Choose A Logo That Stands Out

How about a nicely screen printed t- shirt that displays your company’s logo and contact information with vibrant colors that POP out to the Average Joe on the street and screams: “HEY, BUY MY PRODUCT!” or “USE MY SERVICES!” Maybe a subtle black and white t-shirt with a fancy font imprint reading: “Elegant wedding supplies” or “Concierge” is a reminder to a target audience, if the occasion occurs, to “Call Me.” No matter what the message may be, you want it to be seen. Screen printed t-shirts or wearables are a great way to secure this objective as a mission accomplished.

Ranking high along with other top promotional products like drinkware or writing utensils, most companies choose promotional products or ad specialty items that give the most bang for their buck. A screen printed t-shirt could easily fit into your marketing budget as a promotional giveaway since it is both affordable and can speak volumes as a marketing tool.

When choosing a screen printed t-shirt it is wise to look at the quality of the t-shirt first. Why? It doesn’t matter if the shirt you purchased cost you $5.00 or $ 15.00 or it takes 1 day or 10 to produce and deliver if the quality of the product doesn’t represent you and your business in a favorable manner.

Choosing the right fabric to Screen Print a t-shirt takes a little understanding of why the quality of the fabric is one of the most important factors.

When shopping for a t-shirt, consumers turn to fabrics that feel good or look great and make the assumption that this beautiful shirt will stand the test of time, let alone make it through the screen printing process.

This is where they are wrong! Selecting the right fabric for your screen printing project is a must.

Screen printers can print on a variety of t-shirt fabrics. Let’s look at the top four t-shirt fabrics and their differences to aid you in selecting the best option for your businesses image.

Screen Printing on a 30 single T- shirt

30 singles:
The 30 singles fabric is named after the count of thread and its weight. With a high thread count like 30 the fabric is finer and a tighter weave can be achieved. This gives the shirt a softer, finer feel. The finer the shirt, the more lumps and bumps the shirt shows off in its drape. Depending on the type of business you have, screen printing on this shirt may appeal more to women consumers

Ring Spun
Ring spun means that the fiber that makes up the fabric is sent through a process where it is spun before it is knitted into the final product. Fiber (usually cotton) spun prior to knitting is finer, softer and more durable than ordinary cotton. Although the cotton that is ring spun is described as durable like 30 singles this fabric gives a more feminine look and may limit your target audience.

Pima Cotton Tee, screen printed

Pima Cotton
Also referred to as extra-long staple (ELS), Pima cotton is most often used in shirts for both men and women. They are light to wear yet provide superior warmth. The thickness is one of its advantages; besides being a very durable fabric. Manufacturers of this cotton capitalize on its longevity saying it can last as much as 50 % longer than other fabrics made from other forms of cotton. But a downfall to Pima is that; it is very absorbent cotton, so unless the T-shirt made from Pima is coated with a stain guard, spills will stay with the same longevity of the cotton.

Standard:
Standard or 100% cotton: the original t-shirt fabric is a fully breathable fabric; this means that it can be cooler to wear in warmer conditions. 100% cotton is known to be soft as well as durable. Cotton fabric is easy to care for and holds color very well. One apparel vendor notes it as “A year-round essential, our best-selling t-shirt has been voted “most popular” by groups, teams, clubs and schools across America.”
Finding the perfect T- Shirt to screen print is simple. Avoid going through the trial and error process that is NOT usually factored into one’s budget. Do this by knowing what fabric to choose. When price is a major concern, you may choose a basic heavyweight 100% cotton t-shirt with a one-color design in one location.

Gorilla Marketing can help by providing the best t-shirts selection and screen printing service. We strive to offer the most affordable advertising to help build your brand by gaining exposure!

Screen Printed T Shirt

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800-464-6745
Ask about our tee’s and screen printing specials
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The Trekker Stainless Steel Bottle W/ Dual Opening Cap & Carabiner (20 Oz.)

