Threads Talk

Product of the Month: 3-month View Desk Pad

2012-01-05T14:47:00.001-10:00

Welcome to 2012! It's a new year so what would make a better gift than a calendar? A desk top calendar that your best Clients will have on their desk for the whole year! Of course, I could've made this December's Product of the Month but it was so busy during the holidays that I didn't post a blog last month! Shhhh...don't tell the boss. So start off the year right and order these today!

8820 3-Month View Desk Pad

This lightweight, affordable, 4-sheet desk pad is a convenient size with a ruler at the bottom of each sheet for quick reference. Top markets include financial, retail, manufacturing

2013 Calendar 3-Months at a view 4 sheet plus backer

Product Size: 17"w x 10"h

Price Includes: 1-standard imprint color, 1-location

Standard Imprint Method(s): Offset: Bottom of Calendar, 16"w x 1"h, 4 color(s) max
Production Time: 10 Business Days

Min. order 150 pieces
$2.66 each

*shipping cost not included

November's Promotional Product of the Month: Metallic Luggage Tag

2011-11-01T12:33:00.000-10:00

The holiday season is in full effect now so you know what that means...HOLIDAY TRAVEL! Make sure your employees or best clients have something functional and something that they can use over and over on their travels. You could give them some cheap and disposable item but why do that when you can deck out their luggage out with these AWESOME metallic luggage tags! They come in three pow-wow, yeah that's definitely my bag colors to make finding their luggage that much easier. And don't forget, you can print your business name on it as well so that they'll always remember who gave them that pimped out gift.

45722 Metallic Luggage Tag

This bright, metallic tag makes your logo pop!

Metallic colors make your company's logo (and luggage) stand out in the crowd Cardboard I.D. insert included

Materials: Metal and ABS

Product Size: 3-5/8"w x 1-3/4"h x 1/8"d

Product Colors: Blue, Green, Silver

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Standard Imprint Method(s): Pad Print: Front, 2"w x 3/4"h, 3 color(s) max Setup charge: $50 per color Min. order 50 pieces $5.41 each *shipping cost not included
Production Time: 5 Business Days

Up your Facebook Page's App-titude...

2011-10-26T12:44:00.000-10:00

Virtually every business or brand has a Facebook (FB) page by now and I'm sure many of you have at least set up a page as well or maybe even using it as your main website. If you're anything like me, you've probably checked out some of your favorite pages and have wondered, 'How come I don't have all those cool tabs?' and 'How do I get them?' Unless you're a wiz at coding/programming which I definitely am not, it can be difficult to add those cool tabs to your page. So what are small businesses like us without a huge marketing budget to do to play with the big boys and girls? Well, here are a couple of sites that can help you add a little oomph to your FB page without you having to know even one line of code. I've added these features to our "Threads" FB page so please check them out when you have time.

The first app I linked to is from NetworkedBlogs by Ninua. This site allows you to automatically post the blogs that you've written to your FB page's wall. So if it all goes well, this post that I'm writing right now should post to our wall as soon as I'm finished. If not, then I will quickly delete this post and you won't see it anyway : ). This is a great time-saver in that you can quickly share your blog posts with all of your FB followers without having to put an additional status update on your FB page. Time is money so every little bit counts. Not only that, but you can also stream blogs to your page that you didn't write but may pertain to your business or industry. For example, if you own a spa or salon, you could have blogs from skincare experts automatically posts to your wall so that your Clients or potential Clients will know how important it is to come see you for your services.

The second app/tab that I've added to our FB page is Youtube for Pages. I got this from Involver.com which has a bunch of free apps as well as paid apps. Youtube for Pages allows us to share the videos that we have on our youtube channel, Threads TV directly on our FB page through a tab. Currently, we are featuring videos of our Clients who have done interviews or TV appearances with the 'threads' that we've provided for them. Depending on your business, you could feature how-to-videos, video testimonials or maybe even offer a virtual tour of your facilities. Pretty cool huh? As my favorite late night host, Craig Ferguson likes to say, "What? I know!" So what are you waiting for? Go add some spice to your FB page with these neat and mostly FREE apps. Finally, an F-word that we don't mind hearing so often.

October's Promotional Product of the Month: Deluxe Stadium Seat

2011-10-03T11:24:00.000-10:00

Luckily for us the NFL labor strike ended with no games lost and we can going back to watching our most beloved fall sport. Why was it so hard for them to decide how to share $9 billion? I wish we had that problem ;). Anyhow, moving on to bigger and better things. Not only is NFL football back in full swing but so is college football which means you and your clients will be attending games, chowing down on concession food and rooting on your favorite teams! Why not let your best clients do it in comfort with these Deluxe Stadium Seats? It's like a swiss army knife with its handy compartments and portability. And remember, each one can be printed with YOUR company's name.

45095 Deluxe Stadium Seat

Sporting events are guaranteed to be more enjoyable and comfortable with this stadium seat!

Fiberglass poles in seat and back Front flap with phone case, bottle holder and 2-section pocket Adjustable support straps on side

Materials: 210D polyester

Product Size: Folded: 17"w x 17-1/2"h, Handle: 1"w x 10"l

Product Colors: Black, Navy, Royal

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Standard Imprint Method(s): Setup Fee: $50.00 per color Production Time: 5 Business Days Min. order 48 pieces $21.67 each *shipping cost not included
Production Time: 5 Business Days

What makes these ears "magical"?

2011-09-30T14:13:00.003-10:00

We just returned from a short vacation and one of the places we visited was Disneyland. It's been a LONG time since I've been to Disneyland so a lot has changed, mostly for the better. In fact, it's been so long that there's a whole other park (Disney's California Adventure Park) and Downtown Disney adjacent to the original park now. I highly recommend watching the World of Color Show at the California Adventure Park if you have the chance. It's the most amazing water and lighting spectacular you'll ever see. It puts the water fountain show at the Bellagio to shame!

Another thing I noticed was the huge variety of Mickey Ears that is available now. There are a ton of different versions: R2D2, Tron, Halloween themed, wedding themed, a Nightmare before Christmas one, etc. When we were kids, we had a choice of Black, Red or Blue. My sister got the red one and I got the blue one and that was that. So with virtually every child in the park with some sort of Mickey Ears on, what makes each and every one different and magical? That's right. Each one can be personalized with the child's name or whatever else you want it to say...Leon 2011, Grace's 1st visit, First Haircut, you get the idea. Embroidering the name, date and/or event helps to capture the memories for your child and makes the whole experience truly... magical.

Speaking of which, where are my Mickey Ears from 1983?

Leon's smile says it all...he knows his ears are dope.

September's Promotional Product of the Month: The Tropical Pen

2011-09-07T18:33:00.001-10:00

Eeeek...a little late with the PPOM (Promotional Product of the Month)...we had such a blast during Labor Day weekend that we're playing catch up! It was well worth it though, we got to see the season opener of our beloved University of Hawaii Football team and checked out the new Disney resort, Aulani in Ko Olina. It was a wonderful break but now it's back to the grind for a little while until our vacation in a little over a week : D. And what better way to do that than feature a product that keeps us in a happy mood, The Tropical Pen. These pens write extremely well, are lightweight and come in a bunch of vibrant colors that remind you of being in a tropical paradise!

The Tropical Pen #6202

Available Colors:
Green, Orange, Pink, Yellow, and Blue barrel with Silver accents.

Ink Refill:
Black.

Imprint Area:
1 3/4 X 1/2

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Setup Fee: $25.00 per color
Production Time: 5 Business Days
Min. order 300 pieces
$0.39 each
*shipping cost not included

Mad about raising money for MADD Hawaii!

