Artina Promotional Products

2010 New Product

2010-01-12T13:58:00.002-05:00

Here we are a the beginning of another year. As always, the promotional products industry has a bevy of new product offerings that is more creative than last year. With so many new products, it's hard to point all of them out, so over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting a few new products in our blog.
This first new product is called WalkSafe and it is brought to us by the creative minds of Shedrain. I am sure that some of you are familiar with this brand of umbrella through it's retail outlets, but is also available in the promotional products industry.
So, here is a little bit about the product. These umbrellas are designed to be seen from every angle with 3M Scotchlite reflective material, the most important thought for these umbrellas was pedestrian safety. This patented material is located on each panel to give pedestrians enhanced 360 visibility. Based on a recent study nearly 5000 pedestrians are killed in traffic crashes, 71,000 are injured and 65% of pedestrian fatalities occur between 6pm and 6am. With these grim statistics these highly reflective umbrellas are a perfect solution.
The WalkSafe umbrella line includes a bented golf umbrella, a manual open compact and an auto open & close compact. They come in a wide range of colors too. All are availble with your logo on one or more panels.
Please call your Artina rep to get more information on this item for your safety programs and employee gifts as well as to learn more about the 2010 new products!
800-433-5587, www.artina.com

Artina wishes you a Happy Holiday season

2009-12-23T10:08:00.002-05:00

Artina Promotional Products would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday season. Thank you for allowing us to serve you in 2009 and we look forward to working together in 2010. The new products are already starting to roll in, so be sure to contact your Artina representative to schedule a time to review the new items. Artina will also be hosting our Ideas in Promotion show again in April, look for more details in the coming months.

Artina will be closed December 24th, 25th and January 1st in observance of the holidays.

New feature on the Artina website

2009-11-23T09:16:00.002-05:00

We are pleased to annouce that we have added a new feature to the Artina website. We have compiled some of our favorite case histories to help our clients when they are looking for creative ideas. Whether you are planning for a trade show or a safety incentive, we have provided some of the ways that our products can help meet your objectives. Case histories are successful promotions that were done in the past and they are a great way to spice up your marketing plans. They can help get the creative juices flowing and you can take it from there.
Feel free to ask you Artina rep for more case histories, there are just too many to put on the site :) Check out the link for the page and see what's new....http://www.artina.com/dynamic/casestudies.jsp

New Hand Sanitizing product

2009-10-19T14:30:00.002-04:00

With all of the discussion surrounding various flu types, the one thing that experts agree on is that you must keep your hands clean. Sometimes that is easier said than done, especially when you are in different business and social situations.
The promotional products industry has stepped up by offering various sizes and formulations of hand-sanitizers. From a pocket spray to desk top pumps, you can provide hand sanitizer to any of your clients and customers....keeping them safe and reminding them of your name.
The large majority of hand sanitizing products are alcohol-based. However, there is a new product on the market that is non-alcohol based. This new formula stays on hands and keeps working for up to 30 minutes after application, while traditional sanitizers stop working after 5 seconds. It is approved for food service, so you can apply the product and immediately prepare or serve food. Since it is alcohol free, it will not dry out your already winter-ravaged hands.
It has been tested and is FDA compliant. For more information and details including test results and data, call Artina at 800-433-5587 or visit us online at www.artina.com.

Artina Fall Product Showcase

2009-09-10T08:35:00.002-04:00

Artina Promotional Products is please to announce that we are hosting a Fall Product Showcase at our showroom in Powell, Ohio. The event is set for October 8th and there are two times available. Breakfast will be offered from 7:30-9:30 and lunch will be offered from 11:00-1:30. The event will feature new products for the Fall/Holiday season as well as giveaways and a free set-up coupon for those that attend. You can visit our website www.artina.com/rsvp/ for more details or to RSVP for the event. You may also call 800-433-5587 for more information.

We hope to see you there!

Healthy Workforce Act & Promotional Products

2009-08-27T08:03:00.004-04:00

In April of 2009, the Healthy Workforce Act of 2009 was introduced to the Senate and House for consideration. This legislation would give a tax credit to employers who implement wellness programs. An employer would receive a 50% tax credit for the costs of providing employees with a qualified wellness program up to $200 for the first 200 employees and $100 for each employee above that. Wow, what an incentive, plus the employer will see the benefits when the cost of their insurance decreases and they see increased productivity from their energized employees.
However, what will motivate employees to participate in the program? Employers will need to provide incentives to join the program and recognize achievements for those who continue. These items can include anything from water bottles, towels and pedometers to bags and watches. Making a contest for the participants to strive for also offers the opportunity to recognize the participants with trophies and other awards. These are tangible things that can be kept at their desks to remind them and others of the achievements realized through the wellness program.
Ask your promotional products professional for other creative ideas that can help your employees reach their fitness goals. You can check out some ideas at www.artina.com or just give us a call at 800.433.5587.

Artina Team visits screenprinting/embroidery facility

2009-07-23T09:36:00.003-04:00

The team at Artina Promotional Products recently visited a screenprinting/embroidery facility located in Ohio. The visit provided a unique opportunity for the team to get a firsthand look at how both screenprinting and embroidery are done, start to finish. The team toured the facility for the graphic design team to seeing how a screen is burned. We were able to see many jobs being printed, everything from one color imprint to multiple colors.
After the printing tour, it was on to the embroidery room to see how the embroidery is done. Take a look at some of the photos...http://artina.shutterfly.com/209
Do not hesitate to ask your Artina representative to explain the printing process to you further in depth. There are many unique printing techniques that can give your t-shirts a more retail look. Visit www.artina.com for apparel options or call 800.433.5587.