You may want an Eco-Friendly drinkware option for a camping trip or a company picnic. If your business is looking for something eye catching to personalize and leave a lasting impression, you may think of acrylic, aluminum or stainless steel drinkware.

Whether you think about it or not, choosing Drink ware is critical! Why? Decisions on any purchase, even drinkware, requires smart shopping and a target budget.

Tritan copolyester

One of the most commonly purchased types of drinkware besides glassware are water bottles. Since water bottles are so cost effective, research shows they are one of the most preferred promotional products. Water bottles are chosen because they can be personalized, re-used and are often ordered at higher quantities as promotion products, than some other top sellers like ceramic mugs or wine glasses.
No matter the appearance or its capabilities, knowing what your drinkware is made of, is wise for any consumer.

Water Bottles are primarily made from some form of plastic. Depending on the bottle you choose, it could easily be made from a plastic that may cause health issues.

Aluminum Bottle W/ Twist Off Finger Loop Cap & Carabiner(28oz) BPA Free

Health issues can make all the difference in a bottle purchased by a company, given to employees or even distributed as giveaways at a company event. Knowing this shows how important choosing something as simple as a water bottle can be. You can easily make a wrong turn by searching for the most inexpensive or most fashionable bottle; however this could lead to possibly placing supporters in direct contact with a hazardous chemical like BPA.

16 Oz. Spirit Tumbler Cup Acrylic double wall construction with threaded lid & straw

This is where Gorilla Marketing puts minds at ease! Our promotional product company remains diligent in our efforts to provide safe drinkware options at affordable prices.

We start by offering a straight path to worry free purchasing by helping consumers choose a healthier plastic and promoting the use of Tritan; a light weight, durable plastic that doesn’t transfer taste from one beverage to another and it’s also BPA Free.

If plastic is not your first choice we also offer a variety of drinkware options to fit your promotional or beverage hosting needs.

Choose from an assortment of styles, colors and sizes, all affordable and guaranteed to exceed your expectations. Quality will never be Questionable!

For more information and pricing on Tritan products
or other Drinkware options
Call Us Now
1-800-464-6745

Bach Truffles in Gift Box, $3.99 each

Chocolates and other candy

“Sweets for the sweet,” the saying goes. Chocolates are a traditional Valentine’s Day gift. Promotional options run the gamut from custom-molded chocolate bars with full-color wrappers to truffle assortments in a logo-imprinted box. Another fun choice is a branded lollipop, with your design is printed right on the candy in edible ink. Candy brightens everyone’s day, and gives them a great experience while thinking of your brand.

Recommended: Bach Gift-Boxed Chocolates, minimum quantity 25, $3.99 each for 1-color imprint on the box. Item #FRLYD-BSOFZ.

Lip Balm with Carabiner Sleeve, $1.39 each

Lip balm

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is about romance, and romance often involves kissing. A lip balm giveaway can tie into this theme and help people have soft smooches with their sweethearts. Promotional lip balm is available with a custom label and can be flavored in dozens of different ways. Also consider an imprinted leash or carabiner cap so they can keep the lip balm (and your logo) close at hand.

Recommended: Lip Balm with Carabiner Sleeve, minimum quantity 100, $1.39 each for full-color custom label and 1-color imprint on the sleeve. Item #YRGVA-GXYGG & KRGVC-GXYGI.

Razor Sliding Mint Tin, $1.87 each

Mints

Another kiss-related giveaway is mints. Mints are available in many kinds of promotional packaging, from blister packs to tins to plastic credit-card-sized containers. There are sugar-free micro-mints, luxurious buttermints, and extra-strength mints for those serious breath issues. You can go for a full-color presentation or a simple logo imprint. They’ll carry it with them and see your brand throughout the day.

Recommended: Razor Sliding Mint Tin, minimum quantity 250, $1.87 each with 1-color imprint. Choose from Peppermint, Spearmint, Wintergreen, and Cinnamon. Item #AMLXD-EMNOF.

