unique promotional products

Feb

2015

3 Surprising Things You Don’t Know About…Promotional Apparel

When shopping for promotional apparel, don’t make the mistake of missing out on 3 key factors that matter and should be part of your decision-making process.

We interviewed our Sr. Merchandising Manager Megan McConnell and she shared her top 3 things that people need to know about purchasing promotional apparel.

Protection Factors

The trend of protection factors in fabrics also applies to promotional apparel. OSHA recommends your workforce be protected from UV Rays and monitor themselves for skin cancer regularly.

Many customizable items have fabric that is rated for UVA-blocking ingredients. Also, you can find micro-bacterial fabrics throughout promotional categories such as apparel and even home goods.

Port Authority Ladies Tech Pique Polo

Port Authority Tech Pique Polo

Quality Standards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has strict requirements for apparel labeled or sold as “Youth” apparel. The fabric must be labeled for origin of location, contents and safety issues like flammability. A hooded promotional sweatshirt labeled for “Youth” does not have drawstrings around the hood, per USCPSC guidelines.

Gildan Youth Heavy Blend Hood

Get a sample!

Pinnacle recommends you request an actual sample when purchasing promotional apparel or uniforms. This helps with both product use and sizing. With a sample in hand, you can see better how the embroidered image will look and you can get a feel for sizing in length and width. Looking for tall or extended sizes? Talk to your Account Manager for more information! Call us today at 800-351-4226.

When thinking about promotional apparel for your organization or your customers, think about these 3 surprising things that help guarantee the customized apparel you choose will help you to Make the right impression.™

Pinnacle Promotions

3 Surprising things about Promotional Apparel! – A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Jan

2015

3 Surprising Things You Don’t Know About…Embroidery

Embroidery, as a process, goes back thousands of years. The earliest recorded embroidered garment dates back to 700 CE. Today, the embroidery process is completely digitized, though some of the foundations of embroidery are still key to the process as a whole.

Old Tools

-Hoop
The use of the embroider hoop dates back to the beginning of the process. They were originally made of wood, bone or ivory. Today, they are made of wood or plastic. Even machines with multiple stations still require one hoop per station. Hoops are necessary to keep the fabric taut while working.

Photo by Teunie

-Fabric
Thread or yarn is used in the embroidery process. Modern commercial embroidery thread is most often made of cotton or rayon, and available in unlimited color combinations.

New Tools

-Computer design
“In 1980, Wilcom introduced the first computer graphics embroidery design system to run on a minicomputer. “
The ability to design a multi-colored image has come a long way, but it still the hardest art to set-up because it requires the highest minimum font sizes. Detail is limited because in embroidery you are using thread instead of ink, and are confined by the size of the thread.

-Computer machinery
Current embroidery machinery can run more than 55 heads at once with more than 25 colors at one time. Tajima and Barudan are two top embroidery machine manufacturers.

Photo from Tajima

Method

-Process
The age-old process of pulling the fabric tight, setting it into a hoop and stitching into it, remains the same. However, the types of fabric and the speed of which determines the length of the process. The average logo contains approx. 8,000 stitches or less.

-Material
Embroidery is a sturdier, more substantial imprint process than screen-printing. You can embroider on most fabrics, from cotton to blends to full polyester or rayon. The favorite location for apparel, and the spot that receives the most impressions, is the front, left chest.

Embroidery remains the second most popular imprint method for promotional apparel. The ability to customize embroider on a bucket hat or a polo shirt, a soft-side cooler or picnic blanket, allows the customer to be flexible in the promotional product choice, even when limited by design. Click for more information on other imprint methods. Contact us for more information about your logo and how we can embroider it on just about anything!

Pinnacle Promotions

Bet you didn’t know THIS about embroidery! – A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Jan

2015

Can’t Miss Trade Show Tech Trends

Whether you are attending the trade show, hosting the booth, or the guest speaker, trade show technology is on the rise, and fast! Technology is making an impact across all aspects of the trade show world. Here are some key areas technology is changing the way we conduct and attend trade shows.

Giveaways

Giveaways have become more prevalent than ever at trade shows, and the use of tech trade show giveaways has increased year over year. Giveaways have transformed beyond uni-function pens, keychains, and bags.

-The promotional pen is no longer just a pen; it is a pen stylus and LED light combination.

-The branded keychain is no longer just a keychain; it is a LED flashlight and bottle opener.

-The imprinted bag is no longer just a bag; it is a full-color, screen-printed, reusable tote bag complete with embedded QR codes that links to the full event schedule online.

Security

Security has become an exceedingly important part of the trade show experience. It is more important than ever to protect your identity when traveling for business. It’d not just your personal information that is at risk, but a compromised corporate credit card can be a nightmare for both employee and company.