New features on www.artina.com

2009-06-22T14:05:00.002-04:00

If you haven't visited www.artina.com in a while, you should definitely check it out. You will notice that the home page looks a little different. In response to several growing trends, Artina has added three category search buttons to make the site a little easier to navigate.
The first category is the items 1.00 and under category, with ever-tightening budgets, Artina noticed that clients were gravitating towards these lower priced items and decided to make things a little easier.
The second category is Eco friendly items. The demand for these eco items has increased significantly over the last couple of years. The offering for eco friendly promotional products has also increased, so we thought, why not make them a little easier to find so that everyone can do their part to save the environment.
The last category that was added to the home page is the 24 hour rush service button. All the products in this category are available to ship in a 24 hour period. Rush service has become more and more necessary these days, so again, Artina wanted to make things as easy as possible for our clients who are already behind the eight ball.

One additional thing of note on the website, don't forget about the Live Chat feature. When an operator is online, just click to chat and have all your questions answered! It's an easy way to get fast information with the click of your mouse.

If you have additional feedback or suggestions for our website, let us know. We are always looking for ways to improve our service to you.

Artina Wins Awards :)

2009-06-08T15:06:00.005-04:00

Artina Promotional Products (and yours truly) is pleased to announce that our little blog has won an award. May 29th our blog was awarded a MAME award from the BIA of Central Ohio. MAME (Marketing and Merchandising Excellence) honors the top achievers for the membership of the BIA. There are a variety of awards, some are specific to the home-building industry, others are inclusive of the associate members.
The Artina blog is a fairly new feature to the Artina website and is designed to provide the latest news in the promotional products industry as well as to educate our clients about the myriad of uses for our items.
Artina was also recognized for the Ideas in Promotion Show with a MAME award for best one-time event. This is also an educational event held for our clients each Spring.
So, if you haven't read the blog or been to our Ideas in Promotion Show...check them both out.

Fitness and promotional products

2009-05-22T15:03:00.002-04:00

Did you know that this week was fitness week? I didn't either, so don't worry about that. Even though this week was the "official" fitness week, you can incorporate fitness into your work life every week. Many companies are promoting wellness programs with discounted gym memberships, weight loss challenges etc. Promotional products are a great way to promote your programs and keep people motivated to lose the weight and get in better shape. People spend more waking hours at work than anywhere else, so workplace wellness is critical for setting the tone for their eating and exercise habits.
Employers also realize several benefits to providing a workplace wellness program.
1. Enhanced recriutment and retention of healthy employees.
2. Reduced health care costs - from 20-55%
3. Decreased rates of illness and/or injury.
4. Reduced employee absenteeism - by 6-32%
5. Improved employee relations and morale.
6. Increased productivity - 2-52%
Also, depending on the scope of your program, tax benefits may be available to you as the employer for offering the wellness programs.
So, that being said, you offer the wellness program, how do you get people to use it? There are a variety of promotional products that can serve as reminders, aids and incentives to participate in the program. Visit us at www.artina.com or give us a call at 800.433.5587.

Promotional Products and Marketing in a tough economy

2009-05-12T08:57:00.003-04:00

Why do promotional products deliver the best return on investment in an unsettled economy? Why should they be a vital part of your marketing mix?

1. They increase sales...62% of customers do business with the company after receiving a promotional product.
2. Brand awareness...84% of customers remember the business that provided them with the promotional product.
3. Return on investment...at .004 per impression, promotional products have the best CPI of popular advertising mediums.
4. Improved relations...42% of customers view the business more favorably after receiving the item and virtually none indicate a negative feeling.
5. Frequency and repetition...a key to advertisting. Promotional products are kept on average for 7 months and many are used in business every day.

Check out www.artina.com for the latest in ideas to promote your business.

Artina Merges with Align Interactive

2009-04-22T08:38:00.002-04:00

Artina Promotional Products is proud to announce that Align Interactive (formerly CTPro and Kingston) has joined forces with Artina to service its’ promotional products clients and online store programs. Artina is an industry leader, with experience ranging from promotional products and awards to apparel programs for countless clients in a variety of industries.

Artina is in it’s 42nd year in business and is very strong with finding and providing creative solutions to various client needs, events and business challenges through the use of promotional products. Align Interactive’s strengths have been in e-marketing and e-commerce; particularly the development and marketing of public facing web stores and online company stores. The companies’ strengths mesh well, and combined, bring a great breadth and depth of service capabilities and offerings to their clients.

Three members of the Align Interactive team have moved to the Artina Promotional Products office in Powell as of the first of April, and have already begun fulfilling customer orders as Artina. Included in those three is Jeff Ivany, owner and President of Align, who joins Artina as an Independent Consultant, as well as two other team members who have been instrumental in developing client relationships and servicing their needs.

Recognition Programs

2009-04-09T10:16:00.002-04:00

Does your company have an employee recognition program? Are you considering one? Are you considering to eliminate or cut back on the one you have?
Employee recognition programs are more essential now than ever. Why?
1. Recognition boosts people's esteem and performance...they need to feel important and satisfied.
2. It signifies that someone notices and cares about their performance and them. It can lead to new motivation, improved performance and increased self-esteem.
3. Recognition is more important than ever...the competition to hire and keep the best workers is at an all time high. Not only that, but ordinary people need to produce extraordinary results. 4. Recognition creates role models and heroes for the rest of the team. It recognizes the kind of performance that is noticed and other employees aspire to that.

