The Platform

Welcome to The Platform Group Gallery

Hi -  I'm Allison Gower, one of the founders & President of The Platform Group Gallery (asi 78708 / ppai 216134).  Visit our robust catalog site here.

I and the rest of our team would like to extend a hearty welcome! to you (especially readers of Rosalie Marcus' PromoBiz blog)-- we look forward to introducing you to our line of spectacular promotional packaging and our stupendous distributor support tools.

Before I forget -- did you know that our packaging is environmentally friendly? Always has been - always will be!  We love EARTH. 

Many of you have already requested branded catalogs, branded web-sites, samples, joined the referral program or mailing list, or inquired about our free self-promotion program.  And if you have - you've started receiving emails / phone calls from me & the Customer Service team. 

For those of you though who'd like an overview of who we are and what we offer -- this post is for you!

First things first...we are an exclusive advertising specialty supplier and have been listed with ASI and PPAI since 1998.  We advertise to YOU in industry publications like Corporate Logo, PPAI's Navigator and New Product directories, PPB and many others.  We advertiser for YOU in google and other search engines so that we can generate leads of qualified (wanting to buy now) endusers (the banner above is an example of what you might see on google's ad network).  Here's the important part -- whenever (and this means always) we receive an enduser inquiry, we pass that lead onto participating referral distributor.  This means free leads (and qualified ones too).  If you want to be on our referral list -- join it - it's free and we'd love to have you.  [if you wonder how well it works - ask Joe Spano of Red Letter, or Sandra Kaip of Brand Image or Andi Vopalensky of Theresa Roberts or read these testimonials]

We make a full-line of promotional packaging - what's that you ask?  Think gift boxes, media kits, mailers, binders and disc storage.  Why do you or your customers need promotional packaging? Well, lots of reasons -- think of those gorgeous corporate gifts you sourced for them -- shouldn't they go to the recipient in a beautiful gift box complete with their logo & perhaps a nice custom-foam insert to hold and display the items?  Or should it go in the OEM corrugate box?  Easy choice.  Browse some of our case histories and you'll get the idea. By the way - we tend to show the 'big guys' in the case studies - but little guys like looking good too.  Lots and lots of our packaging goes to local / regional professionals; the same ones that you service everyday for promotional items.

Our full-line fits into three main price categories - I named them SoHo, TriBeCa and Manattan (b/c I think those are catchier names than small / med / large & because although I live in Houston, TX now, I hail from Philadelphia and miss the days when I could pop into NYC for a show and a good shop).  To find pricing (and all on the site is P-coded) - you find the item you like, then add printing.  Click on the item to get a large photo with pricing and color availability information. Here, try it on one of our best sellers - the 40-21 Snap folder.

We offer four types of decoration -

1. Screen Print (we use Pantone or matched colors; no CMYK and we try to limit half-tones)
2. Offset Print (your choice of Pantone / matched or CMYK and go to town on half-tones)
3. Blind Deboss (an indentation of a graphic right into the package; no color)
4. VIGNETTE (this is new - it's a way to get high-resolution CMYK at low quantities, no setups and on some items absolutely no minimums)

We do lots of cool stuff like always give you a firm freight quote (so there are no surprises when you get the invoice), provide firm ship dates (and lots of times beat them) and give you trk no's immediately...stuff that makes it easier for you to keep your client happy.

AND - we offer some great tools.  Here are the highlights.  Read through them - or just email CustomerService@theplatformgroupgallery.com with a request or question or ring us at 888-880-4790

• Referral program
• Submit a Lead program [you tell us who your clients are & we code them in our database so that if we hear from any of them, we get that information to you pronto]
• Branded Catalogs
• Branded Web sites
• Free Self promotion
• Virtual Samples  [you tell us about your project & we prepare a PDF full of ideas; showing your clients' logos / graphics on items along w/ accessories]
• Free Actual Samples
• 24 Hour Challenge [just need something and need it fast - use this!]

   

galleryboard packaging featured in PPB Games Product Showcase

galleryboard packaging is featured in the June 08 edition of the PPB Product Showcase (featuring GAMES).