– RFID-protection (RFID, Radio-frequency Identification, is the wireless use of radio frequency to access information and transfer data) technology can be found in everything from logo’d travel wallets to laptop bags and briefcases.

-We recently wrote about the rise of RFID protection in promotional products.

Apps

Last but not least, get a good app! Whether at a small venue near your office, or McCormick Place in Chicago there are several apps that can help the trade show traveler on the go!

–Google Maps can help you avoid traffic and arrive on time at the right destination.

-Whether parking at the airport or convention center, you’ll probably leave the facility with your arms full and tired feet. Don’t wander! Use the Find My Car app to help you locate your vehicle right away.

-This great blog post highlights a few other apps that can help make your trade show experience better.

Whether the attendee or host, your trade show experience will be touched, and more than likely improved by the increased use of technology. Be on the cutting edge of what you see on the trade show floor, and stand out among the competitors by upping your technology game with unique giveaways. Be safe with RFID technology promotional products. And, don’t forget to use Find My Car so you aren’t left wandering the convention center parking garage after a long day on the show floor.

Pinnacle Promotions

Do NOT miss these trade show tech trends – A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Dec

2014

Pinnacle’s Top 14 of 2014

As we say goodbye to 2014, we want to take a look back at some of Pinnacle’s top moments of 2014.

1. 20th Birthday

Pinnacle Promotions celebrated our 20th birthday in July. We hosted a company celebration replete with songs, and food, and fun.

2. Pinnacle’s Big Office Move

After 10 years in our previous location, we moved to a new, spectacular office space in February. We had to work around some pretty major weather delays, but eventually we arrived at our new digs with our pink crates and worked quickly to get settled in!

3. Holiday Gift Giving

Pinnacle Promotions Do Good Feel Good committee chose a foster family to adopt for the holidays. Our team shopped for Barbies and pjs and makeup for two sisters taken in with nothing but the clothes on their back just before the holidays. How fun it was to make a difference in the lives of these young ladies. Pinnacle team members donated more than $500 in gifts and gift cards for this family and these girls.

4. Pinnacle Promotions named #58 on ASI Counselor Magazine’s Best Places to Work 2014

For the fifth year, Pinnacle Promotions is named to ASI Counselor Magazine’s Best Places to Work. The family culture, continuing education training and career pathways, and flexible work schedules all contributed to the recognition in 2014.

5. Pinnacle’s New Brand

January 3rd, 2014, Pinnacle introduced our new brand to the world in a huge unveiling!

6. Atlanta Idea Expo ’14

Pinnacle hosted our first-ever Atlanta Idea Expo ’14. The event happened on September 17th, and was the first of its kind for Pinnacle. We invited area clients, and some clients from farther away, to spend the day at our new offices with vendors, free samples and a delicious lunch.

7. Pinnacle’s New Website

In May, to match our new branding, Pinnacle launched our totally re-vamped website.

8. PPAI Award Notification

PPAI, the national non-profit association for the promotional products industry, selected Pinnacle Promotions as a finalist for four awards: Image Awards – Branding, Image Award – Distributor Catalog, Image Award Technology Award – Ecommerce website, Technology Award – Social Media, Technology Award.

9. Trustpilot honors Pinnacle Promotions

Trustpilot is an online-review platform for ecommerce businesses. Trustpilot boasts more than 7.5 million reviews on its site, representing businesses in more than 16 countries. Pinnacle Promotions uses Trustpilot for its customer review program. And, we were so very proud to accept the first-ever Trustpilot Customer Milestone Award. In July, Trustpilot recognized Pinnacle Promotions for collecting more than 500 reviews. Of those reviews, the majority are five-stars.

Award from Trustpilot

10. Counselor Best Place to Work Road Tour

Counselor Magazine’s Andy Cohen, Mindy Jensen Ligos and C.J. Mittica stopped by Pinnacle Promotions to check out the new offices during the Counselor Magazine Best Places to Work Road Trip.

11. World Cup Watching

Like many workplaces around the world, Pinnacle gathered in our new, large breakroom several afternoons in July to cheer the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team on through their journey at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. #USA #USA #USA

12. Emory Winship

Each year, our team members join Emory University (we are alumni, they are a client) for their annual fundraising 5K race.

13. Inc. 5000

Pinnacle makes the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing companies in 2014.

14. Snowmaggedonpocalypse

The snow and ice storm that hit Atlanta in January and February not only shut down most of Georgia, but also slowed our office move. On the bright side, this past year we initiated an “always on” connection plan so that our offices are never really closed, moving forward.

We can’t wait to see what 2015 brings to Pinnacle Promotions, and to all of you!

