Quality Resource Blog

The History of Promotional Products
If you've ever been to a music festival or convention and walked away with a bag full of freebies, then you know that promotional products work! But did you know that those quirky logoed products have a long history? In fact, the history of promotional products goes back to the United States of America's birth as an independent nation.
Buying Guide: Company Cookout
Summer is certainly the season of company cookouts. There's nothing better than the smell of food on the grill, especially when you're not responsible for cooking! Make your organization's next ...
Must-Have Products for Trade Shows
Trade show season is a whirlwind of travel, stress, and excitement. Planning and purchasing are critical to ensure a successful event and proper presentation of your brand.
Buying Guide: Company Picnic
Planning a company picnic this year? Step it up a level by creating a custom kit of gifts for your employees with branded merch that fits the theme. Follow this guide to create a package of items ...
How to Choose Uniforms for Your Restaurant Staff
Choosing a restaurant uniform is often easier said than done. As a restauranteur, how do you effectively balance function, form and budget?
Buying Guide: Employee Rewards
Picking rewards for employees that they’ll actually want to receive can be a challenge. While traditional awards such as plaques, crystals and badges have their place - today’s workers prefer branded ...
Sales Retreat Essentials
Spring, summer and fall are all common times for businesses to host sales retreats and getaways for important members of your organization. If you’re planning a large gathering this year, treat your ...
Welcome Kit Ideas for Healthcare Employees
When onboarding a new employee for your healthcare enterprise, first impressions matter. A curated welcome kit kicks off the journey with an expression of gratitude for the partnership. Include these ...
Buying Guide: Luxury Corporate Gifts
Looking to reward your most valued employees and organization members? Choose a gift that will make a big impression with our curated list of high end and luxury corporate products. Each of these ...
4 Lessons from Companies with the Best Recognition Programs
Looking forward, progressive companies realize that employee recognition will continue to be vital within a competitive job market. To this idea, you may be wondering what the best of the best are ...
2024 Product Catalogs Guide
New trends, seasonal offerings, fresh styles... Our collection of 2024 catalogs has it all. Get the scoop on what’s going to be hot with this rundown of our latest batch of apparel and product guides.
Wayfinding Signage Checklist for New Locations
When opening a new location for your organization, signage is critical. Wayfinding signage helps customers, members, and employees locate key areas of interest, as well as vital safety information.
Buying Guide: Instant Cameras
What’s old is new again, and what’s retro is cool. If you’re looking for a unique promotional product, look into the past. Instant cameras make a fun and unforgettable gift for employees and ...
Welcome Kit Ideas for the Insurance Industry
Onboarding new employees is an exciting activity - and first impressions matter. Put your best foot forward with a thoughtfully curated welcome kit, full of branded merchandise.
Employee Recognition and Retention Trends for 2024
Keeping employees engaged through meaningful rewards and recognition will continue to be vital in 2024. However, the tactics that are most effective may change. Explore the top trends for employee ...
Must-Haves for New Hire Kits
A cohesive and comprehensive onboarding experience is vital for ongoing employee retention efforts and forging powerful relationships. Put your best foot forward with a thoughtful new hire kit to ...
Buying Guide: Remote Employee Onboarding Kit
An employee's early days on a new team are vital and can set the tone for their expectations and feelings of inclusivity. Make them feel welcome by providing a thoughtfully-curated onboarding kit, ...
What to Consider When Building a Company Store
Offering a company store is a fantastic way to streamline uniform ordering and offer employees (or customers) an opportunity to promote your brand through real-world applications. Before building an ...
2024 Promotional Swag Trends
As we round out 2023, it’s time to look ahead to the next year. Below are five promotional product trends that we’re seeing emerge and expect to increase in popularity in 2024.
How to Get Employees Excited About Company Swag
Employees can be the best form of advertising for your business but how do you create these sort of genuine opportunities for promotion? Offering unique company swag is perfect for real world product ...
Print and Direct Mail Trends for 2024
Print and direct mail strategies are ever changing and continue to evolve through the years. Stay ahead of the curve by scoping out these three big trends that will impact your print marketing plans ...
Quick Turnaround Products for Last-Minute Holiday Shopping
The holidays are rapidly approaching (Eeek!). If you need to put in a last-minute corporate gift order, luckily there's still some time to do so. Explore our curated list below of quick turnaround ...
Create an Employee Recognition Program That Works
Most companies have some form of employee recognition. Few have a strategy that’s effective. In order to create a recognition program that actually works, you need to be intentional with both your ...
