For the last six years, TurnKey Promotions’ supplier-partner Stencil has led the Australian apparel market with their production of high-quality, high-tech clothing.
Stencil is perhaps best known for its famous Cool Dry® fabric, an innovative moisture-wicking fabric that breathes like a cotton, is quick drying and has antibacterial properties, making it cool and comfortable to wear all year round.
Over the past few years, Stencil has invested extensively in new technology to bring to market a number of groundbreaking, eco-friendly fabrics that can be found in some of TurnKey Promotion’s new ranges of polo shirts and apparel. These fabrics include:
Stencil Clime-Ori® Stencil Clime-Ori® was developed by Stencil in partnership with DuPont, using DuPont’s new Sorona technology. Clime-Ori® mixes the excellence of Cool Dry® with the innovative spring-like structure of Sorona, giving Clime-Ori® a an impressive set of attributes including colourfastness and stain-resistance.
Stencil Nano-Gear® Produced in both 100% cotton and poly/cotton blends, Stencil Nano-Gear® uses nano-scale polymers (engineered to attach to the individual fibres) to leave the finished garments astoundingly stain-resistant and wrinkle-free.
Stencil Bio-Weave® Stencil’s newest natural fibre combines traditional techniques with high technology to create a fabric unlike any other. A close cousin of rayon and lyocell, Bio-Weave® utilizes revolutionary wood-pulp manufacturing techniques to produce a fabric that has longlasting colours, is wrinkle-free and kind to sensitive skin.
The Sorona Polo
This year, TurnKey Promotions introduces Stencil’s Sorona Polo– proving that scratchy, uncomfortable eco-friendly fabrics are a thing of the past.
Comprised of an ecologically responsible plant-origin fibre, the Sorona Polo not only offers unmatched wear characteristics, but also requires 30% less energy to produce than a comparative nylon shirt. Our new Sorona Polo is also manufactured using natural fermentation in place of chemical processing, reducing its environmental impact without sacrificing quality or performance.
The finished product is smooth, silky and available in a range of attractive colours that won’t fade with wash or wear thanks to the fabric’s inherently high UV resistance.
To enquire about the Sorona Polo or any of Stencil’s fabrics, please contact TurnKey Promotions on 1300 153 707.
On the 1st of November 2022, NSW will join the ACT, QLD, SA and WA at the forefront of the national sustainability movement by implementing a ban on single-use plastic items.
The ban follows the state-wide prohibition of lightweight single-use plastic bags (implemented in June) and includes straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls, cotton buds, polystyrene takeaway food containers and more.
The scale of damage inflicted by callous human disposal of plastic products throughout the past 50 years is simply immeasurable. Since regular production of plastic bags began in the 1970’s, scientists tragically estimate that mankind has effectively killed off 49% of all marine life species (Living Blue Planet Report 2015, WWF).
By banning harmful plastic products, we are reducing the shameful amount of plastic that currently pollutes our oceans and taking an important step towards a brighter, more sustainable future for us all.
“The ban is expected to stop 2.7 billion single-use items from ending up in our natural environment and waterways over the next 20 years.”
NSW Treasurer and Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean
A number of products are temporarily exempt from the ban. These exemptions extend to serving utensils (such as salad servers or tongs), packing seals for food and beverage items and items that are mechanically attached to or included within food packaging (such as a straw in a juicebox).
A two-year exemption for plastic-lined paper plates and bowls that are decorated with patterns and/or pictures has also been granted by the state government to give small businesses time to adjust to the new legislation.
These everyday products have been a part of our lives for decades- what do we use now?
There are so many great alternatives to these soon-to-be-banned plastic products- and TurnKey Promotions can help you get your hands on them in no time at all!
We pride ourselves on sourcing thoughtfully designed, clever alternatives to products comprised of toxic plastics or materials. Plus, we can customize any item we source with your company logo or brand message.
