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Why is it that when you receive an apparel order, sometimes the same colors will come in different shades?
Mar 25th
Hello everyone. This is a question that I have heard many times over the years. You order navy blue polo shirts, they come in, and yet they are not all the exact same shade of navy blue. What gives? I will tell what you the deal is. Two words… DYE LOTS. A dye lot is a record taken during the dyeing of yarn to identify yarn that received its coloration in the same vat at the same time. When a manufacturer has their apparel item made overseas, quite often, they make the same item in several different factories. Factors such as price of material, availability of material, and production capacity play key factors in that. For example, you will notice that when the color does not come in the exact same, on the label it will say made in China on one, and made in Vietnam on the other. Check it out next time. Because they were made in different factories, the color dye lots are not identical, and thus the different shading.
If you want to have a better shot of avoiding that scenario, ask the place you order your logoed apparel from (preferably that should always be me), to make sure the country of origin is all the same for the apparel order you are placing. Otherwise, what I described above can definitely happen.
Thanks for listening. Enjoy the day.
Dan
When was the last time you gave your employees something cool to say thanks?
Mar 24th
by Dan Broudy, CEO of rushIMPRINT
When was the last time you gave one of your employees something cool to say thanks?
Hello everyone. If the answer to the title of this blog is, “I cannot remember”, dude…. it’s time. I am guilty as well. We have a lot of talented people on our staff, and with the speed at which we get
things done, sometimes I forget to say thank you. I just assume it’s the norm to work that fast and be a badass if you work at rushIMPRINT.
On the right is a picture of Perry, our head of our graphic design. I just hooked him up with a logoed Nike windshirt to say thanks for always rocking it for us. Those email virtual proofs you get from us… it is either Perry or one of his team members getting it for you. When you give your employee something cool, add your logo to it. Make them feel like they are one of the team. Make them want to wear it or carry it outside your workspace and be proud to market it to the community. If you need any ideas on cool employee gifts, tweet me,
email me (dbroudy at rushimprint.com), Facebook me, post it to this blog or just pull a Matt Parkman and use mental telepathy:
Whatever is easiest for you. But whether you get them something or not, thank your employee stars. Without them, your company would not be the same, and you know it. Thanks for listening. Enjoy the day.
Why You Need to be using USA Made Hand Sanitizer
Mar 23rd
Hello everyone. Since the 4th quarter 2009 and still going to this day, Anti-Bacterial Hand Sanitizer spray and gel has been selling like hotcakes. It is the iPod of our industry. H1N1 this, Swine Flu that… everyone has to have some. Did you know that for anti-bacterial gel and spray to be approved by the FDA, that it must have an alcohol concentration of at least 62% to kill bacteria. Unfortunately there are some sources overseas that are supplying our industry with as low as 40% alcohol. In other words, if you were using the 40% version you might as well be washing with water and getting spiritual, because it ain’t killing germs.
The benefits of using USA Made is that it is produced at an FDA approved and audited facility, meaning the products come out of a clean, up to code facility with ingredients and methods that are up to date with the FDA. Unfortunately there are some distributors that are using sources that are bringing in their personal care goods from China, where there is no regulation as to what is going in these products and they also don’t have to provide documentation for what is going in these products. They also don’t have to have any kinds of regulations for what kind of facility these are being produced out of. They could be using a hut for all we know.
It’s just a matter of what do you want on your skin & lips. A product that you can guarantee is clean and sanitary or something you think might be that way. I’m not saying that all sources overseas are not using facilities that are nice, but without an FDA approval it’s impossible to tell. And anyone that tells you they are an FDA approved facility that is importing their product is lying. They may use FDA standards, but it’s impossible to be an FDA approved facility in China.
The moral of the story… when purchasing logoed anti-bacterial hand sanitizer spray and gel, it is safer to use USA Made product. Cheaper is not always better, especially when it relates to your health. Thanks for listening. Enjoy the day.
PS – The only kind we carry at rushIMPRINT is USA MADE.
Get Ready for Kick Butts Day on March 24
Mar 22nd
It is Kick Butts Day on March 24, 2010. You might be wondering if this is something that I made up on a whim, or is there actually a day like this. Well, there is. Kick Butts Day is a way to empower the youth in the United States to take a stand against tobacco. There are events all over the country. When you go on the web site, you will see a national map, powered by Google, that shows what cities are holding events on Wednesday. The site also shows you the way you can get involved, whether it be attending an event or making #kickbutts a trending topic on Twitter that day, resources, and gear you can wear to show your support.