Artina Promotional Products provides a wide range of recognition programs with not only symbolic awards but other types as well. Check out www.artina.com for ideas or give us a call at 800.433.5587.
Keep an eye out for the next post where we will delve further into the Recognition Program topic. In the meantime, we would love to hear about some of your recognition programs or any questions you may have.

Calendar advertising

2009-03-24T15:32:00.002-04:00

As you are evaluating your marketing budget this year, I am sure you want to be sure that you are getting the most bang for your buck. There are many choices out there, but, have you considered calendars? Calendars provide careful targeting, clear messaging and long-term visibility. These attributes make them a high-impact, low cost advertising medium.
Did you know that the average person looks at a calendar 12 times a day, when you do the math on that it's 4380 times per year. 83% of customers purchase items from the advertiser that gave them the calendar and 94% of all business people can recall the message on their calendar.
With such a powerful impact on not just the people that receive the calendar but all those that see it, why wouldn't you spend some of your advertising budget on calendars. There are many ways to customize a calendar, from adding your name at the bottom or top to a completely custom wall calendar. The options are endless.
You may think it is too early to think about ordering calendars, however, many calendar manufacturers offer early order discounts and they will hold the order to ship at a later date. So, you get to take advantage of the price break, but you don't have to figure out where to put them.
Call Artina Promotional Products at 800-433-5587 or contact us via the web www.artina.com to discuss how calendar advertising can work for you.

National Volunteer Week

2009-03-17T07:56:00.003-04:00

National Volunteer Week is fast-approaching, this year's dates are April 19-25. The theme for the week is "Celebrating People in Action." National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate those individuals that dedicate themselves to taking action and helping to solve problems in their communities. Without volunteers, many services that are offered by non-profits and other organizations could not function. So, it is important that those who take the time out of their busy schedules be recognized for the hard work that they do.

This week is a chance to give thanks to those people in whatever way your organization can. Many organizations recognize those individuals with a promotional product. Promotional products are a great gift and leave a lasting impression on the recipient. Some organizations choose to offer something that is useful, mugs, lunch bags, etc. However, others go the route of something a little more along the lines of an award, for example actual awards, paperweights, pen sets, etc. Depending on your budget, your promotional products representative can help you select the item that is right for your organization. Whatever item you decide on, be sure that your volunteers will know that you appreciate their efforts and it will help to keep them coming back.

We would love to hear some of your most successful Volunteer Week promotions, so please feel free to comment.

If you are looking for just the right gift for your volunteers, please call Artina Promotional Products at 800-433-5587 or visit us on the web at www.artina.com.

Why do flash drives vary in price?

2009-03-05T08:01:00.002-05:00

If you think you are getting a bargain on inexpensive flash drives...you may want to think again. There are several ways that you can get taken unaware when you are purchasing flash drives, especially if you are getting them from an online resource. One rule of thumb, if you get three bids and one is significantly lower, beware. It is likely to be a fake.
Industrial hackers target the low cost flash drive market and with some simple software they can make a 32MB flash drive appear to be as valuable as a 4GIG drive. Another thing to beware of when purchasing flash drives is recycled memory. Recycling memory allows for the production of very low cost flash drives, but the quality is never as good as a first run piece and therefore, is likely to fail.
So, you are thinking about purchasing flash drives for your upcoming promotion. It is important to ask your promotional products distributor about the things referenced above. They should be able to get the information for you if they do not already know the answers. Most of the suppliers of memory to the promotional products industry are reputable and are using first quality items. You should always consider getting a sample, especially if you are planning to upload files before you hand out the items. Be sure that the file fits on the drive and that it works properly. The cost of flash drives has come down significantly over the past year, so do not be afraid of a low cost item. But, do be very cautious. Also, keep in mind that the cost of memory changes weekly, so the price you get this week may be different next week.
You can visit our website to check out some of the latest memory stick styles...http://www.artina.com/taxonomySearch/87/780.

Coop advertising

2009-02-17T08:58:00.002-05:00

So, you want to order promotional products to leave behind on sales calls or give out at trade shows but your budget has been reduced. There is a creative way that you can still get these items and...not have to pay for them! If your business is a distributor of various brands, there may be opportunities that you are missing. Many companies offer coop dollars to their distributors to aid in the marketing of their lines. Promotional products are a great way to accomplish this, your logo and the manufacturer's logo can both go on the item. You get your name out there, they get there name out there and you didn't have to pay for anything. It is obviously a great benefit to your manufacturers to have you pushing their product lines first, so they are more than willing to partner with you in marketing efforts.

If you are not sure if your partners offer coop advertising dollars, just ask. Of course, with multiple logos on the items, your promotional products professional can steer you towards the appropriate items that allow adequate imprint area.

In this economy, advertising is more important than ever, so don't miss out on an excellent opportunity to maximize your partnerships.

BPA...toxic or not

2009-02-02T12:57:00.002-05:00

By now everyone has heard the debate over BPA (bishpenol A) and plastic containers. According to Fast Company magazine, over 7 billion pounds of the chemical were produced in 2007. It is used in everything from dental fillings to baby bottles. The debate centers around the chemical leaching into our food and drink from the containers that we consume them from. There are a multitude of studies out there and Fast Company found that there are a significant number of studies that find on both sides of this debate. However, the studies that find the chemical to be harmless to humans seem to be funded by interested parties. These range from chemical associations to companies that use BPA in the production of their products. The article in Fast Company is informative and lengthy, and I recommend that everyone read it.