Buying Guide: Promo Stocking Stuffers
Stocking stuffers are a fantastic way to deliver fun, engaging promotional items at a lower cost. Check out our hand-picked selection for the 2023 Holidays. These small promo items are sure to make a ...
Buying Guide: Delicious Consumables
When choosing promotional items, it's important to pick products that recipients will use frequently or offer high visibility to increase recall, impressions, and positive feelings towards a brand. ...
Are you a Sipper or Chugger?
We all have our favorite beverages. For some, a morning coffee is completely non-negotiable; a must-have that only a true disaster could keep them away from. For others, a workout/hydrating drink is ...
Create a Fun Unboxing Experience with Corporate Holiday Gifts
The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to show appreciation to clients, partners, and employees with thoughtful corporate gifts. But here's the catch: how do you make this year's gift-giving ...
How to Create a Culture of Recognition
Employee recognition is a critical tool for retention and attracting new employees. The most effective organizations understand the impact of these programs and build an incentivization structure ...
6 Must-Read Holiday Gifting Guides for 2023
The 2023 Holidays are right around the corner - are you ready? Prep for the giving season with beautifully branded merch that clients and employees will want to use year-round.
How to Choose Effective Thank You Gifts for Customers
Choosing thank you gifts for your most important clients goes beyond selecting what's easiest to give, cheapest to buy, or trendiest at the moment. The most effective approach for this type of ...
Just Launched: Five Fall Catalogs for Trending Products
Step into fall with our new seasonal catalogs. From cozy wearables to meaningful moments, browse these branded guides for some autumn inspo.
Types of Employee Recognition Programs
Employee recognition is about more than just bonuses and awards; it’s about making your team feel appreciated in whatever way means the most to them. This includes things like a team trip, a paid day ...
How Recognition Programs Fight Burnout
Burnout is a problem most organizations are facing today. Whether a seasoned employee or new member of a team, anyone can be susceptible to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted from their job. Putting ...
Buying Guide: Self-Care and Spa
Self-care and spa promotional products are an excellent way to treat your employees and customers to some R&R, and help support your brand identity.
Trendy Company Swag Ideas for Fall 2023
As we transition into fall, get ahead of the curve with these trendy company swag items that are sure to impress.
Why You Should Let Employees Pick Their Recognition Gifts
How a company recognizes its staff greatly impacts how those employees view their overall career and contributes to workplace satisfaction. One of the ways you can cultivate a positive and productive ...
Buying Guide: Sustainable Wear
From recycled fabrics to mindful tailoring to fine details, these apparel items weave sustainability and innovation into every thread!
How to Create a Custom Company Store for Your Employees
Creating a custom company store for your employees can be an innovative way to boost morale, cultivate a sense of belonging, and even promote your brand. Whether you want to provide personalized ...
Thank You Gifts for Customers (They'll Actually Want to Keep)
Strengthening your relationship with key customers is critical - and the power of promotional items helps to reinforce that connection. However, it’s not enough to just give your customers basic ...
The Constellation Model: Understanding Customer Buying Behavior
Why do consumers make the buying decisions they do? How do they choose a company to work with? It’s not as simple as picking the “best” option for their needs. In fact, customers are often willing to ...
Why Employee Recognition Should Be Part of Your DEI Program
Organizations with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs should consider employee recognition as a key element to further any DEI initiatives - but unfortunately, not everyone does. The ...
12 Summer Catalogs for Bold Branding Ideas
Summer is here - and so are our new catalogs! Get some inspo for your promo, wearables, and recognition with these bold summer catalogs.
Use Promo to Tell Your Brand's Story
Every successful brand has a story. Not just the events on a calendar - but a mission, vision, and values that create a compelling narrative. An effective branding strategy taps into these ideas and ...
Comparing 5 Popular Customer Loyalty Models
Loyalty programs are a proven, effective way to connect with your customers and gamify the shopping experience to incentivize loyalty and repeat purchases. There are a few options to choose from when ...
How to Create Cool Corporate Gifting Kits
No matter the brand, all companies have the opportunity to be seen as cool, especially to those in their orbit. Make a big splash with employees or customers by building an impressive corporate gift ...
Prep For Pride Month with Promo That Pops!
Pride month kicks off in June - plan ahead with these cute, quirky, and practical Pride-related promo items. Whether for recognition, rewards, gifts, or freebies, you’ll find something to help you ...
Reach Your Target Market Using Direct Mail
Direct mail remains one of the most effective ways to reach your target market - but only if you’re smart about it. If you take the shotgun approach and push generic mailers onto as many people as ...
10 Sustainable Corporate Gifts
Sustainable corporate gifting is something that both companies and individuals want - but it’s often simplified to recycled notebooks and eco-friendly pens. We don’t mean to insult either - notebooks ...
Building a Summer Event Kit
Summer will be here before we know it - and with it, companies are preparing for outdoor events. These types of outings are great opportunities to create promotional event kits for your employees and ...
5 Unique Ways that Signage Helps Promote Your Business
In today's digital age, it's easy to overlook the power of traditional marketing tactics. However, signage can be one of the most effective ways to attract new customers and promote your brand.
10 Ideas for Appreciating Your Employee’s Pets
Looking for fun reward ideas? Your employees love their pets - show your love for your colleagues by rewarding them with products their furry friends will love!
How to Set Up a Uniform Program
Uniforms are a critical component of many companies’ branding. Whether showcasing professionalism, highlighting brand identity, or displaying conformity, the clothing that employees wear should ...
How to Celebrate and Recognize Your Sales Team
Your sales team is a vital part of your organization. However, it’s also easy for organizations to overlook these individuals - or assume financial incentives like commissions are enough to keep them ...
Follow the Trends: A Guide to 2023 Promo
Promotional items have always been a popular way to show appreciation to employees and clients, as well as boost brand awareness. With new tech, styles, and innovations emerging each year, it can be ...
How Can Employer Branding Help Your Business?
No matter the size of your company, branding helps create an external reputation. This includes opinions on your products, services, employees, logo, and more. How you present your business, and its ...
Surefire Strategies to Keep Employees Engaged
The last few years has presented the workforce with many challenges, including the increasing difficulty of keeping your employees engaged and motivated. With societal and individual pressures ...
Increase Productivity with Merchandise Incentives
One pain point that many companies are currently experiencing is figuring out how to keep employees motivated. In today’s remote work era, productivity has been challenged to the point where ...
Why Are First-Year Impressions So Important?
Think back to your first job. You were probably a little nervous about what to expect, and whether you’ve made the right decision to being working for that company. This is how millions of Americans ...
How to Increase Customer Loyalty in 5 Steps
Customer loyalty can be easy to define. Think of it as your clients’ likelihood of doing repeat business with your company and recommending you to others. You want to provide enough value to keep ...
5 Tips to Ensure Your Print Marketing Stands Out
Marketing takes on many different forms. Today, it’s critical to not only have a strong digital presence, but a thoughtful print marketing strategy as well.
How to Utilize Recognition Programs in the New Year
Employee recognition is an effective way to keep your work environment engaging and employees feeling motivated and appreciated. While important to a positive company culture, recognition does not ...
6 Hot Sauces Sure to Blow Your Socks Off
Finding a new, good hot sauce nowadays is almost like when Indiana Jones triumphantly grabs the idol at the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark. It may have taken you traversing through the aisles ...
Employee Engagement, Recognition, & Retention Trends for 2023
The last couple of years has brought about some undeniable shifts in the workplace. The switch to remote work, virtual meetings, and fluctuating schedules has taken corporate culture by storm. And ...
10 Meaningful Branded Merch Ideas for Employees in 2023
Creating meaningful branded merch, especially for your employees, is one of the best ways to show appreciation as an employer. Making a lasting impression on your employees helps both parties – if ...
How to Create Buzz Around a Launch With Promo Products
So, you’re launching a new product or service? Congratulations – what an exciting time for your business! We understand that your next step is to develop your action plan to make this launch ...
How to Incorporate Print into your 2023 Marketing Plan
There are many people that are under the false impression that print marketing is dead. In fact, it’s still a proven way to create positive customer relationships and improve your overall reach to ...
How to Choose Custom Company Apparel
Choosing the right custom apparel for your company is essential for many reasons. Clothing can create a culture of inclusion and consistency for your employees. It can set the tone for how your ...
Case Study: It’s a Date!
Description: Desk Calendar
How to Choose Uniforms the Whole Team Will Love
If you’ve been in the workforce for a couple of years, you’ve probably had to wear a company uniform at one point or another! Across all industries, trades, and professions, uniforms are common – ...
Big-Top Promo Products!
Come one, come all to the best party in town, the circus! Step on up to find neat promo products that are sure to wow a crowd!
