Applied Creativity

We are always looking for the newest and hottest trends in apparel decoration and have found 5 hot decoration techniques that will give your apparel that "stand out" advantage in the market.

1. Scented Inks: Because sense of smell is the most powerful trigger in memory, the commerical appeal of scented screen printable ink is obvious. Imagine adding a custom scent to a shirt for a new perfume or cologne launch or a fresh brewed pot of joe scent to a Dunkin Donuts coffee campaign.

2. Chromatic Inks: Sure these inks have been around since the 80s when brands such as Body Glove created their infamous hypercolor shirts. Today they are again being used but in more creative ways that help market products. The inks can actually be tweeked so that the chromatic ink design will show up at any temperature the client chooses. The below photo shows a Gold's Gym shirt that shows the appearance of well toned muscles when the body wearing the shirt heats up.

3. Reverse Burn Out Applique: This technique involves placing a piece of applique on the back side of a garment fabric. The design is then laser cut into the front side of the garment. The cut pieces are then removed to reveal the applique underneath adding both dimension and color to the garment.

4. Heat Seal: When embroidery doesn't offer the optimal location or logo integrity desired, a heat seal should be considered. It offers graduated colors and gives a deep textural effect. The process involves printing the logo onto a transfer material. The combination of heat, pressure and time seals the logo from the transfer material to the fabric. This technique brings out the fine details in computer generated artwork and maintains its integrity on preformance fabrics.

5. Crystal Transfers: These transfers are unique in that they incorporate the ability to do a four-color process print with the shimmer and shine of a caviar bead. Once a print is produced, a clear layer of caviar beads is applied over the print. The caviar beads magnify the print underneath, capturing light reflections that allow the designs to sparkle.

Billboard Bags

Let Hall Marketing Group turn your used billboard vinyl into a stylish promotional bag, tote or pouch. Each item constructed from your company’s used billboard vinyl is unique, tough and durable. Best of all they are environmentally sensitive, giving used billboard material a new life and reinforcing a message of commitment to eco-citizenship. We save them from the landfill, and you get a one-of-a-kind promotional item at the same time. Each bag comes with a small patch that informs the customer the item is made from a recycled billboard. Contact Hall Marketing Group to find out more about these and other eco products 972.851.9193.

Great New Green Shipping Product

This clever patent pending shipping device is environmentally friendly. None of the packaging is discarded, it simply becomes a useful tote bag consumers will use for years. The quick glue strip top works just like any self seal mailer and the clear vinyl outside protects the contents during shipping. Backpack constructed of poly non-woven material.colors: available in 20 stock colors size: 13" w x 16".

Get Your Gift Card Noticed

You can purchase gift cards just about anywhere these days – movie theaters, department stores, spas, restaurants and just about any other place that serves customers. Many companies are using gift cards as a holiday gifting option for employees or customers. While gift cards are a great option and people love to receive them, your company’s name is long forgotten once the gift card has been redeemed. We have run across a few interesting ideas to jazz up gift card giving this season that allow you to brand the materials with your name and logo.

The snow globe will create a nice desk piece by inserting a photo after the gift card has been spent. It can be personalized on the black base with a company logo. Using an everyday business item like a business card holder to house the gift card is another great option. Your company’s logo can be debossed on the leather holder and will remind the recipient of your business long after they have cashed in the gift card.

Contact Hall Marketing Group to order these or other great holiday items today. http://www.hallmarketing.com/ or 972-851-9193

New laws make handsfree cell phone devices a must have

Bluetooth Car Kits enable you to use the phone, handsfree, while driving. 90% of the vehicles on the road today do not have Bluetooth. This product has a great saftey aspect allowing phone calls while you are driving, keeping your hands on the steering wheel. The product complies with all of the latest road saftey regulations. Laws passed in some states make the use of handheld cellular phones against the law in all or some areas of the state and many other states have pending legislation regarding the use of cell phones. Contact Hall Marketing Group for more information about the new BlueSky product line. 972.851.9193 www.hallmarketing.com

Q and A on promotional products

Q: How will promotional products help me stretch my marketing budget?

A: Promotional products are useful, and if you pick the right product it serves as a constant reminder of your customer's relationship with your company. This means you stay engaged with your customer, and, as a result, your initial investment adds value over the entire useful life of the product. Other forms of advertising can come and go in 30 seconds, but giving your customer something that they will use on a daily basis allows you to have your name and logo in front of your customer for a longer period of time.

Please send us any other questions you may have regarding promotional marketing and advertising we would be happy to help you find solutions to your marketing needs. Check out our capabilities at www.hallmarketing.com or call us at 972-851-9193.

Keeping Your Crew at the Top of Their Game!

The Washington Business Group on Health found that obesity alone can cost companies $12 billion a year in direct medical costs, claims, lost productivity, absenteeism and higher health care premiums.

Benefits managers may think that lack of funds and lack of available space limit what they can offer their employees on-site. However, there are creative ways for promoting healthy behaviors at the worksite without having a complete fitness facility and a huge budget.