The Kick Butts Day Store has a variety of products that can appeal to many people, mainly tailored to the youth of this country. There are wristbands, iPod case, shirt, and temporary tattoos. You can even get a custom Kick Butt Day photobook to always remember that day. What if you are older, but you still want to show your support, and you are not sure if a temporary tattoo is something you want? Here are some gear that older people can tailor for Kick Butts Day.
Take a red shirt, and put a creative phrase on there that shows your support for the youth in this country taking action against tobacco. You can even download some promotional material off of the Kick Butts Day site, and use that to put on your shirt.
More than likely, adults will have to be with the youth while they go around and show their support for this great cause. Therefore, why not create a tote that show your own support for Kick Butts Day, while holding all of the kids’ stuff that you will be dragging around.
Place your mug in a spot where everyone can see it and can come ask you, “What in the world is Kick Butts Day?” It will give you a way to tell people about the day without them feeling that you are being intrusive. While you are showing off your Kick Butts Day, make sure to take care of yourself and fill it with your favorite drink.
Kick Butts Day is a great campaign to show kids how to stay tobacco free. If there are events happening in your city, then jump at the chance to help or attend.
Help us improve rushIMPRINT and you could win $200 of free promos
Mar 22nd
by Dan Broudy, CEO of rushIMPRINT
I want to make the rushimprint.com online experience faster and more user friendly for our customers.
Hello everyone. I need your help. While we have made many upgrades to rushIMPRINT this year, I want to make the user experience easier and faster, and I am hoping you will help us to do that. Every aspect of what we do at rushIMPRINT has to do with speed. We love getting orders done faster than expected, getting art proofs out in record time, and we love making our customers experience as quick and easy as possible. I liken our inside customer service reps to gunslingers. They need to be quick on the draw for any rush scenario, and be relentless in their pursuit of customer satisfaction.
In the immortal words of Jerry Maguire: “Help me help you”. All I ask is that you don’t laugh at me the way the character Rod Tidwell laughed at Jerry Maguire. If you could please submit to me your best ideas of what upgrades to our website or tweaks to the ordering process that would make the overall user experience better and faster, any changes that get implemented, I will give you $200 worth of promos with your logo on it. Post them on our blog, tweet us, make a comment on our Facebook account or just email me dbroudy at rushimprint.com.
If you can get back to us as quickly as possible, it would be much appreciated. Thank you for your patronage, and for sharing your ideas.
Dan Broudy
15 Fun Clocks to Help You Keep Track of Time
Mar 16th
Time is something that everyone needs to keep track of sooner or later. Therefore, a clock is an essential item that is in every household. Being that everyone has a clock, then why not have fun with it and get a wacky, kooky one that will make your houseguests trying to figure out where you got it. Here are 15 fun clocks that will give some style to telling time.
1. Spirit of St. Louis Desktop Clock Radio
This clock was made for world travelers who want an AM/FM clock radio that also tells time. It looks like one of those old-school suitcases that you would stick stickers to show where you have been. The clock’s minute and hour hands glow in the dark, so you can even use it as a night light.
2. Record Player Clock
Music lovers will rejoice when they see this clock. It’s a clock that looks like a record player that is actually made out of one. Made from a recycled Motorola record player, this clock even has an actual record that it uses, “I’ll Be Around” by Tommy James and the Shondells, which is replaceable.
3. Ying Yang Clock
This clock redefines that feng shui feel by balancing time with a picture that will make you stop and smile. You do not have to search around for the perfect picture that is the right size to stick in the photo frame. Instead, you can upload the image you desire, and you have your perfect ying yang clock.
4. Lego Radio Alarm Clock
This is a great clock for children and lego-lovin’ adults. It has a AM/FM radio that allows you to wake up to your favorite music, or just listen to it whenever you want. There are some clocks that make it hard for you to hit the “Snooze” button. With the clock’s big buttons, you will never have to worry about that. This could be a good or bad thing because you might just stay in bed.
