Eco-Apparel Terminology

With new “crops” of eco-friendly apparel and decorating processes entering the wearables marketplace, it’s a good idea to brush up on some “green” definitions.

First, know that there are standards and governing authorities beginning to clarify organic claims. For example, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) ensures “the organic status of textiles, from harvesting the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labeling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.” Furthermore, the U.S.-based Organic Trade Association (OTA) adheres to the GOTS standard, and adds that “all fiber sold as organic in the U.S. must meet the USDA National Organic Program rule for crop production, and if necessary, livestock production.”

When you’re looking for eco-friendly apparel to give to your clients, also keep these definitions in mind:

* Organic fabrics use no pesticides, herbicides or insecticides during the growing cycle.

* Soy silk uses liquefied proteins (a by-product of making tofu) forced into fibers which are then spun.

* Ingeo corn fiber is created by extracting starch and then sugars from corn, and processing them into a form that can be spun into a yarn or woven into fabric.

* Fortrel EcoSpun polyester is made out of recycled plastic bottles. It is frequently used for fleece.

* Biodegradable fabric has the ability to naturally break down and return to raw material or to be absorbed by the earth. Federal Trade Commission guidelines say only products that contain materials that “break down and decompose into elements found in nature within a reasonably short amount of time when they are exposed to air, moisture and bacteria or other organisms” should be labeled biodegradable.

* Post-consumer materials have been discarded and used again in other products. Essentially, this is a fancy term for recycled materials.

* Sustainable products are made to last indefinitely and have the least negative effects on environmental health. Sustainable materials in clothing are easily recycled and/or last a long time.

* Natural bleaching means that hydrogen peroxide was used to whiten fibers, rather than a chemical such as chlorine.

* REHANCE, a process developed by TS Designs, is an environmentally friendly, water-based printing technology that alters a fabric’s chemistry so it won’t absorb garment dye. Traditionally, water-based inks could be successfully used only on white or light colors because of their transparency.


For more information regarding eco-friendly apparel or eco-friendly promotional products call Lorraine at 858-565-2963 or lorraine@rainpromos.com

Tagline Contest

Monday 9/7 thru Friday 9/11 please participate in a RAINpromos tagline or "hook" contest..... Please post your entries on the RAINpromos wall... Check in often to view new entries.... the winner will receive a $100 gift certificate for free product!

Become a fan now .... use the link on this page.

Thanks in advance for participating!

Lorraine@rainpromos.com
858-565-2963

Promotional Trends

Promotional BPA free water bottles seems to be the item of preference among customers. The reason for this is two-fold: Customers want to provide health-conscientious products to their own customers and they want to give away products that are eco-friendly. This is because in today's society just about everyone is health conscientious and they will only use products that will benefit their health. BPA free water bottles is the answer to that desire. Everyone is drinking more water, they are exercising and need to stay hydrated, and they don't want BPA leaching into their water like it does with plastic bottles. For the environmentally-conscientious, BPA free stainless steel and aluminum water bottles are the answer. These eco-friendly water bottles are replacing plastic bottles because of the concern over the billions of plastic bottles that are filling up landfills.

U.S. FDA to reconsider BPA safety issue
http://plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?id=16480

To learn more about BPA free products, please e-mail me at Lorraine@RAINpromos.com or call me at 858-565-2963.

Promotional Products FAQ's

What are promotional products?

Promotional products are items used to promote a product, service or company program including advertising specialties, premiums, incentives, business gifts, awards, prizes, commemoratives and other imprinted or decorated items.

How is promotional products marketing used?

Since promotional products can be used alone or integrated with other media, there are virtually limitless ways to use them. Popular programs cited most often by industry consultants are business gifts, employee relations, orientation programs, corporate communications and at tradeshows to generate booth traffic.

They're also effective for dealer/distribution programs, co-op programs, company stores, generating new customers or new accounts, nonprofit fundraising, public awareness campaigns and for promotion of brand awareness and brand loyalty. Other uses include employee incentive programs, new product or service introductions and marketing research for survey and focus group participants.

What kinds of promotional products are available?

There are literally tens of thousands of different types and styles of promotional products. In many cases, it's even possible to obtain custom items that aren't found in any catalog. Examples of common items include: apparel, pens, calendars, coffee mugs, calculators, key chains, desk accessories and memory sticks.

How is the industry structured?

A promotional consultant develops solutions to marketing challenges through the innovative use of promotional products and is a resource to corporate buyers, marketing professionals and others wanting to increase brand awareness, tradeshow traffic, employee retention and more. There are more than 21,000 promotional consultant firms in the industry.

