We Are PPAI Proud

FUSION OF IDEAS is now a member of Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the world’s largest not-for-profit trade association of the promotional products industry. 

For more than a decade, we have committed to helping our clients create powerful brand experiences to mobilize and grow their businesses. We do this through our laser etch, full-color direct print and StealthArmor branding solutions, as well as custom device packaging. 

Additionally, we are proud to hold the ‘Product Safety Aware’ status in PPAI’s Product Safety Awareness Program. This means we have met or exceeded the PPAI product safety training and education requirements.

Maintaining this status is an ongoing effort we are committed to. We are dedicated to continuing education on all matters related to product safety and compliance in an effort to increase the value in the service that we deliver.

Founded in 1903, PPAI has a long history of leadership in the development of training and education programs meant to enhance safety programs in the promotional products industry. The Association is the world’s largest and oldest not-for-profit trade association for the $18.5 billion promotional products industry and is the leading provider of promotional products safety and compliance training and education with more than 50-years of professional development and certification.

Perfecting the Unboxing Experience

We’ve all watched them. Unboxing videos to reveal the latest phone, the season’s hottest toy or a new beauty product. There are countless online videos, and even YouTube channels, dedicated to unboxing products.

What is “unboxing”?  

‘Unboxing’ is just what it sounds like: the action of taking something out of a box. Done well, a package that creates a memorable unboxing experience demonstrates thoughtfulness from the sender and makes the brand stand out from the crowd.

Why does it matter to businesses?

For companies, a great unboxing experience can boost your content marketing efforts, drive engagement, increase sales, as well as improve the way the recipient feels about the product. But it’s not just relevant for retail or e-commerce businesses. Creating a memorable first impression lets the brand’s personality shine for all companies in all industries.

People care about the unboxing experience because it provides additional value for the recipient and the business by way of creating a positive first impression —ideally, one that’s both memorable and shareable, hence all the unboxing videos you see.

What does it take to create a memorable unboxing experience?

  • Great Packaging – The very first impression the recipient has of your product comes from the packaging. One way to ensure your business stands out from the crowd is with custom packaging, such as a box or gift wrap that is customized with your company logo, slogan or brand colors.

For a mobile device or accessory, an easy, yet impactful, way to personalize your package is with a customized device sleeve that fits over the manufacturer’s box.

Custom box created for Apple iPad with a custom designed device sleeve
Custom packaging delivers an impactful unboxing experience. Pictured here: Custom box created for Apple iPad with a custom designed device sleeve.
  • Personalized Message – A note, such as a welcome or thank you message, adds one more touchpoint in the unboxing experience. Take it one step further and personalize it to make that one-on-one connection with the recipient.
Personal note from sender included with a gift card.
A little personalization goes a long way. Pictured here: Personal note from sender included with a gift card.
  • Branded Product – While this is not part of the unboxing experience, customizing the product inside the package with corporate artwork or branding truly makes the product one of a kind. Pro tip: If you go this route, consider getting the product re-packaged with shrink wrap to create the same effect of opening a new, untouched product.
Custom branded Apple iPad Mini and smart cover, and customized device sleeve
Create a lasting impact with an immersive brand experience. Pictured here: Custom branded Apple iPad Mini and smart cover, and customized device sleeve.

When it comes to creating an immersive brand experience, we consider every customization point that can create a positive impression on your brand. The unboxing process is just one of the ways we customize to elevate and take your business to a new level. Contact us today to see how you can create an unprecedented unboxing experience for your customers.

Customizing Speakers and Accessories is Our Jam

Summer means longer days and warmer weather, which leads to some of our favorite things: outdoor gatherings, summer barbeques and festivities.

If you’re thinking about the perfect employee gift or an upgrade to your office wireless accessories, consider a smart speaker, which can be used for many occasions. According to a new Global Info Research study, the worldwide market for wireless smart speakers is expected to reach over 500 million units by 2024.

In today’s connected world, there is a rising demand for smart devices, including smart wireless speakers. FUSION OF IDEAS’ device customization service delivers high-impact brand experiences for all mobile devices and accessories.

From Apple HomePod to the UE Wonderboom, we offer personalized solutions for any mobile device or accessory. We utilize a proprietary UV printing process, which allows for permanent, full-color printing on any raw material. For a semi-permanent alternative, our StealthArmor protective film is heat bonded and precisely fitted to maintain the thin lines of the device while offering the same style and protection.

For more information on how we can create a custom brand experience for your company, visit fusionofideas.com/branding.

Eye-catching JBL Xtreme bluetooth speakers customized for Horsepower Site Services
Eye-catching JBL Xtreme bluetooth speakers customized for Horsepower Site Services
Custom Apple HomePod for Golf Channel
Custom Apple HomePod for Golf Channel
The ever-popular UE Boom 2 customized for General Catalyst
The ever-popular UE Boom 2 customized for General Catalyst
Coalfire customized the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot for company use
Coalfire customized the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot for company use
Custom branded Google Home for Charlotte Hornets
Custom branded Google Home for Charlotte Hornets
Customized JBL Clip 3 speakers for FX Networks
Customized JBL Clip 3 speakers for FX Networks

Bowl Swag for the Books

Bowl games have a long history of making the holiday season merrier and brighter for college football fans, especially when your team is in the playoffs. For the players involved, there is a great sense of pride that comes with playing in the biggest game of the season. And of course, there is bowl swag.

The Pac-12 Conference events team partnered with FUSION OF IDEAS the last two football seasons to create memorable gifts for the Pac-12 bowl teams as a reward after a long season of hard work. Both years, the gift of choice was a customized Apple TV gift set that included a fully branded Apple TV, remote, and iTunes gift card, which were shrink-wrapped and packaged with coordinating crinkle paper inside a customized Pac-12 shipping box.

The one-of-a-kind gift, which took a popular Apple technology and made it personal with custom branding and packaging, was a unique and thoughtful way for the Pac-12 organization to show appreciation to the players.

Playing the most important game of your season is already a dream come true. Add in cool free stuff and it’s easy to see why athletes love this time of year.

The WORLD’S FIRST Customized Apple Watch Series 4

As soon as we got our hands on the new Apple Watch Series 4, our design team went to work to find the best points of customization and created the WORLD’S FIRST customized Apple Watch Series 4.

Here’s what we did:

  • The specs. We started the process by getting the exact specs of the device, down to the millimeter. Precise measurements are crucial as we only get one chance to print directly on a device or accessory.

 

  • The mockup. Once measurements are logged, our design team went to work creating a mockup of the design, painting a picture of what a finished custom device will look like. A final proof is sent to the client for approval before production begins.

 

  • The production process. Depending on the device, we may build a custom housing to hold the device while it is in the printer. Our patent-pending color and laser customization process allows us to permanently brand devices with high-quality, full-color graphics without voiding the device’s warranty.

 

  • The packaging. We extend the brand experience with custom packaging solutions including sleeves, boxes, gift wrap, shrink wrap and one-of-a-kind packaging experiences.

We are thrilled about the new Apple Watch and the results of the customization. The most significant added feature on Apple Watch Series 4 is that it is also a health-tracking powerhouse. Game-changing features such as fall detection and emergency SOS open the device to new audiences: fitness and outdoor enthusiasts, senior care providers and healthcare workers.

For us at FUSION OF IDEAS, deciding whether or not this new wearable gadget is worth purchasing is a no-brainer. And with the holiday season around the corner, this is the perfect gift for your valued employees or customers. The only question remaining: how will you customize the Apple Watch to fit your company brand and culture?

Check out how we transformed Apple Watch Series 4, from ordinary to extraordinary: