There’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable in your clothes…especially in active wear during a workout. Workout clothes have come a long way from standard spandex, polyester, and cotton. Below are seven natural fibers that are perfect for greening up your next fitness apparel order.

Bamboo- Naturally sustainable, renewable plant is woven into a fabric to create a hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, order-resistant, breathable and quick-drying garment. It releases more oxygen into the atmosphere than trees, helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the art. Plus, it grows quickly without the use of pesticides and insecticides.

Coconut Shell- Charcoal (or activated carbon) derived from coconut shells is combined with polyester fibers to boost its performance properties. This results in a naturally high-tech fiber that helps evaporate moisture cool the skin and resist odor.

Hemp- This nontoxic, durable, static-free fiber is grown without herbicides and fungicides. When it’s harvested into a fabric, it offers wearers unparalleled climate control, keeping them cool in warm temperatures and cozy when temperatures drop.

Organic Cotton- It’s grown and processed without using pesticides, insecticides, defoliants, artificial fertilizers or dioxin-producing bleach, making it a kinder choice than regular cotton for the planet and the wearer.

Recycled plastic- Plastic bottles and other usable waste are given new life in the form of recycled polyester or fleece yarn. The yarn is spun and sometimes blended with other yarns into a fabric that’s eco-centric, weather-resistant and durable. The bottles are sorted by type and color, then cleaned, crushed, diced, melted, and fashioned into fibers.

Soy- The bean’s fibers are spun into a sustainable, silk-like fabric that’s anti-microbial and has a similar feel to cashmere. Its breathability rivals that of cotton, making it a smart choice for gym-goers.

Wood pulp and seaweed- The cellulose in wood pulp is spun into the man-made fiber, Lyocell, which is then spun into Tencel and a seaweed-enhanced fabric called SeaCell. When it touches the wearer’s skin, SeaCell imparts a sensation of calm, thanks to the seaweed’s nutrients.

By Jessica Matase

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Ok, so I know what you’re thinking, digital frames have been around for 5 or so years now, why would I choose them for my product spotlight. Well, for 2 reasons- 1. Yes, digital frames have been around but they’re still not affordable enough yet that lots of people are going out any buying them. So giving someone a digital frame will still impress them. 2. Digital frames are now available in a wide variety of shapes and colors. Plus this is a promotional marketing blog-so you guessed it- they can also be branded with your logo!

My top 3 digital frames for this season are all from Sweda and are all at different price points.

10” Black Thin Panel Digital Photo Frame (starts at $229.99)
1024 x 600 pixel image resolution (in geek speak that’s a really good quality)
2.0 USB digital frame with motion jpeg, AVI, 2GB internal memory MP1, MP3, MP4, and jpeg playback. (They frame can store up to 2GB of memory or you can plug in your USB/flash drive to show your pictures; the frame automatically put your pictures into a slideshow)
Time/alarm and calendar (convenient!)
Large color display with minim black flange (pictures play continuously on the screen; you will not see a blank or black screen in between image change.)
Included accessories: remote control, AC adapter, cleaning cloth
Packaged in white gift box.

7” Acrylic Digital Photo Frame (starts at $149.99)
480 x 234 pixel image resolution
MPEG and MP3 playback
Remote control and color display

2.5” Mini Digital Frame with Stand (starts at $54.99)
320 x 240 pixel image
Mini white digital photo frame with LDC screen and metallic finish stand
8MB built in memory with 30 picture storage
Manual and automatic playback
Available in silver, blue, pink, and blank frame stand

By Jessica Matase

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When I say you can brand practically anything, I mean anything! Condoms are definitely not off the list of things that can’t be used as a promotional product.

Who’s the perfect audience for condom promotions? College students. I recently wrapped up (no pun intended) a condom promotion for the student run University of Pittsburgh newspaper (The Pitt News.) They wanted an inexpensive giveaway for an upcoming activities fair that made students aware that the Pitt News is a daily paper. The solution was custom label condoms produced by a reputable condom supplier. Each condom was labeled with the Pitt News logo as well as the tag line “Do It Daily.”