Pinnacle Promotions

Pinnacle’s Top 14 of 2014 – A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Dec

2014

Marsala is a “wine” choice for the Pantone Color of the Year 2015

The Pantone color matching system is the standard from which designers and graphic designers work for developing logos and brand guidelines. The color system is universal and allows for all areas to communicate in a color language that is fixed, and not left to interpretation.

Each year, Pantone chooses a “Color of the Year.” The color is decided upon at a secret Pantone meeting held in a European capital each year. The color is reportedly chosen in conjunction with many of the cultural influences that Pantone believes are relevant in our present lives. The color is meant to capture the spirit of the year.

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2015 is Marsala. It is a mix between red, rust, and burgundy.

Beyonce’ has already sported the breakout color this year. And if Bey has done it, we can expect more stars to follow.

Last year’s color was radiant orchid. Not all that many things are radiant orchid. But, we saw it make big strides in items such as apparel and drinkware. {link to blog}

The challenge we see for Marsala will be finding the right mix between red, dark red and burgundy. And, which products will highlight this subtle hue the best. Will a pen simply appear to be dark red rather than Marsala? Will a matte-finish mug showcase the color better than a promotional glossy-finish mug because of the light glare from gloss? Perhaps branded apparel and imprinted bags will win the day for the unique qualities of Marsala.

To help our designers, idea-makers and customers get into the color of the year we created a Pinterest board.

What promotional items do you think will look best in Marsala?

Pinnacle Promotions

Marsala is a wine choice for @Pantone color of the year – A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Dec

2014

Case Study: Building a Strong Brand

Challenge

FLEETCOR is a leading independent global provider of specialized payment products and services. It serves 500,000 commercial with millions of cardholders across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa and Asia.

FLEETCOR was given the last minute authorization to order products for their upcoming Sales Incentive Trip, only four weeks away and in the Dominican Republic. They were looking for high quality products that met their branding guidelines but were on a tight deadline.

Solution

Since time was of the essence, Pinnacle created an IdeaKit in less than two hours, recommending products that historically have been successful and would deliver internationally in a timely manner. FLEETCOR selected six items for their event: The Starphire Glass Award, 5”x 7” Embossed Tropical Frames, Superior Weight Colored Beach Towels, Suncare Kits with added lip balm, the Alta Triton Water Bottle and the Riviera Striped Tote.

Since this order was shipping internationally, Pinnacle worked directly with a major global logistics provider and the client’s hotel to ensure delivery would go smoothly. We learned, however, after the items had landed in the Dominican Republic, that the logistics company was unable to make the delivery. Despite the significant setback, we worked with concierge at the hotel and hired a taxi to pick up the packages from the airport and drive three hours to make the delivery. The items arrived at the recipients’ hotel rooms that evening.

Result

FLEETCOR was extremely pleased with the outcome of their order, despite one item not clearing customs. FLEETCOR declared this to be the nicest collection of products that they had ever given away at a sales incentive trip. And, the Pinnacle and FLEETCOR teams were able to work together to select the perfect promotional items to help the client Make the right impression™.

Pinnacle Promotions

Nov

2014

Are you doing it right? 5 Keys to Gifting

This is the time of year that our thoughts turn to gifting. Gifting can mean many things for businesses: either holiday gifts to customers that have done business within the past year, or gifting to recognize employee year-end achievements. Companies are starting to look at purposeful, appropriate gifts for the audience and for the season.

Recognition vs. Year End

Gifting at this time of year falls into two main categories: Recognition and Year-End. Recognition gifting is usually based on merit awards or department/company profitability. Year-end gifting is that gift which is given to employees or customers to thank them for service or loyalty throughout the year. You need to start at the beginning and decide exactly what type of gifting you will be doing this season. And if you are like most people, our guess is that you will be doing both!

Seasonality

The change of seasons affects the type of gifts you might be giving this time of year. It is time to update company uniforms, anyway. You may have already begun the switch from short-sleeved, pastel polo shirts to heather-colored henleys. You may have begun the switch from windbreaker to fleece-lined zippered jacket.

When gift giving, you can use this change in apparel to express your appreciation. This Melange Fleece Jacket is a great seasonal piece that won’t break the bank and makes a functional, attractive vehicle for your logo.

Relevance

This one might seem obvious, but it is easy to miss the mark on providing relevant gifts for your employees and customers. Your high-travel sales team might not appreciate a tower of chocolate goodies as much as a quality garment bag or travel document holder/wallet. The chocolate tower might be perfect for the supporting office personnel.

