Merchandise Your Brand

Are you looking for creative affordable solutions to market your brand?  Tired of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on traditional marketing and are unsure if its even working?

Branded merchandise is a great way to thank your current customer base AND get them talking with other people about your amazing service or products.  Imagine each of your customers becoming a brand ambassador for your company.

These items are also great for Facebook contests and other social media giveaways!  If you are scheduled to appear at a conference to host a live event, offer a free tshirt to the first 10 people that arrive and "check in" via Facebook or Foursquare.

Be unique!  There are thousands of items to choose from.  Everything from tshirts and hats to useful technology related gadgets like a card holder that attaches to your phone (shown below).

 Branded merchandise can be an additional revenue stream for your business but is most successful when viewed as a form of advertising.  If you need to ensure you recover the expense tied to these items, work their cost into an upcoming promotion or product launch. 

One of the most important points to consider when merchandising your brand is the quality of the items you choose!  You've worked hard to prove your level of customer service and product quality is top notch, so don't discredit your reputation by giving away items that are poor quality which would leave someone with the wrong impression of your company.

Once you've decided to venture into branded merchandise, be sure to partner with a company that can consistently deliver great customer service and quality products.

At Stitch to My Lue Promotions, LLC, we've developed relationships with manufacturers that have a proven track record in delivering items on time and typically exceeding your expectations.  We take the necessary steps up front by delivering random samples and many times production samples with your logo to ensure your satisfaction.

We view ourselves as a true business partner, our goal is to not only produce the items you've requested but to constantly be aware of new items and consumer trends that would make sense for your business.  We are always looking for new and affordable items that will build your brand through your current customers and prospects.

To schedule a free consultation, contact us today or browse through thousands of ideas here!

Vector Art: What It Is and Why We Need It

The secret to a great looking logo on promotional items or screen printed tshirts is all in the art.  Many images are developed for web use which typically require a JPG or bitmap (BMP) style image.  These images are stored as a series of dots, called pixels.  When you zoom into the image, you can see the individual pixels that create the image. 

When these images are being used to create screen printed items such as tshirts, tote bags or other promotional items a vector format is required.  Vector images are composed of paths, or lines, that are either straight or curved which allow for a much cleaner and smoother printed image because they are are not made of pixels.  Vector images can also be scaled to any size without concern of the image becoming "blocky" or pixelated in appearance.

When you start working on your promotional item projects be sure to verify art requirements before submitting proof approval to avoid any disappointments in the final production of your items.  Requirements do vary depending on what type of product you are imprinting and the method of printing that will be used.

We have a team of graphic artists available to work with virtually any image (JPG or even hand drawn image) to prepare the file for use in screen printing, promotional items and embroidered images.  This service is available for a minimal cost.  We keep all art on file for future projects so you don't have to worry about keeping track of the correct file formats!

Win 12 Free Custom Shirts!

Have you ever wanted to create custom t-shirts for your company, baseball or soccer moms or maybe just create something for fun?  Here is your chance to win 12 free custom t-shirts!

To celebrate the end of the year and help you start the new year off with a bang, we've decided to give away 12 custom t-shirts!

How to enter this giveaway:
For this giveaway, I am allowing 3 entries per reader. Please be sure to leave a separate comment on this blog post for each entry. Facebook & e-mail entries will not count, so please be sure to leave entry comments on this post.

Entry #1: Leave a comment on this post with the title of your favorite or the most helpful topic you've found on my blog (this topic does not count)!

Optional Entry #2: : Like Stitch to My Lue on Facebook! Just leave a comment on this post letting me know you've liked my page. If you already follow, then share my page and this giveaway with your friends! Don't forget to leave me a comment letting me know!

Optional Entry #3: : Subscribe to Stitch to My Lue Promotions via e-mail! If you already subscribe that counts too just leave me a comment below letting me know! 

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Pinterest too!

T-shirt Details:

This t-shirt giveaway includes a 1 design, 1 color, 1 location imprint on 12 basic white cotton t-shirts size S-XL.  Additional sizes, colors and locations can be purchased at an additional cost to the winner.  Winner is responsible for providing a hi-resolution image for printing.  If image is licensed and/or copyrighted, winner must hold the rights to the design and produce proof before production will begin.  If winner is not local, winner will be responsible for shipping costs that will not exceed $12.

This Giveaway will end on Monday 12/16 at 11:59 pm EST.  I will pick one winner by random when it ends. The winner will be posted here on 12/17.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email with their contact information.

Shirts will be delivered 2 weeks after hi-resolution art is approved but no earlier than January 10th due to the increased holiday volume.

Custom Doughnut Boxes, Brand Your Company!

Who doesn't enjoy fresh baked donuts?  Bringing a fresh treat to clients or even on cold-call visits is a great way to break the ice and show appreciation for their time and attention.  This is not your average promotional product!

Think about your doughnut box sitting in a patient waiting room or employee break room with your logo and message for all to see!

These full color, high resolution donut boxes are completely customized for your needs.  Choose between our stock designs or go wild with your own imprint!

They are perfect for:

• Lunch and Learns - Package lunch in these custom boxes and skip the plated lunch or buffet line.
• Holiday and Special Occasions - Deliver treats this holiday season in this great looking package!  A perfect way to brand yourself and not another company.
• Thank you for Your Business - A simple "thank you" goes a long way, imagine saying it with a sweet treat!

How would you use these boxes?  Leave a comment below with your idea.

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How To Use Promotional Calendars To Build Your Brand

 Did you know the average retail style calendar is $9.95?

What better way to display good will then give your clients a promotional calendar!  This is something everyone needs and most homes average 4 different promotional calendars!  Customers will actually ask for this type of advertisement year after year!

Choose from  hundreds of styles:

• wall hanging calendars or desk blotters
• fun and engaging desktop calendars
• magnetic styles
• and hundreds of other unique options!

Calendars provide daily exposure to your brand and will create a long lasting reminder of your products and services!  Imagine what happens when you calendar is hung in your client's office or workplace, its like having a personal testimonial of your services hanging all around town!

Still not convinced that promotional products are right for your business?  Don't just take our word for it, check out the article written on BusinessKnowledgeSource.com.

The image featured above is a postcard that is designed to your specifications (and meets USPS postal standards).  This postcard packs a punch with it's vibrant full color images and leave behind detachable magnetic calendar!  We can even manage the mailing for you!

You can browse our collection of calendars or better yet, contact us and we'll find just the right one for you!

Back to School!

Denielle Lue      |  dlue@stitchtomylue.com  |  (813) 789-5598 All prices and descriptions are subject to change without notice. If the price listed is different from the actual price or we feel that a different vendor is recommended, we will notify you before processing your order. All pricing shown is in US dollars. Total price is for merchandise only and is exclusive of any setup charges, shipping and duties charges, state/provincial required taxes, rush charges or any other additional charges which will be communicated prior to processing the order. Online catalog is available in English; for information in other languages, please email us at dlue@stitchtomylue.com.

Please visit our online catalog where you can find thousands of branded gift ideas. Our catalog offers wearable products in the following categories: Accessories, Button Down Shirts, Caps/Hats, Exercise/Fitness, Fleece/Knits, Footwear, Jackets/Outerwear, Pants/Shorts, Polos, T-Shirts, Uniforms, Team/Work, Women's, and Youth. We also offer products for office use, including: Business Supplies, Calendars, Books/Cards, Computer, Desktop/Office, Electronics, Notebooks/Folios, Organizers, Stress Balls/Relievers, Writing Instruments. For home products, we offer: Auto, Clocks/Watches, Eco Friendly, Food, Candy/Drink, Games/Novelties, Healthcare/Safety, Holiday, Home/Housewares, Keychains, Mugs/Drinkware, Optics, Pocket/Purse, and Tools/Hardware. Our online catalog includes a broad selection of products for events and travel, including ideas for: Awards/Recognition, Bags/Totes, Company Outings, Corporate Gifts, Executive Gifts, Gift Sets, Golf, Sports/Outdoors, Tradeshows/Events, and Travel/Luggage.

Celebrating National Nurses Week

Did you know that National Nurses Week is May 6th - 12th?

This is a great time to recognize the nurses that provide exceptional care to patients all year round!  NursingWorld.org describes nursing as a "profession that embraces dedicated people with varied interests, strengths and passions because of the many opportunities the profession offers."  Nurses work in many different settings, some in emergency rooms, some in school based clinics and many in doctor's offices to name a few.  Nurses are often the glue that hold many medical offices together and they deserve to be celebrated!

The American Nurses Association posted several suggestions on how to celebrate National Nurses Week.  Here are just a few of them:

• Hold a special celebration or reception to recognize a nurse or several nurses in your community. These nurses could be honored for heroic acts, years of service to the community, exemplary courage, or their commitment to the nursing profession over the years.
• Promote a positive, realistic image of registered nurses by sponsoring health fairs, conducting preventive screenings in underserved areas, organizing a walk-a-thon, etc.
• Place an article in your state or local newspaper(s) about National Nurses Week and the value of nurses. 

How do you plan to celebrate the nurses that play an important role in your organization?  Here are a few simple ways you can say "thank you" from your company.

• Pack lunch cooler with a can cooler wrap, measuring spoon and water bottle.  View dozens of lunch bags here!
• Lower blood pressure with these medical themed stress relievers
• Travel tumblers always make excellent gifts, 100's of styles and colors to choose from!

Each of these items can be imprinted with your company information.  If you are looking for unique ideas to celebrate the Nurses in your life, contact us today!

Understanding Promotional Product Print Methods

With dozens of imprint options, how do you determine the best option for your product selection?

I've put together a quick reference guide for a few of the most common processes to help you understand your options and make the best choice for your items.

 First up is screen printing.  This is probably one of the most widely known print methods but not always completely understood.  This process typically uses spot colors, a standard recipe of premixed inks, which are applied directly to a surface.  Your desired image is seperated by color and transferred to films.  The films are then burned to screens.  Ink is pushed through the screen which allows ink to pass through the areas that make up the image.  This is usually the least expensive method but typically requires a minimum quantity to be truly cost effective.

This method is best for apparel, water bottles, stress balls, can coolers and plastic pens.

Digital printing is great for images that contain a lot of color.  A physical printer is used with specially formulated ink and printed directly onto your item.  This process is also referred to as full color or CMYK printing.

This method is best for mouse pads, note pads and light colored tshirts.

Embossing and debossing creates a 3 dimensional effect.  To create this look, dies are created using metal to form the look of your logo.  The item is then heated and pressed between the metal dies to create a raised or sunken imprint.  Embossing is a raised image and debossing pushes your image down into the product.

This method is best for leather/vinyl portfolio's, custom chocolate, and backpacks.

Embroidery is the process of using a needle and thread to create an image on a product.  Your image will need to be "digitized" which is similar to tracing an image.  It determines where the stitches will go, the direction and type of stitching.  Fine lines and detail in small images are not always achievable with embroidery, so it's important to keep this in mind when designing your logo if you plan to embroider it on apparel.

This method is best for apparel, tote bags, linens and towels.

There are many other imprint options available and we would be happy to help you understand all of them.  I hope this information has helped!

Are you working on an event, charity sponsorship or promotional campaign?  Contact us today and we'll help you develop a campaign that is unique to your needs and audience.

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Pad printing, screen printing, digital printing, heat transfer, hot foil blocking, embossing, debossing, laser engraving, sublimation

Custom Printed Shirts on a Budget

This time of year many organizations are looking for custom printed tshirts.  Custom printed tshirts are great for youth groups, summer child care camps, company picnics, community service projects and much more.

If you are like most and have a set budget to work within here are 5 tips to keep in mind when creating and ordering your custom shirts.

Tip #1 - Order shirts in volume.  As with most custom products, a bulk of the cost is in the setup.  It is possible to order screen printed tshirts in quantities as low as 12 or 24 pieces but keep in mind the setup costs are the same whether you are ordering 12 shirts or 100 shirts.

Tip #2 - Use fewer colors in your design.  Each color in your image will require a separate screen and film for the process.  These items increase the setup cost of your order.  If you plan to order just 1 or 2 dozen shirts, you will find that a 1 color design is going to be the most cost efficient way to produce the shirts.

Tip #3 - Be flexible on the color and shirt fabric.  Some color shirts, typically darker colors, will require extra steps in the printing process which will lead to additional costs.  Using a basic cotton or 50/50 cotton/poly blend white tshirt is usually the least expensive way to go.

Tip #4 - The number of print locations will impact the cost of your shirts.  If keeping costs low is a concern, your organization should determine if it makes more sense to print on the front OR back side of the shirt.  Printing on both sides will increase the price of the shirt.

Tip#5 - The last thing to consider is shirt sizes.  Unfortunately, there may not be too much you can do about this.  The least expensive shirts to purchase are between a size small and an extra large.  Once you start getting into a 2X size or larger, even a basic cotton tshirt will run you an additional $4 or more.

Depending on the size and colors of your design and the desired color of the tshirts, screen printing may not be the most cost effective way to go.  There are a few other printing options that can be discussed with your promotional product adviser.

If you're thinking of ordering tshirts this Spring, contact us today and we'll help you plan out your shirt design to fit within your budget.

We carry many shirt brands including Hanes, Jerzees, Reebok, Nike, Port Authority and much more!

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Doctors' Day is March 30th

Doctors' Day is celebrated each year on March 30th.  It's a day to say "thank you" to the doctor's that serve our community.

The first Doctors' Day was celebrated in 1933 in Winder, GA.  Eudora Brown Almond, wife of a physician, decided to dedicate a day to honor physicians.  On October 30, 1990, President George Bush signed SJ RES #366 into law designating March 30th as "National Doctors' Day".

Doctor's Day is the perfect time to say thank you to all of the doctor's you work with each day or to those that have treated you!  Stitch to My Lue Promotions is here to help you show your gratitude with unique gifts.  We'll even help with the fulfillment of items to each office on your behalf.

Contact us today or visit our website at www.stitchtomylue.com and we'll help you develop a unique way to say thank you!!

3M Launches Huge Post It Note Ad Campaign

This post may seem like deja-vu for some of you.  I had written a post last week about 3Ms massive ad campaign for Post It notes only to find out today that I somehow deleted it!!

The general idea of the post was to share details on 3Ms $10 million Post It note ad campaign to engage audiences and employees around the world. The campaign includes TV ads, online ads and social media as described in NY Times recently published an article titled Go Ahead, Make Something of It.

You can see Post It Notes in action here:

Dozens of ideas can be found on the Post It Idea page.

Now that 3M has created a need for these handy little sticky notes, organizations can imprint their logo and pass these notepads out to customers and prospects to fill that need.  You can never have too many Post It notepads and you'll make hundreds of impressions with each pad!

For creative ideas on how to incorporate Post It notes into your next company meeting check out this blog describing what "Employees Want to Talk About with Post Its"

Check out www.stitchtomylue.com to see all of the custom shapes and colors that are available!  Don't have time to search around, send us an email and we'll do the research for you!

How do you use Post It notes in your home or office?

2013 Spring Events and a Special Offer

It won't be long now, the sun will shine brighter, the flowers will be in bloom and the birds will be singing!  Now is a great time to start thinking ahead and decide what events and special dates your organization will participate in.

Spring is a great time for company picnics, charity golf tournaments and much more!  Below are a few events you might want to consider during the next few months:

March is...
Workplace Eye Safety Month - Check out these facts regarding eye safety.
St. Patrick's Day is the 17th - Check out all the customizable items available to liven up your party!
Passover begins March 25th
Easter is the 31st

April is...
National Stress Awareness Month - Host a special health day at your office and invite your clients.  Offer information on how to reduce stress and distribute imprinted stress balls or massagers to the attendees.  Your clients will be impressed to see that you care about their health!
Administrative Professionals Week
Earth Day is April 22nd - Show your support with some of these unique ideas

May is...
Bicycle Safety Month - Participate in community events and promote bike safety by passing out bike helmets
Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week - special awards, chocolate, imprinted pencils and more!

National Pet Week - Perfect items for vets, dog groomers, doggie daycare or animal shelters

These are just a few special days and events that will be observed in the next few months.  A quick search on Google will uncover hundreds more!  Leave a comment below with the special days you'll be celebrating!

Here is a special offer from Stitch to My Lue promotions to put towards your next campaign.  Purchase $100 worth of product for just $75!!

Don't wait because there are a limited number of "deals" available!  Click here to view the complete details and purchase this special offer!

Need help deciding which items to choose?  Contact us today and we'll help you determine the perfect items for your campaign!

Don't miss out on future offers, join our mailing list today!

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Promotional Products Work! Week

Promotional Products Work! Week, Feb 25 - Mar 1 2013

PPAI, the world's largest and oldest not-for-profit  promotional products association, is committed to demonstrating the importance and effectiveness of promotional products.

Now more than ever, marketers and advertisers can look to promotional products as the most cost-effective way to impact a targeted audience in a tangible, long-lasting and memorable manner. Promotional products are used to educate, highlight safety awareness, support worthy causes, recognize and reward employee achievements, sign legislation and inspire action.

For more information, check out this video.
Contact us today so we can help you determine the most effective product strategy for your target audience. 

10 Reasons to Work with a Promotional Consultant

Not only can a promotional consultant think of questions you might not think of or didn't even know you needed to ask, a consultant will be able to design a program that will get you results and save you time and money in the process!

Take a look at 10 more reasons working with a Promotional Consultant is beneficial to you:


Reason #1: Promotional consultants go beyond just selling products.

Products can be purchased anywhere, catalogs, internet maybe even in retail stores.  A successful promotional campaign requires thoughtful planning and doesn't just happen by chance. To achieve your goal, it's important to consider many details of the program before making any product purchase (ie, budget, target audience, method of distribution, etc.)

Reason #2: Professional promotional consultants have access to vast product research resources, including an extensive database which contains more than 700,000 products.

A professional consultant has access to an extensive database of products.  This database also contains supplier ratings that are left by previous promotional consultants.  A good consultant is not going to just take item price into consideration when quoting a request, they will also use supplier ratings to guide their decision so that ultimately their customer receives a high quality item with high quality service on time!

Reason #3: Promotional consultants are in tune with the latest trends, including hot items and the newest products.

A promotional consultant will listen to what you want and help you find the right product for your needs.  A qualified promotional consultant can add creativity, innovation and imagination to your overall program to achieve your desired goals.

Reason #4: Your promotional consultant is more than just a salesperson.

Think of a promotional consultant as an extension of your marketing department or maybe even THE marketing department.  Often a consultant becomes someone you know and trust and will continue to work with for years.  They can even be a valuable addition to your marketing meetings.

Reason #5: Personalized service is the role of a promotional consultant.

Developing a professional relationship with a promotional consultant can be priceless.  This person will get to know your business and can often negotiate even lower prices than what you see on the internet because of their established relationship with suppliers.  The consultant can even keep you in the loop on special pricing and closeouts that apply specifically to your needs.

Reason #6: Industry promotional consultants can offer experienced advice on how to imprint items.

Some logos are designed with very simple lines while some are very complex and contain a lot of detail.  These are things to consider when choosing an imprint method.  Not all methods will work well with your specific design or logo colors.

Reason #7: Trained promotional consultants can save you money in the long run.

Typically, a generic price is displayed on the internet or in a catalog.  There are many fees to consider when ordering custom imprinted items.  Set-ups, imprint duplication and shipping are just a few to watch out for.

Reason #8: Promotional consultants will work with you to get your artwork imprinted properly.

There are dozens of imprint options for products.  Some work well for some types of products while other may not.  Let an experienced consultant help you navigate through these choices.

Reason #9: Professional promotional consultants can assist you in developing a workable distribution plan for your products.

Purchasing a promotional product is just the first step, you need a thoughtful distribution plan to increase the effectiveness of the products.

Reason #10: Promotional consultants are the experts in their field.

When you're sick, you see a doctor, when you're car stops running you see a mechanic, when you need a creative marketing solution a promotional consultant is the expert!  Don't spend your precious time searching through the internet or catalogs, let a promotional consultant come to you, like a doctor that makes house calls!

Email us today and we'll help you develop just the right campaign using just the right items within your budget!

Do Promotional Products Really Make a Difference? Part 3

How often are those products seen?

Well, to say thousands of times is correct but is not very descriptive.  Take a look at the picture below.  Each row shows the items with the highest number of impressions on the left to the lowest on the right.  Each row represents different regions around the globe.

As you can see, in the U.S. bags and caps rank the highest.  Reusable bags are a wonderful and practical way to get your company or organization seen by others.  It's important not to discount other items that may not rank as high as these.  Sometimes, the value in these items is not about the number of impressions with other people, but more about making a connection with the recipient.

Before moving forward with a purchase, it is very important to work with a consultant that has a clear understanding of the goal you are trying to achieve so that they can recommend products that will be most useful to your target audience and will be useful to that audience.

Below I've featured one of the many shapes, sizes, styles and colors of a reusable bag that we carry.  This particular bag is available in many different colors and pricing is as low as $1.29 each for 100 bags!  This is a very affordable way to be seen at trade shows (then all the other vendor material ends up inside the bag!) or around town in grocery stores and malls!

Contact us today for more information!  Don't forget to "like" us on Facebook and check out our YouTube videos!


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