Pre-Tied Stretchy Bows and Decorative Elastic Loops for Stationery Converters

People still love getting hand-written thank you notes, birthday invitations and holiday cards in the mail. But the shift toward electronic greetings has put pressure on stationery converters. They are, therefore, constantly looking for ways to stay competitive in what is generally regarded as a tight market by ratcheting up their efforts in terms of style and design. Stationery converters are turning to pre-tied elastic loops and stretch bows to secure the stationery packaging, even using them as design elements in the cards themselves. Here are some elastic stretch bow and loop options that many of our stationery converter customers like to use for various stages of fulfillment:

Pre-tied elastic stretch bows—These come in a host of colors to match stationery design and its packaging. Shiny, metallic pre-tied stretch bows are excellent for holiday, shower and wedding announcement packaging, or any design piece that needs a touch of finery and elegance. In fact, some designers are opting to use stretch bows as 3D elements in the stationery design, as well as the packaging.

Metallic stretch loops—If the stationery packaging is smaller, smaller-gauge metallic stretch loops make an excellent, eye-catching packaging fastener and design element. They come in a wide assortment of colors to fit the product design. In addition to being a great style-enhancing element to packaging, they can also be used in some greeting card designs as well because they come in an assortment of color options.

Matte stretch loops and bows—There is a growing demand for these elements because they convey an eco-friendly feel to any stationery packaging or design. There are several pleasing colors of matte stretch loops and pre-tied bows to choose from, so more designers are requesting these from stationery converters during the fulfillment process.

Stationery Packaging

We invite stationery converters to contact us here at Elastic Connections to discuss your bulk pre-tied elastic bow or elastic loop needs: 847-426-6830.

Merchandise Tag Designs Using Elastic Loops

If you have an amazing product to sell, whether it’s apparel, cookies, jewelry, tech or cosmetics, you have to compete to grab the attention of your potential customers. That’s where merchandising and design come into play—right down to the branding on the elastic hang tag. This may seem like a small detail, but anything generic, even on this level, can signal inconsistency and poor quality to the customer. So while planning your merchandising scheme, don’t forget the hang tag!

Elastic Loops to Attach Hang Tags

Whether trying to convey a hand-crafted or high-end look, the trend is to attach hang tags to merchandise with elastic loops. Sure, you can use white elastic loops for hang tags, but consider your overall design; a matte color elastic loop, or metallic elastic loop can really pop.

Hang Tag Color

As previously mentioned, color is an important subconscious seller. Use it strategically in the branding on your hang tags in conjunction with all other branding efforts. Design accordingly and order elastic stretch loops for hang tags in a coordinating tonal or complementary colors to draw the customer’s attention:

Yellow—Youth, optimism, attention-grabber
Red—Urgent, energetic, grabs and holds attention, boosts sales
Blue—Security and trust (often used in banking and health products)
Green—Relaxing; associated with money and environmentally-friendly products
Orange—Aggressive, energetic, cutting-edge; stimulates hunger
Pink—Feminine, romantic
Black—Sleek, luxurious
Purple—Calming, yet mysterious; often used in cosmetics and anti-aging
Gold & Silver—Wealth, power, elegance

Tag Shapes

Trendy merchandise tags aren’t just rectangular today. They may be circular, triangular, oblong, ring-shaped, leaf-shaped, book-shaped or die-cut with all kinds of edging effects that say, “We’re different, we’re special.”

Merchandise Hang Tag Designs

Elastic Connections has a wide assortment of colored elastic stretch loops and hang tag string that will accentuate your merchandise tags and other branding efforts. Contact us at 847-426-6830 to learn more.

