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    NAME BRANDS. We love them. We wear them. We use them. We spend that extra money when buying them. WHY?! Well, the dictionary definition claims that ‘name brand’ is a product that is made by a well-known company.

    UHM….BORING. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty…real deal…the “truth be told” of a name brand product, shall we?! When creating a product and growing your brand, one of the most valuable assets you can possess is the name. People associate names with an identity, and that identity lets customers know what to expect when it comes to buying a product. In comparison, your generic brands do not hold as much promise to their name when it comes to quality and consistency.



    NorthPoint knows exactly what mix of brand name products and generic goods we must carry for our clients. Many times, customers will choose an off-brand product simply for the price benefits, but name brand products hold a higher value for a variety of reasons, from having a great experience with the brand in the past to wanting to show off an “OH WOW - that’s the vibe” kind of image. Brand name products often rely on prior experiences or public word of mouth to get their value across initially, but once they become well known, their value is simply assumed with their name.

    ALSO, not to mention, social influence plays a role in the value of name brands as well.  As a natural social instinct, we all have a desire to fit in - whether that’s in school, at work, or in our GLORIOUS circle of friends and family, and because of this, good ol’ Thomas will typically pick the Mercedes Benz GT 4-door Coup over a Ford Focus.  On top of that, people tend to buy from name brands believing that the brand will also contribute to a greater social acceptance OR it fits their personal and/or professional image.

    Name brand products set themselves far apart from the generic brands because they also build a story. Typically, when a consumer first buys a name brand product, they are just crossing their fingers that it either works as fast and efficiently as possible, or the overall look is the best compared to other products. Once experienced, though, name brands not only prove to be great in both quality and consistency as product, but they also are able to signify what they stand in the area of that market.



    Name brand products time and time again prove their quality because they can stand *clears throat deepens voice*…the test of time!! In the wise words of our grandmothers, “They age like fine wine.” Which is another big reason why customers chose a name brand product - you might be spending a few extra coin for that Yeti Cooler, BUT 10 years down the road you are passing it down to your kids, grandkids, friends, great uncles - and it still works like the day your first bought it! Quality over quantity, am I right?

    All in all, there is a whole laundry list of reasons for buying name brands and why they are often chosen over generic brands, but bottom line is: name brands are brands you trust in quality, efficiency, consistency, and durability - they will last you for years and years to come.


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    NorthPoint welcomes back our quarterly Hot Boxes with The NorthPoint Hot Box: Life in Color Edition.  

    If you’re new here, you may be thinking - what the heck is a Hot Box?! Brace yourselves…you’re in for a rollercoaster of fun! At NorthPoint, we are constantly on the search for the hottest products in the industry, from apparel to drinkware, tech, and everything in between.  But don’t worry - it doesn’t stop there.  We want to share these awesome products with you all! With our quarterly Hot Boxes, we design, produce, and ship a themed kit right to your doorstep so that you can see some of our hottest products firsthand (not to mention the kitting and design potential that comes with them! 😊) Think of it as a box of inspiration.  Who knows, maybe it might spark a kit idea of your very own!

    I don’t know about you, but we have definitely been feeling the dullness and drab of the past year looming over us.  Hope is in the air, though, and we are craving a burst of life and color that is soon to come.  So, what do you say…do you want to help us bring a POP of color back into the world?

    Send an email to sales@northpointprinting.com to join our email list and for a chance to GET HOT BOXED BY NORTHPOINT! Claim your Life in Color HotBox, and let your inner creative side shine through to bring the color back that we all need!

    To add to the fun, submit your creations for the chance to win a $200 giftcard to our swag store. All you have to do is follow the instructions  written on the inside of the box, send your art over our way, and we’ll choose a winner for each category! Invite your friends and family to join in on the fun, and let the creative juices flow!


    The Life in Color Hot Box contains some of the latest and trendiest products, especially for those creative and colorful events and campaigns. Check out what you can expect to find in your Hot Box below:




    13-Piece Drawing Set


    Available Colors: Natural


    Price: $4.50 - $7.88


    Description: It’s no secret this world has been BLAH…BORING…and frankly just grey. Let’s bring some zest, some spice, and some POPPIN’ COLOR back into this place, shall we?! All creative steps start with a good foundation of tools, and with this 13-piece drawing set (12 colored pencils and 50 page sketch pad) get your tangy artistry started!



    Cotton Travel Pouch


    Available Colors: Black, Natural


    Price: $4.08 - $5.15


    Description: Oh HEY…speaking of tools - we have also provided you with an excellent permanent solution for this color adventure! The Cotton Travel Pouch holds your very own set of sharpies to make your art stick. Take these for a spin on your water bottle, tote, puzzle, or even this box!



    Positivity Bubble Box


    Available Colors: Black


    Price: $4.15 - $4.65


    Description: What makes you feel better when you’re in a creative slump? We prefer a daily inspiring quote or a reminder of how amazing we are! This LED Thought Bubble Light Box is a “PSST over here” reminder bubble that you can use for those moments when you are in need of a boost of inspiration!