Price

The season of awards and gifting can be an expensive one. Not because of the item itself necessarily, but because this is the time of year you are giving in volume. But, don’t let price influence you to not make the best decision possible. You can provide larger quantities of gifts without having to over-extend yourself. Gift for the home or desk accessories are always a nice treat. Our Corporate Gifts category offers a variety of options across several price points. And don’t forget, gifts given in trade or businesses are tax deductible in part or whole.

Make the right impression™

Lastly, this is the gifting opportunity to help you make the right impression. You might be sending a gift to a customer who only orders from you once a year, and you want to use this gift to encourage repeat and increased business. You might be rewarding that employee who hit their sales goals for the first time ever, and this gift will help you reinforce a spirit of success. Either way, you can make the right impression with your gift initially and then get residual value from that gift all year long based on its usability and visibility in the life of the recipient.

However you plan to gift this year now is the time to start thinking about it. Your budget should include the actual gift, packaging and presentation, and fulfillment (packaging labor, shipping costs, etc.). Take a look at some good-better-best options. And, if you weren’t already thinking about gifting for recognition or year-end…maybe you should.

Tell us: What is one of the favorite year-end gifts you have ever received? What is one of the worst?

Pinnacle Promotions

Are you doing it right? 5 Keys to Gifting – A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Oct

2014

If You Could Be A Promotional Product Which Would You Be?

Take our promotional products personality test!

Click on the product to see what your choice says about your work place personality:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Share this post if you know someone who matches one of these products!

Pinnacle Promotions

If you could be a promotional product which would you be? A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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23

Oct

2014

Atlanta Idea Expo ‘14
“This was great! Got some ideas for future promotional items that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.”

This is just one of the quotes from people who attended Pinnacle Promotions Atlanta Idea Expo ’14. The event happened on September 17th, and was the first of its kind for Pinnacle. We invited area clients, and some clients from farther away, to spend the day at our new offices.

We invited 12 vendors to bring their best presentations, samples and ideas to share with our customers. Guests moved through the offices with a passport, showing destinations and directions for experiencing what each vendor had to offer. At the end of the day, we invited our guests to sign the back of their passport and drop it in a drawing for an iPad. Just for attending, guests were entered to win any number of prizes throughout the day including compu-backpacks, men’s and women’s all-weather apparel and even a golf bag.

Throughout the day, guests were welcome to stop at any one of the five educational sessions. Session topics included Holiday Gifts, Apparel, Case Studies, Company Stores and Social Media. The Apparel and Social Media sessions proved to be the most popular among the attendees. Ideas were flowing fast and fierce!

Guests left Pinnacle with goody bags full of samples and new information about smart products that they can use to promote their brand. They were able to complete sample request cards to get specific samples sent to them at their office for a closer look. They were able to leave with the experience of having spent the day with their co-workers or Pinnacle account teams. And, they were able to leave Pinnacle Promotions with sneak peeks into what promotional items are new and unique for 2015 as well as great ideas for ways to use popular branded items to gear up their team, reward employees or expand their audience.

Click to see more pictures from our event.
If you attended the event at our offices, please stop by our Google+ local page and leave a review about your experience!
And, stay tuned for news and information about our next great event!

Pinnacle Promotions

The expo was a HUGE success! {PICS} – A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Posted by Lee in Brand Identity and Corporate Logos, 0 comments

16

Oct

2014

Delta and Pinnacle go PINK!
They’ve done it again! Delta has been an ardent supporter of breast cancer awareness for more than ten years. Each October, they pink out their planes, their uniforms, their in-flight menus, etc. all in an effort to donate and support breast cancer awareness in hopes of finding a cure.

Courtesy of Delta

We wrote about Delta’s commitment to awareness last year. And this year, they do not disappoint. On October 1st, they celebrated the 10th anniversary of the “Breast Cancer One” Survivor Flight.

“Delta Air Lines’ annual “Breast Cancer One” employee survivor flight took place yesterday, kicking off the airline’s month-long campaign to generate awareness and raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This year marked Delta’s 10th annual survivor flight, which honored more than 140 employee breast cancer survivors with a trip from Atlanta to New York City.”

Companies across America are raising awareness and raising hope. Pinnacle Promotions sells promotional products that focus on helping our clients promote their cause and hopefully raise money. In an effort to support our customers, we are offering more awareness ideas than ever before. We have created blog posts and idea shops and social images in hopes of exposing our clients to new and fresh ideas. We even PINK’d out our website for October. Click to see our site design, and explore our awareness options.

We love to hear about what other companies are doing to raise awareness. If you or your organization is leading a charge against breast cancer, let us know! We’d love to hear about it and share it with others.

Pinnacle Promotions

Delta and Pinnacle go PINK! #awareness – A new blog post from @PinnaclePromos

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Posted by Lee in Awareness Promotional Products, 0 comments

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