I recently got a question in my Ask Abby mailbox, so I thought it would be fun to share it in the blog this week in hopes that it can help others too!

Question:
Hi Abby, I recently joined a new church that is struggling with marketing, community outreach and spreading the word. We want to advertise with products that are easy to hand-out, affordable and practical. Do you have any product recommendations that meet these requirements?
Thank you, Melanie

Answer:
That’s a fantastic question, Melanie! I looked high and low to find products that I think will work perfectly to help your church grab some attention and welcome new attendies. All of these products are extremely easy to distribute, people love them, and they are budget friendly to boot!

One fantastic product choice would be Religious Calendars. Calendars are ideal because they will showcase your message or logo all year round and they’ll be used constantly. Absorbent, Ink. carries a large variety of calendars whether you happen to need a Jewish Calendar, Catholic Calendar, Christian Calendar or anything in between, we have just what you need. Better yet, it’s almost calendar season!

A great way to promote church events or to welcome newcomers and visitors into the church is with high quality Church Welcome Packets. They offer an elegant way to present church information, hold choir music, provide prayer materials, store inspirational notes and more. Welcome Folders for Churches can be personalized for any need so consider the possibilities!

Church Hand Fans are a popular and classic way to add a personal touch to any event, fundraiser, wedding or church benefit. Custom Religious Hand Fans are available in a great selection of shapes, sizes and designs so you can personalize them to your exact liking. They’re also a great way to keep people cool and to get your artwork or logo into hands inexpensively.

Last but not least, these three products are budget friendly, reusable and easy to hand out. I’m talking about; Custom Bookmarks, Printed Pens and Logo Notebooks. These are all really popular promotional items that people love to receive and you’ll love to give.

I hope these products help spread the word and get the attention you’re looking for!
For more fantastic products, visit Absorbent, Ink. or Ask Abby any of your promotional product questions. We love to help!

I went to a Birthday Party for a friend this weekend and had a lovely time. There were decorations everywhere, a beautiful table spread and all of the event supplies were customized. What a fantastic idea!

I love the idea of personalizing an event with custom table accessories and event supplies. Good thing Absorbent, Ink. carries a great selection of supplies to help celebrate any special occasion!

Here is a handy list of some of the most popular and effective event supplies:

Disposable cups are an excellent way to put your brand or artwork into your guest’s hands. Every party, corporate event or special occasion can be made better with customized cups. Choose from a variety of custom disposable cups, including; Styrofoam Cups, Clear Plastic Cups, Paper Cups and Stadium Cups. Personalized cups can easily change a drab event into a fabulous event, so why not order some today?

Custom Napkins offer another great way to add a personal touch to your important occasions, easily and effectively. Napkins are budget-friendly, practical and can even act as mementos long after the party is over. Whether you need Beverage Napkins, Luncheon Napkins or Dinner Napkins, Absorbent, Ink. has the perfect napkins for you.  We can add your logo, artwork or message to napkins in time for your next event and they’re perfect for adding an elegant touch.

Add some uniqueness to your tabletop with Printed Plates. They are sure to make any dining experience memorable. Choose from a great selection of plates including Plastic Plates, Paper Plates, Biodegradable Plates and even Plastic Trays. Paper Plates and plastic plates can be printed with logos, artwork or messages to leave a lasting impression.

Last but not least, Personalized Coasters are always a popular promotional item. Coasters are available in a wide variety of styles to fit any budget. Absorbent, Ink. has an impressive selection of coasters, including; Ceramic Coasters, Cork Coasters, budget friendly Pulpboard Coasters, Gift Coasters and more. They’re a great tool for promoting your message at parties, restaurants, bars, cafes, corporate events and special occasions.

If you plan on throwing a party or event, any of these popular products are bound to make it even more memorable. Luckily all of these event supplies are budget friendly and perfect for making an impact. What are you waiting for? Customize yours today!

Start planning today!

Abby Ink

I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like I just can’t wake up without my morning cup of coffee. Whether it’s brewed, percolated, steeped or instant, some mornings I just have to have my caffeine! Usually I’ll stumble out of bed, grab my favorite mug and wait for the jolt of caffeine to wake me up…then I can start my day.

