Totes and Bags

Custom Bag Must-Haves: Finding the Perfect Summer Bag

Custom Bag Must-Haves: Finding the Perfect Summer Bag

When it comes to choosing the perfect summer bag, every person has his/her own judging criteria. And as the seasons change, so do the style trends, and in turn, the needs of the customer. Along with being attractive, a good bag needs to meet a customer’s lifestyle.

In fact, according the Advertising Specialty Institute, bags have been found to generate more impressions than any other promotional item. In terms of your business, you can take advantage of this opportunity, in order to build your brand.

How??

By rewarding current customers for their continued support, and attracting potential customers with a custom bag that’s both fashionable and functional.

Utilize these suggested promotional products, and you’ve literally got sales in the bag!

Customers are sure to appreciate the Cruising Tote Bag with Rope Handles which is a sturdy tote that’s perfect for summer activities. Available in four colors with 25″ rope handles, this bag is easy on the eyes AND on the hands. You may think that it’s special enough to turn heads at summer get-togethers, but by custom printing your corporate logo on it, you can make your brand the starring feature. With each use, your customers can inspire curiosity about your brand amongst your potential clients, consequently building your audience and achieving heightened brand awareness. Your business will certainly not blend in with the competition using this fresh perspective on a standard summer bag.

From the beach to the trade show to the company picnic, the Alison Cotton Tote Bag is a winner. The simple, yet impactful design provides a huge, blank canvas for neatly screen-printing your corporate logo on the front of the bag. Additionally, you can choose from five bright color schemes that are perfect for any season. As an added bonus, this custom bag is available for free rush production 5 days after your logo art is accepted. An Alison Cotton custom swag bag is a simply meaningful gift for customers to commemorate their positive experience with your brand.

Keep your gear and accessories in, and keep out the sand, water, and dust. The Sifter Beach Tote Bag is a sturdy cotton canvas tote with a mesh bottom. Simply expose the mesh to shake out any sand that’s accumulated in the bag. It will be the perfect accessory for customers to use regularly over a long period of time in all different places. Custom branding this bag will allow customers to safely and stylishly carry their necessities, and to act as your personal marketing team. In doing so, your business can build brand awareness and recognition at very little cost to you.

Your ongoing business goal is to build brand awareness and “get your name out there.” Custom promotional bags have proven to be impressive marketing tools to make this possible. Custom bags allow you to capture the character and personality of your brand, all while building a loyal following.

For more great ideas for unique, brand-building giveaways and swag, be sure to visit Pinnacle Promotions to learn how you can Make the right impression™.

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Can’t Miss Trade Show Tech Trends

Can’t Miss Trade Show Tech Trends

Whether you are attending the trade show, hosting the booth, or the guest speaker, trade show technology is on the rise, and fast! Technology is making an impact across all aspects of the trade show world. Here are some key areas technology is changing the way we conduct and attend trade shows.

Giveaways

Giveaways have become more prevalent than ever at trade shows, and the use of tech trade show giveaways has increased year over year. Giveaways have transformed beyond uni-function pens, keychains, and bags.

-The promotional pen is no longer just a pen; it is a pen stylus and LED light combination.
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-The branded keychain is no longer just a keychain; it is a LED flashlight and bottle opener.
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-The imprinted bag is no longer just a bag; it is a full-color, screen-printed, reusable tote bag complete with embedded QR codes that links to the full event schedule online.
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Security

Security has become an exceedingly important part of the trade show experience. It is more important than ever to protect your identity when traveling for business. It’d not just your personal information that is at risk, but a compromised corporate credit card can be a nightmare for both employee and company.

– RFID-protection (RFID, Radio-frequency Identification, is the wireless use of radio frequency to access information and transfer data) technology can be found in everything from logo’d travel wallets to laptop bags and briefcases. 0011-28_500

-We recently wrote about the rise of RFID protection in promotional products.

Apps

Last but not least, get a good app! Whether at a small venue near your office, or McCormick Place in Chicago there are several apps that can help the trade show traveler on the go!

Google Maps can help you avoid traffic and arrive on time at the right destination.