So, how does this impact promotional products. Well, you are about to purchase water bottles for your company picnic and you don't know what to do. Fortunately, manufacturers in the promotional products industry have responded to the controversy by manufacturing a wide range of bottles and other plastic products that are BPA free. As a matter of fact, the majority of water bottles offered are in fact BPA free. So, you can order water bottles and other plastic items without the worry over this questionable chemical. Be sure to ask your promotional products professional for BPA free items as well as FDA compliant products. And of course, if your state is under Prop 65 legislation or you are shipping to a state that is, be sure to let your promotional products professional know that as well. There are specific products that meet Prop 65 guidelines and they need to be labeled in a specific way as well.

Artina Promotional Products is proud to offer Prop 65 compliant and BPA free products. Feel free to check us out at www.artina.com or give us a call at 800-433-5587.

What's new for 2009?

2009-01-19T16:51:00.002-05:00

So, you are planning your promotional products budget for the year and you need to decide on the products you are going to purchase. Are you tired of the same old things? Want something that is going to grab your prospect's attention? Now is the time to sit down with your promotional products professional and learn about the new items for the year. The industry's big event was held last week and all of our vendors launched their new products. The catalogs are coming in every day full of new ideas. So, give your rep a call and see if you can get some catalogs.
Also, if you would like an opportunity to see these products in person, just check out www.ideasinpromotion.com. Each year Artina invites a select group of vendors to exhibit in a trade show format especially for you...the promotional products user. This is a great opportunity to network and brainstorm for the events that you have coming up this year. The event is April 2nd this year, be sure to mark your calendar. You can RSVP on the Ideas in Promotion site or you can send an email to info@artina.com.

Custom Promotional Products

2009-01-05T13:11:00.004-05:00

So here it is, another year has come and gone and it is time to get down to the business of planning 2009. No matter the industry you are in, the competition is fierce and will get more so in 2009. Everyone is looking for the next great promotional item, in their budget, that sets them apart. Well, have you ever thought about making it? That's right....Artina can help you design your own promotional products, manufacture them overseas and deliver them at a cost much lower than domestic production. Is there a bag that you love but it must have another pocket? That's fine, let's make it. We can also take bags and other promotional products and tweak the designs to fit your specific needs and budget.
Pricing is typically better on these items than domestic production, so it helps stretch your budget. A couple of things to consider when you are thinking about doing a custom, overseas project. Do I have the lead time needed? Typical lead time for an overseas project can range from 60-120 days, so be sure to allow that amount of time when planning the project. Can I order enough to meet the minimum quantity needed to produce the item overseas? Quantities in the past have been much higher than they are now to produce items overseas. The best way to determine if you meet the minimum requirements is to have a discussion with your promotional products professional.
Call your Artina rep today to start discussing how to get a unique, cost-effective promotional item done overseas to meet your 2009 needs. 800-433-5587, you can also check us out at www.artina.com.

Are promotional products a good value?

2008-12-18T08:09:00.002-05:00

So, it's the end of the year and you are planning your 2009 marketing budget. Did the promotional products that you used in 2008 make an impact? Should you do more in 2009? A recent study by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) recently outlined the impact and cost per impression of promotional items with interesting results. The study included business/professionals that had received promotional items within the last 12 months and were all 21 or older. Here are a few of the results:
More than 84% of the respondents recalled the advertisers of the promotional items they had received. Furthermore, 42% of the respondents had a more favorable impression of the advertiser after receiving the item. Nearly 25% said they were more likely to do business with that advertiser. A whopping 62% of the respondents had done business with the advertiser after receiving the promotional item.
Not only do promotional products work, but they have staying power. According to the study, pens are the most recalled items, followed by shirts, caps and bags. 81% of the promotional items that were kept were kept because the recipient considered the item to be useful. More than three-quarters of those surveyed said that they had kept their promotional items for more than 6 months!
Bags were reported as the most often used promotional items with an average of 9 times a month. Which also delivers the most impressions with an average of 1,038 impressions per month. The average cost per impression of an ad specialty item is $0.004. Therefore, marketers get a much more favorable return on their investment from ad specialties than nearly any other popular advertising media.
For more information and details from this study, contact your Artina rep at 800.433.5587 or www.artina.com.

Shirts - cotton/poly v. cotton

2008-12-01T13:57:00.002-05:00

So, it's time to get shirts for your staff. First you have to decide whether you want a woven shirt or a golf shirt. Once you decide that, then you have to choose between a cotton/poly blend and a 100% cotton shirt. How do you decide? Which is better?
Overall, the cotton/poly blend shirts are more popular when it comes to corporate apparel. The blended items feature an enhanced level of durability that can lengthen the life of a garment by as much as three times. Polyester can also withstand high-temperature laundering, which makes the blends hold their color longer. Cotton/poly blends also have a stain release feature and they are often wrinkle-free.
So, in short cotton/polyester blends are a logical choice when it comes to corporate apparel. They last longer, wash better and wear more easily than 100% cotton shirts.
Check out www.artina.com for options or get in touch with your Artina rep at 800.433.5587.

New Federal Guidelines for Promotional Products

2008-11-19T10:46:00.003-05:00

Beginning in 2009, there will be new federal guidelines governing promotional products. They are set to take effect in February 2009 and may affect the promotional items that you purchase. The new guidelines are primarily focused on Phthalates and lead in products that are intended for children under the age of 13.
These new guidelines will require a Certificate of Conformity for all products intended for children that fall into this age group stating that the product complies with these guidelines. This certificate must accompany the product through US Customs as well as with every domestic shipment. Proof of conformity must be provided for all components and inks from a legitimate testing lab if the product is intended for children under the age of 13. Also, depending on the product category, things like flammability, packaging and FDA standards might apply. Lead levels are set at 600 parts per million for fabric and inks but they will eventually get lower. The target date for the new lower levels to be implemented is August 2009.
Artina Promotional Products will keep posting updates on this blog as they become available, as the guidelines are still evolving and we are still learning how this will effect our industry and you as the consumer of our products.