You know what’s better than your favorite hot beverage? Drinking your favorite hot beverage out of a customized mug! Absorbent, Ink. has a large selection of cups and mugs that can be personalized with your artwork, logo or message. Choose from coffee mugs, travel tumblers, foam cups or paper cups with custom coffee sleeves.

My favorite drinkware products to give and receive are Personalized Coffee Mugs. They make excellent gifts for co-workers, employees, coffee lovers, tea enthusiasts, customers and friends. There are so many different styles available that there is bound to be something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for plastic coffee mugs, large coffee mugs or even budget friendly mugs you can find something to perk up your next promotion.

If you’d rather take your coffee on your daily commute, Printed Travel Mugs are perfect for on-the-go. So hit the road in style with Stainless Steel Tumblers personalized with your brand or artwork. They’re insulated, leak-proof and fashionable – perfect for creating a buzz.

A great low-cost way to promote your café, restaurant or event is with printed disposable cups. Disposable foam cups and Customized Paper Cups are perfect for those on a budget. They can be personalized with any artwork, logo or message to help you easily advertise. Heat up your advertising even more by adding Printed Coffee Sleeves to your cups. They’re economical, practical and a fantastic way to reiterate your logo or message. Just add coffee!

As you can see, it’s easy to heat up your promotions and give your giveaways a jolt with Custom Coffee Mugs and Personalized Drinkware.

Take care,

Abby Ink

While out and about this weekend I came across a huge autumn display at my local grocery store. The entire area outside of the entrance was elaborately decorated as a large pumpkin patch. There were pumpkins, gourds and squash of every shape, size and color. I walked amongst the orange, yellow and green produce and realized that Halloween is less than a month away!

If you’re thinking about giving away Halloween products, now is the perfect time to start planning! Absorbent, Ink. has a spooky selection of items that are perfect for Halloween.

Halloween Bags and Boxes are always a popular choice. They are available in a colorful array of fun Halloween stock images and can be personalized with your logo or message.  Pumpkin Die Cut Plastic Bags and Halloween Candy Boxes are adorable, easy to distribute and perfect for those on a tight budget. They’re great for school programs, Halloween parties, community programs, giveaways, fundraisers and much more. Don’t forget to include some Customized Candy and Logo Snacks to sweeten your giveaway or promotion. People of all ages will enjoy personalized treats. So, trick-or-treat your way into the hands of your target customers by using personalized food items.

If you’re looking for a more squeezable promotional item, Pumpkin Stress Balls are perfect. They make excellent gifts, giveaways or party favors that will get your imprint noticed time and time again. Show your silly side and promote your business or event with fun Custom Pumpkin Stress Balls.

Light up those spooky fall nights with Personalized Flashlights. Flashlights make excellent gift ideas all year long, but they’re also great safety items around Halloween time. Another great idea for making your logo shine is with Customized Lighters. They’re a great gift idea for adults and a perfect way to light up those spooky jack-o-lanterns at night.

Start planning your spooktacular Halloween events today and make a lasting impression this fall.

Happy Halloween!

Abby Ink

September is almost here, do you know what means? That means that Labor Day is coming up! Labor Day started in 1882 as a day for hard workers to relax and be recognized for their contribution to the prosperity of our country. It falls on the first Monday in September and is celebrated as the last summer break for us working folks.

These days, most Americans use Labor Day for travel, relaxation, barbequing and football. Sounds great to me! Why not use this holiday as a chance to thank your hard working employees, volunteers, friends or neighbors with some great American made gifts.

If you are thinking about having some fun in the sun, Absorbent, Ink. has a great selection of American made products to choose from. Drinkware is a highly popular gift idea to help beat the heat. Why not give durable and long lasting Aluminum Water Bottles and Custom Sports Bottles? They are an excellent giveaway for outdoor promotions and sporting events. Custom Can Holders and colorful Stadium Cups are fantastic for pool parties, concerts and backyard barbecues. Drinkware is the perfect way to put your logo into the hands of recipients time and time again.

