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Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Since earliest times, men have taken pride in their family names & traditions. Discoveries were unearthed that showed groups would decorate and make their pottery in unique ways from any other group. Historians and archeologists have argued that these pottery shards are in fact the first documented coats of arms. By the time of the rise of nations it was a general custom to adopt some symbol by which they could be distinguished from another. This custom reached its fullest development by the Middle Ages. The carrying of personal armorial insignia on shields and banners began widespread in feudal times. A knight had his face covered with the visor from his helmet and as such, had to be recognized at a distance. During the Crusades these marks and colors were worn outside their coat of mail on their surcoat and hence the expression "coat of arms." Insignia were not hereditary at first and knights were free to choose their own symbols, as were wealthy individuals, families, towns, lordships, abbeys and other groups who had gained the favor of the reigning monarch. As confusion and duplication grew so did the complexity of these symbols. What had started out as a simple form of identification and pride had risen to a complex system of inherited social status. The problem became so widespread that in 1484 the Herald's College was established in Britain to oversee all claims of subjects to armorial rights. No arms were considered legal unless recorded in the College. Beginning in 1528, officers of the Herald's College began making visitations throughout the country. Their purpose was to find out which Coat of Arms were in use and make a record of the genealogies of the families using these arms. If there was a person who desired to use arms, but could not prove a right of descent to them, they could make a petition to the local Earl Marshall. If this was granted then the Earl Marshall issued a warrant to the officers of the College to grant arms to him. The genealogies collected throughout these times are mostly still in existence today as well as the continual granting of arms by the College. And though the Herald's College was formed to handle Britain's Coat of Arms; the use, pride and recording of special insignia has been around as long as mankind. Custom Crest Flags are a great way to show pride!
by: The Flagman
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
It's true, street pole banners can take an average looking street in any town and spice it up with a splash of color. Light pole banners allow towns and organizations to showcase events, festivals, the season's, farmer's markets, almost any event you can think of. Light Pole Banners come in an array of materials and an unlimited amount of colors. I believe there are 3 things to consider when purchasing street banners . 1) Make sure your design is adaptable to a banner Making a beautiful banner isn't hard but complexity of any design will determine what type of material you will use. Designs with a lot of colors or gradients ( fading of colors) will need to be printed on 18oz. vinyl or 600 Poly Duck which has the durability of canvas but the feel of a strong cotton. On both of these materials, the amount of colors you can have in your design is unlimited. 2) Keep it simple Really complex designs do not translate very well. Keeping it simple will help passers by to be able to read your message. If your design it not meant to be read and is meant just to add color than the complexity of the design won't matter. Colorful boulevard banners can make a huge impact on any street and add that special touch you are looking for. 3) Make sure you have the proper street pole hardware Having the right street banner hardware is essential! Your location in the United States will determine what hardware you will use. Making sure that the light pole banner hardware is installed properly will add to the life of your light pole banners. Always remember, make sure the banners are tight . Not only does the image look better it will keep the sewing in tact longer. Street Pole Banners have become one of the most popular ways to advertise. Not only are they beautiful, they can make the exact statement you want with the abiity to use them year after year!
by: The Flagman
Monday, March 3, 2008
Custom Car Flags are a great way to show spirit and to raise funds for your school, your charity or your club. Raising funds is essential to any non-profit or not-for-profit organization. In addition to our custom flags we find that car flags are a great item to sell with a higher profit potential than most traditional items. Parents love to show support for their son's & daughter's school and there isn't a better way than flags . Flags show pride. They are great attention getters and can be used for years. Our custom car flags are made from an open knit polyester material that gives them strength and durability. In days gone by, felt pennants were the most popular flag at a sporting event. Because of advances in materials and print technology they have gone by the wayside for the more popular nylon & polyester flags. These flags allow an unlimited amount of colors while keeping complex designs in tact. Profit potential on better products such as flags add to the organizations bottom line. Let's face it, the bottom line matters. The more money an organization raises the more it can provide for the members. Item's such as uniforms, trips, equipment etc. are always in need. However you raise money, remember to get as many folks involved in the process as possible. The more people you have the greater chance you will have for a larger return on your investment. Having a product that sells it self always makes it easier. Perceived value is the same as money in the bank. More than anything, try to have fun!
by: The Flagman
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Trade shows are a great way to attract new customers! Adding a professional look to your display table with our custom table throws, custom table drapes and covers or custom table runners. is key to making the impression you want. Beside a great table banner there are many factors to consider when trying to attract new customers. Trade shows can be an incredibly effective promotion and sales tool for any small, mid-sized or large business. Whether you're new to trade shows or an experienced trade show participant, I believe the below tips will help you get the best bang for your buck! 1) Know why your participating in the show.Ask yourself "What do I expect to gain from being at this particular show? Having a clear idea about this is properly the most important thing you will need to do. Having more than one goal is OK. But remember too many goals can sometimes be overwhelming and unattainable. Make your goals simple and measurable. The point is that you need to be clear about what your participation in the trade show is going to achieve. Ultimately, how will it affect your business. 2) Pick the right trade show that "YOUR" customer's will attendChoosing the right trade shows to attend is imperative! If your selling garden products you don't want to attend a show about airports because some airports have flowers in front them. Don't concentrate on 5% of your business in hopes that you may obtain new customers. Concentrate on the 95% of your business. Build that portion successfully and the time will come when you can begin to jump into smaller markets to round out your brand. 3) Get the word out!Let everybody know you're going to be at a particular trade show. Make sure to invite clients, suppliers, and other "potential" customers to attend the show. Be sure you give them the details, such as your booth number, the location of the trade show, and some other attendees that you think your customer will be interested in. While the goal is to help your customer suggested attendees should not compete with you. Don't forget to advertise in your monthly news letters and on your website. Trade shows are a great vehicle for businesses to expand their base. Keep in mind being of service is your goal here. Helping a customer solve a problem even if it doesn't include buying from you can benefit you in the long run. Immediate return on investment at a show isn't always possible but establishing a relationship with a potential buyer is! Have fun!
by: The Flagman
Yes it's almost here again, Father's day. With every passing year I'm always looking for the perfect gift to express to my father how much I love him. There is the usual gifts... a tie, some golf accesory ( usually one I'm not sure what it is but the girl behind the counter always tells me it's the next greatest thing) or old faithful, a hallmark card with really great words that don't express exactly the way I feel but it rhymes so that must mean something. As I think over my life, the most memorable times I've spent with my father have been in a boat. Fishing somehow seemed to unite my father & I in way that nothing else seemed too. I remember cool Wisconsin summer mornings, my brother & I being awakened before the sun had come up. As we arose, half asleep from our beds, it somehow felt like Christmas morning. I couldn't wait to get on the water and see what the day might bring. My father was always telling us where he fished when he was a boy and the exact place to throw our lures or bobbers to catch the big one. My father endlessly rowed the boat while my brother & I fished. Thinking about it now, I'm sure Dad got tired but he never mentioned a word, he just kept rowing letting my brother & I fish. This past summer my brother, my father and I had a chance to go fishing together again. We are all much older and thanks to modern technology he doesn't row anymore. My brother has seemed to take over the navigating duties on the trolling motor which I am grateful for because it allows my father and I to fish. We picked a pond we has never fished before and for the first time in a longtime we all seemed to be there, in that moment, enjoying each other in a simple but powerful way. I think this year I'll give my father a custom boat flag. Sure it's easier because I own a great flag company but what a great way to tell my father how much he means to me! Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's that took the time to take your son's & daughter's fishing!
by: The Flagman
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