Artina wins BBB Integrity Award

2008-11-04T09:20:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday, October 29th, Artina Promotional Products was awarded the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award. The award has several stringent criteria that involve various aspects of the business including supplier, employee and customer relations. General operational integrity is also a major factor. Founder and President, Chris Bouzounis, accepted the award on behalf of the company.
With 41 years of service under it's belt, Artina is looking forward to continuing to serve the Central Ohio community that made this honor possible. Bouzounis is especially proud of this award, as he believes that without integrity, you have nothing.
To learn more about Artina Promotional Products, visit our website at www.artina.com. Check out the news section to learn more about the company and other honors.

Food gifts for the holidays

2008-09-16T15:05:00.002-04:00

It is that time of year again...time to think about how you are going to thank your clients for their support in 2008. Did you know that your promotional products distributor can help you if food gifts are on the top of your list? Purchasing food gifts through your distributor is efficient and best of all, the items are branded with your logo in creative ways so the recipient will remember the gift long after the food is gone.

Food gifts are great ways to thank your customers and vendors. They are easily shareable with the entire office and a wide range of fresh, great tasting food is available. You will be surprised with the freshness and quality of the food and often times, the food is fresher than the leading mail order companies. It is typically not packed until the day it is to ship. Check with your distributor to get some tasting samples.

Artina Promotional Products is proud to offer Maple Ridge Farms for food gifts. They offer everything from food towers to ham and turkey. Call 800-433-5587 to learn more.

Corporate Gift Giving

2008-09-03T09:49:00.002-04:00

The holidays are fast-approaching and as they do, many companies are thinking about corporate gifts. While December remains the most popular month to give gifts, many companies are trying to set themselves apart with gifts to clients throughout the year. There are many reasons to give a gift to a client that are not limited to thanking them for their business.

Here are a few reasons:
1. Your client received a promotion. What a great time to send a personalized gift that they can use in their new role.
2. Your client stopped by your trade show booth. They are already your client but took the time out of their day to swing by, so send them a small token to thank them.
3. Your client placed an order with you. Just a small item to say thanks for your continued support can go a long way in terms of customer loyalty.
4. Your client or someone in their family had a child. There are a plethora of baby items in our industry, send a diaper bag, blanket or a nice photo frame to congratulate them.
5. Referrals...wow, no easier way to build your business. So, be sure your client knows you appreciate that they think enough of you to refer you to one of their associates.

These are just a few of the reasons to give a client a gift, there are many more. Corporate gifts leave a lasting impression for your clients and show that you value the relationship past getting the order. This will help to build loyalty and hopefully your business as well.

BPA - What is it and is it dangerous?

2008-08-20T13:16:00.003-04:00

We have all heard the news regarding BPA in water bottles, baby bottles and canned foods. The story is that the BPA leeches into the food or beverage that is placed in these containers, thereby harming the consumer. A recent study by the FDA found however, that the trace amounts of BPA that does leech into the consumables is not harmful to adults or children.

The promotional products industry immediately responded to the BPA scare by offering many products that are BPA free. Those products are still available, however, consumers should not hesitate to continue to purchase the old stand by products as well.

Several states are working on legislation to regulate the amount of BPA that can be in a product that will be used by children three years and younger, so when you are purchasing products, check the state you will be using them in to see if they have enacted legislation.

Imprinted promotional products v. blank corporate gifts

2008-08-08T13:55:00.001-04:00

There is not a right or wrong answer when it comes to this question. The best answer is to take care in selecting an appropriate item and think twice about whether or not to put your corporate logo on it.
The ultimate success of a promotional product as a gift for an employee, client or vendor, is whether the recipient uses it or not. Certainly having your logo on it gets more advertising miles out of the product. However, that is assuming they are using the product and seeing the logo each time. If they throw it in their box of junk in the garage, or trash it, then not only did your advertising dollars go down the tube, but so did the recipient’s feeling of appreciation.
Some things to think about when deciding whether or not to imprint the item:
What is the message you are trying to convey?
Cost of item (the higher the price, consider, no imprint or a more subtle imprint such as deboss or tone on tone)
Consider an add on item that can hold the logo (for example – a nice duffle bag with no imprint accompanied with a luggage tag that has the logo)
If you choose not to put the logo, don’t be afraid that the recipient will not remember where it came from – in fact they will likely never forget.

The new and improved Artina website

2008-07-10T08:37:00.002-04:00

As you may have noticed, it has been a while since a new blog has been posted. That is because we have been very busy with the design and rollout of the new and improved Artina Promotional Products website (www.artina.com). The new site features an improved search feature with some advanced options that were not previously available. For those that are budget conscious or in a time crunch, you can search by price range or lead time as well. For quick answers, there is an on-line chat. Operators are available from 8:15 to 5:00 EST...so get online and chat with us! Along with the improved search features the entire site is more user friendly and easier to navigate. The new site has been a long time in coming and we are pleased to offer this new level of online service to our current and new clients.
Check us out online frequently as the website is a work in progress and we hope to make continuous improvements as well as additions to the products that are available via the site. Currently there are over 10,000 products to choose from. As always, if you don't see what you are looking for on the site, just give us a call...or better yet...chat with us online!