2011-08-24T18:47:00.001-10:00

I mean mad in a good kind of way. Sure, the ultimate goal of most businesses is to make a profit; however some times it feels nice to give back in the process. As a small business or any business for that matter, it's easy to get caught up in thinking about budgets, sales, quotas and marketing campaigns that will help increase the company's bottom line. While it's a necessary evil, it can also be very mentally draining at times. So we decided that we wanted to find a fun way to increase our fan/customer base but at the same time give to a great cause. I read somewhere that McDonald's ran a promotion on their fan page where they donated $1.00 for every new "like" they received to the Ronald McDonald House. With this in mind, we decided to create a new "Welcome" landing tab on our Facebook page to encourage people to "LIKE" us by donating $1.00 for every new "LIKE" we receive for the rest of 2011 to MADD Hawaii. We currently have 105 fans/likes at the time of this posting. Don't worry, if you're reading this, you're probably already a fan so we'll be sure to donate on your behalf as well because we truly appreciate you for liking us. :)


Thank you for your continued support!

We chose MADD Hawaii because we wanted to help a local charity first and foremost. We really believe in their mission of trying to eliminate drunk driving as well as assisting victims of drunk driving accidents. While other causes of death like cancer and other diseases are often unpreventable, driving drunk IS definitely one that is preventable! To learn more about MADD Hawaii and the great work they're doing, please click on the link. Please feel free to spread the word about our promotion and help us help MADD Hawaii eliminate drunk driving! Thanks for reading.

As an added bonus, we are giving away limited edition "Threads" koozies w/ any purchase when you check-in with Facebook places.

What is a QR code?

2011-08-18T17:31:00.002-10:00

HOORAY! You've either managed to scan the QR code from our facebook page or you just clicked on the link. Or maybe you just got here directly from our main website. Either way, were glad that you're here! By now, you've probably seen these black and white UPC looking things all over the place: in magazines, newspapers, realtor signs, business cards, etc. and probably have wondered what they were. Here's a definition from Wikipedia:

"A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is machine readable and designed to be read by smartphones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, a URL, or other data. Common in Japan, where it was created by Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. The QR code was designed to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. The technology has seen frequent use in Japan and South Korea; the United Kingdom is the seventh-largest national consumer of QR codes."

So that's cool and all but how does that help us as a small businesses? Interaction, that's how. QR codes can help your customers interact with your company and your brand with their smartphones. QR codes aren't only great for leading customers to your website but can also create a lot a buzz around your marketing campaign as it can link to many different calls to action including browsing to a website, bookmarking a website, making a call and sending a text. A company could post their QR code on facebook saying "Scan the code for special discount" and have it sent via SMS to the customer's phone. Besides it's cool to scan things just for the heck of it. We've just added our QR code to all of our marketing material including our business cards, brochures, direct mailers and at random places throughout our shop. Our QR code sends our current and potential customers to our website to learn more about the products and services that we offer.

If you don't have a scanner on your phone, there are a bunch of free apps at the App Store or Market on Android...just search for QR scanner.

Yes, we are a custom apparel and accessories company; however we are a small business first and foremost like many of you and try to share any useful information we have to help your company thrive as well. If you've enjoyed this post and want to keep up to date with all our posts on Threads Talk...simply subscribe by entering your email in the box to the right or just check back periodically when you have a chance. Now if you've just downloaded a scanner app to your phone, go ahead and scan the QR code above and see where it goes ;).

Need a full-color banner? Aiea Copy Center is the place...

2011-08-10T16:30:00.008-10:00

As a small business, we are always looking for fellow small businesses that provide excellent products and customer service to support. Fortunately for us, we've found such a place in Aiea Copy Center. We needed a 2' x 6' full-colored banner for an ESPN 1420am event that we are sponsoring this Friday, August 12 at the St. Louis Clubhouse next to Da Kitchen. It's the 2011 Ultimate Sports Trivia Challenge which is open to the public from 5-7pm so come down and have a great time if you can! Okay, enough with the shameless plug.

I called around to a couple of places to see who could print my banner in time for the event. I already had the file ready to go but I did realize that it was full-color as we wanted something eye-catching for the event so I was prepared to pay a decent amount. I called Aiea Copy Center and spoke to Anna who was super helpful and provided me with the information that I needed and told me exactly what I needed to do to have our banner created.

For a 2' x 6' full-color banner with 4 double-sided reinforced grommets, we only ended up paying $48+ tax on a beautiful 13 oz. gloss vinyl. And the best part was that it was ready in less than 24 hours! Now that's AWESOME customer service! So if you are ever in need of full-colored banners, check out Aiea Copy Center, you won't be disappointed. We'll post up pics of our banner for you to see from the event shortly.

UPDATE:
As promised, here's a couple of pics of the finished banner at the event.

the full-color really helped our banner stand out

Sharp and crisp printing...thanks again Aiea Copy Center!

Aiea Copy Center

99-115 Aiea Heights Dr. #208

Aiea, Hawaii 96782
Phone: (808) 486-3819, Fax: (808) 488-8203
Mon - Fri 8 am to 8 pm, Sat 8 am to 4 pm, Sun ClosedWeb: www.aieacopycenter.comemail@aieacopycenter.com

August's Promotional Product of the Month: 2GB USB Bracelet

2011-08-01T12:14:00.001-10:00

Thumb drives have been around for awhile now but as convenient as it is to have buckets of information in such a small device, it's also very easy to misplace. Well, fear no more! This stylish, ultra cool 2GB USB bracelet will make sure that you know exactly where your important information is at all times. Not only that...it's fashionable too. Lance Armstrong has his LIVE STRONG yellows wristbands, everyone's wearing those Phiten-improve your circulation bands and Wonder Woman has her awesome bulletproof wrist thingies so you and your clients will fit right in with your data-packed bracelets!

31215 2 GB Bracelet USB 2.0 Flash Drive

Materials: PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic

Product Size: 9-7/8"w x 15/16"h x 3/8"d

Product Colors: Black, Green, Orange, Pink, Yellow

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Standard Imprint Method(s): Screen Print: Top, 1"w x 7/16"h, 4 color(s) max Setup fee: $50.00 Minimum order: 25 pieces $12.60 each *shipping cost not included
Production Time: 10 Business Days

Deals, Deals, Deals! But is everyone a winner?

2011-07-25T15:18:00.004-10:00

Inquiring minds want to know. Wow, I dated myself just a bit there! By now I'm sure many of you are subscribers or at least have heard of group buying sites such as Groupon, Living Social and Play Hawaii. Basically, these are sites that utilize social media in order to help you advertise and gain new customers to your business, at a cost of course. Most of the deals offered are 50% off and as a business, you only see about half of that. There's no shortage of sites offering deals including national companies Groupon, Living Social and Tippr. Then there are local sites such as Play Hawaii and Vote on Deals.com. Even traditional advertising players in TV, radio and print are adding "deals" as an advertising option. KHON has Daily Deals, Hawaii News Now has Akamai Buys and The Star-Advertiser has Hot Deals. Yelp has even joined the fray and allows businesses to post Yelp Deals.

As a consumer, I'm registered with at least 10 of these sites and absolutely love it. It's a great way to try that restaurant that I've always wanted to try or do that activity that is on my bucket list. It's also awesome to get a deal at a place that I usually frequent anyway.

As a small business owner though, I am not sure that it is a rewarding alternative for advertising. I'm always open to different forms of advertising as I truly believe that it's a necessary part of doing business, however; unlike spa services or restaurants which have larger profit margins, we can't afford to offer our services at heavily discounted rates in hopes that we'll retain loyal customers going forward. I'm not saying that I don't think it's not a viable option for all businesses just not for ours. I'm interested in hearing if you've used group buying sites either as a consumer or business owner and how it has or has not benefited you.

July's Promotional Product of the Month: Method Zippered Padfolio

2011-07-06T14:28:00.002-10:00

Give your sales force a professional and consistent look with these sleek Method Zippered Portfolios. Your team will have everything it needs to keep critical information and close the deals all in one place!

Method Zippered Padfolio 15057

Method Zippered Padfolio's turned edges add to the contemporary look of the curved corners and padded cover. Larger pocket holds loose notes; smaller pocket holds cards or a calculator. Your writing instrument is held in a loop in the spine.

