Promo Products

Geralyn Cloud, a former special needs teachers aide, now does in-house embroidery for SunCoast Forms & Systems, Sarasota, Fla.

Christian Audigier makes it look so easy. Granted the exclusive rights to the designs of Don Ed Hardy (aka the Godfather of Tattoo) in 2004, Audigier launched what has become the explosive Ed Hardy brand of apparel. Dubbed “street couture,” the Ed Hardy line has collected an eclectic following along the way, covering the gamut of music powerhouses from Pop queens Madonna and Britney Spears to rocker Brett Michaels and hip-hop’s Kanye West.

Every month, Print Professional brings manufacturers and distributors the hottest news in the printing industry. This month is no different. Check out our mini vertical product market showcase for some of the latest and greatest products out there today.

Every year, Print Professional’s sister publication, Promo Marketing (PM), unveils the best and brightest distributors the promotional products industry has to offer. In reviewing last year’s information, one message became abundantly clear: promotional products’ distributors are serious about their business.

The word “Change” has been on the lips and tongues of Americans for months, but those winds have been blowing across the country far longer, and the need extends far beyond a simple election cycle. An economic crisis at home, political conflicts abroad, health and environmental hazards the world over—the challenges escalate from difficult to seemingly insurmountable. What the world needs is more than a mantra, but concrete, positive change.

Located in Kent, Wash., JMTek-CorporateKey has introduced the liquid-filled USB drive. The unique twist on the popular item offers eye-catching, value-added promotional impact. The Floating USB Drive is available in three styles: custom-color liquid fill; custom floating charm; and realistic foaming liquid effect. In addition, the retail-quality product displays custom pad prints. Fun and functional, it’s perfect for customers involved in the food and beverage, healthcare, logistics and transportation, education and entertainment industries. For more information, visit www.corporatekey.com or call (866) 438-5655.

Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, WorkflowOne announced Kodak has awarded the company the prestigious Kodak Certified Supplier Status, and granted WorkflowOne a three-year contract to be its preferred supplier of promotional marketing solutions. The Kodak Certified Status gives WorkflowOne the right to design and produce Kodak-branded promotional products for the company’s trade shows, customer marketing efforts and events it co-sponsors with NASCAR, the PGA Tour and others. WorkflowOne was selected for its best-in-class product and service levels, creative product and campaign design, lead-time performance and quality management, as well as its unique dual network that combines both outsourced services and its own manufacturing platforms.

Kay Kotan is a published author and the founder of Independence, Missouri-based You Unlimited. She knows of many promotional products distributors (PPDs) who were not able to make it in the industry. Here are her top 10 reasons why promotional products distributors fail...

Woe to sidekicks. The ever-underrated second bananas never get their moments in the sun. Worse, they’re the ones who usually have to take the bullet so the hero can live to fight another day. Replaceable, that’s what they are. Sure, time can fly, heal all wounds and save nine in a single stitch. But without its partner, the calendar, what would be there to bring order to time’s crazy impulses? Okay, so the calendar has a tendency to run out when time has seemingly met its match (i.e., December 31, every year), but it always comes back renewed and ready to face another day.

Despite the fashion-friendly look of the new promotional T-shirt, if it’s going to be taken seriously as everyday wear, logo imprinting must be as hip and well-done as ever before. Here’s a quick explanation of a few popular techniques, and how they can help put an end-user’s T-shirt on the best-dressed list. • Sublimation. In this process, dyes bond with the individual fibers of a fabric through the application of intense heat. As a result, the imprint feels as though it’s actually a part of the shirt, rather than something that was added on later, since it actually penetrates the garment. Sublimation doesn’t