Case Study: Make a Spectacle
Description: Rubberized Sunglasses Industry: Broadcast Media / Telecommunication What it was purchased for: A vampire-based television show hosted blood drives at outdoor events. These were given out ...
Case Study: A Gift to Build a Dream On
Description: Medium Pillow Box
Case Study: Improve Sales and Traffic
A hotel wanted to promote its amenities to guests in a personable, yet non-intrusive manner. The goal was to encourage guests to utilize hotel amenities instead of going off-site to fulfill their ...
Case Study: Wheelie Important Paperwork
Market: Automotive Objective: A motorcycle dealership wanted professional, branded document pouches to hold important paperwork for new customers to take home after their motorcycle purchase. They ...
Case Study: Adventure Awaits
An event promoter was compiling a gift box for top-tier ticket holders for a large-scale national summer concert tour. The Koozie® Adventure Dry Sack 10L was a natural fit for the outdoor ...
Customer Experience + Branding: The Relationship Goals of Marketing
Customer experience can make or break your company. How you and your employees treat customers directly reflects your brand’s values. But the truth is, positive customer experiences can be difficult ...
Case Study: Time for a Rebrand
Objective: A university had just completed a major rebrand complete with a new logo and wanted to make sure they had all the necessary branded items for functions throughout the year. They had ...
Drive Traffic with These 6 Trade Show Ideas
Tradeshows are important opportunities for your company to reach out to customers and prospects face-to-face and make lasting impressions. Make sure you’re prepared with the proper supplies to ensure ...
6 Things You're Missing by Not Using Promotional Products
Promotional products aren't just for niche industry operations. Whether you are a small organization looking to grow your business or an established company wanting to reach a new market, a product ...
Case Study: Practice Putting
2 Ball Pillow Pack – Titleist® TruFeel for Non-Profit Event
6 Reasons You Need a Company Store
As more and more companies turn towards e-commerce, shopping online has never been easier or more enjoyable. Ordering branded products is no exception! Company stores give you a convenient and ...
5 Men's Wearable Promotional Products for the Office and Beyond
It’s fun giving out promotional products like fidget spinners and stress balls, but sometimes you need an option for the guy that likes to keep it a bit more professional. These business casual ...
Branding 101: Let’s Talk Logos
A logo is often a company’s first impression and it can impact a customer’s perception, purchase decisions, and overall attitude toward your company. A logo is a symbol or graphic element that ...
Case Study: Don't Run from this Promo!
Description: Running Belt Fanny Pack Industry: Sports / Fitness What it was purchased for: A nationwide gym chain was looking for an item to give away with the purchase of yearly memberships. They ...
Lead a Healthier Lifestyle With These 6 Promotional Products
Eating healthy. Weight management. Working out five times a week. There are many health-related resolutions we set at the beginning of a new year. But, do we follow through with them? Many times, the ...
Case Study: 3D is the Key
A company in the automotive industry was looking for unique items to commemorate the celebration of its 45th year in business. They wanted to incorporate a new logo they had created that communicated ...
Get Ready for Game Day! 5 Promotional Products for Sports Teams
Having high-quality equipment and gear is an important part of every team, no matter how big or small. When your team walks out onto the field, you want them to stand out from the crowd and show off ...
Tasty Products to Satisfy a Sweet Tooth
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser of a promotion, consider candy! Few people can resist the delicious charms of a tasty treat, and giving someone a sweet gift is a great way to have them remember ...
5 Unique Holiday Gifts to Beat the Boredom
When it comes to gift-giving, there are always the same things people go for: blankets, socks, cheese baskets, candles... and it can get a little repetitive! We wanted to help defeat the boredom of ...
6 Promo Products for a Turkey-Tastic Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving may be frequently overlooked during the holiday season, between Halloween and Christmas, but it’s many folks' favorite holiday. On Thanksgiving, families get together to share a meal and ...
Case Study: Enhancing Company Initiatives with Branded Promo Items
Wondering how branded promotional products can help your business achieve both internal and external initiatives? Check out this quick excerpt about a company's use of branded promotional products, ...
Trending Fall and Winter Apparel
Seasons are changing, and it’s time to pack away your tank tops and shorts and bring the sweaters, boots, and scarves out of storage. Wardrobes need a little refreshing to match the new colder ...
8 Promotional Products to Win Game Day
From Friday night lights, Saturday morning tailgating, to Sunday watch parties, show support for your team with some promotional products for the win!