Some of our favourite eco-friendly, reuseable products include:
Ash Recycled Large Shopper Tote This durable shopper tote holds more than 30lbs. features a large open main compartment, 11.5″ drop handles and is made of RPET material.
Replaces: Single-use plastic bags
Harvest Produce Bags in Pouch Includes five mesh drawstring bags in a drawstring polyester pouch.
Replaces: Plastic produce bags
Newton Salad Shaker This shaker holds salad and dressing in separate compartments (710ml).
Replaces: Polystyrene takeaway food containers
Delish Eco Cutlery Set Includes full size fork, knife and spoon in a push-lid container. Made from a 50/50 blend of wheat fibre and BPA free polypropylene. Replaces: Disposable plastic cutlery
Reuseable Straw in Bottle Opener Case The flexible, reusable straw collapses to fit into a portable container equipped with a bottle opener.
Replaces: Plastic straws
Bendigo Enamel Bowl Durable stainless steel bowl which is BPA-free and has a stylish enamel finish.
Replaces: Paper bowls (takeaway food packaging)
To enquire about any of the products listed above, please call TurnKey Promotions on 1300 153 707. Alternatively, for more great eco-friendly promotional products, download and browse Turnkey Promotions’ Eco-Living Catalogue.
There is logic in creative thinking and expression. Despite whether the creative or the audience is aware of it. Unconsciously we are drawn to design that follows at least one or more of the key principles of design. On the other hand, we repel, and feel like something isn’t right or is missing if none of the principles are adhered to… which may be what the designer is trying to achieve. Hence the importance of firstly knowing what your desired outcome is of any design piece.
WHAT ARE THE KEY PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
There are six basic principles, however, some theories state there are up to 20 principles, but from research it is a further dissection/layering of one of the key principles below. The basic principles will suffice in creating ‘good design’. The theory is that at least one of the design principles should be incorporated to achieve good design, however, all the six principles can be incorporated into the one piece.
Alignment
This helps us to create order and an invisible connection between elements. In today’s world, the number of messages that we engage in / cross our path each day, makes it essential for us to make it easy to understand quickly what it is that we want to the audience to think or do. It is a simple but effective way to creating sharp design. Interestingly, the word alignment, infers a feeling of balance and peace.
Repetition
Something that is used when you have multiple pages or pieces typically, but we can also see this principle used in one-offs. In this case, it would be for the purpose of making a very strong statement that leaves an imprint. Repetition, generally, is about creating consistency. Consistency makes people feel safe, provide clarity and helps build trust. Unless your brand is very established, playing around with the treatment of your logo for example, will only confuse your audience, whilst forgoing the opportunity of building familiarity with your brand.
Contrast
Contrast is all about emphasis. You can achieve contrast with type, colour, images, shapes, lines, etc. It’s a great tool to help guide the viewer, also playing a role in the principle of hierarchy (below). Creating strong contrast definitely helps with grabbing attention. So if you have a big message you want to get across, use contrast. You will see this principle adopted in many political movement communications.
Hierarchy
Is a means of prioritising the message order, so the design doesn’t create chaos and lose the viewer, as they are not sure what path to follow to take in the information. Our eyes, when looking at something, are looking for order of where to start and where to end. When it comes to a marketing message what is the order from the most important to least important in the eyes of the viewer: is it your logo, the message, your website, the visual, the contact details, etc? It’s crucial that we think from the viewer’s perspective. This has created many interesting conversations between creatives and clients on the percentage of space given to a logo!! Currently the trend of minimisation is impacting how and where and if we position various components… and leaving us to ask the question… do we actually need them at all?
Balance
It is what it says. You can achieve this in two ways: symmetrical, when the weight is evenly distributed (ie, two equal halves) and asymmetrical, through using contrast (eg, dark and light). Keep in mind what you are trying to achieve and whether this design principle is applicable.
Colour – Is not a key principle, per se, but we think it’s worth including.