There’s no need to spend all your time on the internet or searching through catalogs. Your promotional products consultant will come to you—like a doctor who makes house calls!

I am ready to help you promote your business with creative and cost effective branded merchandise. Call me 858-565-2963 or email me Lorraine@RAINpromos.com

The True Cost of Free

We all love a bargain, especially in these tough economic times we now face. Savvy business owners know this is the best time to promote business and are getting creative with limited budgets. Bartering for merchandise and services is on the rise…. and it sounds like a good idea at the time. However it is not always a good idea if you value high quality merchandise or services. Recently I have been working with a new client and his experience with “free” cost him a multitude of problems and misprints in his promotional marketing campaign.

Bartering for Banners

A number of large banners needed to be printed for his trade show booth and sponsor areas. Eight large format (10’ x 12’) banners were printed as a “freebie” from a local sign company which is owned by inexperienced printers. The deal was, sign company will give my client the banners as long as they can pop their sponsor logo on them and business cards get passed out in the booth. My customer received the eight banners, some of them had the wrong company phone number, all of them had a disfigured logo (which should have been reversed out), and they were each unique to a different color blue, NONE of which were my client’s corporate PMS color. They were inexpensively tape hemmed instead of sewn. To make matters worse, the sign company did not put a discreet sponsor logo on them, but had a 3’ wide red, black and white logo on each banner in the corner which stood out like a sore thumb. Benefit to my customer….. cheap looking and inconsistent banners trashing up his very expensive booth space.

Take the Shirt Off My Back….PLEASE!

Through the venue, yet another barter deal was made with a local screen printer. Free imprinted T-shirts, 1500 to be exact. (remember my client’s corporate colors are PMS blue and white). Free T-shirts showed up as neon orange and neon yellow with a black imprint (must have been a sale on day-glo that week)…… and the imprint was crooked on the back…… Benefit to my customer…. Hideous, crooked T-shirts with no relationship to his corporate branding.

Give Me Your Digits

Ok, now about the free business cards that were offered by a local printer……. wrong phone number. It gets worse…. the phone number was for a local competitor. Minor side note….. wrong PMS color too. Benefit to customer…… completely useless business cards.

Revise My Camera Ready Art….. NOT!

Chalk this one up to my customer’s inexperience. He sent in artwork with a few notations written in pen, i.e. move this here, change this there, a few arrows etc. His car magnets showed up….. with everything, the logo, the editing pen scribbles and all. Apparently the artwork was accepted and sent to print without being reviewed by the printer. Benefit to customer…… completely useless car magnets, and hopefully a lesson to my client of the true meaning of “camera ready” artwork.

Free Takes a Long Time

When there is no monetary profit involved for one or both of the parties, the project may get sidelined or pushed out to be completed after the profitable orders. You may never receive the goods you are expecting. Sometimes this is not a problem, however if you are on a deadline, freebies are not the way to go.

If you are going to head down the road of bartering or free merchandise, put the deal in writing and be very specific, ask for proofs, have a backup plan if the product does not meet your deadline…….and please proceed with caution…….

Avoiding these problems would have been easy with a corporate branding specialist. To learn more about avoiding printing problems please e-mail me at Lorraine@RAINpromos.com or call me at 858-565-2963.

Summertime Promotional Opportunities

Fresh ideas for promoting your business courtesy of Promotional Consultant Magazine

JULY- National Picnic Month
With summer in full swing, it’s time to gather up the family for an afternoon of sandwiches, snacks and refreshing sweet tea. Customized baskets, blankets or tea pitchers can make any summertime picnic more special.

Build A Scarecrow Day-July 5

Who knew that the art of building a scarecrow had its own special day of the year? This July, help your local day schools nursing homes or craft centers promote creative activities with supplies such as safety scissors or rulers for their scarecrow-building activities.

Cow Appreciation Day-July 14

Today is all about showing gratitude to those four-legged creatures that graze in the meadow. Cow-print hats, t-shirts or tote bags can bring attention to this well-loved animal. Or, imprinted cowboy hats or gloves can make a farmer’s day a little easier.

August-American Artist Appreciation Month

Whether you’re an art aficionado or napped during art class, this month’s focus is to celebrate the work of American artists. Art galleries, museums, art schools and craft stores can sculpt a promotional campaign with paint brushes, pencils or embroidered tote bags perfect for carrying supplies.

National Clown Week-August 1-7

They put a smile on our faces with their over-the-top make-up and colorful costumes. Goofy items such as bouncy balls, imprinted jester hats, slinkies or sticky hands can bring out the playful side of any client.

Friendship Day-August 2

Through thick and thin, friends are there to boost your spirits and make you smile. Help your clients celebrate their friends and create new ones with matching keychains, t-shirts or caps. Local schools can encourage a friendly attitude with smiley face pens or customized notepads.