Multiple interior pockets for storage of cards and small business accessories Clear I.D. pocket, pen loops and zip closure Includes 8-1/2”w x 11”h writing pad

Materials: Poly-twill with imitation leather trim

Product Size: 10"w x 13-1/2"h x 3/4"d

Product Colors: Black

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Standard Imprint Method(s): Screen Print: Front, 5"w x 8"h, 2 color(s) max. Setup Fee: $50.00 Production Time: 5 Business Days Min. order 25 pieces $17.17 each *shipping cost not included

S#%&t Happens!

2011-06-01T15:40:00.000-10:00

S-H-E-E-T Happens that is...as in toilet paper sheets! We are introducing our latest additions to our "SHEET HAPPENS" product line. These make the greatest gag gifts ever and there's something for everyone! A sheet of toilet paper is directly embroidered with a saying that will put a smile on your closest friends and family every time they see it. We've embroidered TP before but these are our top shelf sayings. *This is all in good humor so please don't be offended by the content...if you find yourself offended, please wipe the images from your mind and forget all the crap that you've just read. ; )

Available now at our shop...only $10 per roll.

For the gambler in your life...Vegas is the 9th island isn't it?

For the hardcore gamer

GO GREEN...sort of.

you gotta do what you gotta do...do.

Don't you feel better now?

June's Promotional Product of the Month: Auto Adapter

2011-05-30T12:15:00.002-10:00

With all the new tech gadgets these days, being able to charge and power up on the go is a must. Give your best Clients the gift of power and they'll love you for it. Slap your company name on it and remind them of who gave them the power in a pinch and hopefully they'll do something nice in return!

Auto Adapter SM-3283

Power adapter plugs into cigarette lighter socket.

Great for charging ipod, MP3 players, Blackberry or other USB charged devices.

Normal Production Time:
10 Business Days

Product Size:
3 5/8"L x 1 3/16"W

Product Weight:
18lbs. per 200 pcs.

Additional Information:
Imprint area: 7/8"W x 5/8"H per side.
Absolute Minimum: 100.

Setup Fee: $45.00

Min. order 100 pieces
$4.25 each

*shipping cost not included

May's Product of of the Month: Gilligan Tote

2011-05-03T12:19:00.001-10:00

Don't get stranded on a three hour tour, yes a three hour tour without this month's PPOM...the Gilligan Tote! Okay, so I chose this month's product of the month solely because I thought the name was cool. And you can't use the name Gilligan and not reference the renowned theme song. But imagine giving this functional tote to your best clients and having them promote your brand on those three hour tours! Functional and fun.

Gilligan Tote AP8060

The unique design and style of this tote will have you wearing this bag everywhere you go!

Wide gussets with snap closures Shoulder length handles

Materials: 600 Denier Polyester

Product Size: 11-1/2"w x 11"h x 5-1/4"d

Product Colors: Brown, Fuchsia, Khaki, Royal

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Standard Imprint Method(s): Screen Print: Front, 2-1/2"w x 5"h, 4 color(s) max
Production Time: 7 Business Days

Setup Fee: $50.00

Min. order 50 pieces
$6.09 each

*shipping cost not included

April's Promotional Product of the Month: Hanging Toiletry Bag

2011-04-01T12:11:00.001-10:00

This is no April Fool's joke...this is a great gift for all your Clients. People travel for both business and pleasure and this is certainly something that they will keep and use over and over. Put your logo on these toiletry bags and remind your top Clients how your business or organization is a necessity for their success while providing them a handy gift for their necessities!

Hanging Toiletry Bag 45734

Your toiletry essentials will always be within reach in this convenient hanging bag.

Main compartment unzips to reveal spacious pocket for bottles
Large zip pocket under front flap, mesh pocket and interior pockets
Hook inside bag allows for easy hanging while traveling

Materials: 600D polyester

Product Size: 11-1/2"w x 7" h x 3-3/4" d

Product Colors: Black

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Standard Imprint Method(s):

Screen Print: Front, 4"w x 2-1/2/"h, 4 color(s) max

Production Time: 5 Business Days

Setup Fee: $50.00

Min. order 50 pieces
$14.31 each

*shipping cost not included

March's Product of the Month: 1 GB Folding USB 2.0 Drive

2011-03-01T16:47:00.001-10:00

It seems like only yesterday that I was popping a 5 1/4" floppy disk into an Apple IIe to play Oregon Trail at school. The evolution from a 5 1/4" floppy to 3.5" floppy (that was actually hard) to Zip Disks to CDs to DVDs and now USB drives seems to have come at warp speed. Oh yeah and let's not forget compact flash, SD, xD, MMC and the memory stick. Wow, it's amazing that consumers can figure out what the heck is going on! So let's forget all that and talk about this month's Promotional Product. This handy-dandy 1 GB USB 2.0 is something totally functional that your Clients will love.

1 GB Folding USB 2.0 Flash Drive 30727

This USB drive folds up to protect important information.

Folds for easy storage

Materials: ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic and iron

Product Size: 2-1/4"w x 3/4"h x 1/3"d

Product Colors: Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Red

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Standard Imprint Method(s):

Screen Print: Front, 1"w x 7/16"h, 4 color(s) max

Normal Production Time:
15 Working Days

Setup Fee: $50.00

Min. order 25 pieces
$12.23 each

*shipping cost not included

An Alternative for the Not-so-Artsy people...

2011-02-10T16:24:00.001-10:00

While embroidery is our primary service (it is in our name after all), we offer many other embellishing methods for all sorts of products for all types of events. Some methods work better in certain situations and embroidery is not always the best solution for all purposes. For this post, I'd like to feature our Easyprints system which are screen printed transfers that are great for those of us who need a small run of shirts and don't want to mess around with coming up with a design from scratch. With the Easyprints system, Customers can choose from a plethora of templates for any event or sports ranging from work wear to basketball to reunions. Just choose a template you like and change the text and graphics to suit your needs. No more killing your brain cells thinking about your design layout. Choose it, Change it, Wear it! No setup fees. The minimum order is only 10 pieces and you can get an awesome one-color printed tee for only $16.00 each! Turnaround time is 2 weeks. For more information, click here.

February's Product of the Month: Exercise Mat

2011-02-01T11:43:00.001-10:00

With the New Year comes those new resolutions which undoubtedly for most people will include getting fit. What better way to make sure they are reminded of your brand than to place your logo on a fitness bag! Sure, you could pay $3 million for a Super Bowl ad but I think that's a little more risky. Besides, I read somewhere that the Super Bowl ads are already sold out. Let the big boys have their talking babies and frogs, geckos or whatever. Make sure the next time your top clients are doing push ups, warrior poses or downward dogs that your brand will be front and center.

Exercise Mat #45341

Ready to get in shape? This Exercise Mat is an essential! Great for yoga or pilates, this mat with stylish coordinating bag will proudly display your company's logo.

Textured, non-slip surface Includes mat and carry bag Rolls up for easy storage

Materials: Mat: polyurethane, Bag: nylon

Product Size: Carry bag: 24-1/2"w x 8-1/2"h, Mat: 24"w x 68"h (flat)

Product Colors: Black Mat with Silver Bag, Blue, Red, Yellow

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Standard Imprint Method(s): Heat Transfer: Carry Bag, 12"w x 4"h, 4 color(s) max
Normal Production Time: 5 Working Days Setup Fee: $50.00 Min. order 48 pieces $18.75 each *shipping cost not included

January's Promotional Product of the Month!

2011-01-17T17:27:00.003-10:00

Okay, I have to admit that I've been extremely bad at posting a Promotional Product of the Month every month. In fact, the last product I posted was in December....of 2009 that is! So I think we're due for one. With all the downpour in Hawaii we've had in the last couple of weeks, what could be better than a custom imprinted umbrella! With it huge 60" arch, people will be sure to see your logo as long as you don't poke them in the eye with it.