Labor and other issues in China challenge promotional products industry.

2008-05-08T16:43:00.002-04:00

As we are all aware, the price of everything is on the rise these days. The same is true of the promotional products industry as some major changes in China are affecting the industry dramatically. Promotional products are for the most part, imported from overseas and a large majority come from China. In the past, the items have been inexpensive to make for the Chinese and therefore inexpensive for us to purchase. China is now facing several factors that are changing their costs of doing business.
One thing that is not a China only issue is the rising cost of raw materials. Costs for petroleum based plastics have been on the rise for the past couple of years and there are no indications that it is going to slow down.
The Chinese government recently enacted a new labor law that requires employers to give new employee benefits that were not previously given. This of course increases the cost of doing business for these factories and they are in turn passing that on to their clients. China is also now moving into an inflationary environment as opposed to the previously deflationary one. This means that the deflation of the Yuan and the weakening US dollar are working together to increase the prices that we pay for goods. Prices are now being adjusted upward on a weekly basis. Another governmental factor is the decrease in the VAT (Value Add Tax) that the Chinese government has been paying factories to help them offset the cost of production.
Another surprising factor in the mix is the Summer Olympics. The Chinese government has closed many factories for various periods of time in an effort to reduce air pollution for the upcoming games. Lastly, the Chinese labor force is realizing that they can get paid more and have better working conditions closer to their homes and are leaving their jobs. After the Chinese New Year holiday this year, less than 70 of every 100 workers returned to their jobs in the factories. This has significantly reduced the available workforce.So, how does all of this affect promotional products? Well, one thing that is happening are price increases. In the past, the increases have been such that the factories were offsetting the cost on their own, but with the dramatic increases, they are now being forced to pass those along to the end users. The other thing that is happening is inventory issues. With the shortage of workers and the shutdowns, production schedules are being disrupted. So, it is important to talk with your promotional products distributor when you are working on projects to get accurate pricing as well as check inventory prior to placing an order. With the longer lead times for importing goods, it is a good idea to start working on your projects a little further in advance.

Artina's Grand Opening

2008-05-06T15:01:00.001-04:00

Please join Artina Promotional Products in celebrating the Grand Opening of their new Powell offices and showroom located at 50 S. Liberty Street, Suite 250, Powell Ohio. The event will take place on Thursday, May 15th from 3-7PM. Food and refreshments will be provided. Join us for a tour of the new space as well as relaxing on the rooftop patio and networking with other Artina clients. Visit our website, www.artina.com, to RSVP. Hope to see you there!

It's too early to think about calendars...or is it?

2008-04-16T08:48:00.002-04:00

What do you mean calendars? It is too early to look at calendars for 2009....I just received my 2008 ones! Well, it really isn't too early to start thinking about your calendars for 2009. If you are not using calendars in your marketing plan, it is a perfect time to consider the impact of calendar advertising.
Calendars provide a perfect branding opportunity since everyone looks at a calendar once a day and most people look at it much more often. Once you start using calendars in your marketing plan, your clients start to look forward to receiving them and will ask about them each year. There is a calendar to fit every budget, industry and target audience...from desk calendars, wall calendars and planners.
Calendars also present another unique marketing opportunity when it comes to customization. You can choose to go with a stock calendar, however, the possibilities are unlimited when it comes to creating a completely custom calendar. Your promotional products distributor can walk you through the options for customizing the calendar pads, photos as well as the back of the calendar and adding custom pages at the front that provide valuable information to the recipient.
Now that we know more about the options and value behind calendar advertising, why should you start on your 2009 calendar project now? There are a couple of reasons...first of all, calendar manufacturers are bombarded with orders in the last quarter and if you place your order now, they will hold them to ship when you want them. That way, they are able to manage their production schedule and you get your calendars when you want them. This is especially important if you are ordering a stock calendar, you may run into inventory issues if you wait too long to place your order. Most calendar manufacturers offer early order discounts as an incentive as well, typically the deadline for ordering to take advantage of the discount is end of June. Again, they will hold the order to ship until you are ready to receive the calendars so you do not have to worry about storing them.
Visit our website (www.artina.com) to view some stock options for calendars or call 800-433-5587 and ask to speak to an account executive to learn more about stock or custom calendars.

Ideas in Promotion Show 2008

2008-03-25T12:53:00.002-04:00

Artina Promotional Products is once again hosting our Ideas in Promotion Show. We have invited our top suppliers to join us. The suppliers are going to be exhibiting in a trade show format to allow you to see their new products as well as proven sellers. The show is a great opportunity to see a lot of new products and to brainstorm about upcoming promotional needs that you may have. Your account executive will be on hand as well to help you navigate the show and keep notes about the products that you like.

The event is being held at the Bridgewater Conference Center in Powell Ohio on April 17th from 10-2. You can visit the website www.ideasinpromotion.com to RSVP or contact Artina directly at 800-433-5587. We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity, most trade shows of this nature are distributor only events. We will provide lunch as well as exciting prizes to the attendees. Feel free to invite others that you know that you think may benefit from attending the show as well.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Specials....are they a good value?

2008-03-19T11:22:00.002-04:00

As we all know, people love things that are on special. Promotional products companies run frequent specials to generate more business for themselves. Like anything else, it is important to determine if the "special" you are getting is a good value.

For example, if you receive a special on a bag that is regularly priced at 4.99 and it is on special for 1.99...is that a good value? At first glance it seems like it. It is vital that you ask your promotional products distributor their opinion of the product on special. It is also a good idea, time permitting, to get an actual sample of the item. You may find that the bag that is on special for 1.99, is really only worth 1.99.