5. The Gizmo Clock
If you are someone who is constantly knocking your clock on the floor, then the Gizmo Clock is the right one for you. It has suction cups on the bottom of the feet, so it will be stuck to wherever you place it. You can place this clock wherever you want. For instance, your bedroom, office, kitchen, living room, and the keeps going.
6. Uomino Tavolo
Everyone has heard that expression that “time is running out.” Now, there is a clock can say it for you. This clock will be a constant reminder to not procrastinate because you will look at it, and see time passing you by. It’s a great gift for someone who never seems to be on time.
7. Aspiral Clocks
A unique clock that comes in all different colors and designs. The red ball keeps going and going until it reaches the 12th hour. Like a pinball, it goes through the hole in the middle, and it starts right back up again.
8. Elements Water Powered Clock
For the environmentalist in you, this clock actually runs on water for 1.5 weeks. It helps you keep track of the time and date without needing to use a battery or power charger. Great way to teach people that you can make a difference even by telling time.
9. Retro Alarm Clock
This clock will make you think about all the beach movies you watched growing up. Where everyone starts dancing and singing out of the blue, and use words like “Cowabunga.” If you are into retro designs, then you will love this clock that looks like it’s on an old-school surfboard.
10. Helice Clock
Colors are a great way to bring light to a clock and your room. This clock tells the time, date, and temperature. The colors are brought out by the minimalistic design.
11. 3-Port USB Hub with Clock 
If you want to keep track of time, while connecting your electronics, then here is this clock for your enjoyment. You can connect three different gadgets (i.e. laptop, PDA, etc) at the same time. The clock comes in green, pink, or blue.
12. Amone World Time Clock
This clock tells time in 18 cities all over the world. It displays the time, date, calendar, and thermometer in three tiers. It helps in reading the information, and not having it be in the same window. Definitely a clock with style.
13. Starbust Clock
This clock will brighten any wall. There are different color schemes, depending on your preference. It may take awhile to tell the time, but it’s definitely worth it when you have everyone exclaiming how fun your clock is.
14. Beer Fly ClockFine Clock
Beer drinkers, now here is a clock for you. It is a custom image of a beer drink that will make you daydream while you watch time go by. According to the makers, the print will last 100 years without fading. So drink a beer, and enjoy your clock.
15. Impress Clock/Organizer
Time management and organization go hand-in-hand, so why not have a clock that helps you do this? This clock will keep your supplies in order while you know what time it is.
rushTSHIRTS Battles Against Cancer
Mar 11th
Just a few weeks ago, an incredible event occurred. In an indoor cycling event, more than 30 participants biked over 6,000 miles collectively in a 6 hour period to raise money for cancer.
What’s the status? Wendy from Howley Bread tells us, “WOW, what an event…8 teams equals 40 Panera employees on spin bikes working out and raising $9.578.00 plus $2k in donated food! The event itself raised a total of $81,575 for CSFAC!”
Incredible. rushTSHIRTS provided some great apprael for the events. You can tell that the event was a huge success.
St. Patrick’s Day: Items to Show Off Your Irish Pride
Mar 9th
St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most recognized holidays around the world. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years. It slowly changed to the festivities that we hold today. In the mid-1990′s, the Irish government wanted use St. Patrick’s Day as a way for the Irish to embrace their history and culture. St. Patrick’s Day has now turned into a holiday that is enjoyed world-wide, and by a variety of people,some who are not even of Irish descent. People celebrate by wearing greens, eating Irish food, and drinking beer. Therefore, you have to make sure that you are ready to venture outside your home wearing some St. Paddy’s gear. If you don’t wear green, you will have a sore arm from all these pinches you are going to be receiving. There are so many ways to represent your Irish (even if you’re not) pride by having a few items.
Definitely have a t-shirt says a famous saying, such as “Kiss Me, I’m Irish.” If you want to be more original, then why not create your own St. Paddy’s shirt with your own saying it on it. You can start with a green shirt, and you can either add shamrocks all over it, or make the saying stand out. on its own. Add a green cap to the ensemble, and you will not have to worry that someone will pinch you for not wearing green.
You should add a St. Patrick’s necklace or two the ensemble. This can be a quick and easy way to show other people that you mean business. Necklaces can be a way to bond as well because you can take one off of your neck, and pass it out to your friends, or a complete stranger, who is at the same Irish pub as you. Definitely a great conversation starter, especially when you have a unique one.