SafeVelope Condom and Mints, $1.45 each

Condoms

If you’re targeting the all-important 18-to-35 demographic, condoms are an inexpensive giveaway that will definitely get noticed. Anyone with a health-related message might consider using promotional condoms, of course, but condoms can also work for insurance companies, banks, and computer software brands – any organization that wants to emphasize protection, safety, and security and isn’t afraid to get a little sexy.

Recommended: Safevelope Condom & Mints, minimum quantity 250, $1.45 each for full-color. Includes two breath mints and a condom in a full-color packet. Item #YNECB-GNXMR.

Color Base Collapsible Vase, $1.38 each

Folding vases for flowers

Valentine’s Day is the biggest bouquet-giving holiday of the year. If you’ve ever received a bouquet and found yourself searching for a vase to hold the flowers, you’ll appreciate one of the coolest promo trends of the last year: foldable vases. These soft plastic vessels fold flat when empty, but when you fill them with water and add a bouquet, they stand up and are quite sturdy. Many colors and designs are available.

Recommended: Color Base Collapsible Vase, minimum quantity 200, $1.38 each with 1-color imprint. Includes a mailing envelope. Item #AQJYE-HPBXS.

Heart-Shaped Letter Opener, $0.45 each

Various heart-shaped items

If you give your customers tender loving care, you can demonstrate your affection with heart-shaped promotional products. All the standard items you know and love – pens, sticky notes, water bottles, coffee mugs, stress toys, keychains, and so on – are available with a heart motif.

Recommended: Heart-Shaped Letter Opener, minimum quantity 250, $0.45 each with 1-color imprint. Item # ZLFBC-HKUIM.

For other ideas or help with placing a Valentine’s Day promo order, contact us today!

A printer pulls ink across a screen while printing a t-shirt

No matter how much you love or hate shopping, you’ve gotta have clothing. Custom printing enhances a basic garment and turns it into something attractive, eye-catching, and even hilarious. If you’ve ever stopped to ponder how all those images and sayings get on printed t-shirts, this rundown will get you up to speed. The most common way to decorate a t-shirt is screen printing, a complex process that leads to a beautiful result.

Step one is the design. Generally, we need a vector file with the art, because that type of file can be resized and still look crisp and clear. Most of the time, screen printing designs are “spot color,” which means they’re made up of a few solid colors, rather than a full-color photo-like image. We identify the colors with PMS (Pantone Matching System) numbers, so we get the ink mixed up just right.

Step two is creating the screens. Similar to a large stencil, a screen lets us apply ink to the shirt right where we want it and nowhere we don’t. We need one screen for each color. If we wanted to print “Hello, world!” on a t-shirt, with “Hello” in red and “world” in blue, we’d need one screen that just said “Hello” and one screen that just said “world.”

Step three is the choosing the ink. There are many choices for screen printing ink. Plastisol ink is used most often. It’s made of PVC particles suspended in an emulsion and it won’t harden if left open, which makes it easy to work with. T-shirts screenprinted with plastisol ink don’t dry, per se; they go under a heat lamp to cure the ink and make the imprint last. Plastisol is the least costly screen printing ink, but large designs can feel rubbery due to its synthetic nature. When a softer feel is desired, water-based ink can be used. Discharge inks are even better when touch is important, since they actually dye the fabric and cannot be felt at all. A variety of specialty inks including neon and glow-in-the-dark are also available for unique projects.

Step four is applying the ink to the shirt – in other words, the actual printing. Printing happens one color at a time. The first screen is lowered onto the shirt and the appropriate color of ink is pulled across the screen with a squeegee. Then the second screen, the third, and so on, for however many colors are in the design. Color by color, the full design comes into view. It’s possible to do all this on a simple tabletop press, but most of our jobs are printed on automated hydraulic presses that speed the process up.

This is why screen printing jobs are priced according to the number of colors. Each additional color is an additional step and some extra labor.