This is just one example of how a strong relationship with your promotional products vendor can help you to avoid getting a product that you are not happy with.

Golf Outings

2008-03-13T08:20:00.003-04:00

Spring is in the air and golfers everywhere are practicing their swings. Corporate and charity golf outings can be a welcome break from the work week and are a great way to network and give back to your community. For the organizers, golf outings present a unique challenge. You want to provide your participants with items that they can use at the outing but that they will also use after the event.
There are a variety of ways to use promotional products at your event. Most golf outings involve a welcome kit of some kind. A promotional cooler is a great way to present the items to the golfers. You can insert information about your organization as well as any other promotional items that you have purchased or that have been given to you by sponsors. Golf balls, towels and tees are just a few of the items that can be imprinted and given to your golfers.
For the winners of the outing as well as other events within the tournament, such as closest to the pin, there are a wide range of golf awards availble to fit your needs. Another successful promotion is to provide each person with a photo frame to take home. You can take photos of each foursome and give them at the end of the outing with the frame.
Now that you have taken care of the golfers, what about the staff working your event? Providing your team with a logoed shirt or visor is a great way to recognize their hard work as well as make it easy for the golfers to identify them should they need assistance with something.
Call your promotional products consultant at 800-433-5587 to brainstorm on how promotional products can enhance your golf outing this year!

So...your business is moving?

2008-02-25T15:27:00.003-05:00

Having recently moved offices, Artina Promotional Products understands the many challenges you face when you are moving your business. One of the most important aspects in any move it letting people know. How do you let your customer & other business partners know that you are moving? One great way is a direct mail piece. Whether it is a nice full color postcard of the new space with a magnet attached bearing your new information to an invitation to an event at your new office, direct mail is a great way to reach everyone.

Once you are in the new office, it is a great idea to host and Open House for clients. With all of the work it takes to move to a new location, it is nice to be able to share the new space with clients. It gives your team a chance to network and spend a little social time with clients that does not have a selling undertone. It is a great time to build or solidify existing relationships. Don't forget to send them home with something to remember the event and your new contact information. It doesn't have to be something big but it does have to be something that the client will keep with them. Contact your promotional products consultant for ideas that will leave your business partners with a lasting impression.

For more information on using promotional products to help achieve your business goals, contact Artina Promotional Products at 800-433-5587.

Artina Promotional Products is Moving!

2008-02-13T09:29:00.002-05:00

Artina Promotional Products will be relocating it's offices to Powell, Ohio on Thursday, February 14th. The office will close on 2/14 at 1:00 PM and will re-open for business on 2/15 at 10:00 AM.

Please note our new address and phone information below:

Artina Promotional Products
50 S. Liberty Street
Suite 250
Powell OH 43065

614-635-8865
614-635-8866 Fax
800-433-5587

We will be hosting a Grand Opening Reception in the near future...watch for details in the blog as well as on our website.

How to make the most of your trade show.

2008-02-06T08:20:00.000-05:00

The promotional products industry is gearing up for the start of the Spring trade show season. As you begin to plan for the trade shows you will exhibit at, here are a few tips that can help to make them more successful.

The organizers of the trade show can make available to you a list of all registered attendees. This list can be very instrumental in making your show a success. Pre-show mailings can generate excitement about your booth, especially if you are launching a new product. There are many types of direct mail pieces that can be used, from basic postcards to various games that can be played for prizes at the booth.
Another thing you can do pre-show, is to put something in the trade show bags that each attendee receives at the show. This ensures that each attendee has an opportunity to learn about your company regardless of whether or not they stop by the booth to meet you.

One thing that all trade show attendees expect when they visit your booth is a giveaway. It is important to maximize your giveaway budget and get the most bang for your buck. One way to do this is to do a tiered system of giveaway items. Purchase a promotional product that is inexpensive, useful and will stay in the prospect's mind to give to everyone that stops by the booth. You will find that many people will stop by a booth just to see what you are handing out. The handout you select can impact the leads you generate as well, the better the item, the more people are going to come to your booth. Imagine an item so creative that you have a line of prospects at your booth! It is important to focus on those leads that come to your booth that you identify right away as qualified. You may know this based on the company they are with, their position or if you get to spend some time with them talking about their business needs and how your product can help them. For these leads, keep a small stash of higher priced items to give to them. This lets them know you appreciated their time and makes the feel good about the time they spent in your booth.

As important as getting the right people to your booth is how you handle the leads after the show. It is critical to follow-up with the leads as soon as you get back to the office. However, remember that they stopped at countless booths and they are being bombarded with materials from other vendors. You will need to do something to set yourself appart from the rest of the information they are getting. A creative promotional product can do the trick.

As you prepare for trade show season, talk with your promotional consultant about the shows you are attending and work with them to get the most impact out of your show. For great ideas, call Artina Promotional Products at 800-433-5587 or visit us on the web at http://www.artina.com/

Direct Mail Campaigns

2008-01-21T20:30:00.000-05:00

Did you know that your promotional products supplier can also help you increase your direct mail campaigns? When most companies are planning a direct mail campaign, they are not considering promotional products. While direct mail has typically low response rates, adding a promotional product can help increase your response rates.

According to the PPAI (Promotional Products Association International) website, a direct mail piece featuring a letter alone will garner a response rate of 1.8%. When a promotional product is added to the mailing, the response rate increases to 2.7%. To gain the best results from your direct mail campaign, the letter should extend an offer for a promotional item in return for responding to the campaign. With these types of offers, the response rate jumps to 7.3%.