This can also be a great way to connect with your clients, if you are an entrepreneur and/or business owner. You can hand these to your clients whenever you see them. This is a great way to have your clients remember you because you will be one of the only, maybe the ONLY one, who will send something out during St. Patrick’s.
There are buttons, magnets, and even wigs to show your Irish spirit.
Customizing gear to fit what you want is the best way to go because you will get stopped while walking around the pub by people asking where you got it because they have never seen it before. Don’t wait til March 17th to get all your St. Paddy’s day swag!
rushIMPRINT’s Charity Commitment: Milestone Centers Inc.
Mar 4th
rushIMPRINT is devoted to the non-profit organization, and this week, we’ve taken the plunge to help a local Pittsburgh organization, the Milestone Centers Inc.. Milestone is based out of Southwestern Pennsylvania and provides services to individuals with behavioral and intellectual challenges. Milestone offers counseling, rehabilitation and training, information and referral services, consultation, education and prevention services, developmental activities programs, and a whole lot more.
This past month, we donated some promotional t-shirts from rushTSHIRTS to acknowledge Milestone’s commitment to community:
As you can tell, they’re super excited to wear it!
Kate of Milestone has said, “Thank you rushIMPRINT for helping us ‘help extraordinary people live ordinary lives.’” Thank YOU, Milestone, for making that happen.
Throw an A-List Academy Awards Party
Mar 2nd
If you are a movie fan, then you know that the Academy Awards is this Sunday on March 7, 2010. This is where everyone in Hollywood will be strolling down the red carpet in their most glamorous gowns and suits. You might not be there to join them, but you can celebrate the biggest night in Hollywood by getting all your movie-loving friends together and throwing an Academy Awards party. You can cheer and jeer at the movies, actors, directors, etc. that win Oscars this year. These are the steps to throw an Academy Awards party fit for celebrities.
Send Out Your Oscar Invitations
Use Evite or Socialzr to send your invitees flashy invitations letting them know that the Academy Awards party is on. The best time to send them is a month to six weeks before the party, so your friends have time to RSVP. It will give you enough time to figure out the amount of food, drinks, and space you’ll need for the party to run smoothly.
Lights! Camera! Action! Decorate Away
Decorating for an Academy Awards party is very easy because your television will be the center star. However, you can make the rest of your place feel like an Oscar event by hanging star garlands around your house. There are decorations made specifically for the Academy Awards, so it’s easy to glam up your place without giving it much thought. You can even have a red carpet leading to your door that will make your guests feel like they are being followed by paparazzi. Maybe snap a picture of them when they walk through your door, and/or have a microphone and announce their arrival.
Have All the Food a Movie Lover Would Want
You might want to make the party very ritzy and serve little hors d’oeuvres to your guests. However, the Academy Awards is a pretty long show, so you want to stick with food that will fill them up, so they are not starving. Buffalo wings, chip-n- dip, swedish meatballs, etc. The one thing that every Academy Awards party should have is popcorn. Why not create get an Oscars artwork, and create your own popcorn bin that you can give to your guests? Get enough non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, or even tell your guests to bring their own, so that you are not scrambling for anything when they are announcing the Oscar winners.
Wear Something that Will Have You on the Best-Dressed List
There are so many ways to go with what to wear for your Academy Awards party. If you are going to make it trendy, have your guests wear evening dresses and suits. Another great angle is having your guests dress up as their favorite Oscar-worthy movie character. You will already have the one-up on having a successful party by doing this. If you just want your friends to be comfortable while you lounge around watching the Academy Awards, then ask everyone to wear their pajamas.
Make a Game of the Oscar Winners
Before the Academy Awards officially being, pass around Oscar Party Pool Sheets to your guests. Have them fill out their guesses as to who they think will win. The person who gets the most guesses right should get his/her own Oscar. Make your own version of the Oscar, and after the real Academy Awards are finished, present the Oscar to the winner. Have the winner give a thank-you speech to all the people who really, really loved him/her.
There are so many ways to throw a successful Academy Awards party. Whatever you decide to do, just remember to have fun and enjoy the Oscars. Even if your picks do not win, you will still be a winner.