If you are a big sports fan, then you already know that Labor Day marks the beginning of the football season too. Why not promote in the stands with Folding Stadium Cushions? They are available in a variety of colors and styles that will look sensational customized with your logo. If you want to root on the home team Spirit Wavers and Vinyl Pennants are great ways to stand out in a crowd.

Absorbent, Inks, carries hundreds of American Made Products to help support our nation’s businesses while you help yourself promote successfully. You might also want to check out the Lawn and Garden Store for gardening supplies that are bound to help you unwind during the long weekend.

Go get some rest and relaxation,

Abby Ink

I spent a lot of time in traffic this weekend. Most of that time was spent driving back and forth across town stuck in slow traffic. When I’m bored while caught in traffic, I tend to start reading all of the bumper stickers that I see on my commute. Many of the stickers you see are simple and uninspired but you’ll occasionally see creative and memorable bumper stickers that linger in your head. Now that’s a great way to make a lasting impression!

This made me wonder about all of the stickable promotional items that could be found on Absorbentprinting.com. Here are a few of the products I found, starting with my favorite, Temporary Tattoos! Custom Temporary Tattoos are a fun way to promote to people of all ages. They’re popular items for any event including; business advertisements, outdoor events, tradeshow giveaways and music promotions. They are available in a wide variety of sizes to turn your custom imprint into wearable art. Custom tattoos can be easily applied and removed and they look great!

Custom Magnets are great stickable products that are ideal for promoting, advertising or raising awareness. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles so there is a perfect magnet for everyone. Business Card Magnets and Car Magnets are two of the best choices for business promotions, while picture frame magnets and ribbon magnets make great gift ideas.

Don’t forget about the most stickable product of all, stickers! Absorbent, Ink. carries Custom Stickers in just about any size and shape from Square and Rectangular Stickers to special shaped stickers. Whether you’re looking for domed decals, patriotic stickers or Octagonal Stickers, you can find the perfect sticker to affix just about anywhere.

Static Window Clings are another great item that has holding power. They can be stuck to almost any smooth surface, including; glass, marble and metal without the use of adhesives. Don’t get stuck without a way to personalize your artwork, logo or message. Shop Absorbent, Ink., today!

Stick with it,

Abby Ink

It looks like I’ll be going to a lot of weddings this year.  I just found out not one, but three people I know are getting married this year. Wow! It’s just like they say, first comes love and then comes…a lot of wedding planning?

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming with all of the preparations, reservations, rehearsals and arrangements. Luckily, Absorbent, Ink. is here to help with all of your custom printed wedding needs. My friends have been asking for ideas to help personalize their events and I’ve found a bunch of great items that will do just that

One of the most affordable ways to add a personal touch to your special day or event is with Custom Wedding Napkins. Personalized napkins are budget-friendly, available in a wide variety of colors and can be customized with names, dates, monograms or artwork. They will add a touch of color to tabletops and can be kept as mementos of your special day. Why not combine some printed Beverage Napkins with elegant personalized Champagne Glasses. Custom printed champagne glasses will add sparkle to your event and look sensational when people raise a toast.  Celebrate in style with any of Absorbent, Ink’s Custom Glassware choices. They’re perfect for wedding receptions, anniversaries, special events and more.

If you’re looking for gifts and keepsakes for your guests, the possibilities are practically limitless. Some of my favorites include wedding fans, food gifts and personalized seed packets. Custom Wedding Fans serve as beautiful reminders of your special day. They can be imprinted with pictures, dates and artwork. They also make perfect keepsake wedding programs. Edible items are another popular wedding favor. Who wouldn’t love receiving delicious Custom Breath Mints, Personalized Chocolate Gifts or Gourmet Food Gifts? Absorbent, Ink. carries everything from custom mint tins and printed candy jars to personalized chocolates and individually wrapped cookies.

Take the stress out of wedding planning and shop Absorbent, Ink. for all of your personalized wedding items.

Take care,

Abby Ink

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been seeing internet based advertisements everywhere. It makes sense – the internet is booming! Being online is becoming a big part of people’s everyday lives. Whether it’s for work, leisure, or networking – the internet is the place to go. Social networking sites and location based services like Facebook, Twitter, Gowalla and Foursquare are becoming networking hubs for people of all ages. So, why not use promotional products to reach out to customers and help steer them to your online resources easily and effectively?