The types of promotional products that can be used in direct mail campaigns are as varied as the campaigns themselves. The most common direct mail campaign that includes a promotional item is a postcard mailing that includes a skin-packed magnet or other flat product. There are some very creative options when it comes to direct mail campaigns that can go along with your marketing theme. For instance, there are mailings that are centered around blackjack, eco-friendly items as well as racing themes. Contact your promotional products consultant for these and many more creative ideas. The options are as endless as your imagination.

Prop 65 - What is it and how does it affect you?

2008-01-16T19:24:00.000-05:00

fornia Proposition 65…What is it and how does it affect you?

The State of California has a law called Prop 65 that requires a warning on certain products that are distributed in California. These items require a warning label that states that the product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. So, what does all of that mean and what does it mean for the promotional products buyer?

The State of California has issued a list of chemicals which they have determined to be causes of cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm. Any product that may contain these chemicals is required, by law to bear the warning. The complete list of chemicals can be found on their website www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65.html. The warning is required if the level of chemical exposure is over the “No Significant Risk Level” (NSRL). The NSRL level is if a person is exposed to the chemical at that level for 70 years that the person would have no more than a 1 in 1,000 chance of developing cancer as a result of the exposure.

The warning is also required if the if the person is exposed to the chemical at more than 1/1,000 of the “No Observable Effect Level” (NOEL). The NOEL is the level determined by California to pose no reproductive harm to humans or lab animals. However, it is important to note that only a small number of the chemicals on the list have NSRL or NOEL levels.

It is important to find out how this will affect your promotional products purchasing if you are shipping items into the State of California. Your promotional products distributor should be able to find out if the Prop 65 requirements are being met by the supplier that you are purchasing promotional products from. All products are subject to the guidelines from mugs to coolers, it is important to make sure that your products are in compliance. Most promotional products vendors are in compliance at this point and some may charge an additional fee for the labeling process to ship items into California.

If you have any concerns the State of California recommends that you seek legal advice on how Prop 65 affects you.

Going Green

2008-01-08T12:49:00.001-05:00

These days everyone is seeing green. Regardless of what you are doing, it is likely that you will see the words green, eco-friendly, recycled, organic or any combination of these words. From new communites that are being built with eco-friendly heating systems and green spaces to items at the supermarket, everyone is trying to do their part to lessen our environmental footprints. The promotional products industry has followed that path by offering a wide range of promotional products that are both organic and or recycled .

Organic products are defined by the Organic Trade Association as those products that are produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.

Recycled products are those that are made from at least some percentage of either pre or post-consumer waste. Recycled products also include items that are recycled through reuse according to the Federal Trade Commission. As a matter of fact, recycling through reuse is better for the environment as no new processes or materials are required.

The promotional products industry is meeting the challenge of providing eco-friendly, recycled and organic products to corporations that are trying to do their part to lessen their impact on the environment. From t-shirts, cloth bags, letter openers and plastic bags…you can find virtually anything you want in an organic or recycled version. The recycled products should display the recycled symbol and will frequently let you know what percentage of the product is made from pre or post-consumer waste.

These products are typically a little more expensive than regular products but environmentally conscious corporations find that the extra expense is worth it to do their part in helping to save the environment.

Planning for the New Year

2007-12-26T08:18:00.000-05:00

The whirlwind of the holidays is now behind us and it is time to start planning for 2008. As you begin to look forward to your 2008 marketing plan, don't forget to plan for obtaining your promotional products as well. Now is a great time to set up a meeting, either via phone or in person, with your promotional products consultant to review your 2008 calendar. By doing this, you are allowing your consultant to work for you. The more they know about your events and upcoming needs, the easier ordering promotional items becomes for you. Share with them your calendar of events that you will need items for and tell them a little about the goals of the events. It is also helpful to share some information about the demographics of the people that will be receiving the items. The last but not less important aspect that your consultant will need to know is your budget. All of this information will help your consultant come up with timely and targeted ideas for your event and the best part about it is that this aspect of the planning is off of your plate.
Now is also a great time to see new product ideas as all of the suppliers in the promotional products industry are launching new catalogs for the 2008 season. There are sure to be a lot of unique new items.
At Artina Promotional Products, we pride ourselves on providing our clients with creative ideas that help them achieve their marketing goals. Call 800-433-5587 to schedule an appointment with your consultant or send us an email at info@artina.com. Of course, you can always visit our website at www.artina.com

Happy Holidays

2007-12-21T16:28:00.000-05:00

The entire Artina team would like to wish you and yours Happy Holidays & of course a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Be sure to check out our website in 2008 for all of the new and exciting products that will be released in January. Of course, if you need ideas for an event...always call our knowledgeable sales team at 800-433-5587. Visit us online at www.artina.com or email us at info@artina.com.

It's not too late to get last minute holiday gifts for employees and clients.

2007-12-18T14:53:00.001-05:00

For those of you that think you have waited too long to get your custom-imprinted holiday gifts, you have not. The promotional products industry has stepped up to offer many 24 hour and same day services to get your gift items in a timely manner. While it is still preferred to start in advance, the industry recognizes that this doesn't always happen and has made great efforts to improve services. If you do not want to rush your decision on the perfect holiday gift, here's an idea. Wait until mid-January...the gift will still be appreciated and likely remembered more since it did not come during the traditional holiday deluge.
Whether you are looking for gift ideas or trade show items, Artina Promotional Products has been serving the promotional products industry for 40 years. Give us a call at 800-433-5587 to put our experience to work for you. You may also visit our website at http://www.artina.com/.