-Whether parking at the airport or convention center, you’ll probably leave the facility with your arms full and tired feet. Don’t wander! Use the Find My Car app to help you locate your vehicle right away.

-This great blog post highlights a few other apps that can help make your trade show experience better.

Whether the attendee or host, your trade show experience will be touched, and more than likely improved by the increased use of technology. Be on the cutting edge of what you see on the trade show floor, and stand out among the competitors by upping your technology game with unique giveaways. Be safe with RFID technology promotional products. And, don’t forget to use Find My Car so you aren’t left wandering the convention center parking garage after a long day on the show floor.

Pinnacle Promotions

Posted by Lee in Top Trending Topics, 0 comments
What IS a promotional product?

What IS a promotional product?

Someone said to us recently, “What IS a promotional product?” We were aghast to realize everyone might not necessarily know what is classified as a promotional product. Promotional products can be anything. And if you take a look around, you might be surprised to find out just how many promotional products you do own!

Here are a few promotional items that you might find around your home and office right now:

The concert tee

Your concert t-shirt is actually a promotional product! The band put their logo on the shirt, and you have worn that shirt until it has faded out.

Your concert t-shirt is actually a promotional product! The band put their logo on the shirt, and you have worn that shirt until it has faded out.

Bank pen

The traditional bank pen may be where it all started! The very foundation of promotional products has always been a logo on a pen.

The traditional bank pen may be where it all started! The very foundation of promotional products has always been a logo on a pen.

Soda cup

Reusable soda cups have become the staple for restaurants. And, when paired with the restaurant logo and the soda name the promotional soda cup becomes the double-marketing whammy!

Reusable soda cups have become the staple for restaurants. And, when paired with the restaurant logo and the soda name the promotional soda cup becomes the double-marketing whammy!

Matchbook

This classic promotional item may not be as popular any longer, but the personalized matchbook was an early marketing adopter due to the high-visibility and available imprint space.

This classic promotional item may not be as popular any longer, but the personalized matchbook was an early marketing adopter due to the high-visibility and available imprint space.

Calendar

A fixture in the real estate markets, the promotional magnetic calendar can be found on many a refrigerator at the start of the New Year!

A fixture in the real estate markets, the promotional magnetic calendar can be found on many a refrigerator at the start of the New Year!

Letter opener

We asked a focus group to tell us the most useful promotional item at their desk right now. Their overwhelming answer? The letter opener.

We asked a focus group to tell us the most useful promotional item at their desk right now. Their overwhelming answer? The letter opener.

Shopping bag

Now it’s not just the store from which the bag came that wants to use the space for advertising, it is also products that want a piece of the branding pie. The marriage of Kroger and Kraft on the same reusable grocery tote is in the near future.

The reusable shopping bag market has exploded! With everyone trying to do his or her part to save the planet, the value of the grocery tote has grown. The state of California has become the first state to propose banning plastic bags. Now it’s not just the store from which the bag came that wants to use the space for advertising, it is also products that want a piece of the branding pie. The marriage of Kroger and Kraft on the same reusable grocery tote is in the VERY near future.

Take a look around! Tell us just how many promotional products you see. We think you will be surprised at how many promotional products we have in our lives and the prominence of some of those products. Now that you see just how many things classify as promotional products, think about your audience reach when you put your brand on a customizable item. The value of promotional products cannot be understated!

Pinnacle Promotions

Posted by Lee in Cool Promotional Products We Love, 1 comment

“That’s a Tier 2 problem.” Ummmm…what?

“That’s a Tier 2 problem.” Ummmm…what?

My laptop was not working. I had no idea what was wrong with it. So, I took my computer to a store that sells that computer, and that computer only. Upon further inspection, the technician kindly let me know that I have a “Tier 2” problem. I asked, “What is a Tier 2 problem?” He answered, “About $250.” Ummmm…what?

Many industries have their own terms that are proprietary to the market or industry. The promotional products industry is no different. We have assembled a few of our favorite terms here that some customers may know, but these terms might not necessarily be household names. Not only will we define them for you, but we’ll do it in less than #sixwords!

