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Welcome to Stitches & Screens, our blog about the creative uses of branded merchandise and marketing ideas to help you grow your business. As your marketing partner we want to keep you up to date on industry trends, new products and overall global markets to ensure that we provide you with solutions, Internet marketing tips, articles, and interviews links to ensure that we provide you a complete marketing solution.

Promotions with a Health Theme

// posted by Ross Rosenthal

Mar 19

It is no secret that a poor diet leads to health problems later on in life. According to Fatty foods high in cholesterol are well-known to be a leading cause of atherosclerosis in adults, and people don't always understand the nutritional properties of the food they are eating. A small business can project a responsible brand image by distributing promotional products with suggestions on serving size and alternative ingredients. 


Support a Cause

// posted by Ross Rosenthal

Feb 09

When it comes to promotional marketing, there is nothing more important to a business than projecting an image of personal responsibility and general caring. There are innumerable charities dedicated to specific diseases and ailments, and by supporting such an organization, a small business can expect quality positive reinforcement. 


Q Code Do You Know II

// posted by Ross Rosenthal

Feb 08

Nine Q Code Suggestions
1. Use error correction at the M lever (most code generators have this option). This means that even if up to 15 percent of the code is blocked or dirty, it can be corrected and still be read.
2. Save your codes as a SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) if possible, which is a vectored image XML file. It can be increased or reduced without losing resolution and makes for a better printed code. You can also put colors into the code using Illustrator or CorelDraw. Try out different colors and test, test, test.
3. A good margin or white space is important to the proper rendering of a code. Most codes are 25 modules up and 25 modules across. I like to have at least three or four modules of white space. Do not print on black without having white space beyond the code itself around it.
4. Not every target has a smartphone... it's best to show the URL link the code renders to next to the code when you print. This helps increase your scan rate. About 50 percent of mobile phones in the USA are smartphones, make sure the other 50 percent can respond to your promotion by showing the URL link.
5. Show how to get a free reader. Print "get a free reader at your app store" near the code.
6. Some URL shortener services will let you change the destination link without changing the code. You could then use the same code and redirect it to a different YouTube video or offer each week.
7. Make sure you have color contrast... a dark and a light color... no less than 4:1 ratio (black/white is best). If there is not enough contrast, your code will be harder to read or not be read at all. Other colors can be used as long as you stick to the 4/1 ratio; brown/yellow or red/white would work.
8. Create your code so you can track how many scans it generated... using analytics to improve your project. Both bit.ly and goo.gl offer free analytics when you use their service to shorten an URL.
9. Finally, make sure any code you create for printing is not RGB. Even when printing black and white, it should be changed to a grayscale or CMYK so only the black plate is used when printing. This will help the resolution and make scanning easier by more smartphones. Saving a SVG code as a jpeg will work if it is the actual size it will print at, if it is saved as CMYK and if it is saved at a minimum of 300 dpi. EmbroidMe can help print the Q code on pen's bags, drinkwear, shirts and more.
 


Jan 19

Small businesses should always be looking to support a good cause with promotional products. Supporting a health foundation by providing things like Breast Cancer Awareness promotional items is a great way for a start-up enterprise to project a positive public image. Many health organizations designate specific times of year for support, and the upcoming month of February is American Heart Month. 


White T-shirt Can be Cool

// posted by Ross Rosenthal

Jan 17

He brought cool to new heights with his troubled, loner persona and bad boy looks in Rebel Without A Cause. Girls wanted him and guys, well, they just wanted to be him.  But, it’s James Dean in a White T-shirt and leather jacket that solidified his place in American fashion.  In the transformation his functional undergarment from something Ozzie Nelson wore under his button down shirt. 


Nov 15

Offering incentives increases participation at a minimum of 60% says Melissa Van Dyke, research Foundation. Wellness programs are gaining steam and there’s huge opportunities.  Were beginning to reward employee wellness.  You want people to around to play with their grandchildren instead of being hooked up to some device.  Says Michael Beavais,  Director of worksite wellness at Corporate Synergies Group.  “This is about lives”.