I.D. Pro Umbrella

#25003

Manual open
Pinch proof runner to protect fingers
Fiberglass windproof frame
Nylon fabric
Plastic ID handle
Less than 1% metal

Dimensions:
Folded length: 37.5"
Arc: 60"

Max imprint area: 10"W x 8"H

Normal Production Time:
10 Working Days

Setup Fee: $62.50

Min. order 36 pieces
$17.33 each

*shipping cost not included

Make Money with our NEW Custom Shops!

2010-12-10T16:46:00.001-10:00

Do you have a school, club, team, business or non-profit that you'd like to promote? Have you always wanted to sell your own product line or apparel with your logo on it but didn't want to buy inventory for fear that you'd be stuck with the overstock? Well, look no further as we have the solution for you through our Custom Shops at Threads!

Raise money for your organization by selling your organization's logoed apparel: caps, polo shirts, hoodies, tote bags, t-shirts,etc. and you don't even have to buy the inventory! We set up a Custom Shop for you, process all the transactions and cut you a check at the end of the month. It's that EASY! All you have to do is PROMOTE and PROFIT from the sales! The process is fast, easy and fun from start to finish! Contact us today for details. Check out some of the Custom Shops that are already using our new service.

Lady Cougars Soccer

Kukui High School

Record Highs for Cotton Prices

2010-11-04T09:48:00.001-10:00

The price of gold isn't the only thing skyrocketing these days. According to our suppliers, cotton prices are at record highs and aren't expected to come down anytime soon. Prices for t-shirts, sport shirts and fleece from the largest manufacturers including Hanes, Gildan and Jerzees will increase 5-10% starting in November.

What does this mean for Threads and our Customers?

It means that we'll have to shell out a lot more dough for our cost of goods; however we will do our best to maintain our current pricing to you for as long as we can. We will also promise to continue to offer excellent customer service and exceptional quality...two things that we can control. Thanks for your continued support!

Interesting survey on 'party' swag....

2010-10-19T09:50:00.000-10:00

Since it's almost election time, check out this interesting survey conducted by ASI providing insight into what type of promotional products Democrats, Republicans and Independents are more enticed by.

Courting Votes? Send Republicans Food
New study says Republicans far more likely to gobble up promotional
food basket than Democrats or independents

TREVOSE, PA - October 19, 2010 - Republicans like food gifts, Democrats prefer logoed pens and independents might scoff at anything less than a brand-name shirt, according to a new study of political party preferences released today by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI).
An ASI study reveals what Democrats, Republicans and independents think about promotional products, a.k.a. swag (stuff we all get) and freebies, millions of which are distributed during election season along with bumper stickers, buttons and yard signs.
Here are study highlights:

Independents get more promotional T-shirts than either Democrats or Republicans.
Democrats receive more outerwear than Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin.
Independents are less inclined than Democrats or Republicans to take free pens.
86% of Republicans give away the freebies they don’t want.
75% of independents prefer name-brand consumer promotional products, nearly 1.5 times more than Democrats or Republicans.
Republicans are nearly 1.5 times more likely to accept a free promotional food basket than Democrats.
Independents value promotional swag the most - on average, they own 11.6 logoed products, compared to 9.4 for Democrats and 10.3 for Republicans.

Final results of the 2010 Advertising Specialties Impressions Study will be released in November. For a sneak peek at preliminary results of the breakdown by political party and independents, and the study methodology, click here.
“Want a Republican’s vote? Send him a food basket emblazoned with your candidate’s name. Want to impress independents? Make sure the shirt you send has a brand-name label - or it might end up in the trash bin, along with their vote,” said Timothy M. Andrews, ASI’s president and chief executive officer. “Our study reveals that when it comes to courting voters, you’ll get more bang for your promotional buck if you consider their likes and dislikes.”
According to new results from the upcoming 2010 Advertising Specialties Impressions Study, the average cost-per-impression of an ad specialty item is $0.005, making it less expensive per impression than prime-time TV.

About ASI
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) is the largest media and marketing organization serving the advertising specialty industry, with a membership of over 26,000 distributor firms (sellers) and supplier firms (manufacturers) of advertising specialties. Supplier firms use ASI print and electronic resources to market products to over 22,000 ASI distributor firms. Distributor firms use ASI print and electronic resources, which contain nearly every product in the industry from more than 3,500 reputable suppliers, to locate supplier firms and to market services to buyers. ASI provides catalogs, information directories, newsletters, magazines, websites and databases, and offers e-commerce, marketing and selling tools. Visit ASI online at asicentral.com and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, the CEO's blog and the ASI Social Network.

NEW! Snag-Proof Tactical Polos

2010-10-15T13:03:00.002-10:00

All types of fabric have their pluses and minuses. Cotton is generally high quality and is nice and cool for most uses. Some cons are that it shrinks, easily wrinkles, colors fade quickly and for polos shirts, the collar tends to curl over time. Polyester is generally hotter especially if there's no breeze but its color retention is better than cotton, it's wrinkle-resistant and the collars tend to stay flatter. The polyester "dri-fit" type of materials are extremely popular nowadays with its moisture-wicking properties and more fashionable appearance. All major companies including Nike, adidas, Under Armour have their own version of a dri-fit material; however they all basically have the same properties. A common complaint with dri-fit material is that it tends to snag easily because of the micro-mesh holes that allow for the breath-ability of the material.

Now you can have the best of all worlds with the new Snag-Proof Tactical Polos! These polos are moisture-wicking, odor-fighting and are made of 100% snag-proof polyester. They will keep you looking great both on and off the job. Terrific for security, law enforcement, event staff, restaurant staff, network technicians and even for everyday office attire. Available in both men's and women's. For more detailed information, click here.

What kind of Gift should you Give? A Gift of Appreciation...

2010-08-24T11:17:00.000-10:00

Deciding on what to give your Clients, employees, friends or family to say thank you can be a tough task. For businesses, you want your clients and employees to remember you and show them how much you appreciate their business and hard work. But will that Frisbee with your logo on it do the trick? Probably not. Or how about the extra large men's polo shirt for your petite sales consultant? I think it's safe to say she won't being the dance of joy if she received that either! It's not about how much you spend or how much a Client spends with your company that should determine what you should give. Hopefully, through the relationships you've built with your Clients and employees over the years, you'll know what their interests are and what they would appreciate. It's a great idea from a business standpoint to give a gift with your logo on it but just make sure it's something the recipient will enjoy. By knowing what they'll appreciate, you can show them how much they are appreciated. Read more about this at The Art of Giving. Happy giving!

That's why it's called Custom Embroidery....Off the cuff placement

2010-07-26T12:27:00.000-10:00

It's not called custom embroidery for nothing...you can truly customize what you want to say and where you want to say it. Here's a few of some not so usual placements or items we've worked on recently.

Moped seat...check out Wrench Werks, they specialize in repairing Audis and Volkwagens.

Matching track jacket sleeves for a wedding gift...embroidered on opposite sleeves so that they "match up" when holding hands. Awww...how sweet!

Embroidered toilet paper? Yup, that's right...they make great favors or gag gifts.

The possibilities are endless, the only limitation is your imagination...

YES WE CAN.....put YOUR picture in stitches!

2010-07-21T10:42:00.001-10:00

Drum roll please! Introducing a new technique called...PICTURE DIGITIZING! No longer do you have to make yourself look like a cartoon in order to be embroidered. We can take almost any high resolution picture and have it digitized to look remarkably realistic! Check out Obama...he liked it so much, he was in stitches! Okay, that was lame, not gonna quit my day job! Why would you want to do this? Other than the fact that it's COOL, they make terrific one-of-a-kind gifts! Great for a wedding gift for the newlyweds or a gift for yourself with an awesome embroidered keepsake picture of your kids. Excellent for framing.

The fine print: The embroidery looks best on a white background and is not cheap by any means but unique and quality is rarely cheap. No one wants a cheap gift anyway! Contact us today for more info.

Design Elements to make Your logo POP or PUFF....