     


    Blank Canvas Tote


    Available Colors: White, Black, Magnet, Navy, True Royal


    Price: $6.32 - $10.82


    Description: How do the most amazing pieces of art begin? It all starts with that first special squiggle! So, grab those sharpies Leonardo da Vinci and create your very own Mona Lisa! Use the provided squiggle as a place to start, and continue on to create your own masterpiece! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

     


    COLOR ME PLEASE Puzzle


    Available Colors: Custom


    Price: $5.71 - $7.96


    Description: This 25 Piece Puzzle in a can NEEDS YOUR HELP! Hurry and grab the colored pencils, sharpies, or Dad’s favorite blue pen in his padfolio …honestly ANYTHING that will bring this loom and gloom puzzle back from the dead! After your explosion of color, take it apart and challenge your mind!

     


    Imagination Hydration Bottle


    Available Colors: White, Stainless Steel, Red, Orange, Lime, Mint, Aqua, Navy, Black


    Price: $11.99 - $13.99


    Description: 24 ounces of another item that is begging for some color! Sometimes you get lost in thought and don’t know where to begin. Take a deep breath…relax…pick up those sharpies and embrace the eb and flow of the pattern! NO stress, NO limits, just you and color!





    *Pricing Accurate at time of posting. Check with your Account Executive for updated pricing.*

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    Are you using your iPhone camera to its full potential? With the quality of iPhone cameras having increased from generation to generation, it’s important to know how to use the features of your camera to be able to make the most of your iPhone photography! And while the features and capabilities of your phone camera help to strengthen the quality of your photos, having the knowledge of composition, subject, and settings can really bring your iPhone pictures to the next level! Let’s take a look at a few tips and tricks to help improve your shots:

     

    1)   1. Adjust your Exposure Settings

        Did you know that your iPhone camera app has an on-screen slider to change the exposure of your picture? Holding your finger on the screen will bring up the Auto Exposure slider, where you can drag either up or down to make your exposure brighter or darker. If you hold down the yellow box, you can even lock the exposure settings that you’ve set!

     


    2)   2. Set the focus of your photo

    Your iPhone camera will normally set the focus of your shot automatically, but to ensure that the focus is set to what you want, press your finger on the area that you want in focus. If you hold there, you can even lock that focus into place (You will see AE/AF Lock on the screen).

     


    3)   3. Use the Camera Grid for Better Compositions

    If your camera grid is not already on, you can go into Settings>Camera and toggle the Grid option to turn it on manually.  Not only does this 9-section grid allow for your to see if your photo is level, but it can also help you to achieve the rule of thirds in your photos.  This is a classic technique of positioning your subject off center to allow for a more visually pleasing composition!

     


    4)   4. Use burst mode for action shots

    There’s nothing worse than missing out on an awesome photo opportunity because your subject was moving and your shot came out blurry.  Burst mode is the perfect solution to help you capture those high-speed moments that you don’t want to miss! To use the burst mode, hold down the shutter button, and your camera will automatically capture a burst of 10 frames.

     


    5)   5. Show depth with portrait mode

    Portrait mode is a great way to take your flat image and add more depth to it.  Make sure that you are two to eight feet away from your subject, select ‘Portrait’ at the bottom of the camera screen, and shoot away! You can even change the lighting of your portrait from “natural light” to “studio light” and more by sliding through the options at the bottom of your portrait mode screen.  If you have an iPhone XS or more recent models, you also have the ability to change the strength of the background blur after taking your shot by clicking ‘Edit’ at the top right of your photo in camera roll and adjusting the depth slider and needed!

     


    6)   6. Use your volume button to reduce camera shake

    Instead of taking a picture with the shutter button on your screen, try using the volume button on the side of your iPhone to snap a photo! This will help ensure that you have a steady grip on your phone and will reduce the chance of camera shake!

     


    7)   7. Shoot from a low angle

    Most people tend to take photos while standing and at a chest height because that is the easiest and most convenient way, but why not try some new angles to make your photos stand out from the norm?! One way to create a more interesting photo is to take it from a low angle.  This will allow for a different perspective of your subject and may also give a more interesting background! If you’re taking a photo outside from a low angle, the sky is more likely to make up most of the background, rather than items that are directly behind your subject.  This brings the focus and attention to the subject and can make for a super awesome photo!

    Tip: Hold your phone right above the ground and turn upside down for an easier way of taking a photo from a very low angle!

     




    Try out some of these tips and tricks next time you shoot with your iPhone camera, and see the big difference that small adjustments and changes can make! From camera settings and tools to composition and lighting, allow your iPhone photos to reach their greatest potential!

     

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    Price Point: $41.50-$45.00


    Production Time: 5-7 business days


    Available Colors: Multi-colored


    Perfect For: Employee Giveaways/Client Gifts/Corporate Swag Store Items/Campaign Ideas/Themed Kit Ideas/Party Items

     

    ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!! Translation: HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO (aka Cinco De DRINK-O!) Let’s raise our margarita glasses, our shots of tequila, our colorful sombreros, and our delicious tacos to this day of good eats, strong drinks and festivities with friends and family! It’s time to FIESTA with the “Let’s Fiesta Margarita Kit!” This kit is packed with all of the necessities for a 10/10 food and drink tango…(but if you prefer a salsa we wont judge you!) It includes a clear cocktail shaker with margarita jelly belly jelly beans, jigger (a liquor measure), nacho cheese sauce cup, mild salsa cup, tortilla chips, margarita rimming salt tin, and a recipe card. NorthPoint is here to help with your next big themed campaign party…and if you need a few dancing lessons, we are willing to help with that too!

     

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