Pro Tips for Envelope Printing
An envelope can be so much more than simply a covering of some sort for your correspondence. The right envelope can instantly convey a wealth of ideas before its intended recipient even opens it up. ...
Win Customers With Colorful Packaging
When you consider the packaging that you will use for your clients' products, remember that color is one of your channels that communicates instantly. There are thousands of shades of each color, and ...
The Difference Between CMYK and PMS
The complexity involved in color and how big of a difference various color profiles can make on your print project is something you'll want to pay attention to. Is there a specific shade of orange or ...
Make a Splash With Creative Overprinting
Creating dimension in a one-dimensional print project can take some serious creative brainpower. Generally, printed items are planned with colors that do not go on top of each other, as this can ...
Maximize Your Print Mailing with a Well-Written Cover Letter
Whether you’re sending direct mail or proposing a new business partnership, your presentation is always significant. Including a cover letter with your printed pieces is a compelling way to make ...
6 Factors to Help You Find the Right Print Provider
When you need print products (such as brochures, letterhead, and large-scale marketing) to build and strengthen your brand, you need a print provider.
Maintain a Germ-Free Zone
DID YOU KNOW? It’s been reported that every square inch of your phone has around 25,000 germs. That's more disgusting than a toilet seat. That makes your phone one of the dirtiest objects you come in ...
Welcome Students Back While Keeping Them Safe
The new school season is rapidly approaching and college students are itching to get back to school before their parents can ask them to do their own laundry again!
Timely Topics for Direct Mail Campaigns
If you're not already spending your marketing budget maximizing direct communications to prospects and customers, you need to. But first, explore these four customer trends:
Beyond the Box
A custom box will help you build your brand, but what happens beyond the box is what helps you create lasting value. Sometimes, finding value in your brand, or even defining your brand, can be ...
5 Ways XPRESSLink Stores Increase Efficiencies
If you're an organization with multiple sales reps, sales offices, distributors, dealers, or locations all needing marketing collateral, business printing, branded merchandise, and/or identity ...
Top 10 Trends in Branded Merch
Staying informed of trends in the ever-changing world of branded merch can be daunting. But it's our job and we love it! We've pulled together the top 2020 trends our merchandising experts are seeing ...
How To Host An Awesome Virtual Event
Considering how social distancing has completely changed the event landscape, virtual conferences and tradeshows represent the "new normal" – keyword being "new." So if the concept is new to you, ...
A Brief History of National Nurses Week
National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th – which is actually Florence Nightingale’s birthday. But it wasn’t easy for Nurses to gain the recognition they deserved – it ...
10 Products to Help Boost Your Work From Home Productivity
With all the shelter in place and social distancing rules to help flatten the curve of COVID-19, more people are working remotely than ever before. It’s important to make sure your at-home workplace ...
Earth Day Reminds us to Reduce Our Plastic Waste
Another spring has sprung and things are getting greener outside our windows. Earth Day reminds us it's important for us and our brand to be eco-friendly every day. After all, there is no planet B.
Tools for Creating Work-Life Balance at Home
The world has been full of twists and turns lately. We’re experiencing things that nobody ever has before. Social distancing has resulted in the majority of the workforce working from home. While ...
Promo Tools Can Foster Community and Culture in a Virtual World
We've embarked on a national month-long quarantine, due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. Our lives are moving further into the digital realm. A completely digital world is quickly becoming more of a ...
Have You Been Active Lately?
When you’re stuck at home, it becomes tempting to relax and let yourself go a bit. But now more than ever, we need to make sure we stay active. According to Healthline.com, regular exercise can:
Protecting Your Privacy with Webcam Covers
Last Wednesday we joked about not being an "April Fool" because you failed to use your webcam cover. But it's not just Zoom fails that you need to worry about. With people spending increased amounts ...
Best Practices for Virtual Meetings
Shifting to home offices is the new normal, and if you are new to working from home it can be difficult figuring out how to stay connected in a different environment. When you dial-in to virtual ...
14 Ways to Increase Productivity while Working from Home
As the American workforce changes to working from home, this new normal may take some getting used to. In the past, remote employees often listed benefits like no commute, more family time, less ...
How to Navigate Event Cancellations
Due to the coronavirus, events are rescheduling or canceling causing concern about what to do with the branded product purchased for those events. Here are a few ideas you might want to consider if ...
Branded Merchandise Featured in Top Super Bowl Ad
Avocados From Mexico teamed up with Molly Ringwald to create a Home Shopping Network style Super Bowl ad devoted to branded merch. They even went as far as creating an online store! The Avocados From ...
