If your organization promotes to anyone that is likely to use prescription medication, this is a handy giveaway to consider. Great imprint area, and very, very handy!

And handy promotional products are very, very effective.

I love this picture.

Got a note from Shauna (one of our customers) who was looking for a way for her daughter’s soccer team to support a teammate named Riley who is battling cancer. Riley’s folks had already started ‘Riley’s Army‘ – an organization to help other families with cancer (which is amazing if you think about it!) – and the girls wanted something they could wear as part of their soccer uniform to honor their friend (and others who are fighting the fight) and so an idea was born.

These embroidered wristbands fit the bill perfectly. Love the way this photo gets all the hands together – a real feeling of solidarity.

Good stuff indeed.

Earlier this year, I traveled to see one of the makers of our stainless steel bottles and had the chance to see the manufacturing process from start to finish.

It was fascinating to see the step-by-step transformation from stainless steel sheet to finished water bottle.

Step 1: Stainless Steel Sheets

Every stainless steel bottle begins its life on one of these rolls of stainless steel.

Step 2: Stainless Steel Tubes

Then, each flat sheet is formed into a stainless steel tube.

Step 3: Tubes Cut to Size

Each tube is then cut to size.

Step 4: Water Bottle Shaping Begins

Each tube is then shaped – and the familiar bend of the water bottle neck begins to emerge.  When shaping is complete, each stainless steel bottle is then polished and painted to add color.

Step 5: Detail Added

For some stainless steel water bottle designs, additional features (like the rubber grip on the Travel-Well Stainless Steel Water Bottle pictured above) are added.

Step 6: Finished Product

Finally, the finished product – ready to imprint with your logo!

-Suzanne

It looks like classic is the new trendy.

The Associated Press reports consumers are craving the tried-and-true, with a healthy dose of nostalgia in their holiday décor and gifts.  Consumer psychologists say classic colors, shapes and styles evoke welcome feelings of security and stability.

If classic gifts will resonate with your customers, suppliers, donors, volunteers or members, a gift like our 3 ¼” Round Shatterproof Ball Ornament might be a good option.  We’ve given it a slight update, screening a holiday motif and the year on one side, with room for your logo in a subdued, metallic gold on the other.

The ornament comes in muted, matte shades of classic holiday colors: red, gold, green, blue, clear, white and purple.  These are available in quantities as few as 100, for just $2.50 each.  Packaged in an individual gift box, these ornaments are ready-to-give.

In fact, you may even want to start a new tradition – making this the first in series of collectibles you share with customers. You’ll have your holiday gift-giving figured out for years to come!

-Suzanne

Right now, I currently sort my recyclables using these clever recycling bins.

There is one for glass, one for cans and one for paper.

But, this month, that changes.

Oshkosh, where I live, is taking its recycling program to the next level. Soon, we’ll be able to combine all of our recyclables into one bin.

The move to single-stream recycling – where all recyclables are combined together is pretty cool.  It usually encourages people to recycle more than when they have to separate everything.

But, I do have one tiny (ok, maybe tiny is not the right word) concern about all of this.  I might have to give up my garage. The recycling bins are really big.  I’m a little concerned that there might not be room for anything else in there – like my car, for example.

City of Oshkosh Single-Stream Recycling Bins

Fortunately, the bins come in two sizes.  I managed to order the smaller one – it measures 24” W x 32” L x 42” H but might now need to go buy a smaller car to fit the space.  I’ll let you know.

If you’re looking for something handy to use for taking your recyclables to the bin, you might like these Bright Recycling Bags, which help you keep paper, glass and cans separated.  Or, if this is something your customers might like, check out our version, the ModFX Recycling Tote Set.

Happy recycling.
-Suzanne

It’s Customer Service Week and each year we schedule some fun things around the office to celebrate the work that our team does to serve our customers. The theme this year is around being service ‘heroes’ so we went with a superhero theme.

But as always, our incredible Facilities Crew was not satisfied with just posters or decorations (although we have some good ones!) – I offer the picture below as evidence (this is how you were greeted today if you work at 4imprint)! These guys work very, very hard to help us make 4imprint a special place to work and they’re always up for having some fun along the way to celebrate accomplishments, recognize holidays or just bring a smile.

Well done guys! Definitely brought some smiles today – and reminded me I need to work on my abs.

If you haven’t seen these handy Life in Motion TSA Bags, check them out in this video. Very thoughtful and useful design if you travel frequently (or are looking to reach those who do!).

Love this snapshot.  Greg, our VP of Sales & Marketing, was relaxing in the wonderful northern Wisconsin city of Minocqua and spotted one of our Blue Boxes(tm) being repurposed as a raffle ticket container at a community event.

If you’re a 4imprint customer you’ll know what our Blue Boxes are all about – but it’s cool to see them have a life past delivering ideas and samples!

Have you heard of Tritan(R)?  It’s the new plastic developed that’s slowly making its way into the marketplace as a replacement for polycarbonate.

Why the interest in Tritan?

Tritan(R) Copolyester

Tritan (developed by Eastman Chemical Company) has many of the positive properties of polycarbonate.

It’s tougher than standard plastics used in drinkware, making it shatter-resistant. It’s also heat-resistant, so you can put it in the dishwasher. It’s odorless – so it doesn’t smell like plastic. And, it has one important feature that differentiates it from polycarbonate.  It’s BPA-free.

Promotional Products Made with Tritan

4imprint Camelback Better Bottle

We’re starting to see a few products made from Tritan, including the Camelback Better Bottle, which comes in both a 17 oz. and 25 oz. size.  If you’d like to see Tritan up close, just click the ‘Request a free sample’ button on the Camelback Better Bottle page.

In fact, when traveling on the West Coast earlier this month, I couldn’t help but notice a bunch of new products made with Tritan.  The industrial design of this water bottle from Kor caught my eye.  It is one example of a new product made with Tritan.

We will be releasing more promotional products made with Tritan this fall, too.

If you want to know more about Tritan, visit the Eastman Tritan Web site for additional product details.
-Suzanne

A couple times each year, we do something really fun.  We give some of our customers a sneak preview of products that we are developing.

Our customers expressed a lot of interest in these products, so I want to tell you about them, too.

Atherton USB Drive

With its round metal case, this USB Drive (available in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB) looks like no other.  Bright colors provide a perfect backdrop for your logo.  And, with the accompanying black lanyard and key ring, customers will keep this USB drive close.

Get Organized! Notebook Combo Set

This is a multi-tasker’s dream gift.  A 70-page notebook, plastic pen in an elastic loop, sticky notes and adhesive flags are all packed into this polypropylene notebook set.  Everything you need when you’re on the go.  The Get Organized! Notebook Combo Set is a 4imprint exclusive.  We designed it based on customer feedback on related products.

Off-Roader Travel Bag

This bag is big enough to hold a camera, money and travel documents (like tickets, a passport and ID) and yet small enough that it’s easy to carry around.  The updated shape gives it a more modern appearance.  Zipper pockets in front keep everything secure.  No wonder travel agents and tour groups seem to gravitate toward this style of bag.  It is perfect for travel, tours, fairs or trade shows.  You can either screen print or embroider your logo on this bag.

-Suzanne