Are you ready for square beverage bottles? Turns out the square-sided sports bottle is so much more than eye-catching.

• Square bottles actually hold more liquid than round bottles of the same height and width.
• The square shape actually allows for a more efficient use of storage space. This is valuable for both shipping and storing.
• Square sports bottles are stackable, and they don’t roll.

According to the design and environmental blog Inhabit, designer Andrew Kim developed this biodegradable concept bottle to show the impact Coca-Cola® could have simply by changing the shape of its bottle design.

This design change is coming to promotional products as well. Here’s the first example: Our exclusive PolySure Squared-Up Sport Bottle. The 24-ounce promotional water bottle comes in vibrant colors, both translucent and opaque.

The trend towards square shapes in sports bottles is still pretty new. So, be square. Your promotional items will really stand out from your competitors.

-Suzanne

Tech giveaways can be tricky, if you have a limited budget.  There are lots of great tech options for business gifts and employee incentives.  But, finding a tech giveaway that is affordable enough to hand out in a larger quantity can be challenging.  (Screen sweeps are an obvious exception!)

But, every now and then, a really useful and inexpensive tech giveaway comes along.  The latest is an easy-to-use MP3 player or smartphone stand.  This one is called the iWrench.

If this is something that would appeal to your customers, prospects, employees or volunteers, check out the Ear Bud Buddy (coming soon to 4imprint).  Like the iWrench, these promotional products work as an easel for your MP3 player or smartphone.  The Ear Bud Buddy also conveniently holds the ear buds used with the device.

Your logo is imprinted along the edge of the Ear Bud Buddy, which means your organization will be top of mind every time someone pulls out their ear buds.

-Suzanne

One of my very favorite brand-new products that I had in-hand recently is the Chalk It Up Ceramic Mug. It’s a regular mug with a write-on exterior surface, and it even comes with two pieces of chalk. Chalkboard paint projects for the home have become quite popular, especially with DIY-ers, and now you can incorporate the fresh idea into your corporate strategy. Let me get you started with some exciting product use ideas:

1. During seminars, while the speaker has the floor, jot down any pending questions you have to ask during Q&A so you don’t forget them.

2. Brainstorm solutions—jot every solution you can think of. You can always erase the weaker ideas and develop upon the stronger ones.

3. Write down important thoughts as you’re working at your desk, before they escape your memory.

4. Instead of tying a ribbon around your finger, try writing reminders, such as “pick up milk” in a place where you’re sure to see it.

5. Revise, scratch off and add to your to-do list throughout the day.

6. Jot daily uplifting quotes on the mug to keep you feeling inspired.

7. During new-hire orientation, have associates break the ice by writing interesting facts about themselves on the mugs. Or use them as a name badge alternative.

8. Pass notes during meetings without distracting your boss.

9. College professors and speakers can write key discussion points on the mug and consult them discreetly.

10. Offer a toast at your next special event. Prepare your short speech right on your coffee mug.

This multitasking mug is like an imprinted memo board you can drink out of! I hope this gives you a jump-start on some creative and entertaining promotional ideas for this fabulous chalk trend.

~Jessica

It’s unusual to see a trend move in two directions at the same time.  Usually, things get really big (think big hair, bell bottoms, SUVs and McMansions) all at one time.  Or, they go the opposite direction and get really small (skinny jeans, compact cars and miniskirts).

Right now, headphones are breaking that conventional design wisdom.  Both oversized and nearly invisible headphones are hot right now.  I spotted these oversized headphones at American Eagle.

These mini-headphones from www.japantrendshop.com are a sharp contrast.  While the oversized headphones make a strong statement with their bright, look-at-me color, the mini-headphones are understated with just a bit of color.  But, the decorative design style on the end of the headphone, makes these stand out.  I’ve seen ladybugs, skulls-and-bones, and penguins.

And, though this trend started in retail, we’re seeing the same thing in promotional products.  The Silly Ears Headphones are a statement piece.

On the other end of that trend, mini-headphones, with the ability to subtly imprint a logo on the edge of the earbud.  The packaging for these mini-headphones also adds to the style.

Because headphones are so hot right now, the perceived value of this promotional product extends beyond the price.  With both high school and college students sporting both trends, either style of headphones makes a great giveaway.

-Suzanne

Who said imprinted Post-it® Notes are only for taking notes? I came across some fabulous alternative ways of using the office staple, mostly gleaned from Pinterest. Speaking of Pinterest, are you following 4imprint yet?  