Name Badges for Big Events Using Elastic Cord Lanyards

Name badges dangling around attendees’ necks with elastic cord are essential at any conference or convention. They facilitate better networking because they connect names with faces—if the print is big enough to read from a polite distance. Slapping the old “Hello, my name is…” sticker on your shirt doesn’t cut it anymore. But these ideas will raise the bar considerably:

Big Badges with Big Type—One of the biggest complaints of conference attendees is having to squint to read name badges. Awkward! Today’s better name badges measure about 4×6 inches and feature the wearer’s name in 72-point “highway gothic” or “interstate black” font at the top, with the first name appearing above, not next to the last. This makes the name clearly visible from across the room. The wearer’s company, title and other information can appear in smaller font beneath that.
Elastic cord—Convention organizers are leaning towards lanyards these days, but there are better choices. Name badges that go around the neck with barbed elastic or non-elastic twisted cord are more economical without sacrificing the high-end look. Attendees also don’t have to add yet another lanyard to the growing collection at the backs of their closets.
Back of the Badge—Wasted space, or useful information? Use the back of the badge to post a schedule of events, a QR code for mobile devices, a meal coupon, a map of the conference center or local area, or anything helpful and meaningful to your attendees.
Multi-use and Recyclable—One recent event had their name badges printed on wild-flower seeded paper that could be planted later. And eco-conscious event planners are leaning toward badge sleeves made from biodegradable plastic that can be reused if stored at the office, but safely become one with nature if tossed into a landfill.

Make this year’s conference name badge a big win with barbed elastic cord lanyards and thoughtful design! Contact Elastic Connections at 847-426-6830 and get the party started.

Apparel Elastic: One of the Best Things to Happen in Children’s Clothing Manufacturing

Parents worldwide have strong opinions on children’s clothing, and children’s clothing manufacturers had better be listening. We’re not just talking fashion trends—we’re talking functionality. Because anybody who’s ever had to wrestle a cranky toddler into an outfit, re-dress a sleeping baby or try to keep the trousers up on a kid that’s too skinny (or fit them around a child who enjoys his cheese curls a bit too much) knows that apparel elastic for children’s clothing manufacturing is a lifesaver:

Adjustable waistbands—You know, that elastic band in trousers that has button holes you can stretch to fit the particular child who will be wearing them instead of having to worry about paying for, or doing their own sewing alterations? With these stretchy, adjustable waistbands, bottoms can appeal to, and be worn by, a wider variety of kids.
Stretchy socks and underwear—When children’s clothing manufacturers use elastic apparel thread to make children’s foundational garments more stretchy, you can bet the parents are breathing a sigh of relief. They fit longer, last longer and are easier to put on wiggly children. And unless there are potty training accidents that are just too egregious to ignore (and there will be), parents appreciate not having to go to the store to buy new children’s underwear every other day.
Anything having to go over a baby’s head—From the ubiquitous onesies to every cute little baby top and baby rash guard that has to somehow be pulled over a baby’s head without upsetting the baby or frustrating the parents… elastic apparel thread for baby clothes is the unsung hero of those early days of childhood. You know, the ones where you have to try and change baby without starting a nuclear meltdown.

Stock up on apparel elastic thread from Elastic Connections today. Just contact us via our online form, or call us to discuss your needs at 847-426-6830.

Elastic Thread for 2015 Fashion Trends

Whether it’s Return to Preppyville or Extreme Denim, only one thing is certain in the world of fashion: apparel manufacturers from Paris to L.A. and everywhere in between need elastic thread. Apparel elastic is essential for prêt a porter because every body is different. The fashion industry is slowly realizing that not everybody is a size -2—and that industry fashion projections of “beauty” are neither realistic, nor healthy. With a tighter focus on helping women feel comfortable in their own skin, apparel choices are becoming more elastic, more forgiving and more fun. Here are 4 hot trends for 2015 that will definitely require spools of elastic thread:

Denim—Vogue is touting the “Extreme Denim” trend from Fashion Week. The new denim trend includes everything from culottes and wide rave jeans to jackets, tuxedos even shoes and handbags designed out of denim reborn in a host of new designs and patterns, all of which require apparel elastic in bulk.
Gingham—Glamour says that from smocked frocks to jackets and skirts are receiving an update from tired old plaid to fresh, springy gingham. But note that colors are tending towards black and white or blue and white this year for some contrasty edge. And designs are being made to fit a wide variety of body types in hot new ways, all with a bit of stretchy thread give.
Kimono & Obi—The Japanese classic Kimono with a wide obi belt will be making an appearance this year with jackets, coats and dresses. A very classy yet modern and forgiving style that apparel manufacturers can market for almost every body type.
One Shoulder—Dresses and tops with one shoulder are also in at the moment, so if you plan on designing and manufacturing these styles, spools of apparel elastic for helping women avoid a wardrobe malfunction is an absolute must.

