can enter to win Nike Tour Gear worn during game play and signed by the players. You can enter here.

Enter to win Tour Gear from Aon

Whether a logo change or corporate split, what do companies do with all the old stuff? Have you found creative ways to use last year’s marketing materials? Tell us in the comments below!

Pinnacle Promotions

What to do after a big breakup? A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Posted by Lee in Brand Identity and Corporate Logos, 0 comments

23

May

2014

FORE: Shoot Low, Win Big!
Does your golf outing planning schedule look like this? Win big with good planning and the perfect products.

For years companies have used the Golf Tournament as a way to socialize and reward their customers. One company we know spends as much as $45,000 on their annual spring event. A Golf Tournament has also been a stalwart fund-raiser for the non-profit segment.

Non-profits have certain challenges, especially when it comes to fund raising events that are reward-return based. They need the perfect promotional products to not only thank donors for past giving, but to also encourage them to donate again and spread their message. Sometimes it takes more than one stress ball or mug to do just that.

Here are some ideas to help non-profits find the perfect promotional products for their next Golf Tournament.

Traditional:

Balls Tube with Tees

Golf Towel

Golf Colorblock Polo

Creative:

Keep it Cook Golf Kit

Cutting Board

Divot Tool/Bottle Opener

Waayyyyy outside the “tee” box:

Flip Flops w/ Bottle Opener

Morph Cinch Pack

Brew 2 Go Kit

Executive Putter Set

The right golf promotional products will provide big returns on your outing investment!

Pinnacle Promotions

FORE! Big wins from golf outings for non-profits! New blog post by @PinnaclePromos

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Posted by Lee in Seasonal Marketing Ideas, 0 comments

02

Apr

2014

Technology: RFID Changing Promotional Products
21st century technology is making a big impact on the promotional products industry. The need for RFID security is changing the internal workings of promotional products. RFID, Radio-frequency Identification, is the wireless use of radio frequency to access information and transfer data. If you have stayed in a hotel recently and used your card to “tap” into your room rather than sliding your card, you are using RFID technology.

RFID has launched a whole new type of crime in the form of hacking. Wired Magazine has covered the increase and ease of theft numerous times since this technology emerged into the market. “They can steal your smartcard, lift your passport, jack your car, even clone the chip in your arm. And you won’t feel a thing.” Now, RFID technology, and the ability to block the RFID signal, is making its way into customizable products as varied as wearables, gear and promotional bags.

Promotional product manufacturers and suppliers have worked together to provide marketing professionals with quality and RFID-safe products. Here are a few examples:

You can customize the Travelpro Travelsmart Passport Wallet with your corporate logo. Developed with the airline travelers and professionals in mind, special RFID Technology encases belongings to protect them from ID theft. This deluxe Passport Wallet contains a flip up boarding pass holder, quick access passport pocket, three credit card slots, and a privacy mesh ID holder.

Not only does the Zebra Convertible Computer Messenger Bag come with padded, scratch-resistant 10″ and 15″ tablet pockets for protecting your technology, but it also has a zippered pocket with RFID-blocking technology preventing unauthorized access to personal information.

Soon enough, RFID technology will be in wearables and gear. The ability to host a QR code on a branded tote bag has been around for a while. We’ll soon be able to insert an RFID patch into a customized reusable bag for a conference taking your swag bag to a whole new level by making it an entry ticket, attendance recorder, and participation tracker.

The possibilities are endless for the marriage of technology and promotional products!

Pinnacle Promotions

New blog post by @PinnaclePromos: RFID changing the world of #promotionalproducts.

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Posted by Lee in Promotions Industry News, 0 comments

01

Apr

2014

Pinnacle Promotions is dedicated to helping you Make the right impression.™
Make the right impression™ Tips
Pinnacle Promotions is dedicated to helping you Make the right impression.™ We are providing helpful tips, expert advice and quality product recommendations to make you look good.

Pinnacle Promotions

New blog post: @PinnaclePromos helps you Make the right impression.™

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Posted by Admin in Brand Identity and Corporate Logos, 0 comments

24

Jan

2014

It’s Not Just Orchid, it’s Radiant Orchid: Pantone 2014 Color of the Year
If you work as a graphic designer or with graphic designers in any capacity, no doubt you are familiar with the Pantone Matching System, which is the standard color matching system across pretty much all industries.

Each year, Pantone chooses a “Color of the Year.” The color is decided upon at a secret Pantone meeting held in a European capital each year. The color is reportedly chosen in conjunction with many of the cultural influences that Pantone believes are relevant in our present lives. The color is meant to capture the spirit of the year.

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2014 is Radiant Orchid.

Last year’s color was green. Lots of things are green. Not all that many things are “radiant orchid.” Our team worked very hard to find promotional or customized marketing products around the office that are orchid. We found these two things that are close.

To help our designers, idea-makers and customers get into the color of the year we created a Pinterest board.

What promotional items do you think will look best in radiant orchid?

Pinnacle Promotions

Pinnacle’s new blog post is RADIANT!

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Posted by Lee in Current Events News, Seasonal Marketing Ideas, Top Trending Topics, 0 comments

10

Jan

2014

Promotional Product Hacks to Save Your Trade Show
We know how difficult it is to plan, prepare, and execute a trade show and that you’re looking for tips and tricks to make it easier. Storage is in short supply at trade shows. So, how can you make the most of it? We suggest doubling up the uses of your promotional items so that you don’t have to remember quite so many things. Some people call these hacks. We call them “imaginative repurposing.”

1. Silicone wristbands make handy rubber bands when you’re overwhelmed with loose pens or pencils and short on bundling methods.

Not only are these handy customized wristbands going to be utilized over and over by tradeshow attendees (because you just gave them a new idea) but will also allow you to be organized at the same time.

2. Reduce the number of office supplies that you need to take by leveraging your promotional items for your booth staff.

These will be handy for your staff to jot down notes to hand to attendees. Branding and personal contact reminder all rolled up in one.

3. Got a tablet or iPad to display but can’t get a new case or stand?

Order the Windsor Reflections Promotional Jotter and use it to double as a display stand.

4. Cups are a great tradeshow promotional item because they are likely to be used again; they have a long “shelf life.” However, cups use up a lot of space, but really most of it is just air.

So, how do you take advantage of this? If you will be shipping your giveaway cups, use the cups for storage or stuff them full with other essentials that need to go to your trade show. This will reduce the number of boxes that you would need to ship and reduces clutter at the actual booth. In addition, many booths will use music to create the ambiance within the booth. Think you need to take along extra speakers to be heard? Think again. If playing music from your phone, place your phone’s speaker inside one of those snazzy promotional cups to amplify the sound.

5. Traveling with fragile tradeshow items and need cushioning to pack your valuables in? Have you ever thought of using a 1/4’ mouse pad, imprinted with your logo to cushion your precious delivery?

Mouse pads come in all shapes, sizes, and thicknesses and can be used not only to ensure your mouse works correctly, but can be used to take up extra space in the box and absorb any shock that your shipping boxes may incur.

So, when you get ready to pack up your trade show tables, displays, and promotional items, recall these tips to save space, time, energy, and keep you organized. Well, at least make you look smart by knowing the hacks.

Got any good hacks of your own? Let us know!

Posted by Admin in Marketing Ideas, Tradeshow Giveaways & Swag, 1 comment

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