Check out this creative adhesive note art:

Do you have dreary walls that you aren’t allowed to paint on? Decorate them with colorful adhesive notes:

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Apparently there was a whole Post-it® War happening in the windows of Paris. The results are pretty amazing:

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Ugly refrigerator? Use it as a designer canvas for Post-it® art:

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 On the more practical side, adhesive notepads are great for Brainstorm Boards. Have your team members or college students write their ideas on personalized pads and stick them on a white board or wall like this blogger. Then, arrange and re-arrange the ideas by category or subject.

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Create a non-traditional wedding “guest book” by having guests sign adhesive notes with their well wishes. Imprint your new name and wedding date on your very own personalized notepads. This idea would also work great for a holiday “wishing tree.”

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My hope is that you will never look at personalized Post-it® Notes the same again!

~Jessica

While it’s been warmer than usual this winter (at least for those of us here in Oshkosh), that doesn’t mean spring and summer aren’t already on our minds.

Are you feeling like you need a break from winter’s gray skies and colder temps?  That’s the perfect frame of mind to be in when you check out the Navigator Sunglasses.  (If you’re a child of the 70s or 80s, these sunglasses might remind you of Tom Cruise in the movie Risky Business®.)

These handy promotional products come in a wide variety of colors, with space to imprint your logo on the frame. Sunglasses like this are really big right now. They’re hot because they’re fun. Because they’re both stylish and useful, they make great giveaways for sports promotions and outdoor concerts and events.

And, even if you can’t use them right away, they’ll definitely take your mind off winter and get you thinking of sunny skies and warm-weather styles.

-Suzanne

A company from the Netherlands has developed a brilliant new product, the HotChocSpoon®.  Just as its name suggests, the HotChocSpoon is a wooden spoon with a blend of chocolate and flavors covering the spoon.

Each HotChocSpoon is just waiting for a cup of steaming, hot milk.

HotChocSpoons come in a wide variety of flavors, including dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate and more. Some flavors come with marshmallow or nuts.  Some HotChocSpoons include a dissolvable capsule filled with rum, amaretto or another liqueur that turns a classic cocoa into a winter warmer.

HotChocSpoons aren’t yet available as promotional products.  Do you think this would be the ultimate giveaway for a chocolate lover?

-Suzanne

When you think mylar balloons, do you think birthdays, anniversaries and sweetheart holidays?

The iconic bag brand, MulberryTM, took a different approach.  The store took a twist on the classic balloon bouquet and turned a basic gold mylar bag balloon into an attention-getting display.

Each balloon was imprinted with the outline of a classic bag design. Several dozen of the imprinted balloons were displayed en masse, creating a simple, yet eye-catching window.

This concept would be striking in not only retail stores, but also at trade shows, job fairs, community events, open houses and more.

Simply choose a balloon shape related to your event or industry.  We offer a wide array of promotional mylar balloons, including round, square, heart, tennis ball, football, golf ball, soccer ball, baseball and volleyball.

Round and square balloons are offered in a variety of colors.

Consider imprinting more than logo on these colorful promotional products.  Showcase a product or service you provide on the balloon and add your logo as a complement.  It’s an easy yet striking way to make a mark!

-Suzanne

The 2012 election season is just beginning! Encourage voter participation for local, state or national elections with a local campaign to inform and educate—not about the candidates, but on the election process itself.

We all know politics is one of the touchiest subjects there is, but an education-based approach to the election process provides people with essential information on where and when to vote. Efforts to promote voter registration, educate about the election process and what to expect at polling places is especially useful for first-time voters, or those who are new to the area and might not know the procedure for your municipality.

City Government 101
Most people understand the role of the mayor or sheriff, but you may consider holding an “election day preview” meeting in conjunction with the local newspaper or library that explains the lesser known offices being voted on (what exactly does a “city clerk” do?), the length of the terms served, and other helpful information to take into account before election day.

Versatile memo books with a patriotic design help participants take notes while showcasing a full-color logo!

Imprinted bookmarks with voting dates and polling locations are low cost and easy to send via direct mail or hand out door-to-door by voter registration task forces. Identify volunteers with custom buttons or imprinted lanyards to set community members at ease.

See our Campaign & Election Advertisers store for more ideas!

While traveling, this packaging caught my eye.  The design for over-the-counter medicine (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, bandages, etc.) is a signature style for the brand help®.

Both the packaging style and design are eye-catching.  The text – I have a headache. I have a blister. I’ve cut myself. – is unusually customer-focused.  And, complementing it all is a bright, colorful shape demonstrating what’s inside.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the way the company sets itself apart, encouraging consumers to take less™.  That package design supports that message.

This packaging would stand out on its own.  But, it is particularly noteworthy because they are so different from competing products.

They’re also a great example of how a bright colors, imprinted on a white shape can be really cool.  And, that’s an idea you could apply to promotional products.

-Suzanne

PS – Here’s a blog post about the packaging design: http://mocoloco.com/archives/026188.php