The Promo Column
Blinking into the light S
hops have reopened; people are going back to work; gatherings with others are more possible, and we can travel with fewer restrictions. However, there are still plenty of things that are not back to normal, and let’s not forget why – a naggingly high infection rate, and the worrying possibility of a second wave of COVID-19. It is still a period of uncertainty, but what is hopefully the case is that we are moving, albeit slowly, back to examine the world we shuttered up three months ago. What are we finding? We are all having to make
accommodations at the moment through social distancing, being vigilant over cleanliness and sanitation, and trying to be more understanding to our fellow citizens. Merchandise companies are having to move quickly to understand this new landscape and to pivot towards supplying what companies need at the minute, and also providing some inspiration for tired and possibly dispirited managers who frankly may not have a clue what the coming months will bring.
A few clues
There are a few clues though. There will be more home based activity. Not everyone will go back to work straight away. For some companies, it has been a revelation how much can be accomplished by dispersed teams, so while some will return to their offices, others may continue to work remotely, or with a mixture of both modes. So home offices will need branded pens, mugs, notepads and desk tidies, if only to remind people who they work for.
For all of us emerging from lockdown, the need to be safe remains, which explains the name of PF Concept’s latest range. Be Safe features promotional products with ‘anti-microbial protection’
An item from PF Concept’s Be Safe range
due to the addition of Biomaster technology, which is supposed to inhibit the growth of bacteria by up to 99.99%. Products include the Americano Pure resuable coffee cup, a face mask strap, hygiene key, and hygiene handle. Further additions to the range will be announced.
Staying safe
Staying safe will increasingly mean wearing a face covering of some sort. Although the government shied away from recommending them at the time when a shortage of PPE was a critical issue, this has changed. Face masks became compulsory on public transport from June 15 and more people are seeking them out.
Listawood has announced a partnership with Savile Row tailor Cad & the Dandy to develop a high quality and stylish range of masks which uses superior quality cloths for user comfort and style. The masks are handmade in the UK by Cad & the Dandy’s expert tailors, all based on London’s prestigious Savile Row. With a choice of branding options available, ranging from custom labels on their most popular cloths to edge-to-edge high definition full colour custom print, the masks are available branded from just 10 pieces.
The Savile Row Classic and Savile Row Corporate styles are 100% machine washable with a soft, breathable antimicrobial cotton inner liner. Each stylish mask is beautifully gift-wrapped and packed into an individual gift box along with two PM2.5 carbon filters. As a final personal touch, a signed gift card is inserted by the tailor who made the mask. One of the problems with most face masks is that they hide your personality, however a US designer came up with a great way of letting the real you shine through. Tyler Glaiel developed an LED mask that mimics your mouth movements so that the lights on the mask appear to open and close as you speak. You can even smile.
The only problem is that you’ll have to make it yourself. Glaiel has put instructions for building the mask and the code he developed, online. Parts cost about £40, so if you’re still on furlough and fancy something more challenging than another jigsaw, here’s your opportunity.
Emerge from lockdown While some of us will emerge from lockdown in need of a new wardrobe, several sizes bigger, others will have used
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk July 2020 |21 |
the time to kickstart some changes in their lives. Indeed, many people have probably walked, run and cycled more in the past few months than they have done in years. Some of these changes will become ingrained, with councils looking to make cycling and walking a greater part of the journey to work, merchandise that helps or encourages this will be appreciated.
Fitness computers, such as Oldeani’s vitality tracker can monitor fitness activity including GPS and heart rates. Another thing lockdown has taught us is not to be so profligate. How many of you did a cupboard inventory and decided that all those out of date tins were probably okay after all?
One company that has taken the message to heart is Los Angeles company, Mi Terro, that has taken the unusual step of working with the dairy industry to use spoiled milk to make garments. Apparently, you can extract protein from milk and uses it to spin into sustainable fibres – mind blown! I’ve heard of not crying over spilt milk, but this takes it to a new level.
Stay safe everyone.
Mi Terro’s T shirt
And slowly we start to return to normal, although it’s not quite the same is it? Promotional products commentator, Stuart Derrick, reports on the new normal and what this means for the promo world.
Tyler Glaiel’s LED mask
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