Screen printing isn’t the only way to decorate a t-shirt, of course. One alternative is called dye sublimation, or dye sub for short. This method involves transferring the image from heat-resistant paper onto the shirts, where extreme heat turns the ink into a gas that binds to the fabric at the molecular level. It is slow and labor-intensive, but it allows for vibrant full-color images that cover the garment completely. Dye sub printing can only be done on polyester fabric.

Because we’re familiar with a wide range of printing options, Gorilla Marketing can advise you what might be best suited to your project and budget. Want to learn more? Contact us and we can get you rolling on the screen printed t-shirts of your dreams!

Kara, Bernadette, Danielle, and Tiffany in Las Vegas for the PPAI Expo

The Gorilla Marketing office was rather quiet last week, running on a skeleton crew while most of our sales and customer service team was in glamorous Las Vegas. Was this a group vacation? Not quite. The team was attending our industry’s largest trade show, the Promotional Products Association International Expo.

This event brings together ad specialty manufacturers and distributors and is an annual resource for networking and professional development. As we learn more and strengthen our connections with suppliers, we can do a better and better job meeting our customers’ needs. We took our largest contingent ever this year, enhancing the expertise we can offer our clients.

There was some fun to be had in Vegas, but the team worked hard to cover the gigantic trade show floor and get the lowdown on promising new promo products. Here are some of their favorites.

The new "stain imaging" decoration method on a t-shirt

Danielle: A new garment decoration method called “stain imaging.” It’s an all-over decoration process where the design is actually dyed right into the fabric. It’s available on t-shirts and polos, and it’s great for colleges and universities. The minimum is only 144 pieces!

Chris A.: A 3D mask that’s easy to see through. It could be part of a really fun promotion with a celebrity’s face or a mascot or cartoon character.

Tiffany: A cool gadget that plugs into a car’s cigarette lighter and allows you to charge two devices at once. It includes lots of adapters and has a big imprint area for a company’s logo. Anyone who drives a lot would appreciate it as a corporate gift.

Karlyne: I liked a lot of new things. One was the Bling Coolie, a koozie can-holder with tiny rhinestones or studs in stock or custom designs. I also liked the Letter Light, which is a flashlight that’s thin and light enough to be mailed in a standard envelope.

Chris R.: I tested a stylus/pen combo for the iPad and iPhone. It was really accurate on the touch screen, and there are lots of new styles.

Bernadette: A high-quality backpack with lots of pockets for laptops, tablets, and other devices — plus, a battery-powered charger built right in. That would be really convenient for business travelers.

BodyBeadz are like temporary tattoos, with unique sparkle and texture

Kaselle: A shiny, sparkly alternative to temporary tattoos and stickers called BodyBeadz. They’re full color and covered with tiny clear beads for a unique effect. Plus, they’re packaged with a custom insert that can highlight events and promotions or even include a coupon.

For information and pricing on any of these products, contact us and we’ll fill you in on the juicy details. When it comes to the PPAI Expo, what happens in Vegas definitely does not stay in Vegas!

The PPAI Expo allows us to see the latest and greatest promotional products

Gorilla Marketing will start 2012 off with a bang at the PPAI Expo, the nation’s largest promotional products industry trade show. The Expo gives us an opportunity to connect with manufacturers, attend professional development sessions, and see the latest and greatest products that can help our clients market themselves effectively.

One exciting thing about the 2012 Expo: We’re bringing our biggest team ever, with 14 sales & support team members hitting the show floor. The hands-on experiences at the Expo are the best industry education anybody could ask for, and we’ll all come back a little smarter and a little sharper.

Interested in seeing what we see? Check back during the first week of January for pictures, videos, and more. It’s the best way to check out what’s new in promotional products for 2012.

Now, some promo products won’t work for this purpose. Good luck cramming a squeezy foam stress toy into a #10 envelope. But there are lots of options that can slide right in with your invoice without being too much trouble. Look for items that are flat (no more than ¼” thick) and that measure 3” by 8” or smaller. They should also be as light as possible.