Four-color process
: Your full-color-logo on something
Stock the closet: Your corporate stash of promo items
Setup charge: Charge to setup the imprinting machine
Imprint: Your logo or design for production
Vector: Points and lines that make shapes
Raster: Squares of pixels that make shapes
Pad print: Stamp your imprint on your item
Deboss: Elegant concave imprint on squishable item
Digitizing: Embroidered image becomes digital sewing file
PMS Color: Color number matching your brand guidelines (PMS LINK)
Run Charge: Charge per color for color printing
Flash Charge: White base for dark printing wearables

Any other terms you want us to explain in #sixwords? We’re here for you! Check out our FAQs for more information.

Pinnacle Promotions

Posted by Lee in Brand Identity and Corporate Logos, Promotions Industry News, Top Trending Topics, 0 comments

Megan’s Product Pick: NEON t-shirts and accessories

I was a wee little one when neon clothing and accessories were all the rage in the 1980’s, but I still got on the trend bandwagon with OP (Ocean Pacific) jams and a paint-splattered tee. I though I was pretty cool, considering that my trendsetting Grandmother had the matching ensemble. The 90’s were not much better, giving us another regurgitation of neon, worn by ravers and club kids. Glow sticks, makeup, glitter and hair dye were doused with neon hues. It seemed the more the better.

Continue reading →

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Bringing Sexy Back to the Promotional Bag Industry

These days, boy-crazy preteens are sticking posters of Justin Bieber and Robert Pattinson up on their walls. Back when I was that age, I was absolutely crazy over NSYNC. Seriously – crazy to the point that I convinced all of my teachers to allow me to sign my name as Ashley Chasez (the last name of my fave member JC) on all of my papers. Luckily, I have taken back my proper last name in the years since, but I still get excited when I see my favorite boy band continuing to make it out there in the world. (Yes – I started watching America’s Best Dance Crew solely because JC is a judge). And what do you know— one of my teenybopper idols is breaking into the promotional products scene! That’s right – Justin Timberlake, perhaps you have heard of him, has become an investor as well as a designer for a line of bags (Ful, which sounds like Fuel) that are available in retail as well as within the promotional bag industry.  Wanna know more about JT’s bags?

Posted by Admin in Cool Promotional Products We Love, 0 comments

From the Runway, to Your Promotional Products… Spring Fashion Report

For some, fashion is a hobby. For others, a sport. Twice a year, in February and September, fashion lovers of all income brackets, styles, and ages unite to take in something I like to equate to “The Superbowls of Fashion,” New York Fashion Weeks. Men glued to their tvs screaming as their favorite football team fights for yardage does not begin to compare to the intensity with which many women follow the coverage of Spring and Fall Fashion Weeks. We live vicariously through bloggers and press coverage, keeping a mental, or for some fashionistas who are even more obsessed with couture than I am, a physical, checklist of all the trends we want to incorporate into our seasonal wardrobes.

Spring/Summer trends were defined at 2009’s Fall Fashion Week (confusing, I know), and I have already spotted some of the key trends permeating the dreary Winter attire demanded by Atlanta’s current climate. It isn’t too late to design custom apparel items for clients and employees that will put them at the pinnacle (pun intended!) of fashion in their professional and personal lives this Spring.

Neutral tones: One of my current favorite promotional products is Leed’s Laminated Non-Woven Large Shopper Tote, which can be found in our Tradeshow Bags & Totes category. This eco-friendly carrying bag is offered with a grass stock background, keeping it in line with the neutral theme that dominated Spring runway shows. A former roommate’s 7 year old sister once asked her why everything in my closet was “dirt-colored,” so clearly I was far ahead of the times with this trend!

Preppy stripes: Many people are not wasting any time at all interspersing chunky stripes and nautical accessories into their Winter wardrobes, and this craze is expected to grow exponentially as temperatures heat up. Our playful Large Striped Canvas Tote is one item to help your female constituents capitalize on the nautical theme, and even men can get onboard (again, pun intended- that one was just way too easy!) with polo shirts featuring subtle stripes.