7 Top Branded Merchandise Trends for 2020
The 2010’s have come to a close. It was a momentous decade full of innovation, change, and shifting trends. Now it’s time to set our sights forward. Let’s look at where your attention should be ...
Nonprofits
With Valentine's Day coming up next month, a lot of companies are looking at ways they can do BrandGood. Often time, partnering with a nonprofit is the easiest way to give back. If this is something ...
Top 6 Reasons Custom Mints are the Perfect Promotional Product
Custom mints are an incredibly cost-effective way to build your brand and your business. According to Promo Marketing, here are the top 6 most creative ways businesses are using them.
Branding from Top to Bottom
Make it Stand Out! When you choose a lid imprint, you aren't just branding...you're creating a lasting second impression. And it's such a new trend it will likely be the one they remember! Give your ...
Picking the Right Water-Resistant Jacket
Spring and summer showers are not only good for the flowers, but for your rainwear sales as well. Whether commuting or hiking, it’s not enough for customers to simply tout around an umbrella, ...
Back to School Tech
As summer comes to a close, give back to school gear that will really get used. Instead of the traditional supplies that are given to students, dish out something they want. Do this with new tech ...
QRG Acquires Kelty-Best, Inc
Minneapolis, MN (August 1, 2019) QRG proudly announces that Kelty-Best, Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin has joined the QRG family of companies. With the addition of Kelty-Best, a full-service promotional ...
Great Products for Groups
Make sure you're prepared next time you have a group of friends or family around. Try out these group gathering tech products that are great for modern meet ups. They will help you create and capture ...
Happy Pride Month!
While June's Pride Month is wrapping up, we recognize that the celebration and fight for equal rights aren’t over on June 30th. 2019 is important because it marks the 50th Anniversary of the ...
Branding the Fitness Boom
A variety of factors are contributing to the health and fitness boom in the US including health insurance costs, wearables, budget-friendly gym options, and streaming services. This $30 billion ...
Trade Show Experience
Trade shows can be cutthroat environments. While people are typically courteous, there are plenty of fights. Not physical altercations, but fights to get attendees’ attention. Standing out and ...
2019 Golf Shirt Trends
Color-ways, Prints and Reimagined Necklines for 2019 Golf Shirts
Wellness
While many people want to wish away winter altogether, there’s no denying that everyone will continue to feel its force. The season figures to help contribute to another productive period for the ...
Doing BrandGood for Gillette Children's
QRG has been a proud supporter of Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare for more than two decades. This organization has only become dearer to our hearts because our own QRG President Todd ...
The Clickability of Color
WHAT IS ‘THE CLICKABILITY OF COLOR’? It’s actually becoming a very important concept in the way we think about shopping in the digital age. Everyone who has something to sell should probably be aware ...
All About Wireless Chargers
Wireless charging is the latest and greatest way to charge mobile devices. It’s easy to use, fast, safe, and fiddling around with cables is not required. But what is wireless charging? How does it ...
If Your Event Has a Seat, You Need a BackSac!
The BackSac is a new and completely original way to create a memorable promotion for your next event. A fully customizable, interactive, branding product that utilizes the seats in venues as an ...
3 Hot Trends from the Industries Largest Trade Show
As I walked the floor of the largest trade show in the promotional products industry several trends emerged. Many of then reflecting the world of fashion and the political environment.
Jumpstart Your Corporate Wellness Program
Having trouble getting your corporate health and wellness program off the ground? Is the interest there, but you need to build some momentum? Here are 3 simple ideas to help you spread the word, ...
Materials Make the Difference
Following up on last Thursday's article about outerwear, we thought it prudent to discuss the materials we choose for our apparel. We're talking about fabrics that have special properties to keep you ...
Outerwear Solutions
Outerwear is one of the most highly sought-after pieces of promotional apparel. According to ASI, 50% of consumers in the United States own a piece of promotional outerwear, and it’s easy to ...
Pantone's 2019 Color of the Year: Living Coral
Living Coral was announced as the 2019 Color of the Year by the Pantone Color Institute. "Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits, Living Coral embodies our desire for playful ...
#BagTrends
Bags are the unsung heroes of the promotional world. They feature a large imprint area, lend themselves to repeat use and are extremely functional. Not to mention, they boast impressive brand power. ...
Fountain Pens are Back in Fashion
According to various news reports, fountain pens are back in vogue. Millennials are said to be turning to handwriting because of digital fatigue. Market insiders are crediting the renaissance to ...