To stock your apparel manufacturing needs with always-in-vogue apparel elastic, contact Elastic Connections today at 847-426-6830.

Elastic String for Jewelry Manufacturing

The market for jewelry is finally bouncing back after a long recession, and consumers young and old are eager to sparkle from head to toe. Riding the up-surging jewelry demand wave means being able to fit as many consumers’ jewelry tastes and sizes as possible. Achieving this flexibility involves incorporating elastic string into jewelry and beading en masse to fit today’s demand for both style and flexibility:

Big Bracelets—The bling today is big, bold, and needs to fit over a wide assortment of hands and wrists. Jewelry manufacturers are turning to bulk spooled elastic cord, made of polyester in an entire rainbow of colors to fill this demand.
Foot Jewelry—There is a growing consumer excitement over anklets and barefoot sandal adornments. Elastic cord on spools is essential for manufacturing designs that can comfortably and durably fit a wide variety of feet.
Hair Jewelry—It isn’t just for brides and prom dates anymore; jewelry manufacturers looking for a way to stand out are venturing into hair jewelry. Because heads and hair volumes differ from person to person, stretchy elastic cord for jewelry manufacturing can help your project attract a wider market.
Necklaces—Big, sparkly necklaces of all kinds are taking the stage now, but these do not always benefit from being on elastic cord; in this case, twisted rayon cord on spools can better hold up in a wide variety of lengths and bauble weights.

Elastic Connections has a wide variety of spooled elastic for stretchy jewelry manufacturing ranging from 1 mm all the way to 2.4 mm. For more delicate designs, consider our spooled elastic thread or elastic string (often used in the apparel industry) that goes all the way down to 0.5 mm. We also have several widths of twisted rayon cord that may fit many of today’s jewelry manufacturing projects. Contact Elastic Connections today at 847-426-6830 to discuss which elastic string or twisted cord might best fit your needs.

Wow ‘Em with Trade Show Giveaways with Elastic Cord

Sweating over the trade show giveaways for your booth is a time honored tradition—but does it really need to be? With a little elastic and some research, you can generate excitement, gratitude and follow up contacts with smart swag: Inc. magazine recently polled young, up-and-coming, decision-making trade show attendees about their favorite trade show tchotchkes. The overwhelming response came down to this: Enough with the stress balls already! Make it useful! Usefulness generates positive associations with your brand and promotes follow-up responses. Here were some trade show give away favorites:

Notebooks with elastic cord pen keepers—Pens are notorious for getting lost; you can never find one when you need one. Conversely, if you find the pen, then you have to dig around to find the paper. So trade show attendees loved customized notebooks with pockets and elastic cord pen keepers that kept the pens and the paper together and were ready when they needed them most.
Bookmarks with tassels—People are so done with business cards. Bookmarks with attention-getting tassels, on the other hand, were quite popular. They give companies a chance to put their message on a useful item that attendees will see again and again and again.
Care packages—Trade show goers often forget things in their rush to pack. So one of the most popular and useful swag items could be a branded, elastic-secured care bag with little things like lip balm, an individual packet of Ibuprofen, a peanut-free energy bar, juice box, mini flashlight, bandages, moist towelettes, etc.
Convenient Snacks—Lunch can never come soon enough at trade shows where people are on their feet all day. Convenient, packable snacks that come with elastic cord to securely reseal them for later snacking are extremely popular and coveted!

Contact Elastic Connections at 847-426-6830 for the elastic cords that hold together your useful tradeshow swag and be the booth that generates the most excitement this year!