2010-06-21T12:02:00.001-10:00

You've seen them all over the place, your favorite athletes and rappers wear them, big name surf companies like Billabong and Quiksilver sell them...what exactly am I talking about? Caps with 3D embroidery on them of course. You know, the ones that have the thick NY on a Yankees cap or a raised wave on the Quiksilver logo. This type of embroidery is popularly known as 3D Puff or RAISED. It's a great way to make your logo stand out and differentiate itself from all the other logos out there. Don't let the BIG NAME companies and movies get all the attention, you can now have your very own logo in 3D.

Another terrific way to stand out in the crowd is to use a design that has gradients and shading. Of course this is more difficult to do and is not always the best alternative in every situation but is an alternative nonetheless. This process is known as Blending and can really add an awesome dimension to your design if done properly. Both 3D Puff and Blending techniques can truly enhance and make your logo truly something to talk about.

Full-color Custom Mouse pads

2010-05-17T14:39:00.000-10:00

Add some pizazz to your desktop by creating your own custom mouse pad! Capture your favorite memories or put your favorite people or pets on a high quality mouse pad you can use for years to come!

Measures: 7 3/4" X 9 1/4" X 1/4"

Only $9.95 each

Make note: Cross Promote!

2010-04-19T13:51:00.000-10:00

We are exposed to so much advertising these days, that after awhile, we may tune them out altogether. There's TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, Facebook ads, affiliate links, banners on websites, telemarketers, etc. Twitter recently announced that they are showing advertisements that are relevant when you search for a term. Of course, I don't think you can fault these companies, as they are a business and need to generate revenue. As we are inundated with advertising from all angles, there is one form of advertising that we still have a good deal of faith in...word of mouth.

Word of mouth is effective because generally the source of the information is from someone we know and/or trust. Whether it be an individual or company, if we have had great experiences with them, chances are we'll have a great experience with the people or companies that they recommend. That's what we try to do here at Threads, we cross promote other people, clients and businesses that we have had wonderful experiences with. Nothing gives us more satisfaction than seeing a fellow small business grow and succeed and we do our best to help them along the way! So if you've received service or worked with an individual or company you think is top notch, don't keep it a secret, tell everyone you know...chances are they'll return the favor and everyone WINS!

Reducing Stitch Counts = Reduced Cost

2010-03-03T13:58:00.000-10:00

Limited budget...I think most of us are familiar with this terminology. Whether you are a parent, team leader, coach, small business owner or a CEO of a huge corporation, we all can appreciate getting the most bang for our dollars these days. The silver lining is a limited budget is not no budget at all so there's still room for creativity. I bring this up in an blog about reducing stitch counts because by reducing stitch counts, you can reduce the cost of your embroidered apparel. The higher the stitch counts, the longer it takes to to produce which in turn increases cost.

So what does this all mean? Often times clients and businesses have elaborate logos with lots of detail, and outlines, etc. which is great when printing on letter heads or business cards but makes their logo costly to embroider. Some clients opt not to order uniforms or gifts for their staff or teams because it is more than their budget. But there is a win-win solution for everyone, modify your logo to reduce stitch count therefore reducing your costs. See the example below:

The original logo has a lot of extra details: swishes, flags and the text is double outlined.

Now look at the modified embroidery, we removed some of the unnecessary details and outlines and drastically reduced the stitch count while maintaining the "WOW" factor of the logo. Most importantly, we stayed within the client's budget and the kids got to have their caps after all. So when facing a limited budget, don't give up...adapt and move forward. Contact us and we'll be happy to help!

We're a Favorite Place on Google!

2010-02-22T14:52:00.000-10:00

Thanks to all of our phenomenal Clients and potential Clients, we've been chosen as a Favorite Place on Google!

According to Google's website:

"Google identifies the most popular local businesses based on how many Google users looked for more information about a business, looked for driving directions to the business, and more. Over 100,000 businesses were identified as Favorite Places, representing less than 1% of the 28 million U.S. businesses. We believe that our standards for selecting businesses are as selective or more selective than other companies which have run similar initiatives."

We are thrilled with this honor and sincerely thank you for your continued support!

Custom Transfers: An Awesome Alternative

2010-02-22T14:02:00.000-10:00

When people think of t-shirts, screen printed shirts are usually the first thing that comes to mind. While screen printing is a great option when you need a fairly large number of shirts (36 minimum), it is not as economical or feasible when you only need a small run of shirts or if you need full color such as photographs. This is where Custom Transfers are a viable alternative to screen printing.

With transfers, you can order as little as one item and have a full-color print with NO SETUP FEES. Transfers are great for reunions, anniversaries, birthdays, team and gag gifts. The only limitation is your creativity. If you need some help, we have over 700 templates to choose from to get you started! Transfers can also be printed on mouse pads.

Create a unique and one-of-a-kind design for that special someone or event.

*Note: printing on white garments only

NEW! Full Front or Back Applique Designs...

2010-02-09T11:24:00.000-10:00

As we continually look to expand our services, we are excited to announce our partnership with Holloway USA, a Leader in the Team Apparel market to bring you Full front or back applique designs for pullovers, hoodies, etc. Low minimums and NO SETUP FEES make this a great alternative to outfit your school or corporate teams. Ordering is EASY!

1) Select the type of garment you would like decorated from Holloway USA
2) Choose from over 20 Applique templates, just change the name and colors to your specifications
3) Look AWESOME at all your upcoming events!

Only a 12 piece minimum required.
3-4 week turnaround time.

Call or email for more information.

We're Expanding!

2010-01-08T14:06:00.000-10:00

We are excited to announce that we will be expanding into a larger showroom in February 2010 to better serve you! With the larger space, we'll have more samples to display and a small retail area for those of you who need a quick gift or just ideas on what to do for your business or event.

Our last day at our current South King St. location will be Friday, January 15, 2010. We will be CLOSED between
January 16 -31, 2010 while we transition to the new showroom. No orders will be fulfilled at that time.

We will re-open at our new location at:
1513 Young St. #203, Honolulu, Hawaii 96826 on February 1, 2010.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Trademarked and Copyrighted logos

2009-12-22T16:45:00.000-10:00

When people find out what we do, especially family and friends, they always say, "Wow, that's so cool, you can make your own name brand clothes now: Nike, Polo, Lacoste, UH and so forth." While we have the capability and know how to recreate the logos, due to a little thing called Trademark and Copyright laws, we are not able to do so without the written consent from the appropriate parties. We frequently receive inquiries especially from team parents to embroider a licensed sports team's logo such as the "Chicago Bulls" on to their child's jacket or bag and simply change the city name. While we can't legally do that, all is not lost. An alternative is to embroider the city name and team, for instance, the Manoa Bulls above a red and black ball (see picture).
Sure, if you call around enough you may be able to find a business who may be willing to "bend" the rules or look the other way but if they are willing to do that, what's to stop them for selling YOUR logo for a profit. Be smart, be creative and keep it legal. Some risks aren't worth taking. Call us and we'll be happy to help you come up with alternatives.

December's Promotional Product of the Month!

2009-12-02T12:07:00.000-10:00

Oval Letter Opener
20486

Give a gift this holiday season that will help your customers in the New Year. And remember, every time they use it, they'll remember you because your logo will be right there.

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Product Size: 2-7/8"w x 1-7/8"h x 1/4"d

Product Colors: Black, Translucent Blue, Translucent Green, Translucent Red, White

Production Time: 10-15 Business Days

Setup Fee: $50

Standard Imprint Method(s):

Pad Print: Side, 1-1/2"w x 1"h oval, 1 color(s) max

Notes:

Item Color/Imprint Colors: White: standard PMS colors; Colors: white only

Min. order 250 pieces
$.99 each
*shipping cost not included

November's Promotional Product of the Month!

2009-10-30T14:11:00.000-10:00

Koozie Six-Pack Cooler 45036

I know we've missed a couple of months but we're posting November's Product of the Month early this time. Just in time for the holidays, a gift that's cooler than the average rinky dink gifts other companies and bosses are giving out.

A kooler staple, the Koozie(R) Six-Pack Kooler is made of durable watertight construction and is available in thirteen popular colors.