American Dance Week-August 16-22

Whether you prefer to slide on some tap shoes or do a pirouette en pointe, dance is an important part of American culture. Dance studios or community centers can sweep clients off their feet with imprinted tote bags, leotards, hair accessories or water bottles.

For more information about promoting your business please call Lorraine at RAINpromos or email Lorraine@RAINpromos.com

The New ADventures of the Misprint Mug

I am a beautiful sleek and shiny translucent blue travel mug. I hold about 20 ounces of your favorite beverage with a nice snug drink thru lid and a large oversize handle. This is the true story about how my humble and embarrassing existence has transformed itself into happiness for the important people in my life.

I started my journey as a pre-production sample for a large law firm in Southern California. I was awaiting my chance to break out of the confines of my original shipment box. To get into the hands of someone who would truly appreciate me. After a minor slip up in the printing department I was mishandled and printed slightly off center. Upon arrival at RAINpromos and my first introduction to Lorraine, the Princess of Perfection, she determined that I was not acceptable to show to her client and she immediately requested a replacement that she could proudly show her client.

I sat on the sample shelf at RAINpromos for such a long time, embarrassing Lorraine with my off-centered persona. It was a difficult time for me and I thought that at any time I could be sent to the landfill. Fortunately the Princess could not toss me aside so casually. I sat and waited patiently for my opportunity to be needed.

Then one day, finally it happened. Lorraine had a friend who needed my oversize handle and lid. My crooked imprint was not a problem. She recognized my usefulness and gave me to a friend who had trouble gripping a regular drinking cup and needed my giant handle feature and lid.

In his hands I was perfect, in spite my embarrassing off-centered silver logo. He enjoyed my usefulness while convalescing in a nursing facility. He handled me with ease and could safely drink his favorite hot or cold beverages with ease. His wit and charm amused me and I enjoy his company daily.

Upon a visit from his personal attorney, she recognized the off-kilter silver logo. She mentioned the law firm to my new friend and asked how I ended up in his hands. The conversation continued and led to my humble beginnings at RAINpromos and the Princess of Perfection. Like a stroke of luck her law firm was looking for corporate gifts for their clients. I felt fantastic about providing an opportunity for Lorraine to generate a new client. This new business relationship was cultivated and continues today.

Starting out as a rejected imprint, I now felt confident and complete. I was empowered knowing that as a promotional item, I actually did promote! Lorraine was no longer embarrassed by me. Lorraine sent me out into the world to be useful and I made her proud of me!

My story also reinforces the importance of pre-production samples whenever time permits.

I am truly ONE LUCKY MUG!

For more information on promotional marketing and corporate gifts call Lorraine, the Princess of Perfection at RAINpromos 858-565-2963 or email at Lorraine@rainpromos.com

Promotional Opportunities

NATIONAL SALAD MONTH May
With the summer months right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about shorts, swimsuits and all things light. Nothing says summer better than colorful, crisp salad greens. Customized salad tongs, bowls or imprinted shakers can encourage customers to choose this healthy meal alternative.

KITE DAY May 12
Since 1752, kites have provided leisurely entertainment as well as taught us a few history lessons – and nothing is more fun on a windy day. Give the gift of outdoor fun with an imprinted kite.

BUY A MUSICAL INSRUMENT DAY May 22
Whether it’s a trumpet, saxophone or flute – musical instruments provide a creative outlet for folks of all ages. Promotional harmonicas, tambourines or maracas will put your message in the music.

What is StickyDrive™?

Now your Promotional flash drives can feature cogent, effective branding on the inside as well as the outside. Finally you can have your own customized interface with our new software from Sticky Drive. Feature your product information, link to your website, videos, animations and slide shows. Nearly any content that can be viewed through the internet can be delivered through this exciting new software loaded on a Direct Connections USB drive. Take your promotion to a new level and Get Connected!

What can it do?
StickyDrive™ is a customized, branded interface for USB Flash Drives - it allows you to advertise your company, products, brand and proprietary information (USB drive not included).

The functions available through StickyDrive™ (music player, photo viewers, etc.) make this a valuable tool for the end user. Their entire experience remains branded even when the drive is used for personal activities.

Any content that is viewable on the internet can be delivered through StickyDrive™ (video, slideshow, Flash presentation, animation, PowerPoint, etc.)

StickyDrive™ is an ongoing medium for communication. You can remotely update and change the interface design, the video or other content seen inside the interface and even change the documents that are loaded inside the drive.

You can receive tracking reports that deliver data on the frequency and type of use, including the number of times the drive is used, documents launched from the drive, website click-through activity, etc.

