Quick Tip: Logo Design - Ask for Vector...

No, Vector is not a person, it's a type of file.  One of the most exciting things about starting your own business, aside from being able to make your own hours and having celebrities knocking on your door (just kidding) is seeing your company logo on things like shirts, signage, letterhead, stickers, pens, calendars, cars, etc.  Somehow, seeing your logo on real tangible items makes the dream more real.  If you've already started your business or are thinking about starting one up, you'll eventually need to have a logo created so that you can create a recognized brand and stand out amongst your competitors.  Whether you decide to design it yourself or hire a graphic designer, make sure to design or ask for your logo in a vector format (eps, ai).  Vector files are most commonly created in Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.  A vector file creates the image in shapes and curves so that the image can be resized without distorting the image.  This will allow you to use your logo for something as small as a pen to a full car wrap.  Files created in photoshop are raster files (bmp, jpg, png) and are created with pixels.  This is terrific for pictures as every pixel can be a different color but when you try to resize it for different applications, the image will become pixelated or blurry.  I'm big on metaphors so think of a vector file as a swiss army knife that is so versatile that you can use it for almost any application whereas a raster file is that plastic knife from McDonald's that is only good for spreading jam and butter on your morning breakfast.  Lastly, a vector file must be created in a vector-based program such as Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw.  Just like me calling my home charming doesn't make it bigger, simply saving a jpeg as an eps or renaming the file does NOT make it a vector file.  Ask for vector, you'll thank me for it later.  ;)

Source: www.eznetu.com

Quick Tip: Size DOES Matter!

Small text and details are the most difficult thing to deal with when it comes to embroidery.  We can embroider almost anything however there are some limitations.  I know that often times you want to say as much as possible but sometimes less is more.  Some people will want to put a whole paragraph worth of words in a small left chest design and that just isn't possible.  It takes two needle penetrations to make one stitch so size does indeed matter.  The easiest way to tell if the amount of text you want can be embroidered in the space you want, is to try writing it with a crayon.  If you can accomplish it with a crayon, chances are it can be embroidered. 

Quick Tip: Tone-on-tone Embroidery

To be seen, or not to be seen, that is the question.  A lot of times, customers will say, "my logo is blue so I want to purchase blue shirts."  That's not a problem if you want to do tone on tone embroidery which is matching the the thread color closely to the fabric color.  However, if this is not your intention, choose a contrasting color for your garments.  This little tip will help you tremendously in maintaining the desired color of your logo.  :)

Product of the Month: Customized Microwavable Popcorn

Did your staff have a phenomenal quarter?  Or did they all stay overtime to complete a project?  Why not reward them with a movie night w/ popcorn and all!  Pop in an all time favorite like Office Space and pass out these customized microwavable popcorn bags to your whole staff!  Nom, nom, nom!

Customized Microwavable Popcorn 9474

Filled with gourmet butter flavored popcorn. • U.S.A. grown, processed and packaged fresh.
• Bag features graphics designed by you!
• Product color: White or Kraft (brown). If bag color is not stated on order, a white bag will be used. Please note: the gray susceptor plate, which transmits the heat to pop the popcorn, may affect the overall appearance of your artwork.
• Standard imprint color: Black, blue 072, brown 464, green 347, orange 021, pantone blue, pantone green, pantone purple, pantone violet, pantone yellow, red 032, red 185, reflex blue, rubine red, warm red or yellow 109.
• Imprint area: 5"w x 9−1/4"h overall; when designing your bag we recommend using our template which can be downloaded by clicking the link below or obtained by contacting the factory.
• Packaging: Individually wrapped and bulk packed 100 bags/case.
• Product weight: 27 lbs/100
• Over/under runs: maximum/minimum of 10 percent.
• Shelf life: One (1) year; must be stored in dry, cool conditions.
• FOB: Indiana; No C.O.D. shipments; UPS service only. 

Setup Fee: $35.00 per color

Min. order 300 pieces
$1.40 each 

*shipping cost not included

Product of the Month: Bag Recycler

Many cities such as Seattle have banned bags that are being defined as "single-use" bags that we are accustomed to getting from the grocery store.  I don't know about you but I don't see these bags as "single-use" at all.  People reuse them as trash can liners, to pick up dog poo, to bag clothes to be donated and a zillion other ways.  Going green is great and I have nothing against the ever popular reusable woven bags but for those of us living in cities that still allow these "single-use" bags, we can continue to contribute to protecting the environment by using these bags multiple times.  Lucky for you, there's this nifty Bag Recycler that you can embellish with your company logo and distribute to your best clients.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

45829 Bag Recycler

Compact bag stores all your plastic grocery bags.

Made from 100% cotton Top handle slides over most door knobs for use Shopping bag saver / organizer Remove bags from bottom slit for re-use

Materials: Natural Canvas

Product Size: 6"w x 17-1/2"h

Product Colors: Natural

Price Includes: 1-color, 1 location imprint

Standard Imprint Method(s): Screen Print: Front, 4"w x 6"h, 3 color(s) max

Production Time: 5 Business Days

Setup: $50.00 per color

Min. order 72 pieces
$4.82 each 

*shipping cost not included

Product of the Month: 3-month View Desk Pad

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

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...

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

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"?

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.