1. Encourage your employees and show them fitness can be fun. Use promotional marketing and advertising products to get everyone involved and continually reward employees.

Load it up. This duffle comes in tons of colors to help incorporate your companys identity.

Watch your step. Pedometers track distance, calories and time giving employees the information they need to stay fit.

Jot it down. A logoed journal can help to keep everyone on the right track.

Squeeze Relief. Brightly color stress balls can be printed with sports themes.

2. Invite local health professionals in to give “lunch and learn” talks.

3. Create a fit tips section on the company bulletin board or intranet to keep fitness at the top of everyones minds.

Planning for your Summer Company Picnic

The company picnic is a beloved tradition at many firms. It's an opportunity for employees to mingle and "let down their hair." A well organized company picnic with good promotional products and planned activities can help bring employees together. See some of our favorite ideas to make your company picnic a hit.

Freshly roasted in the shell peanuts in 3 oz bags.

Soda saver snap top transforms an open 12 oz or 16 oz can into a portable bottle and perserves carbonation for 24 hours. The top is reusable, diswasher safe and leak proof.

Everyone will be sittin' in style with these easy fold beach chairs. They come equipped with a beverage holder, padded headrest and a carry case with shoulder strap.

Flyers are a fun outdoor activity and they boast a large imprint area for you to logo.

Please visit our website http://www.hallmarketing.com/ or call us at 972-851-9193 for more great ideas.

Why Promotional Products???

By now you’ve read the headlines about the economy, and you might be considering cutting back. However, the current economic downturn gives companies the opportunity to build market share and increase sales. It is simply common sense that if you advertise when everyone else is cutting back in this area your company can deliver a more powerful message due to fewer ads in the market. Your business is more likely to be remembered even after other companies have begun advertising again. There are several reasons why promotional products deliver the best return on investment in our current economic conditions.

• 62% of customers do business with a the company from which they receive a promotional product
• 84% of customers remember the business that provided them with the promotional product
• At $.004 per impression promotional products have the best cost per impression of popular media
• 42% of customers reported viewing the business more favorably after receiving a promotional item and virtually none indicated a negative feeling
• On average promotional products are kept for 7 months and many are used every business day

Hall Marketing Group has been in business for over 20 years and we make it our business to know your business. We work with companies of all sizes and provide products in a wide range of prices. Please check out our website to get a preview of what we offer our clients http://www.hallmarketing.com/.

We make it easy being GREEN

Being more eco-friendly can do as much good for your image and bottom line as it can for the planet. Simply making a claim to become green is no longer enough. Today companies must build the idea into their story to reap the full brand enhancement benefits. Products promoting your brand are a good place to start. Non-woven reusable grocery bags have become an instant hit showing up in supermarkets everywhere and putting a positive spin on your logo. Another great giveaway is organic cotton apparel. What most people don’t know about the 100% cotton shirts that they have been wearing for years is that they are actually only 72% cotton. The other 28% is a mixture of pesticide residues, insecticide residues, layers of silicone and other sizing chemicals wrapped around each individual thread as well as formaldehyde residues from coloring and various other toxic fillers. More consumers are seeking out companies that are dedicated to sustainability, making the adoption of green products essential to capturing this flourishing market. Make the switch to our electronic catalog and do your part for the environment. Check out the Go Green section of our website at http://www.hallmarketing.com/.

National Hospital Week May 10-16th 2009

National Hospital Week provides us a great opportunity to recognize those who work as a part of hospital staffs across America. It is these individuals who drive the engine of our nation's health care. National Hospital Week is the largest health care celebration of its kind with hospitals in every state participating in the celebration of health, uniting hospitals, health care professionals and communities.
Hall Marketing Group has been privileged to work with our area's finest hospitals during our 20 plus years in the promotional products business. Below are some of the products we have provided for our health care industry clients. Please visit our website http://www.hallmarketing.com/ or call us at 972-851-9193 for more information.

Totally customizable USB drive figures nurse and surgeon

Camp Backpacks

BMI Wheel

Stethoscope Covers

Badge Reel

Its not too early to start thinking about tailgating season!

With the start of college and professional football seasons just around the corner we have been getting loads of requests for corporate tailgate ideas. Tailgating is a great way to showcase your business while getting involved in the community and supporting your local team. Check out our favorite ideas and must have gear for a company branded party in the parking lot. Vist us at www.hallmarketing.com or call 972-851-9193.

Cruzin Coolers

Corn hole

Team Beverage Wraps

Football Toss Cooler Combo

Hall Marketing Group Joins the World of Blogging

Welcome to our blog, check back often to find fresh content related to the promotional marketing and specialty-advertising industry. We hope to offer you something a little different every week, and keep you up to speed on things such as industry trends, green marketing, sales and specials, unique product findings and stories of success. Please leave us feedback and comments if you would like certain topics addressed. We are looking at this blog as another way to reach out to our customers, and get them the latest news and happenings at their fingertips anytime of day or night. Visit us at www.hallmarketing.com or call 972-851-9193.