Watertight insulation
32" shoulder length strap and front slip pocket for additional storage
Room for 6-pack and more

Materials: 70D nylon

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location

Product Size: 8-5/8"w x 6-1/2"h x 6-3/4"d

Cooler Colors: Apple Green, Black, Hunter, Ice Blue, Maroon, Navy, Orange, Pink, Red, Royal, Smoke Gray, White, Yellow

Production Time: 10-15 Business Days

Setup Fee: $50 per color

Standard Imprint Method(s):

Screen Print: Front, 6-1/2"w x 4"h, 4 color(s) max

*SPECIAL PRICING UNTIL 12/31/2009 Only $2.90 each!*

Min. order 96 pieces
$4.79 each
*shipping cost not included

The Bottom line...choose Quality every time.

2009-10-23T10:56:00.000-10:00

Amid this recession (oh no, not the "R" word) or should I say slump in the economy consumers and businesses are really keeping an eye on their bottom line and cutting back where they can. While I can understand this, it's important to remember to not sacrifice quality as it will end up costing more in the long run. Cliche but true.

From a business standpoint, think about the uniforms you provide for your employees, if you go with a cheap shirt, 1) you'll need to purchase shirts more often , 2) the shirts will look raggedy after a few washes and reflect poorly on your business, and 3) employees won't want to wear them if they look worn out which minimizes the amount of time your logo is out there promoting your business.

As for promotional items or gifts, businesses often try to find the most inexpensive item to give to their clients since large quantities need to be purchased. You've all received freebies from various companies: pens, letter openers, stress balls, calenders, etc. Which ones are the ones you keep? Exactly. The cool, high quality functional items. And what happens to the crappy pen that doesn't work? Straight to garbage heaven along with your branding. A quality product will keep your company in front of your customers' eyes for years and will be on top of their mind when it's time to make a purchase. People remember which companies have the good stuff and which don't.

For personalized items, we encourage customers to bring in their own products. You know what you want and like and should have the option of enhancing it with embroidery. Quality products whether it's a shirt, towel, bag or jacket complement quality embroidery. Cheap or low quality items will affect the quality of the embroidery as well since often times the material is not stable enough to hold the stitches. You don't want the embroidery to be holding the towel together!

As you already know, the bottom line is very important so spend a few extra dollars now and save a lot later, choose quality every time...you'll be glad you did.

Profit is NOT a dirty word...

2009-10-02T14:59:00.000-10:00

Oh my goodness, I just said it...profit. So what? It's perfectly fine. Most of us are in business to make a living and those of you who work for non-profits reap the rewards of knowing that what you are doing is helping the cause you are fighting for. Many of our clients are small businesses owned by sole proprietors or family-owned businesses or LLCs run by only a handful of people. I hear a lot of them say, "we don't want to charge more because we are afraid we'll lose our business to the guy down the street." If you have a quality product or service, stand by it and value YOUR time. If you don't, how do you expect your customers to? Of course you have to do your homework and figure out what it takes to effectively run your business or organization and then charge accordingly. From my experience, those customers who shop solely based on price will flee to the cheapest place every time, ALL the time. Not the kind of clientele you're probably looking for anyway. Find people who appreciate what you do (they are out there) and in return show your appreciation by providing them with top notch products and/or service. A friend of mine sent me the picture above which I think sums it up best. Remember, profit is not a dirty word.

Kick it up a notch with Kanji!

2009-09-18T11:02:00.000-10:00

Kanji characters are now available in 1" and 2" sizes. Choose from over 250 stock kanji characters to add some Feng Shui and Asian flair to your decor. Kanji characters are great on towels, shirts, bags and make terrific gifts for any event: weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.!

Awesome pricing starting at only $5 per character!

What are Stock designs?

2009-08-17T09:50:00.000-10:00

Stock designs are embroidery designs that have already been pre-digitized and are readily available for use. Every embroiderer will have different stock designs available as each one purchases different packages based on their clientele. The most common types of stock embroidery are sports-related such as basketballs, baseballs, footballs, etc. Other popular ones are animals, hearts and occupations.

Stock designs are great because it's a quick and easy way to create a logo and have it embroidered. For example, select a cute animal design, add a person's name, embroider it on a blanket and VOILA, you have a great present for newborn!

There are some limitations to stock designs such as they are for the most part restricted to the size that they were digitized. If a stock design of a ball is 2" in diameter, you would need to embroider it at that size. Stock designs are usually charged by the stitch count.

Although there are thousands of stock designs available, some times you won't be able to find exactly what your looking for but not to worry, anything can be digitized...for a fee of course! Thanks for reading!

August's Product of the Month!

2009-08-06T16:02:00.000-10:00

Grocery Tote

GO GREEN! Do your part to spread the 3R's in your community: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE! These totes are the perfect giveaway to your best customers. Let them help you get free brand exposure while they tote these around the stores. Reward your customers and help save the Earth, it's a WIN-WIN for everyone.

Reusable and Recycle-able! The perfect tote for a quick trip to the market.

Non-woven polypropylene
Reinforced bottom panel

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1-location

Product Size: Bag: 12-3/4"w x 13-1/4"h x 8-5/8"d, Handle: 1-1/4"w x 20-1/2"l

Bag Colors: Black, Kelly Green, Red, Royal, Tan

Production Time: 10-15 Business Days

Setup Fee: $50 per color

Standard Imprint Method(s):

Heat Transfer: Front Center, 4"w x 9"h, 4 color(s) max

*SPECIAL PRICING UNTIL 12/31/2009 Only $2.12 each!*

Min. order 100 pieces
$3.09 each
*shipping cost not included

Promotional Product of the Month!

2009-07-14T18:01:00.000-10:00

Monterey Outdoor Emergency First Aid Pouch

Make sure your customers remember your name when they were in need of help and your nifty little First Aid pouch was there to save them!

Classy and stylish, this drawstring pouch holds a selection of essential first aid components, and is reusable, to make sure your message endures!

Stylish pouch can be reused

Materials: Nylon bag

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1-location

Product Includes: Includes 34 pieces: 3 aloe packets, 6 antibiotic ointment packets, 17 bandages, clean nap, 2 first aid cream packets, 2 insect repellent towelettes, 3 SPF-15 sunblock packets

Product Size: 4"w x 5-3/4"h

Product Colors: Black, Blue, Green, Pink, Red

Production Time: 7 Business Days

Set up charge: $50 per color

Standard Imprint Method(s):

Heat Transfer: Front, 2"w x 2"h, 4 color(s) max

Min. order 50 pieces
$11.99 each
*shipping cost not included

To Tweet or to TV?

2009-06-30T11:54:00.000-10:00

Traditional vs. Social Media Marketing

Of course we all know that the best and most cost efficient way to advertise and promote your organization or business is through decorated apparel and promotional products. Shameless plug. Sorry about that. But there are also numerous ways a business/organization can get its name out there. There's the traditional advertising mediums such as TV, radio, newspapers, Yellow Pages, etc. but there's also a "new" form of advertising called Social Media Marketing. I'm sure most of you have already heard of MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogger...the list can go on and on. I was watching the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson last night and Michael Douglas (Catherine Zeta-Jones' hubbie) was a guest and he called the site MyFace which is the perfect example of how people have heard of social networking sites but don't exactly know what they are or the differences between them.
A lot of us or people we know have these pages and use it to find old friends or to keep in touch with loved ones. But these pages can also be a great marketing tool for a business or organization. You can create a company blog on blogger (like this one) to share information about your industry and let your customers know the latest and greatest about what's going on with your company instantaneously. Your Facebook page or Twitter page is an excellent way for you to interact with your target market on a more personal level so that they are comfortable doing business with you before they even step foot in your door.
The key difference between traditional advertising mediums and social media marketing is that TV, radio, newspapers cater to the masses and is an 'interruption' means of advertising. Commercials interrupt you while you're watching or listening to your favorite shows and hope that you'll stick around to listen to their message. Social Media Marketing is a 'participation' form of advertising. Your clients, customers, fans and want to hear from you and have chosen to opt-in to see/read what you have to say. The people on your fan page on Facebook and following you on Twitter have an interest on what's going on with your organization and have given you permission to speak with them.
By no means am I suggesting that businesses stop advertising through traditional means as they can still be very effective. I'm just saying that there are a lot of great FREE advertising tools out there so it's not a bad idea to check them out. With that being said, become a fan of ours on Facebook or follow us on Twitter! The links are to your right...hope to see you there!