Most likely, you’ll have to add an extra stamp or two when including a promo product in a letter. The standard rate for a first-class letter, $0.44 as of this blog post, will cover a 1 oz. letter that bends easily. Add something firm enough that they can’t run it through the machine, and that’s an extra $0.20. Add another ounce, and that’s another $0.20 too. Check the weight of the item and include additional postage in your budget.

So what kind of promotional items work well in an ordinary envelope? Here are a few of our suggestions:

Monitor Stick-Its

One of the cleverest products we saw in 2011, the Monitor Stick-It puts your logo right where they’ll see it all the time. The little white card includes small sticky notes and flags, and adheres to a computer monitor for easy accessibility. Doubles as a bookmark, too, as long as you leave the adhesive on the back covered up. $1.59 each with a 1-color imprint, $55 setup, minimum order quantity 200.

KlipNotes

This is another item that sticks onto the frame of a computer monitor. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s a multipurpose dynamo. It can hold photographs, business cards, reminder notes, and any other piece of paper right at eye-level, effectively turning a monitor into a memo board. Our monitors here at Gorilla HQ are absolutely covered with these things. When you send them, consider sticking the piece of mail in it so the recipient instantly understands what the item is all about.$0.99 each with a 1-color imprint, $50 setup, minimum order quantity 250.

Mints in a Credit Card Case

It’s nice to carry mints with you in a pocket, purse, briefcase, or backpack, and the latest trend is packaging that’s as small as a business card and nearly as thin. The micro-mints inside are just enough for a breath-freshening boost. Around $1.00 each with a 4-color process label, $60 setup, minimum order quantity 250.

Dog Tag Keychain

Whether your key chain is small and light or resembles a junior high janitor’s, we’ve all got keys. These shiny aluminum keychains are thin enough to ride along with your mail, no problem. $0.69 each with 1-location laser engraving or 1-color 1-location imprint, $50 setup, minimum order quantity 250.

Microfiber Screen Cleaner

Everybody hates fingerprints on their phones, tablets, MP3 players, and other tech devices. This little square has microfiber on one side for screen cleaning, and the other side is sticky so it can cling to the back of the device when not in use. It comes packaged with an instruction card that also gets your logo imprinted on it. Around $1.00 each with 4-color process imprint, $150 setup, minimum order quantity 2,000.

Temporary Tattoos

This one kind of depends on your brand image. We’re not certain that people would want to rub an investment bank’s logo onto their bodies, but hey, feel free to prove us wrong! The best thing about temporary tattoos is that they’re quite inexpensive – often just pennies apiece – and don’t add a bit of extra postage. Consider inviting people to post pictures of themselves wearing the tattoos on your social media sites for even more promotional value. Sizes vary from 1.5” x 1.5” to 4” x 6”, free setup, minimum order quantity 1,000.

flickr user ~Misty~ shared this image of swag she scored at a trade show

Swag, tchotchkes, freebies – trade show giveaways have earned a lot of labels, and not all of them are nice. Ever heard someone dismissing “gewgaws” and “doodads” as a waste of money? Ouch! The truth is, trade show giveaways have great potential rewards – if you choose the right item. They also have some risks if you’re not careful. Here’s the good, bad, and ugly of trade show swag.

Rewards

1. Increase booth traffic with an attention-getting giveaway. When trade show attendees see that you’re giving out something cool and free, they’re more likely to stop by your booth – and if it’s really compelling, they’ll tell friends and colleagues to visit you, too. In the trade show biz, they call that “booth buzz.”

2. Inspire the “reciprocity effect.” Studies have shown that when people receive a gift, they feel obligated to return the favor. This means they’re more likely to give you their business – or at least listen to your pitch.

3. Emphasize your message with something they can touch. The most effective communication engages all the senses. Your booth will be full of things they can see, and they’ll be able to hear you speaking; add something they can hold and touch, and you increase the likelihood that your message will stick in their mind. Choose giveaways that convey the unique features of your company.