Condom promotions can be as discreet or indiscreet as you want them to be. You can choose to hand out individually packaged condoms, condom key chains (made popular in 1980s), condom compacts, condom pops, condom tins, or matchbooks with condoms inside. Depending on the quantity you’re ordering, you have the option to print directly on the packaging or your logo/message can be printed on a label that is adhered to the packaging. You can also choose from a large variety of condom colors.

Now obviously, promotional condoms are not for every company and every audience. They aren’t a promotional product that can be reused or kept around for years. But you better believe they will get people talking, especially if you add a clever tag line or incentive offer to the packaging.

We only work with a reputable condom company. It’s easy to find promotional condom companies but we strongly advise against purchasing condoms from companies who do not have liability coverage or companies who manufacture condoms overseas.

So if you think promotional condoms are for you, let us know-we’ve got it covered.

By Jessica Matase

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Sunday officially kicked off football season (GO GIANTS!) and what better time could there be to do a tailgating promo. Things that are used at tailgating parties: koozies, coolers, footballs, chairs, blankets, bottle openers, grilling accessories. Items that can be branded with your logo: koozies, coolers, footballs, chairs, blankets, bottle openers, grilling accessories. Wait a minute?! A tailgating promotion only makes sense right now. It can be as expensive or inexpensive as you need it to be.

Koozies are an inexpensive and useful promotion. If you’re drinking a beer (or soda) at a tailgate, chances are its nestled in a koozie keeping your drink cold and your hands warm. You can order can koozies for under $1 or bottle koozies for $2.99 or less.

Coolers- gotta keep the drink and food cold. The cooler that stays in your tailgate- CarGo Cooler, a combination cooler and trunk organizer. It has removable cooler with PEVA lining and sturdy comfort-grip handles. This stadium football-themed bowl should be a staple on everyone’s tailgating table. Its insulated main cooler area with closed-cell foam insulation maintains hot/cold temperature. The front pocket keeps contents organized and there’s a convenient bottle opener attached to side.
What’s a tailgate without the grill? And what’s as important as the grill itself- grilling accessories! I like the Grill Master Apron kit. The kit includes an apron (your choice of red, black, or royal blue); detachable bottle opener; padded oven mit, and towel. Or how about the Grill Master Barbeque kit? This kit includes stainless steel grilling brush, spatula, basting brush, and tongs. All grilling tools fit into a convenient case so you’ll never leave anything behind.

No matter what your budget, give us a call today and we will come up with a fun tailgating promotion to fit your marketing needs.

By Jessica Matase

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I happened to see the soup mug at the beginning of the summer while paging through a suppliers catalog and thought, “Hmm that’s a really good idea- I need to remember this for fall promotions.” Well, here we are at the end of summer (and I’ll be honest, I forgot about the great soup mug) BUT didn’t I just happen to be reading an industry magazine and what do I see as one of their product picks for September- that same soup mug.

At this point, almost everybody has a branded lunch box or water bottle that they faithfully use to bring their lunch to work (see those promotional marketing dollars were well spent!) So instead of adding a new bag or bottle to their collection, why not try something new? Warmer weather is on its way out and the gusts of cooler air are on the way. On a chilly fall or winter day what better to have for lunch than some soup? However, unless your soup is packaged in a can, transporting soup to work can be a real mess. Maybe you use a thermos (although I know I don’t own one) or maybe you’re like me and think a Tupperware container is a good idea to put the soup in. But one sharp turn in the car and that soup will spill all over the rest of your lunch. The soup mug has break resistant plastic, gasket-fit lid with attached spoon, microwave and dishwasher safe.

Help your employees avoid the soggy lunches from spilled soup and give them the soup mug!

By Jessica Matase

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