Threads on the Tube!

2009-06-18T12:36:00.000-10:00

We're excited to announce that our first TV commercial will be on OC16! Here's the exclusive sneak peek of it! It's amazing how much work and a footage is required to make a 30-second spot.

Thanks for your continued support!

Promotional Product of the Month!

2009-06-18T12:10:00.000-10:00

Sani-Pen® — the hottest promotional sanitizer on the market!

Swine flu or H1N1, whatever you want to call the pandemic has gotten people extra cautious about washing their hands. This a great leave behind for your customers that they will definitely use! Every time they pull it out, your company logo will be there front and center and they will thank you for helping them be flu-free!

Patended Twist-Lock TopTM provides convenient one-hand use. Medical grade tube. Kills 99.9% of germs and moisturizes with aloe. Alcohol-free.

Now available in mini-size, for pocket or purse.

All Anti-Bacterial products include the FDA required Drug Facts Label

Set-Up Charge: $50 per color

Production Time: 10-15 Business Days

Standard Imprint Method(s):

* Screen Print: Front Center, 2.42"w x 0.9"h, 1 color(s) max

Min. order 250 pieces
$2.40 each
*shipping cost not included

Screenprinting vs. Transfers vs. Embroidery

2009-05-11T16:28:00.000-10:00

As with most things these days, it is the case that there are too many choices for embellishment rather than not enough. Which method should you choose? Screen printing? Heat Transfers? Embroidery? Well, it depends on what look you are trying to achieve, what purpose the products (shirts, caps, totes) are being used for and the quantity you are looking to order. Here's a quick rundown on the different embellishing methods most commonly used and the pros and cons to each method.

Screen printing:
Screen printed shirts are everywhere and are probably the most common method used. Screen printed items are used for shirts, towels, promotional products, etc. A majority of the t-shirts you see out in the marketplace are screen printed.

How it works:
A design is divided into layers, a screen is made for each color and then the garment is screened by color one after the other. Of course this is a simplified description of the process but should give you the gist of how it works.

Pros:
Screen printing is great for large runs of the same design (at least 36) and if there are minimal colors. T-shirts are the most commonly screen printed item, however polo shirts and totes may also be screen printed. The cost per item is usually lower when screen printed because of the larger run requirements.

Cons:
High setup cost . Setup charges are usually per screen per color per side. Larger runs required each time to make it economically worthwhile.

Heat Transfers:
There are many forms of heat transfers however the most common are vinyl and plastisol transfers.

How it works:
Designs are either cut from vinyl, screen printed on release paper or printed on transfer paper and then are heat pressed on a garment.

Pros:
Transfers are great for small runs, generally less than 36 pieces or when you want full-color or custom printed garments such as names and numbers. If printed on transfer paper, designs can be full-color, even a photograph. There are generally no setup fees for transfer printing. No minimum requirements.

Cons:
Higher cost per garment. Some transfers will only work on light garments.

Embroidery:
Embroidery has the highest perceived value or quality out of all the embellishing methods. Embroidered apparel is seen nearly everywhere: banks, hotels, corporations, small businesses, gifts, etc.

How it works:
Stock embroidery fonts or designs are generally available however custom designs need to be digitized by a skilled digitizer using specialized software. Once a stitch file is created, it is inputted into a computerized embroidery machine and the design comes to life by using threads.

Pros:
Higher perceived value. Lower or no minimum requirements. Flexible, same design can be embroidery on different garments and products.

Cons:
Higher cost, digitizing fee, certain limitations on size and effects of the design.

Regardless of which method you choose, great results can be achieved if you ask the right questions. Hopefully, this little quick comparison of the different methods will help you in your decision making process.

Promotional Product of the Month!

2009-05-01T11:29:00.000-10:00

Desk Clock/Travel Clock

Stylish yet functional. Keep your business in front of your customers with this nifty desktop clock. It's small, sleek and fits perfectly on any desk.

Great desk or travel clock includes time, date and temperature.

* Displays time, date and temperature
* Includes batteries

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1-location

Product Size: 5"w x 1-7/8"h x 1/2"d

Product Colors: Silver

Set-Up Charge: $50 per color

Production Time: 5 Business Days

Standard Imprint Method(s):

* Screen Print: Front Center, 1"w x 1-1/4"h, 1 color(s) max

Notes:

* Imprint Color: White only

Min. order 50 pieces
$8.59 each
*shipping cost not included

Promotional Product of the Month!

2009-04-06T11:23:00.000-10:00

Roll-Up Beach Mat

All work and no play is no fun so why not give your employees a gift that reminds them that they need to relax and rejuvenate every so often. Remember, happy employees are usually more productive!

This large mat is perfect for a day at the beach.

Convenient roll up capability
Front pocket for additional storage
Large size

Materials: Natural straw

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1-location

Product Size: Folded: 10"w x 13"h x 2-3/8"d, Unfolded: 36-5/8"w x 70-3/4"l

Item Colors: Black, Red, Royal

Set-Up Charge: $50 per color

Production Time: 5 Business Days

Standard Imprint Method(s):

Heat Transfer: Front, 8"w x 2-1/2"h, 4 color(s) max

Min. order 24 pieces
$15.59 each
*shipping cost not included

Some Assembly Required...

2009-04-05T19:53:00.000-10:00

Like technology, fashion trends evolve and change rapidly. The next time you're at the mall, look around and you'll probably see Ed Hardy products at various stores. You can quickly identify Ed Hardy caps by its extensive embroidery all over the the cap including the brim. If you check out caps at a sports store such as Footlocker, you'll often see sports caps with embroidery on the brim as well. Very cool indeed. So it's no wonder why we often get customers asking us to embroider on the brim or to embroider on a cap front from top to bottom. Many people are puzzled when we have to inform them that this is not possible.

"Why? I've seen caps like this at so and so" people will ask. The reason is that in order to embroider on a cap, it needs to be mounted on a frame and a minimum amount of space is required above and below a design. Embroidering on the brim of a finished cap will also break the needles even if it could be mounted on the machine. The caps that you see at retail stores are embroidered on flat pieces of fabric prior to the cap being assembled which is how companies like Ed Hardy can achieve their final products.

When you have caps embroidered, the finished product is most likely a blank finished product which has already been assembled. But there's no need to worry, there are still plenty of areas to embroider on a cap: the front, back, either side and sometimes even on the adjustable strap if there is one. So remember, it's not that embroidery shops don't want to make you the latest and greatest fashion item...it's just that sometimes some assembly is required.

Promotional Product of the Month!

2009-03-30T12:34:00.000-10:00

Collapsible Trunk Organizer

Marketing research shows that it is a lot cheaper to retain your existing customers than it is to attain new ones. A great way to do this is by showing your appreciation by rewarding your customers with a small token of your appreciation. A little friendly gesture will go a long way. This week's product of the week is fun yet functional!

Organize your life by starting with your trunk! This practical gift folds down for easy storage and shipping, then expands to hold an array of products from groceries to tools.

Folds down and secures closed for easy shipping and storage
Features two large compartments, perfect for auto essentials, groceries or sports equipment

Materials: 70D nylon, frosted polypropylene plastic (0.8mm) front, 210D polyester and foam at bottom

Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1-location

Product Size: 14-1/4"w x 12"h x 24-1/2"d

Item Colors: Black

Set-Up Charge: $50 per color

Standard Imprint Method(s):

Screen Print: Front, 6"w x 1-1/2"h, 1 color(s) max

Notes:

Not intended for use by children.

