Thanks to opposable thumbs, humans are the only animal that can utilize a vessel to hold liquid to quench thirst. And of course, we all like our drinkware to match our personalities – colors, graphics, style, size – to enhance the experience and to promote an aspect of our identities.
Quite a few folks collect drinkware, especially those that are logoed. And therefore, the combination of need (vessel) and identity promotion creates an end-user base that is ever-appealing to your clients who want to make a lasting impression with their clever promotional and marketing campaigns.
There are a few trends currently in drinkware. Ron Rosencrans of Pro Rose has noticed that a lot of recent business activity is stemming from the beer industry. "With so many new microbreweries opening they are using promotional products to differentiate themselves from their competition. Pitchers, drinking glasses and samplers are all popular with the beer industry."
BIC Graphic, says Margit Fawbush, has just launched its new barware category with two versatile lines – the PubWARE™ brand and Stainless collections. PubWARE™ is an elegant line of drinkware suitable for restaurants, bars, resorts, cruise lines, and other hospitality businesses, as well as for wineries and brewpubs. "Every piece looks and feels like glass but is exceptionally durable," she notes. "Made in the USA of unbreakable organic molecular glass, it won't haze or crack, holds temperature longer, is microwave safe and has a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty." Available styles include both stemmed and stemless wines, pint, cordial, champagne, old-fashioned, and tulip.
BIC Graphic's Stainless collection, Fawbush describes, "is perfect at home, out on picnics, outdoor events, camping and more. Extremely durable, these stainless steel items ensure long-lasting, fresh flavors. The collection includes a stainless growler, pint glass and stemless Vino2Go® wine glass."
Cheryl Gallagher of Starline points out that vacuum tumblers and water bottles continue to be strong sellers due to the end-user convenience of having one drinking vessel for both hot and cold beverages. "The quality heat retention that these products have, whether it is keeping your coffee hot for hours or ice in your water for days, make them very popular sellers," she comments.
"New and different" is the buzz when it comes to drinkware, Melissa Hoffman of Hufferman believes. "This is true especially for long-term clients – switching to newer and unique items will keep their promotions fresh and appealing. Distributors' clients are eager to try new colors or drinkware with innovative features – such as fruit infuser options or mixer type options or new cap styles (one-way valves, flip tops, and pop-up straws)," she points out.
Speaking of new products or innovative embellishment opportunities, Starline offers its new TruColorâ„¢ direct digital print for many of its drinkware offerings, according to Gallagher. This imprint method has expanded how and what types of logos can be printed. "Where traditionally laser engraving or a few spot colors in a smaller imprint area were done, there is now no limitation with the logos or artwork that can be printed with TruColor," she describes. "This technology has the capability to print standard logos, photographs, logos with very tight registration and logos with half tones or gradients in a standard imprint area, for larger logos or full wraps. We achieve these eye-popping graphics through multiple layers of ink laydown. This process provides a noticeable raised imprint, almost like a three dimensional appearance."
Pro Rose is offering high-end disposable stemless cups that are suitable for poolside and outdoor entertaining. "Because they are unbreakable, resorts and special event coordinators are comfortable serving in these cups and not worried about breakage or liability," Rosencrans says. Pro Rose can screenprint the new cups.
Hufferman's newest product is the USA-Made 16-oz. Barista Cup (#BC16) available in nearly 2,000 color combinations, according to Hoffman. Clients can choose the cup color, cap color, pivot color and silicone band color. The silicone band is the imprintable component of the product and serves a dual purpose – it provides the advertising space on the cups and serves as a barrier from the heat of a hot fill beverage (much like a coffee sleeve). "The cup is microwave safe, dishwasher safe and is suitable for hot fill or cold fill. It can be used as a coffee/tea cup, a shaker cup or even a sippy cup for kids. We've had an extremely good response to this product this year," she says.
There are many more options, from elegant etched glassware (think corporate gifts, high-end hotels and restaurants and awards), to disposable cups for a wide variety of events (charity runs/dog walks, municipal/town fairs, flea markets and more). And of course, the "ubiquitous" coffee/hot chocolate mug.
So, bottoms up!
CASE STUDY
Cheryl Gallagher of Starline: "One of the most successful case studies has been our Ice Challenge campaign. This is an innovative way to demonstrate the value of vacuum insulation on our water bottles. Our sales reps began delivering our water bottles to distributors with ice already in them then would request the distributor call them once the ice had melted. Most distributors were shocked that two days later they still had ice! In turn the distributors started to send their clients vacuum water bottles and vacuum tumblers with ice in them, achieving the same results. Starline received many emails about the success distributors had with the Ice Challenge and receiving multiple orders based on the results from the challenge."