5 Elegant Ways to Package Your Product with Pre-Tied Elastic Stretch Bows

Whether or not you sell chocolates or jewelry, lotion or soup mixes—basically any product that can be neatly packaged—your target audience wants to know they are buying something fabulous. And the packaging can’t help but send a message to your potential buyer, so make it count with pre-tied elastic stretch bows. Whether they’re satin elastic bows, metallic elastic bows or matte colored elastic stretch cord, these fasteners attached to these boutique-worthy packages send the right message:

Petal Boxes—With so many unique designs to this twist-to-open packaging, you can have these manufactured to fit your unique product line and secure them with pre-tied satin stretch bows. The packaging looks hand-made, even if it was produced on a grander scale.
Paper Purses—Jewelry, chocolates, baked goods, gloves, etc. will delight the tea-party set if they come packaged in a paper purse, its lid fastened with a shiny satin stretch bow.
Slice-of-Cake Box—Sounds like it looks; Triangular-shaped, lidded boxes can be merchandised in the store in a round with each individual box sold separately and bound with a decorative matte or metallic stretch bow; even if the cake is a cake of soap, a shaving kit or a wedge of cheese.
Classic Hat Box—Circular, lidded boxes smartly package anything from cookies to cosmetics or accessories to heirloom seed kits. Top your company’s design with anything from a metallic stretch cord to a pre-tied matte stretch loop.
Fold-Over Gift Bags—They can go triangular or rectangular based on the product they contain, whether it’s a book, a cosmetics kit or spiced nuts. The design options are endless; you can have them die cut, matte or glossy. Just make sure they’re securely tied with a pre-tied elastic stretch bow for easy, yet elegant transport.

If you’ve got a super product packaging idea that needs satin, twisted, metallic, or mat stretch cord or bows, please contact Elastic Connections today at 847-426-6830.

Custom Elastic Thread for Clothing Manufacturers

Does your clothing business need elastic thread manufactured in a specific color or material? Elastic Connections specializes in the production of spooled custom elastic thread bulk orders that add the perfect finishing touch to your designs.

Elastic Thread for Clothing Production: Custom Colors, Fabrics and Styles

Our easy-to-use system makes placing a custom order a piece of cake. To get started, simply send us a 3’ sample piece of the material that you are currently using. We will analyze the material’s composition and provide you with a quote for an exact reproduction match. Alternatively, if you do not have a piece of material to send, you can also specify the type of material (e.g., rubber gauge, spandex size, yarn type) along with elongation requirements the desired color.

Clothing manufacturers use our elastic thread in a variety of products, including disposable garments like medical apparel and surgical socks. Elastic thread is also durable enough to be used in women’s swimwear waistbands, pants, sleeves and necklines. Depending on your clothing manufacturing needs, you may wish to choose a thread where the yarn is double covering the rubber core for a stronger, more durable hold. Not sure which type of thread is right for your fabric or garment design? Just let us know! Our team is happy to help you select the right material to perfectly match your clothing.

If you have questions about the bulk purchase of custom elastic thread, don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated sales team. Click to chat with us online or fill out our contact form for more information on your orders!

Using Elastic Cord For Menus Differentiates Restaurants and Your Printing Service

All restaurants update their menus periodically, whether because of the change of seasons, to add new dishes or just to change prices. Lower quality restaurants just create their menus on an office printer, but restaurants that care about reputation know that every detail contributes to the dining experience. These restaurants have their menus printed professionally, as befits the quality of their food. However, since not all parts of the menu change with the same frequency, reprinting the entire menu at the same time and putting it all into the same binder may result in higher costs for the restaurant manager.

The next time your restaurant customers reprint their menus, offer them the opportunity to bind the menu into a personalized booklet or folder, and include menu binding cords to enable them to quickly add pages for daily specials or featured wines. Using folders and elastic cord for menus makes it much more than a simple printed menu. It actually becomes a modular menu system that allows the restaurant to add or swap sections as the need arises. If there is a special holiday menu, for example, it’s a simple matter to remove the regular menu pages and replace them using the elastic cord to keep everything together.

While black elastic bands for menus are always appropriate, using colored elastic cord for menus allows the client to match the elastic to the menu color scheme or to the restaurant’s décor, which will help to reinforce their brand. You can even suggest that they use both cord and tassels for menus at restaurants with a more opulent feel.

For a printing service, offering elastic cords for menus is a cost effective method of differentiation. You can position cords for menus as premium products that help your customers provide those little touches that make dining at certain restaurants so memorable. Contact Elastic Connections today and inquire about our large variety of menu elastic.