Tote of Many Faces

Multi functional products are becoming a mainstay in the marketing specialties industry.  This is probably being driven by the state of the economy and the ever decreasing dollars available for promotional items.  By designing items that are able to be used in many different roles manufacturers have hit a sweet spot.  By using lower cost recycled materials these utility totes are able to be offered at prices far below that of two similar functional totes together.  This trend towards multi-use products will continue to expand this year and we expect to see more of this in the mid season catalogs.

The Therm-O-Tote is a primary case in point to this utilitarian role.  The tote is lined with insulation and a thermal film that allows it to maintain your food at either a cool temperature or your warm food warm.  Made from heavy duty polypro this tote is also fully recyclable.  With a whopping 238 GSM count to the material you will be hard pressed to find a more durable insulated tote.  The large carrying handles are enough to use it as a traditional carry tote or you can use it as an over the shoulder tote.   The insulating lining is not so heavy that the tote only has one role.  It can essentially be used as an everyday tote and we have even seen customers turn it into a diaper type bag or a wet dry bag.  Another great feature of this tote is the huge decoration area on the front which totals close to 50 square inches.   That is prime billboard space for your message at the beach or around the pool this summer. 

For construction quality we give this tote a solid A as very few manufacturers will use this heavy of a material.   Fortunately polypro is light by nature so do not confuse heavy with heavy duty.  This product can take a lot of abuse and heavy loading.  For design we give it a B, we would have gone with an A but there are too few colors available which will deter some users.  We would also like to see a cinch or zipper top or perhaps a snap or two in the future.  For functionality we give it an A as it has many day to day uses and the price point it comes in at is phenomenal.  

In the same price range we like the Click Pad Holder from Norwood.  Unlike most pad holders in this segment this particular pad holder has a pen included.  Granted this is a fairly inexpensive item, we hesitate to use the term cheap but really it is.  This is not something you would have your client use as a giveaway for a major donor or executive.  This is the ideal giveaway for your next company party or fundraiser.  It puts everything in front of a potential customer that they may need but within most budgets.  The Pebble Pad Holder essentially offers some of the same points but adds a unique design that you will not see on any other similarly marketed product.  The shaped contours make it stand out amongst its' peers.   Although no pen is included a pen can be added for a discount.  We like this piece because it gives the best of both worlds in premier design but practical affordability.  Both products are given an A for value.   We rate the pad holder a B for overall quality as it is made of inexpensive materials, we rate the Pebble version a solid A- as it is well built from 70d nylon.