A game changing principle to any design piece. The key is to know how far you can take colour and when to pull it back. In most design courses, colour is the last thing you get to play with so you can focus on learning to leverage the effectiveness of all other principles. A good discipline to establish. Work on the order first and then play with colour. There are millions of colours, each every one tells a story. So think about the story you are creating with the colours you are using. If you are looking for inspiration, look to nature. There is a magic in natural that achieves colour combinations that we might not ordinarily be able to achieve.
WHAT ROLE DOES THIS PLAY WHEN IT COMES TO PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS?
In 1919, founder of Bauhaus (An art school in Germany), Walter Gropius had the idea that design should meet the needs of society.
This thinking is still relevant today. Before we step into designing any promotional piece, we must try to understand how it will meet the needs of the user/audience. The more aligned we are with this, the more value the audience will place on the item. So staying close to what’s trending is important to ensuring your brand/business stays relevant. A well thought through promotional product clearly denotes your relevance in the market … an image speaks a thousand words. Doing something for the sake of doing it, without the thinking, will come through and may devalue your brand in its market.
What we are seeing now is how, what were once considered promotional products, have become a merchandise range, for companies like VB and Tiffany’s. It has become a means of leveraging their engagement across new channels and new audiences. In itself, it is/has become a marketing medium that the consumer is paying for. For the reason that the brand value has been well established. VB has engaged fashion designers to create their new range of apparel line – which is a big step forward.
Before you go straight to the ‘promotional product’ consider the following:
Start with your customer
Research what is trending in the industry and consumer market
Be clear about what you are trying to achieve
Consider some concepts
Think about the message and the relevance.
When you go into design, apply two or more of the design principles listed above.
GREAT DESIGN ADDS VALUE
At first you may not being able to assign a monetary value to great design, however if it’s having an impact on perception, then this is the beginning of a new era for your brand, business and you. You, is in reference to how you think and feel about your brand. That it is worthy of the investment, that the customers are also worthy, that the alignment with your desired brand positioning (if your current one doesn’t cut it) is crucial to continuing to build ‘perceived value’. And perceived value, at the end of the day, is a ‘real value’. Sometimes our biggest challenge is knowing our true value!!!
Tradeshows are a dime a dozen. If you have recently been to the ICC in Sydney, you will see that there can be up to five shows on any given day. This year alone, I have gone to over five tradeshows.
Tradeshows are a great way to engage with your current and potentially new customers in a way you cannot do online.
But it’s a show. It’s theatre.
The more theatre, the more engaging, the more customers to your stand, the better the opportunity for new business.
The same people are attending the same tradeshows year on year, it’s in everyone’s best interests for business and brands to continue to bring new life to their stand.
Here are our tips for putting on the show:
Each year start with a blank canvas – Open the door for some new thinking. How can we do it better than last year?
Communicating to your customers before the show telling them what they could expect when they visit.
Create space in your space. More room for customers. And the more customers on your stand, the more drawn to the stand will any passers-by.
Bring some fun. What are the fun spikes? This is good for both the staff on the stand and the customers.
Food is always a draw card. As long as it’s relevant. Having chocolates and snacks gets people, but it’s even better if the give-away has a direct association with what you do. Promotional products are a great take-home. If you take the time to create something that is too good to discard post the show, it’s a great opportunity for your brand awareness and consideration. Even better if you tie in a call to action.
Stand design… it’s worth the investment. It’s the difference between someone stopping or not. You want to stand out. What will it take for you to be up there with the best of the best.
Follow up! Get leads, add to your database. Then make sure you follow up and keep interacting after the show.
Energy is everything. Dynamic personalities that can speak to anyone and everyone and have fun at the same time. Find these people to work on your stand so you make it work hard, and get a great ROI.
Tradeshows are a dime a dozen. If you have recently been to the ICC in Sydney, you will see that there can be up to five shows on any given day. This year alone, I have gone to over five tradeshows.