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

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

Here’s another sneak preview for you…

This is a gift that will get people talking.  It’s called the Snuggle Me.  It’s a wearable blanket.

Yes, clever readers, this product is somewhat like the infomercials you’ve been unable to tear yourself away from.

But, the fabric on the Snuggle Me isn’t your basic fleece – it’s a soft, plush chenille.  It feels like a teddy bear, which makes it perfect for curling up under with a good book or while watching your favorite TV program.

The Snuggle Me also has a pocket – perfect for the remote control or snacks.  We can embroider your logo on the Snuggle Me.  And, you’ll be able to order as few as six.

And, though it’s not yet SEEN ON 4IMPRINT TV, it’s likely to be this year’s most popular gift – though not everyone will have the courage to admit wanting one!  In fact, it has already been popular around our office.

When I got the Snuggle Me product sample, it promptly moved next door – into Mary’s office.  (She’s often chilly, so we’ve seen her wearing the Snuggle Me on more than one occasion.)

When we started taking pre-holiday orders from the Snuggle Me from employees, it seemed everyone wanted one.

If you’re looking to give your customers something they’ll use all the time, stay tuned.  The Snuggle Me arrives later this fall.

-Suzanne

Do you ever find yourself wishing you had a re-usable water bottle with you?

While traveling a few weeks back, I did the unthinkable. I actually opened the over-priced hotel room bottled water.  In my defence, there was no soda machine and it was a little late to be wandering the streets looking for a 7-11.  So, the $5 bottle of water was my only option. (In case you hadn’t guessed, I’m still struggling with guilt!)

If you hate the feeling of overpaying for bottled water, check out TapIt, a water bottle refilling network that helps you find free water refills when you’re on the go.  They’re a non-profit network and they sign up restaurants, cafes and other shops to provide free water refill.  Right now, they’re tracking locations in Florida, New York and Oregon.  You can log onto their Web site for a list of where to go for refills.  Or, you can get the TapIt app for your iPhone®.

Or, if you are a business traveler, you might want to check out Club Quarters hotels.  (They’re actually a private hotel club, but you can book their spare rooms on Priceline® and hotels.com.)  They offer a tank of free, purified water in the hotel lobby and on each floor.  You can take your own bottle or one of theirs and refill it as you like.

Do you have any other tips for getting more use out of your re-usable bottle?  Love to hear your ideas.

–Suzanne

With the US Open underway, I wonder if we’ll see more matte gold on the courts, a la Roger Federer at Wimbledon.

If you haven’t seen the photos, they’re worth checking out.  His Nike®-sponsored gear was white with matte gold logo, detail and trim. (Photo credit: Nike)

That it perfectly matched the championship trophy is probably not a coincidence.

In fact, the matte gold reminded me of our Zig Zag Pen, which sports a similar gold tone.  Of course, had we known, we could’ve created a white pen with matte gold trim.

Bottom line: matte gold is hot.

Are you seeing it pop up in other unexpected places?  If so, I’d love to see photos.  Send me a link if you have one.

–Suzanne

Here’s another sneak preview for a new product I am really excited about: a beautiful, black, hard-cover journal with colored paper pages.

While the quality of the book makes it attractive, the position of the pen is what makes this combo truly eye-catching.  The matching pen nests among the pages of the journal and peeks through the cover when the journal is closed.  Using some industrial design magic, the cover holds the pen in place.  The pen’s metallic finish pops against the rich black cover.  An elastic band holds the journal closed.

This is the kind of book that people can’t help but notice when you pull it out.  (Just imagine how much attention your logo will get.)  And, this book and pen will put an end to fishing around the bottom of your bag looking for a pen or pencil.

If you’re one of those really organized people, you’re probably starting to think about year-end gifts.  These journals are one idea to add to your list.  Your customers will love both the form and function.  And, at $6-$7/each, you’ll like the price.

–Suzanne

Here’s something I expect we’ll see more of…

The last time I was home – and, yes, it has been awhile – my mum had the coolest bag from TESCO, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the print. It was a classic floral and instantly recognizable as a Cath Kidston print.

For the uninitiated, Cath Kidston is a designer who transforms traditional English prints into smart, modern home goods, clothing and accessories. Colorful fabrics and designs are her signature.

That’s what made the tote so desirable.

My mum’s bag was one of eight Cath Kidston-designed reusable totes that TESCO introduced last year. Each bears one of her signature vintage-inspired prints, including a classic-looking holiday tote. According to the TESCO Web site, each bag is made from nine recycled soda bottles. They even include an illustration depicting the transformation from soda bottles to eco shopping bag.

The story doesn’t end there. For each bag purchased, neither TESCO nor Cath Kidston profit from sales of the eco bag. Instead, the companies are contributing 50p per bag (approximately 75 cents) to the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity – with more than £400,000 (approximately $635,000) raised and 6 million plastic bottles saved from the landfill.

I’ll be surprised if designer-inspired eco totes don’t start popping up all over the place in the not-so-distant future.
–Suzanne