Woof! Woof! Hi, let me introduce myself. My name is Galahad and I am Abby’s Labrador. I have hijacked her computer because I am seriously tired of her talking only about human products. What about us animals? We like free stuff too. In fact, giving us free stuff will get you more customers than if you give the humans free stuff, just because they love us so much. Let me share a secret with you, the only way to have a satisfying and happy life is to make your pets happy.

So, now, the billion-dollar question is what pet products can I actually use for my promotions? Well, I have the trillion-dollar answer: Absorbent, Ink. (bless their hearts) carries so many Promotional Pet Products that I am salivating all over the keyboard just looking at them. They have the more traditional pet products, such as leashes, pet bowls and pet toys, and the funky stuff, such as pet bandanas (I can just imagine myself in one of those). There are even products for those stubborn humans out there who are still insisting on giving promotional products to humans. You can give those humans grooming mitts or a pet litter scoop that they can use to take care of us better.

Another product you can use is … oh, rats! Gotta go! I can see Abby heading this way with her you-are-going-to-get-it-now look.

Ciao, or in my language, rowf,

Galahad

Plastic: The very word makes me think of huge piles of garbage that do not decompose and are eyesores. If you haven’t already guessed, I am a fervent champion of eco-friendly products. I have made it my personal mission to find products that can permanently replace non-biodegradable materials and that is how I came across corn plastic.

Corn plastic, basically, is plastic produced from corn. Since it’s made from plants, it is biodegradable, which makes it a nice alternative to normal plastic. Absorbent, Ink. practically has a corn plastic category – just search our site for “corn plastic” and see what pops up! Many of the products are both affordable and practical, and they ensure that your business’s name is in front of your customers’ eyes 24/7.

We have the traditional coffee mugs and soup mugs in corn plastic, and don’t forget about pens, like the Corn Plastic Husker Pens. Got clients who golf? We have Corn Plastic Golf Tees. And for something that’s a little bit different, check out the Corn Thermometer.

Too much talk about corn. I think I’m getting hungry!

Abby Ink

The promotional products industry has seen a significant increase in the sales of Non-Woven Tote Bags this last year. While they’re certainly part of the eco-friendly product movement, these bags have become popular for more reasons than for being green.

Non-Woven Polypropylene Bags are popular because they offer many useful qualities. These bags are soft, durable, water resistant, fire resistant, and have many uses. While many eco-friendly products can be more expensive than their non-green counterparts, Non-Woven Totes are competitively priced, removing the financial barrier to their purchase. These bags have also become more fashionable. Evolving from the early Non-Woven Grocery Totes, manufacturers are now producing a wide range of attractive and trendy Fashion Non-Woven Bags.

From a marketing standpoint, Tote Bags are incredibly useful promotional tools. Tote Bags are used over and over again, providing repeat exposure for your logo and promotional message. Non-Woven Tote Bags offer one of the best CPI’s (cost per impression) among all promotional products.

Non-woven polypropylene is made of spun bond polypropylene which can be recycled, naturally decomposes, and incinerates without any production of poisonous pollutants. While we list our Non-Woven Bags as recyclable, not all communities have recycling centers that will accept these bags. Many of our Non-Woven Bags are also made from recycled content, adding to their eco-friendly qualities. And of course, these promotional bags are reusable. By offering an alternative to disposable plastic bags, Non-Woven Tote Bags will show how green your company is, while leaving a little green in your pocket.

Question: I am a wedding planner that coordinates several weddings a month. My brides are always looking for new and original ideas to make their big day extra special. Any suggestions? Thanks, Stephanie

Answer: That’s a great question, especially since we’re in the middle of the peak wedding season! Absorbent, Ink. carries items for every budget and every theme, including great alternatives to the traditional standbys. Looking for something a little more upscale than the usual Beverage, Luncheon, and Dinner Napkins? We offer super-soft Almost Linen Napkins that look and feel more like hand towels.

When it comes to drinkware, we offer several sizes of the standard Plastic Cups. If your bride wants something formal, we recommend any of our glasses such as the popular 5.75 Napa Champagne Flute. The couples’ names or monogram can be printed on any of the glasses in their wedding colors or in silver to create an etched effect. And for any of those fun-loving, modern brides out there, we offer Light-Up Drinkware that will turn the dance floor into a night-club!

Most guests expect to receive favors when they attend weddings, so how can brides surprise them? Simple! Put a photo of the couple on one of our Short Bread Cookies or onto the wrapper of our Eros Chocolate Bars. Another great idea is to include one of our Small Aromatherapy Candles at each place setting so that the favor doubles as decoration. Planning a destination wedding? Order the Plastic Luggage Tags with Full Color Imprint and include a photo of the destination or the bride and groom. Of course, we also carry popular favors such as individually wrapped Wedding Mints, Foiled Chocolate Hearts, Wedding Matchboxes, and Wine Stoppers.