Celebrating Corporate Anniversaries with Decorated Apparel
Every year, nearly two-million companies reach a significant corporate milestone, such as five years, fifty years, or even one-hundred years in business. These anniversaries present great advertising ...
Holiday Wine!
Wine is the no-brainer solution to the yearly gift-giving dilemma! Nearly everyone loves great wine. Now decorate that wine bottle with custom art and a custom message and you’ve made a lasting ...
Spamming and Spoofing are NOT the QRG Way
QRG does not engage in call-center telemarketing or spam calls. QRG learned in March of this year that unscrupulous telemarketers have been deliberately falsifying their Caller ID information to show ...
Why You Never Need to Buy a Mailing Lists Again!
Looking for an easy, effective, and affordable way to get your direct mail into the hands of your target audience? Forget mailing lists and talk to QRG about Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM). EDDM lets ...
Give Back Contest Awards $500 to Achilles International
QRG is proud to announce that Account Executive Lynn Wood (QRG Milwaukee Branch) nominated client Achilles International for the Reciprocity Road BrandGood quarterly award, and earned a $500 donation ...
Mark the Date for Year-End Planning
Year-end is right around the corner which means new calendars, appointment books and planners for many homes and businesses. Despite the rise of the digital age, paper calendars are still popular and ...
Hardworking Clothes for Hardworking Heroes
Bouncing back after the recession, the construction industry is hammering out a bright future. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, construction spending in August 2017 was over $1.2 billion. Numbers ...
The Power of Name Brands
Give your gift that little something extra. In a recent article discussing brands and the benefits they deliver, Rob Wengel, senior vice president of global data analytics firm Nielsen, explained, ...
WiFi Smart Home Accessories Trending
Wifi smart home accessories are one of the hottest trends in promotional products. The devices that turn your phone into a remote control for your lighting, appliances, and speakers are among the ...
How School Pride Creates Home Field Advantage
Set your elementary school, high school, college, or university apart with high-quality, custom large-format printing. Reinforce your shared community values through consistent branding and design. ...
5 Top Reasons You Should Have a Wellness Program
According to Forbes, poor health costs the U.S. economy $576 billion a year. That's more than half a trillion dollars! Poor health is bad for business. Corporate health and wellness programs give ...
How Augmented Reality Brings a Brand to Life!
Looking to really bring your brand to life, check out these amazing augmented reality Kool-Aid Man Summer Tour experiences we recreated at our QRG Twin Cities Open House. While on tour, happy concert ...
A Halloween Gift Idea that's All Treats!
Airtight, foil-lined canister preserves the freshness gourmet handmade mini cookies and freshly roasted snack mixes. Made in Minnesota using all natural ingredients quick turn-times, easy mailing ...
The Power of Bags
Printed bags are one of the most powerful yet affordable categories of branded merchandise. Bags raise lasting awareness of your company's brand. Just a single bag can generate 5,772 marketing ...
Splurge or Save?
All prices and descriptions are subject to change without notice. If the price listed is different from the actual price or we feel that a different vendor is recommended, we will notify you before ...
Paper Prices to Increase Again in October
Additional paper price increases are expected next month after receiving notification from the mills of prices increases of 8-10%. The soaring cost of pulp has been cited as the driving force behind ...
Trends in College Football Fan Merch
College football is back, and we’re pumped because of the opportunities it opens up for innovative marketing ideas. Think outside the box, because it's not just about advertising during the game, but ...
How California Prop 65 Affects You
Last week, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) begin enforcing the new California Prop 65 warning requirements. In the promotional products industry, suppliers, ...
The Gift of Better Business Travel
Presenting five gift ideas from PCNA designed to make life on the road (or in the air) a little easier for you and your team. Business travel is tough. Just ask anyone who's lived out of a suitcase, ...
Keep Your Brand Top-of-Mind this Winter
It's never been easier to custom design beanies and stocking caps that will increase your company's visibility. In the U.S, the average branded headwear item makes 3,136 impressions over its ...
Raise the Bar!
New drinkware for every type of beverage was on view at the Tabletop Show, from tasting flights on wooden paddle boards to banded and cut crystal options to the newest shape, the coupe-shaped saucer. ...
Retention and Career Satisfaction Program for Tech Professionals
The unemployment rate in the upper Midwest is at 3% or less right now. For the tech sector in the region, it's at less than 2%. If you work in the tech industry or have tech employees, keeping your ...
