Posts Tagged ‘Trends’

Welcome!

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Welcome to the NEW and IMPROVED Bags & Bows website, the official source for retail packaging.  I apologize to those of you that have experienced frustration while trying to order online.  Our goal has always been to provide the best possible online shopping experience ever.   Our information technology team has been working hard and fast these last couple of months to improve your experience and we are excited about our new website and hope you will be as well.  We are used to being the first and best in the market, and while the Bags & Bows team thinks our website is much improved  (although not perfect yet), we’re hoping you could let us know if you feel the same way.  If you have a couple of minutes, we would sure appreciate hearing from you — just send an e-mail to me, laura.k.walker@deluxe.com, with your thoughts or any suggestions you might have.

One of our exciting new additions is this blog.   We came to realize that it is a great way for us to share relevant and helpful information, beyond just packaging products.  Having said that, we want this blog to be fun too, so don’t be surprised when we throw something playful in here from time to time.  You’ll hear from our Art Director and Trendspotter, Christine (our very own “Design Diva”), our Retail Advisor, Mike, who keeps up on all the latest economic news, and our guest bloggers and Retail experts that we find credible and trustworthy (the ones that can help smaller retailers vs. the “Big Box” stores).  You’ll also hear from me and others on our Product and Marketing team, and hope on occasion that you’ll respond to surveys to help us deliver the right products and services for your business.  If you’re interested in being on a Bags & Bows customer panel to assist with ongoing product insights and design feedback, just send a message to the above e-mail address.

(more…)

Color Trends — How Are They Determined?

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Bags & Bows looks to the fashion and home furnishings/home décor industry for color cues and design trends. These areas are very reactive to their markets. Color selections come from a combination of elements: color reports, trade publications, information provided by vendors and just getting out there to shop. By actively LOOKING at what retailers, both large and small, are doing, we can put together a palette that will appeal to our customers.

Color Trends in the Fashion Industry

Twice a year, the fashion industry seizes the opportunity to introduce new fabrics, styles and colors at New York Fashion Week, one of the biggest fashion shows in the world. This event is a big part of “setting the stage” for what the fashion trends are going to be for the season and a lot of people are watching.

When it comes to the designs, the fashion designers are clearly running the show, but how do they choose their colors? Some in the industry might say their color inspiration comes from “within,” but it could be argued that there are other influencing factors that assist them when choosing their color palettes.

(more…)

The Facts About Recycling

Friday, September 25th, 2009

The Facts About Recycling

Over the past several years, the word “recycling” has become more of a household name, but there is definitely still some confusion about the topic.

Some common questions people have are…

What is a recycled product?
What is a recyclable product?
What is a biodegradable product?

Below is some basic information answering these questions that will hopefully encourage consumers to recycle and minimize their contribution to our already overflowing landfills.

What is a “recycled” product?

Recycling programs are increasing across the nation and around the world as a means of reducing the amount of landfill space needed for waste, but collecting papers and bottles is only half of the process. Consumers need to purchase products made of recycled materials to complete the cycle.

In the world of manufacturing consumer products, a “recycled” product is…
A new product made from materials that would otherwise have been waste,  broken down (melted or pulped) into a basic substance from which a new product can be formed.

Even though the word “recycled” is commonly used to mean reusing something in any way, legal definitions require the old product to be broken down into its basic material and a new product formed for it to be called “recycled.”

There are three general levels of recycled products that can all be called “recycled”.

(more…)