This Mini Screwdriver Set Key Ring is a practical item for lots of people

4. Quickly show prospects that you understand them. The best promotional products are the ones that are useful, so take some time to think about what would your target audience needs. What would make their lives a little easier? A computer repair technician might like a mini multi-tool keychain. A business traveler might appreciate ear plugs in a convenient case. A college student might want a handy highlighter for studying. People like doing business with companies that “get” them.

5. After the event, your item serves as a reminder. Part of the marketing value of a trade show giveaway is in the moment the gift is given – but a bigger part is in the days and weeks following the event. Ideally, the prospect will keep the item, use it often, and be reminded of your company, calling when they’re ready to get down to business. Consider including your website or phone number on the item.

Risks

1. Watch out for herds of swag scavengers. Remember the “booth buzz” we mentioned above? It can backfire if you’re not prepared. Of course you want lots of people to visit your booth – but not if they’re only there for the freebies and there’s no chance they’ll ever do business with your company. Then they’re just taking up space and preventing you from focusing on actual prospects. Make sure you have a clear path for people who really want to engage with you.

2. The wrong item may be perceived as “junk.” Consumers today have a love-hate relationship with stuff: We like getting stuff, but we also worry about the amount of stuff that ends up in landfills. If your company is distributing useless, unappealing, unoriginal items, people may develop a negative impression of your company. Don’t let bad swag give you a bad name!

3. The item might end up in the trash, wasting your marketing dollars. This often happens with low-quality items. When you’re working with a firm budget, it’s tempting to choose the cheapest item you can find. But if the item breaks right away, you get no value from it at all. Think of it this way: Would you rather spend $30,000 on a car that will last you 10 years, or $3,000 on a car that will go up in smoke next week? As with everything in life, value matters in trade show swag.

Finding that perfect trade show giveaway can be a challenge. As with any marketing effort, keep your goals in mind and watch out for the pitfalls. Feel free to lean on our expertise. Contact us, fill us in on your project, and let us search for the perfect trade show giveaway for your event.

This Nike Golf Dri-Fit polo has a subtle jacquard pattern

Polo shirt, tennis shirt, sport shirt, or golf shirt – whatever you call it, the short-sleeved knitted collared shirt has become an American classic. The polo shirt is worn on golf courses, in board rooms, and on lazy Saturday afternoons, and because of its casual versatility, it’s a popular piece of promotional apparel. Here’s the skinny on the basic features that distinguish one polo from another.

Fabric Texture

• Jersey is the same kind of fabric that t-shirts are made of. A jersey polo is very casual compared to other sport shirts, and is generally the least expensive option.
• Interlock is similar to jersey, but the front and back of the fabric are identical because it is “double-knit.” It is also heavier and thicker than jersey.
• Pique has a more distinctive texture than jersey or interlock, though you have to look very closely to notice the waffle-like ridges and pockets.
• Jacquard has a subtle pattern knitted into the fabric, giving a luxurious look and feel.
• Mesh fabric is constructed with space between the fibers, allowing more air to pass through and making the fabric highly “breathable.”

"Tipping" refers to narrow borders at the collar and sleeve hems

Fabric Content

Like t-shirts, most polo shirts are 100% cotton or a cotton/poly blend. Polo shirts are more likely to use premium cottons, however. One example is Pima cotton from Peru, which has an extra-long fiber for added softness and strength. Some polo shirts are 100% polyester, and some are made from exotic or unusual materials like bamboo. And of course, there are eco-friendly options like organic cotton and recycled polyester.

Color

Most polo shirts are a solid color from collar to hem. In a color-block sport shirt, panels of different colors combine into one garment. These can be variations of the same color, like shades of grey or blue, or they can have vibrant contrast. This is especially popular in athletic settings, where a color-block polo might incorporate a university’s colors. Another common color variation is tipping, which is essentially a thin border at the edge of the collar and sleeves. Finally, piping is a stripe of a contrasting color at the garment’s seams.