Nylon anoraks and color blocking: A quick search for the term “color block” on our website turns up hundreds of results, from color block drinkware to tote bags. Appropriately, some of the search results were nylon color block jackets for men, women, and youth from popular promotional apparel brand Port Authority®. I don’t think I could have found a better example of either of these trends than these particular lightweight jackets- perfect for crisp, clear Spring mornings, Port Authority® takes nylon outerwear from functional to fashionable with ease in these statement pieces.

And that wraps up my summary of Spring trends; I can’t wait to summarize next week’s events for you, as I’m sure I will have plenty of ideas about how Pinnacle Promotions can help you bring Fall 2010 trends from the runway to YOUR way with unique promotional products.

Dana
Team Lead – Social Media

Posted by Admin in Seasonal Marketing Ideas, 0 comments

Mood-Sensing Promotional Products: What Will They Think of Next?

Leopard PrintReading Acree’s blog yesterday did make me a bit nostalgic about college life. My sadness did not last long, however, as a late afternoon brainstorming session with my coworkers left me giddy with excitement about all of the creative ideas that we hope to bring to fruition. Today, as I write this blog, I am slightly overwhelmed by the blank document on my computer screen, but I am hopeful that after jotting down my thoughts and organizing them in a logical progression, anyone who stumbles upon this post will be left feeling satisfied and intrigued.

The sheer number of emotions that we experience on an hourly, and even minute-by-minute, basis is mind-boggling. One of the downright coolest websites I have seen in a long time (other than Pinnacle Promotions, of course!) is Trendhunter.com, recommended to me by Pinnacle’s Relationship Manager, Natasha. Trend Hunter garners over 9 million monthly views and claims to be “the world’s largest, most popular trend community”. With over 61,000 posted trends, this site is an incredible resource for anyone interested in innovative gadgets, concepts, and campaigns.

But enough about Trend Hunter and onto the real inspiration behind today’s ramblings. My first paragraph with distinctive feelings bolded and underlined relates to a Trend Hunter slideshow called “34 Emotion-Based Innovations.” While I am not sure whether inventions like the TouchMan cellphone, which allows for visual sharing of emotions during phone conversations, will be met with widespread acceptance, there are some products on the list that may take the world by storm.

The LadyBag, designed by Canadian researchers, uses RFID technology to detect the contents of the purse- if it detects an absence of a certain item, a visual icon representing the missing item appears on the external LED display. When every RFID-tagged item specified by the user is detected, a smiley face graphic shows up on the outside display. The LadyBag also determines the user’s emotional state via physical sensors, and visually depicts the emotions on the outside display as well. I’m not sure how I feel about literally wearing my emotions, but the RFID detection technology would be useful, to say the least!

The mood pen, created by electronics powerhouse Philips, features sensors in its shaft to monitor the user’s heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature and pressure. The inks and shape of the writing tip adapt to the emotions detected, so written words will appear different depending on whether the writer is happy or sad. The emotion-sensing technology could be turned off if the user decides not to put his or her feelings on display. My question is, if users are going to turn off that special feature, why wouldn’t they just opt for regular promotional pens?

The general public may not be ready for some of these innovations just yet, but it is fascinating to think about how emotion-detecting technology will affect communication channels and marketing. Someday in the future, will marketers be able to capture and analyze consumers’ emotional reactions to billboards, television commercials, and point of purchase displays? The examples in the slideshow seem to point to “yes,” but it will be exciting to observe the developments as they infiltrate mainstream outlets.
Dana
Team Lead – Social Media

Posted by Admin in Cool Promotional Products We Love, 0 comments

Bags, Bags and more Bags!

In the Holiday Season, I found myself among the hundreds of other shoppers feeling the pressure of finishing up my holiday shopping for my friends and family members.

In the mall this past weekend I couldn’t help but notice all of the unique shopping bags draped on shoulders, stuffed into carts or piled onto ever-so-friendly husbands on the benches in the middle of the mall. I realized this weekend the amazing power of custom bags and the impact they carry when being toted around the mall.

Whether the bags promote holiday graphics, or the store name, or 50% OFF EVERYTHING, custom bags can become a walking billboard for your store or brand. It’s almost as if your customers are paying you to advertise.

Hmm – now there is an interesting concept.

Eliza
Account Manager

Posted by Admin in Seasonal Marketing Ideas, 1 comment