For more ideas or for help with pricing, please contact our Client Service Department at 866-618-3471. Our team of promotional product experts would love to help make your wedding a success!

Thanks,
Abby Ink

Advertising Specialty Institute®, the largest media and marketing organization serving the advertising specialty industry, revealed earlier in November a groundbreaking new study that promotional products beat out all forms of TV, radio and print advertising as the most cost-effective advertising medium available.

The comprehensive study was completed by a team of interviewers who surveyed travelers in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Respondents were asked if they had received any advertising specialties in the last 12 months and the majority were businesspeople over age 21.

Among key findings, results indicate that:

* 84% of people remember the advertiser on a product they receive.
* 42% have a more favorable impression of an advertiser after receiving an advertising specialty.
* Nearly one quarter, or 24%, indicate that they are more likely to do business with an advertiser on items they receive.
* Most respondents (62%) have done business with the advertiser on a product after receiving it.
* The majority (81%) of promotional products were kept because they were considered useful.
* Among wearables, bags were reported to be used most frequently, with respondents indicating that they use their bags on average nine times per month.
* The average cost-per-impression of an advertising specialty item is $0.004, making it less expensive per impression than nearly any other media. (According to Nielsen Media data, the CPI for a national magazine ad is $0.033; a newspaper ad is $0.0129; a prime time TV ad is $0.019; a cable TV ad is $0.007; a syndicated TV ad is $0.006; and a spot radio ad is $0.005)

These statistics conclude that marketers get a more favorable return on investment from advertising specialties than almost any other popular media, with a very low cost-per-impression, high recall among those who receive ad specialty items, and increased intent among recipients to make purchases from the advertiser.

Source: ASI

Here comes the bride.

But first, here comes all the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, flower arrangements, reservations, rehearsal dinners … the list goes on. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but Absorbent, Ink. has some simple, but special ideas that can add to the magic of your big day.

“Save the Date” items are products given to guests before the wedding to remind them of your upcoming wedding date. Ordering personalized products is similar to personalizing cards, so couples can get creative and go beyond a wedding card. The bride and groom’s photo can be printed on a Magnet Calendar, a popular item given to guests anywhere between three months or a year before the wedding. Similarly, Photo Frame Calendars can also include a photo and are great desk accessories for recipients. Practical “Save the Date” items include Mouse Pads and Candle Tins. Guests will be reminded of the wedding date with every use of the product!

“Save the Memories” gifts, better known as wedding favors can range from lavish gift bags to simple knick-knacks. Here’s a tip to keep the stress level and price tags low: wedding reception items can double as wedding favors. Champaign Flutes personalized with the bride and grooms names are great keepsake items for guests. Most guests won’t expect to keep their drink Coasters, but ceramic, metal and leather coasters make an elegant and practical gift. Mint Tins and Candy Favors are a sweet way for guests to save the memories. Pearl Balloons are a simple décor that complement elegant wedding themes. They’re also a fun item for small children to take home.

Calendars are creeping toward April 15, which means federal and state tax returns are due very soon. We know filing a tax return can sometimes be a daunting task. That’s why tax preparers are always encouraging workers to file early before the deadline catches anyone by surprise. Whether you are a tax preparer or employer, it is important to remind workers to file their taxes before April 15. Promotional products and corporate gifts can serve as great reminder tools.

Tax preparers looking to attract customers can hand out Patriotic Stress Balls with an imprinted brand logo and message. Stress balls shaped as the Statue of Liberty or painted like the American flag are fun, reusable items. They remind workers that tax preparation can be a lot less stressful with a little help.

Employers can hand out Calculators to remind employees about the April 15 deadline. It’s a practical item that everyone will need to prepare taxes.

A Coffee Mug is also an effective year-round reminder. Full color mugs are highly noticeable and are versatile items than can be used in the office and at home.

A couple’s wedding is one of the most special and personal events in their relationship. Preparation and planning for months can be stressful, but it is important to remember who and what this day is for; you and your fiancé! One simple, yet important aspect of the wedding to keep in mind is wedding favors. Wedding favors, while small and simple, can be personalized to thank all attendees in a unique and inexpensive way.

The wedding favor tradition dates back to the Roman Empire. Italian wedding favors were originally in the form of metal, and of fruit and sugar-coated nuts. The sweetened Jordan almond was especially important because it symbolized hope and the bittersweet of marriage. Today, we still see remnants of the original Italian almond. These almond, ribbon and confetti wedding favors are typically wrapped in a small sachet and are now the almond is occasionally covered in chocolate.

Another wedding favor that was traditionally given out during the Elizabethan era was sugar cubes in glass boxes. These favors were called bonbonnière. At first, these gifts were only given by aristocrats because sugar was high in price, but over time, the price of sugar dropped, which allowed anyone to give these unique wedding gifts.

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