One highly effective and inexpensive promotional idea to help you advertise your online presence is Custom Drink Coasters from Absorbent, Ink. Paper Coasters are a great choice because they are cost effective, easy to distribute, and offer a large printable area to showcase your imprint. You can imprint your URL, RSS feed, Twitter link or Facebook URL directly onto our Bar Coasters for a simple promotion. One of the best ideas I’ve seen recently were the coasters Google gave out to small businesses to promote Google Places. I also love the idea of Custom Drink Coasters printed with QR codes that can be scanned to reveal text, a URL or other data.

In an effort to avoid the sizzling summer heat, I’ve been working on a project that keeps me indoors. Last month I set out to build a new computer. I did a lot of research, exhaustive price comparisons and finally ordered all of the necessary components. Everything arrived this weekend and it was finally time for the dirty work. After a lot of careful assembly and slightly frustrating software installation – it was complete. I’m happy to report that I’m the proud owner of a blazing fast, custom built computer. Pretty neat!

This project made me think about what a big part of our culture technology really is. It’s hard to escape it. Most of us are always connected whether it’s with smart phones, computers, tablets, social networks, Wi-Fi or GPS. That’s why it’s a great idea to promote using tech products. Absorbent, Ink. carries a large selection of products that will appeal to technophiles, teenagers and everyone in between.

One of my favorite products is Custom USB Flash Drives. They are a popular product that people love and they’re available in so many unique styles that it’s hard to find a better promotion. We carry USB drives in a variety of materials, including; bamboo, recycled plastic, silicone, brushed metal and wood. My absolute favorite is the adorable Robot Dude Flash Drives. What a great way to advertise!

More great promotional giveaways are iPad cases and laptop sleeves. Add your logo or artwork to any one of these cool Custom iPad Cases and people will practically fight over them. It’s the same way with Promotional Laptop Sleeves. These products keep your electronics safe and secure and they look great doing it. iPad and laptop sleeves are all the rage right now. They can only get better when paired with Computer Messenger Bags. Absolute perfection!

Oh, and don’t forget about my other favorite tech item – the digital picture frame. Promotional Digital Picture Frames are a fun way to showcase personal photos and a great way to advertise in style. They’re perfect for the home or office and make truly unique promotional items that people love. Check out Absorbent, Ink’s great selection of Corporate Gifts and technology promotions today and stay plugged into the current trends.

Until next time,

Abby Ink

The weather in Austin is really heating up. There just doesn’t seem to be a way to avoid the heat, so I might as well take advantage of it, right? This weekend was the perfect time to hit the local pool for some swimming, sunbathing and outdoor fun! People were out in full force trying to cool off and escape the humidity. I saw a lot of people with squirt guns, beach totes, stadium chairs and all sorts of fun outdoor items. That reminded me, it’s the perfect time to start giving out hot summer promotions!

Absorbent, Ink. has a sensational selection of hot products to heat up any event or summertime promotion. We have a lot of great items to help you have fun outdoors, including; beach balls, water guns, flying discs and sand pails. Promotional Beach Balls are a fantastic summertime giveaway. They can be customized with your logo, message or slogan and are great for outdoor events, beach parties, summer promotions and vacation spots. Flying Discs and promotional frisbees are an exceptional way to take your advertising to new heights. They offer a great way to promote at outdoor events, company picnics, parties and tradeshows. Custom flying discs will ensure your brand exposure skyrockets!

Looking for more wonderful ways to beat the heat with promotional products? Try slipping on a pair of stylish Custom Sunglasses. Absorbent, Ink. carries a fashionable assortment of unique sunglasses that will keep you looking cool while keeping the sun out of your eyes. Choose from everything from sporty wrap sunglasses to stylish neon sunglasses. What a cool and affordable way to promote! If you need a product that makes advertising a breeze, check out Battery Fans. Personal fans are the ultimate way to beat the heat during the summer. They’re cool, perfect for outdoor events, and portable!

Beat the heat with any of Absorbent, Ink’s Custom Promotional Products!

Stay cool,

Abby Ink