The Banner Blog

The economy gains ground as retail sales are higher in February than they’ve been in two years making it the third consecutive month of sales increase in a row superseding Wall Street estimates.

Consumer confidence seems to be coming back and signs say it could continue due to growing initiatives such as the 3/50 project where consumers are encouraged to spend $50 at each of three different locally owned businesses per month. Studies have shown that for every $1 spent at an independently owned company approximately $0.68 cents is returned to the local community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures verses spending with national chains only bringing back about $0.43 cents on the dollar.

 The proverbial ripple created by the spending pebble dropped in the local commerce pond expands even further than that; according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune a survey published in 2009 by CEOs for the Cities found that homes located within walking distance of neighborhood businesses held their value through the housing collapse better than those with out retail nodes.

 While things seem to be moving in the right direction many are still having a tough time just making ends meet, but we are all consumers on a daily basis to one degree or another it’s just a choice of where and how we spend that can make the difference.

Banner Creations producer of the VONNcouver banners on Green/Eco Friendly material, was featured on the KARE 11 news 6 pm broadcast February 17^th 2010. It was the same day Lindsey Vonn’s family was displaying the banner at the Vancouver Olympics in support of her Gold Medal performance.

Kenneth Dean, Account Manager with Banner Creations, who worked with Lindsey Vonn’s Uncle to help produce the VONNcouver banners said, “It’s great even in the smallest way to be part of a worldwide event like the Olympics especially when supporting an incredible hometown and now Gold Metal athlete like Lindsey Vonn!”

Banner Creations is woman owned and has been a green printer since 1993. Eco Act II, Eco Non-Woven, and the Eco Flag material used on the VONNcouver banner are American made from 100% post consumer certified recycled soda bottles. This material is durable and has great print quality through a dye sublimation process using water based inks. The eco fabric can be treated for FR certification, is machine washable, and after it’s use as a banner, trade show display, table cover, or flag, BCI can recycle it again to be used in carpet padding or insulation. For more information, and to see the KARE 11 news coverage go to: www.bannercreations.com & http://www.kare11.com/video/default.aspx#/Local/Vonncouver%20banners/48173211001/48322959001/67363487001

Retail sales jumped 2.7% in August!  Yeah!  Now that the customers are coming into the stores, it’s time to buy point of purchase banners!  Point of purchase banners help to draw  buyers to your product!  We have a number of specials going on now, call your Banner Creations sales representative!

Banner Creations was recently highlighted in an issue of Specialty Fabrics Review magazine for our green bag artist series.  The feature announced the launch of the second artist promoted in the series, Kristin Wallner.  

Our green bags are made from 100% recycled pop bottles, machine washable and give an artist a great venue to showcase their work.   

For more information see the article at Specialty Fabrics Review Magazine.  

Richard Graves, one of our favorite customers from our “Artist Series” exhibited this past weekend at the #1 rated Art Fair in the nation.  He is a fabulous watercolorist.  He was over the moon with his results from the show! Of course he sold his water colors, some of his customers follow his work on his website and came to the show just to see him and buy!  And he  sold Green Bags and scarves we printed.  Check out some of his products at targetmarketproducts.com.

We are excited to add Paydirt to our Stakeholder Network.  They help organizations connect the environment & your bottom line. For more information check out www.thinkpaydirt.com.

Banner Creations supports another satisfied customer who is taking the next step after buying banners and table covers made from recycled soda bottles from us!  It’s a salon who is recycling their foil and their hair! Taj Salon & Spa is the only salon in the Twin Cities (OR anywhere in Minnesota that we know of) that recycles aluminum foil used for color process services.  

They pocketed a cool $8.50 they earned for the many bags of foil they dropped off at the recycling center, and they learned that Taj Salon & Spa is currently the only salon recycling their foil. That’s where you come in… if you don’t currently come to Taj Salon & Spa for your hair care services, would you ask your salon the next time you are there for an appointment, if they would consider recycling? You can help Taj Salon & Spa on their mission to get all salons to recycle their foil. It might be a bit of hassle and take time out of your already busy week, but it sure feels good to know that Taj foils are not going into the landfills.

Let’s start a grass roots movement, huh? Our little business might not make a huge difference, but think of the difference 10, 20 or even 50 salons could make? Please feel free to email Jeanne at jeanne@tajsalonspa.com from Taj for more information. She will be happy to point them in the right direction. 

Thinking about ways to save money and still get your message across to your customers? Our table covers, runners and table banners are an inexpensive way to get your message out at a trade show or special event. Best part, you can throw them in your washer and dryer so they are a good value as well. Check out more fabric table cover styles on our website under table covers.

Examples below were created for RBC Dane Rausher and Eyelet Outlet.

Looking for a vendor that has the US government stamp of approval?  We are approved by the United States Government Printing Office, Contractor Connection.  Our vendor ID # is 22009542.

We are a woman-owned business that prints custom banners, totes, bags, flags and backdrops.  We print with water based inks on fabrics and primarily fabrics made from Recycled soda bottles.  We  also supply bamboo banner stands as well as many other kinds of stands for your display needs.  We manufacture in NE Mpls, MN right in the heart of the country for easy drop shipping to all locations throughout the USA.

Call us at 1.800.326.3524 and let us help you with your banner and display needs.