Watch this video about Stickey Drive™ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZrdoJhB7Fg

Earth Day Promotions

Eco Friendly Garden Kits
This garden kit contains 100% recyclable grow cup, stock seed packet, expandable nutrient rich soil water and lid. Optional foot stand available (made from eco-friendly corn plastic)

Lucky Bamboo
Fen Shui Bamboo has been used by people worldwide to achieve the proper balance, good luck & harmony for their home or office. Bamboo can grow for 30+ years. For about the price of one ball point pen, you can now give a valuable gift that everyone will really appreciate. Ideal for trade shows, gala events, gift with purchase, direct mail, special sales, wellness, safety and loyalty programs.

Recycled Statement Notebook Combo
A recycled eco-friendly journal is handy to have in your purse or briefcase. With a recycle symbol in a dramatic die-cut front cover revealing a colorful front page beneath. 100% recycled cardboard cover, and 30% recycled journal paper. Tell your customers you care about the environment!

Non-Woven Reusable Grocery Tote
The question “paper or plastic” is a thing of the past with these recycled and reusable grocery bags. Help keep the plastic bags out of our landfills and out of the ocean. Multi color imprints are available.

More eco-friendly products are available for promoting your business. Call me at 858-565-2963 or email Lorraine@RAINpromos.com

I look forward to hearing from you.

Fun-Filled Promotional Opportunities

AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH (MARCH)
Since 1942, this month has been designated for the America Red Cross to promote its services and successes in the Unted States. Products such as lapel pins, stress balls or baseball caps can showcase all of the contributions provided by this well-known organization.

PEANUT BUTTER LOVER’S DAY (MARCH 1)
Whether combined with scrumptious jelly or nestled between two crispy crackers—peanut butter is a nutritious snack enjoyed by young and old at any time during the day. Local grocers, gourmet food stores, schools or farming equipment manufacturers can spread the word about this creamy treat with peanut-shaped keychains or customized butter knives.

CHILDREN’S POETRY DAY (MARCH 21)
On this day of rhyme and riddle, help little ones’ minds blossom. Schools, churches or daycare centers can inspire tiny tots with fun and colorful poetry books. Or, for the future writers of the world, notepads, pens and pencils can encourage putting creative thoughts on paper.


NATIONAL READ-A-ROAD-MAP MONTH (APRIL)
Even with the convenience of GPS systems, sometimes we still need to pull out a good old-fashioned road map to lead us to our final destinations. On this day, celebrate the original source for your directional needs with a custom-printed road atlas or wall map.

KINDERGARTEN DAY (APRIL 21)
We can all remember the days of finger painting and learning our ABC’s. Help current kindergartners embrace their childhood with imprinted blankets for nap time or colorful back-packs imprinted with their school logo.

NATIONAL PRETZEL DAY (APRIL 26)
Whether you’re at the mall, the movies or the local football game—pretzels are a twisty teat enjoyed in a variety of ways. Celebrate the pretzel and you can entice old and new customers with mini-pretzel snack bags, tins of chocolate covered pretzels, imprinted lunch sacks or even pretzel shaped keychains.

New Eco-Friendly Fabrics

In the promotional products industry we are familiar with eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo, and Polyethylene fleece. These are a few of the new recycled and eco-friendly fabrics that we can look forward to in the future.

CORK
Cork is an eco-friendly and renewable material. Once the cork is removed from the tree, it renews itself after harvesting. The new alternative fabric made with cork is still in its infancy. Cork fabrics have already been presented at the 2006 Fall Fashion Week . Look for cork fabrics and accessories at your local retailer soon.

RECYCLED P.E.T.
The common soda bottle has been the most mainstream recycled fabric in the promotional and retail industries. It is commonly known as polyester fleece. Once the bottles are broken down to little polyester chips, they can be spun with a spinaret, creating soft microfibers. Newer technology has created even smaller and softer fibers which will be used to create finer fabrics such as sheer chiffon or polyester georgette.

CORN HUSKS
A new yarn created from corn husks has been developed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Yiqi Yang, Ph.D. This corn husk yarn is strong and is great supply and can easily be dyed in a variety of colors.

SEAWEED
Smartfiber AG, a German corporation, has developed a sea-weed based fabric, SeaCell. This new fabric is controversial with claims by the New York Times that it contains no sea-weed, however follow up tests by the manufacturer proved the opposite.

MILK
Cyran, a Chinese textile company has made luxurious fabric from Milk. The Milk proteins are separated and concentrated after extensive fat removing and curdling. The protein fibers harden and then can be wound and spun. The resulting fabric is soft and delicate and is compared to cashmere.