Fall 2018 Fashion Trends by Sanmar
Just in time for school, apparel provider Sanmar shares their look at Fall 2018 trends. Instead of school uniform, think "you-niform". This Fall's all about uniqueness and individualism.
Giving on a Budget
Budgets are a reality. Even if you don't have much to spend, you can still make an impact. The following tips from PCNA are worth the read.
More Trending Tech Gifts for 2018
Yesterday, I shared that the hottest tech gift item for 2018 is wireless chargers. Unsurprisingly, I got a lot of feedback asking, "What else is new in tech?" Well, there is a new trend. The latest ...
Hottest Tech Holiday Gift for 2018
If you've got techies on your gift list, wireless chargers are hands down the best gift of 2018. Apple and Android compatible, many of these chargers come with plug-in-to-charge options, so even late ...
Performance Fabric for Smartly Dressed Female Professionals
Like most professional women today, I work long hours, travel regularly, and want to look stylish and professional while doing it. Plus, I want the added benefits of being comfortable and remaining ...
The Flannel Phenomenon
We reported Wednesday that "Flannel isn't going anywhere," which got us thinking, where did it come from? Promo Marketing reported that "The long-held joke in manufacturing circles, pertaining to our ...
What's Trending in Tees on College Campuses
Bella+Canvas released their Sorority T-shirt Trend video update today. Take a look to see what's trending on college campuses.
2017 QRG Twin Cities Product Showcase
Join the QRG team at their Twin Cities corporate headquarters for the annual product showcase and open house. With more than 60 lines of on-trend products and innovative ideas, our expert team will ...
In Memoriam: Dave Floersch
Dave Floersch, Account Executive of Quality Resource Group (QRG), Minneapolis, MN, lost his battle to cancer on July 16, 2018. He was 51. A father, husband, longtime industry veteran, friend to many, ...
Alert – Paper Supply Down. Prices Up.
The last couple years have been the calm before the storm as far as paper prices and increases go, but now it seems the storm has hit. Costs for all paper products–including stationery items, labels, ...
QRG's Jody Barber Named to "2018 Women in Print and Promo"
QRG's own Account Manager Lead Jody Barber has been named one of Print + Promo's "2018 Women in Print and Promo". Jody is an exemplary example to all who work with her and well deserving of this ...
QRG Donates Art Glass Awards for TwinWest Business Awards Luncheon
QRG consistently supports the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce. QRG provided the awards for last week's TwinWest Business Awards Luncheon. Special congratulations go out to winners Young Professional of ...
CEO Denny Pottebaum Retires after 47 Years in the Industry
After 47 years of dedicated service, QRG founder and CEO Denny Pottebaum retires. In this video, he sends out a personal message of thanks to QRG employees, vendors, clients, and the community.
Creating the best online experience for customers
Making the online customer experience seamless is critical to a brand’s digital success. Recent studies found that 75% of customer management executives and leaders rated customer experience a 5 on a ...
Spoofing Scam Hits Home
"Spoofing" occurs when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone ...
The most sought-after employee perks
Research tells us that for most American workers, the top three on-the-job benefits are health insurance, paid vacation time and a 401k retirement plan. There’s probably no surprise that those ...
Marketing strategies every small business can afford
Creating a brand that stands out from the competition is one of the biggest challenges every marketer faces. Some of the common setbacks for small businesses include a small budget and limited ...
Even if all your employees work in an office, you need a safety plan
Think businesses that have primarily office workers don’t have to worry about workplace safety? Think again! This list of workplace injuries demonstrates that accidents happen in all kinds of U.S. ...
Online marketing tips for enhancing your business
Maintaining a strong online presence requires staying on top of trends and staying active. On a quarterly basis, companies should update their digital marketing plan to incorporate new strategies and ...
QRG Part of $7.5K PPEF Donation
Kicking the year off to a charitable start, QRG and other Reciprocity Road members pledged $7,500 to advocate for the Promotional Products Education Foundation, an established institution, founded by ...
Hot New Products of 2018
The hottest new products of 2018 are now available for you to pursue in QRG's new 2018 Idea Book.
Three reasons why the best employees leave their companies
Think people switch jobs primarily to earn more money? Think again. Gallup studies have found that about 50% of 7,200 adults surveyed left a job “to get away from their manager.” Other surveys show ...
The keys to consistent marketing for small businesses
Every successful small business owner will tell you that starting and running a business is no easy task. Between the day-to-day operations of accounting, marketing, and customer service, small ...