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

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

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

My friends and teammates might try to tell you I have the ability to spot a promotional product from a mile away.  (It’s a career hazard.)  So, it probably wouldn’t surprise them that Kenneth Cole’s Connected Fragrance practically shouted my name the first time I saw it.

I think I was drawn to it because it shares an uncanny resemblance to 4imprint’s Lil’ Shorty Aluminum Sport Bottle – 17 oz!

Of course, I immediately began to wonder whether someone at Kenneth Cole is channeling promotional products for inspiration? Has Kenneth Cole now made aluminum high-fashion?

So, what’s the inspiration for the packaging?

Things like going green, environmentalism, outdoorsy-ness and healthy habits like drinking water are trendy among consumers and brands alike. Perhaps these things are the true inspiration for this unique package design.

And, it’s also inspiration for thinking of new uses for classic promotional products.  In what other ways could you use a sports bottle to promote your organization?
-Suzanne

Take a look at these fun napkins I came across during a recent stop at Caribou Coffee.

These whimsical napkins, as it turns out, were designed by Caribou employees themselves. Some even feature the original handwriting of those who contributed!

According to Colle+McVoy, the Minneapolis-based agency behind the newly redesigned Caribou brand, the sayings and drawings on these napkins and coffee cups are called “bou-isms.”  They’re fun, positive quips that stem from the tagline, “Life is short. Stay awake for it.” Each one was collected from employees on note pads and repurposed to use on napkins and cups.

What a great example of using art and employee ideas (for something as simple as beverage napkin!)  to create something customers will remember.

-Suzanne

Like to keep a pad of paper near your computer – so you can jot down a note or two?

You’re not alone.

One of our top-selling products is a dual-purpose pad of paper that doubles as a mouse pad.  This has been a popular promotional product for years.  We’ve recently introduced some great new designs.

When it’s time to take a mental break, this pad of paper is ready.  The Take a Break Notepad Mouse Pad left column is labeled ‘WORK’ and has space to make notes.  The right column is labeled ‘TAKE A BREAK’ and has six different brain teasers, including a maze and two tic-tac-toe boards.

Prefer to get your customers dreaming about a city skyline?  The Cityscape Notepad Mouse Pad is the perfect desktop accessory to keep that dream top-of-mind.

If your customers fall into the notes and doodles camp, they’ll love this whimsical office theme of the Paper Clip Notepad Mouse Pad.  Each sheet looks like a three-ring notebook sheet. Paperclips imprinted on the top left corner add a fun touch.

These designs are so fun your customers will likely be on the lookout for refills!

-Suzanne

Whilst traveling recently, I stayed at the Hotel Hanford in Orange County. 

Upon checking in, I realized there was no Starbucks® within a half-mile.  So, I was thrilled to discover the hotel’s coffee service, which included coffee delivery from the hotel restaurant to my room anytime I wanted.  (Latte withdrawal averted.)  That was lovely.

But, what really caught my attention were the hotel’s eco-friendly toiletries. 

Rather than the usual travel-sized plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion, the hotel offered their shampoo, conditioner and lotion in coated paper containers. The products were from Gilchrist & Soames and the design was really cool.  Signage explained that the packaging reduced waste by 92%.  What a difference!

This made me wonder whether there might be an application for this in promotional products.  What do you think?

-Suzanne