The Cornerstone Snagproof Tactical Polo includes many performance features

Performance Features

• Moisture-wicking fabrics are designed to draw sweat away from the body and toward the surface of the shirt, where it can evaporate more easily. This feature is highly sought after in warm climates and in athletic settings.
• Anti-microbial fabrics have been treated to stop the growth of the bacteria that cause body odor. Anyone who expects to work up a sweat will appreciate this feature.
• Snag resistant fabrics are very smooth and strong, and are ideal for heavy-duty working environments where the shirt will really go through the ringer.
• Stain resistant fabrics have been treated with a solution like Scotchguard or Teflon, and will stay clean and new-looking for longer. They’re perfect for the food service industry.

Brand

Private label polo shirts are designed and produced for the promotional apparel and uniform industry. You won’t recognize their names from retail stores or sports sponsorships, but their quality can be excellent. Major brands like adidas, Champion, Hanes, Izod, and Nike have retail recognition and may have a higher perceived value for the prestige factor. On the other hand, a brand-name polo shirt may carry the manufacturer’s mark, like the Nike swoosh or adidas stripes, somewhere on the shirt. You have to decide if you’re comfortable displaying their logo in addition to your own.

Laser etching creates a unique tone-on-tone look

Decoration

The most common decoration method for sport shirts is embroidery. Embroidery is elegant and polished, making the polo both classic and classy. You can opt for the traditional logo placement, on the left side of the chest, or go for something unusual like the sleeve or the back of the neck just below the collar. Screen printing is possible on polo shirts made of smooth fabrics like jersey and interlock. Newer decoration methods include heat seal and laser etching, which create unique effects on performance fabrics.

Overall, the keys to choosing the right polo shirt for your logo are the message you want to send for your brand and the situations in which you think people will wear the polos. If they’re gifts for a golf tournament, then an athletic brand with mesh vents might be appropriate; if they’re uniforms for servers and hostesses at a hotel restaurant, go for anti-microbial and stain-resistant features to maximize the life of the shirt. As always, we’re happy to navigate the numerous options for you based on your needs and budget — just drop us a line!

Last-minute holiday corporate gifts? No problem!

Yes, yes, we know – you would never leave something as important as corporate holiday gifting to the last minute. Except sometimes, stuff happens. We understand! And we’re prepared to handle your last-minute business gift rushes during the holiday season.

When you need it fast, here are 5 things to keep in mind:

1. Have your art ready to go in vector format. That means a file ending in .AI, .EPS, or possibly .PDF; not a raster file ending in .JPG, .GIF, .PNG, or .TIF. Raster files can be converted to vector files, but that can add a day or two to your timeline (not to mention some additional labor cost). For more information on raster and vector files, click here.
2. When printing, keep the number of colors in your design to a minimum. Imagine for a moment that your computer’s printer didn’t print all the colors of the rainbow at once. Instead, it would first print the red, then the orange, then the yellow, and so on, and in between every color, it had to dry for several hours. That’s how multi-color imprints on t-shirts, mugs, pens, and other promotional products work. The more colors in the design, the longer the production process takes. It’s often possible to produce an item in 24 hours, but only with a 1- or 2-color imprint.
3. Some decoration methods take longer than others. Embroidery can be time-consuming, especially for a large design, so it may not be possible to turn an embroidery order around in 24 hours. Printing and laser engraving, on the other hand, can generally be accomplished quite quickly.
4. Watch your e-mail. We’ll be generating your order acknowledgement and art proof quickly, but we can’t move forward with production until you let us know we’ve got it right. The faster you approve the proof, the faster your item can be delivered.
5. Expedited shipping can be quite costly, especially on large or heavy products. If you’re worried about the added cost of overnight delivery, we can consult our list of manufacturers and choose one that’s close to your delivery location. That means you can ship ground and still get it fast.

For a dozen examples of corporate gifts we can produce and ship in a hurry, click here. Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You can search our catalog for ideas, or you can have us do the searching for you. That’s a load off your mind!