In only a couple of weeks, May 7-11, Teacher Appreciation Week will be celebrated at schools across the country.  It is an opportunity to say “Thank You” to teachers, staff, and volunteers for the work they do all year long.  Whether educating children or adults, from elementary school to secondary to graduate programs, teachers show commitment, patience and caring to their students to ensure they receive the best education available to them.  It is important to take time to thank teachers and educators, so they know that they are appreciated and the work they do matters.  Do something meaningful and special that they will remember, such as sponsoring a light breakfast with coffee, tea, and fruit or offering a gift of something they can enjoy in their personal time, such as golf or gardening.  It doesn’t take much, but a simple “thank you” can mean the world and shows that you recognize the talent it takes to guide our leaders of tomorrow.

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

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

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

Source

Sunglasses are one of the most distinguishing, sought-after accessories in the fashion world. Some signature styles have even become part of famous style icons’ looks. Everyone knows what Risky Business, Jackie O, and John Lennon sunglasses look like, right? Sunglasses have even been the subject of famous music hits. Be careful, because I Wear My Sunglasses at Night is about to be stuck in your head. 

Emanating the famous Wayfarer sunglass style sported by the famous celebs above, we offer the star-worthy Risky Business sunglasses in opaque, translucent and two-tone colors. Your business name will become attached to the style on the imprinted earpiece.

Aviator sunglasses seem to never go out of style. Originally developed to protect pilots’ peepers, aviators have evolved into a fashion mainstay. They also happen to be part of another one of Tom Cruise’s famous looks in Top Gun.

Notoriously, sunglasses can easily become misplaced, sat on, or unscrewed. We highly suggest a matching visor clip to keep your new sunglasses from disappearing.

 Personalized sunglasses are great giveaways for summer vacation venues, spring break destinations, taverns, cruises, concert halls, summer festivals, and amusement parks. 4imprint even gave out the Risky Business sunglasses to associates at an outdoor concert event this past summer. They were quite a hit!

~Jessica

Even though I see hundreds of promotional products every day at 4imprint, it’s always exciting for me to get new ones to dress up my desk! This new addition to my personal collection is from a supplier visit last week (they love spoiling us with samples!), and it’s our Bob ‘N Magnetic Clip Holder.

Since Bob’s got magnets inside his hands, I like to slip a paperclip onto my day’s to-do list and let him hang onto it until I’m finished up. His enthusiasm helps my keep energy up….even on tough Friday afternoons!

If you haven’t heard yet, there’s a new crusade setting out to make the everyday a little more beautiful. It’s called “yarn bombing.”  Artists have been busy covertly planting pretty little knitted surprises around various big cities. The idea is to give mundane city objects, like bike racks and lamp posts, pretty colorful cable-knit sweaters. One website calls it “improving the urban landscape one stitch at a time.”

Here are some that Moriah found near home:

I recently saw another blog post where the author similarly added beauty to a few outdoor environments, including a sidewalk crack. She painted hearts on some ordinary rocks and set them out with the sole purpose of brightening people’s days, especially those who were downcast.

Source

This novel concept of randomly making people’s days brighter translates perfectly into promotional territory. Think of it as the antithesis of graffiti.

With the proper approval, leaving behind “flower bombs” in the industrial park or logo’d mint tins at popular dating spots (movie theaters, restaurant tables, etc.) will have potential customers equating your company with good times and extra thoughtfulness.

Finding an unexpected, wacky stress ball in the dentist’s chair or a personalized bookmark in a newly purchased novel is such a rewarding special touch. What ways could you translate this heart-warming trend into a marketing opportunity for your business?

Making someone’s day brighter is not only good for business, but it can also be good for the soul. Wouldn’t you agree?

~Jessica

New Years’ resolutions are in full swing, and gyms are packed with new members. If ever there was a time to encourage your customers’ new health habits, it’s right now!

Whether you’re launching a new workplace wellness program or you’re in the throes of new membership marketing, we have great promotional incentives ready for you!

Let’s just take a closer look at what the typical gym-goer brings to the gym, shall we? It’s a great place to start thinking about designing a starter kit for your desired audience:

1. Hand towels are used for various things from wiping down equipment to wiping away sweat. The life of your logo far exceeds the cost!
   
2. Let’s face it: gyms are known to be germ-laden environments. Keep a supply of pocket hand sanitizers available for extra protection.
   
3. If there’s anything a person might bring to the gym, it’s likely going to be a water bottle. Proper hydration is essential during any workout. This one even saves space in their gym bags:
   
4. Members often must bring their car keys, gym passes, and locker  keys into the building with them. Why not capitalize on that opportunity and offer a logo’d keychain? They can even clip all their keys to their new bottles or gym bags.
   
5. Nearly everyone on the cardio machines will engage in some sort of entertainment, whether it’s reading or listening to tunes. Add a bonus incentive to signing up by giving the first 50 new members a wearable MP3 player.
   

Check out more great solutions for your next Health and Wellness Campaign.

~Jessica

You’ve seen coffee sleeves. 

But, what about coffee sweaters?

I spotted this new twist on the classic coffee sleeve on a recent stop at Caribou Coffee. 

In addition to the cozy critters above, there were versions that looked like a Nordic ski sweater and an Ugg® boot.

In fact, this new take on coffee sleeves seems to be popping up everywhere.  American Eagle Outfitters’® gives theirs an outdoorsy look and feel.

And, closer to home, a coffee shop is putting an eco-friendly spin on this idea, turning recycled coffee bags into promotional products.

While the standard cardboard sleeves protect your hands, coffee sweaters and coats have a bonus benefit.  They help keep your favorite hot beverage warm as well.

Do you think something like that would fit right in with our promotional coffee sleeves or promotional can coolers? 
-Suzanne