Min. order 35 pieces
$17.49 each

*shipping cost not included

Stand Out, Be Different!

2009-03-26T09:38:00.000-10:00

Okay, so the title of this blog could apply to a lot of things but this is Threads Talk after all so for the purpose of the post it will pertain to logo placement. People always ask how large the embroidery logo should be and where to place it. The basic rule of thumb is that a left chest logo should be no wider than 4 inches and a cap logo should be no taller than 2.5 inches. Polo shirts are the most popular garment to embellish and the standard placement is on the left chest. While the left chest makes sense as it can easily be seen when shaking hands and talking face to face, why not venture out and do something a little different?

Embroidering your logo on the sleeve or on the back of the shirt below the collar are two great options. You can embroider your logo on one or both of these areas in place of or in addition to the left chest. Most companies have a website these days so strategically embroidering your website address on the back of your shirt below the collar is a terrific idea. Why you ask? Think about how many times you're standing in line at the bank, waiting for your plate lunch, to use the restroom, at the grocery store, etc. Chances are someone is standing behind you and sure enough they'll be looking at the URL on your back. Go ahead, stand out, be different.

What is Digitizing?

2009-03-25T12:11:00.000-10:00

This is a question I get asked quite a bit and understandably many people do not know much about it. Digitizing is the art of converting a logo or design into a data format that embroidery machines understand. It is a popular misconception that since embroidery machines are computerized that all the embroiderer has to do is scan an image and the computer will do the rest. Unfortunately, it's not like "Weird Science" where you simply input images and PRESTO, there it is! Unlike screen printing, what you see on paper or screen is not what you will always get. Every detail of the design needs to be traced by the digitizer and then the correct type of stitching needs to be applied in order to create beautiful embroidery. Some digitizers are better than others which explains why the same logo can come out looking entirely different.

Here are a few key things to know to make sure your design will be digitized at its best:

1) Provide the digitizer/embroiderer a high resolution image of your design. Vector files such as Adobe Illustrator and eps files work the best but a high resolution jpeg (300 dpi) will work just fine too. Remember (GIGO, Garbage In, Garbage Out). If you provide a low quality design, it is highly likely you will end up with low quality embroidery.

2) Let the embroiderer know what you plan to embroider and what size you want it to be. A jacket back logo vs. a left chest logo will need to be digitized differently. The type of material the logo will be embroidered on will also determine how the design will be digitized.

3) The digitizing fee is based on complexity.

4) Digitizing requires specialized software and is not something anyone can do using Photoshop. A Digitized file is very different from a Digital file.

5) Once you have your design digitized, you can use the file over and over without paying the digitizing fee again unless major edits are required.

Hopefully, this bit of information provides some clarification and gives you a greater appreciation of the art of digitizing. Happy stitching!

Cost Effective Marketing in Tough Economic times

2009-03-24T17:58:00.000-10:00

It's no secret that these economic times have been tough on everyone. The first thing most businesses do is cut back on their advertising budget. As many of us learned in marketing 101, this is a big NO-NO. In fact, we were told by our professors that in slow times, we should actually increase our advertising because most of our competitors are cutting back and our business would be on the top of our customers' minds once they decide to make purchases again. Easier said than done, believe me, I understand. Although many of us can't afford to run more tv or radio commercials or any at all, we all can afford to capitalize on the greatest advertising of all..word of mouth. And a great way to do this is through embellished apparel. Whether you decide to do screen printing or embroidery or hand out products with your business name and logo on it, people start talking and generally that's a good thing for your business. Every time you walk in a restaurant, a bank, a salon, or your son's baseball game with your shirt or cap with your business logo on it, you are a walking advertisement and are creating an opportunity for people to ask about your business. So even in these harsh economic times, you CAN increase your advertising and be cost effective about it. Let's turn the "R" word into rejuvenate.

Threads Talk

Product of the Month: 3-month View Desk Pad

Min. order 150 pieces$2.66 each

*shipping cost not included

November's Promotional Product of the Month: Metallic Luggage Tag

Up your Facebook Page's App-titude...

October's Promotional Product of the Month: Deluxe Stadium Seat

Min. order 48 pieces$21.67 each

What makes these ears "magical"?

September's Promotional Product of the Month: The Tropical Pen

Min. order 300 pieces$0.39 each

Mad about raising money for MADD Hawaii!

What is a QR code?

Need a full-color banner? Aiea Copy Center is the place...

August's Promotional Product of the Month: 2GB USB Bracelet

Deals, Deals, Deals! But is everyone a winner?

July's Promotional Product of the Month: Method Zippered Padfolio

Min. order 25 pieces$17.17 each

S#%&t Happens!

June's Promotional Product of the Month: Auto Adapter

Great for charging ipod, MP3 players, Blackberry or other USB charged devices.

Normal Production Time:10 Business Days

Product Size:3 5/8"L x 1 3/16"W

Product Weight:18lbs. per 200 pcs.

Additional Information:Imprint area: 7/8"W x 5/8"H per side. Absolute Minimum: 100.

Setup Fee: $45.00

Min. order 100 pieces$4.25 each

*shipping cost not included

May's Product of of the Month: Gilligan Tote

Setup Fee: $50.00

Min. order 50 pieces$6.09 each

*shipping cost not included

April's Promotional Product of the Month: Hanging Toiletry Bag

Setup Fee: $50.00

Min. order 50 pieces$14.31 each

*shipping cost not included

March's Product of the Month: 1 GB Folding USB 2.0 Drive

Normal Production Time: 15 Working Days

Setup Fee: $50.00

Min. order 25 pieces$12.23 each

*shipping cost not included

An Alternative for the Not-so-Artsy people...

February's Product of the Month: Exercise Mat

Normal Production Time: 5 Working Days

Setup Fee: $50.00

Min. order 48 pieces$18.75 each

*shipping cost not included

January's Promotional Product of the Month!

Dimensions: Folded length: 37.5" Arc: 60" Max imprint area: 10"W x 8"H

Normal Production Time:10 Working Days

Setup Fee: $62.50

Min. order 36 pieces$17.33 each

*shipping cost not included

Make Money with our NEW Custom Shops!

Record Highs for Cotton Prices

Interesting survey on 'party' swag....

NEW! Snag-Proof Tactical Polos

What kind of Gift should you Give? A Gift of Appreciation...

That's why it's called Custom Embroidery....Off the cuff placement

YES WE CAN.....put YOUR picture in stitches!

Design Elements to make Your logo POP or PUFF....

Full-color Custom Mouse pads

Make note: Cross Promote!

Reducing Stitch Counts = Reduced Cost

We're a Favorite Place on Google!

Custom Transfers: An Awesome Alternative

NEW! Full Front or Back Applique Designs...

We're Expanding!

Trademarked and Copyrighted logos

December's Promotional Product of the Month!

November's Promotional Product of the Month!

The Bottom line...choose Quality every time.

Profit is NOT a dirty word...

Kick it up a notch with Kanji!

What are Stock designs?

August's Product of the Month!

Promotional Product of the Month!

To Tweet or to TV?

Threads on the Tube!

Promotional Product of the Month!

Min. order 150 pieces
$2.66 each

Min. order 48 pieces
$21.67 each

Min. order 300 pieces
$0.39 each

Min. order 25 pieces
$17.17 each

Normal Production Time:
10 Business Days

Product Size:
3 5/8"L x 1 3/16"W

Product Weight:
18lbs. per 200 pcs.

Additional Information:
Imprint area: 7/8"W x 5/8"H per side.
Absolute Minimum: 100.

Min. order 100 pieces
$4.25 each

Min. order 50 pieces
$6.09 each

Min. order 50 pieces
$14.31 each

Normal Production Time:
15 Working Days

Min. order 25 pieces
$12.23 each

Normal Production Time:
5 Working Days

Min. order 48 pieces
$18.75 each

Dimensions:
Folded length: 37.5"
Arc: 60"

Max imprint area: 10"W x 8"H

Normal Production Time:
10 Working Days

Min. order 36 pieces
$17.33 each