The Platform Group Gallery UPIC: platform
GalleryBoard binder -
Every item in the galleryboard packaging line is made from 100% recycled content. The line, designed for marketing & promotional programs, featured binders, mailers, gift boxes, portfolios and custom designs.

Spectacular distributor support tools including referral program, free self-promo, distributor-branded Web & print catalogs and 24/7 online virtuals.

Request INFO:
CustomerService[at]ThePlatformGroupGallery.com

Self Promotion Program makes 1st Coast Happy!

If you haven't yet ordered your no-charge self-promo order, don't miss out (choose from any TriBeCa priced Press Kit, Gift Box, Binder, Mailer or Disc Storage). Every item in the galleryboard line is made from 100% recycled content fiberboard and chlorine-free dyes, so every item is eco-friendly!

I received my Presentation Folders late last week.  I just want you to know that I love them!  They provide a solution for me - and I think they are a great example of the solutions that your products can provide for my clients.  Thank you for the "self promo" offer which allowed me to have this product and hopefully generate new business for both of our companies.


Robin Ray
1st Coast Printing / Global Source Link
ASI #208395
103 Coquina Court
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

 

Communities in Schools support featured in ASI Advantages

For over thirty years, Communities in Schools Houston has provided children with services they need to help them focus on school.  They organize community services and make sure they reach the students -- services including dental & medical care, school supplies, meals and social support.

The Platform Group Gallery provides support to CISH via time and product donations and time service.  We are proud and happy to be a part of such a wonderful organization.

The June edition of ASI's Advantage magazine highlights a just of few of the efforts in the promotional products industry to support important community organizations.  The Platform Group Gallery is included in the feature.

Houston school children are shown opening Santa Sack program gifts featuring galleryboard packaging gift boxes (over $25,000 product donated to CIS for this program).

To read the full ASI Advantage article Pay it Forward, click here to Download advantages_platform_group_gallery.pdf or visit ASI Central.

To learn more about Communities in Schools and help them help kids -- please visit their web-site.  They can't do it alone - neither can the over 35,000 kids they serve in the Houston area.

Communities in Schools is a national organization - look for one in your area.

Sneak Peak -- download a song created for & donated at no-cost to  Communities in Schools by TYSongs.  Download cant_do_it_alone_final.mp3

Vector Art

Here is the definition of Vector Art (using guidelines from Promotional Products Industry SmartCodes, Smart Code #1).

VECTOR ARTWORK - definition from Promotional Products Industry Smart Codes

• Must be saved in the Postscript Format and contain no Postscript errors, stray points or colors assigned inconsistently to the type of imprinting -- specifically --
  
  • if your order will be screened or embossed; then all colors must be 100% of a PANTONE COLOR, no half-tones of a color
  • if your order will be digitally (vignette) printed - colors must be set as CMYK, half-tones OK
  • if your order will be offset printed, colors must set as CMYK or PANTONE, half-tones OK
• All type that has been set must be converted to curves (outlines). If future changes to the text will be necessary, the original font file must be supplied with the art file (we support both MAC and PC)
• All design elements in the file must meet our minimum standards (recommended minimum size if 0.125" of any element)
• If the vector file contains any linked (placed) raster images, these images must be a minimum of 300 dpi at 100% of the print size, must be set in CMYK and must be submitted with the original vector file.
• PDF Files created from vector files must retain the editing capabilities of the program that was used to create them (e.g. Illustrator or Freehand).
• PDF Files that contain raster elements must meet the standards from above for raster images (CMYK, 300 dpi at 100% of size)
• PDF Files that contain vector elements must meet the standards from above for vector art
• No matter what the format or transfer method, artwork should never be submitted without either a hard copy proof or electronic equivalent (properly prepared PDF files are suitable as proofs)
• Any fonts used in the product of art files should be converted to curves (outlines) prior to submission.
• ONLY PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE packages may be used to produce artwork.  Although programs like Microsoft Word and Publisher are useful tools, they are NOT capable of producing art files of a quality necessary for imprinting purposes.

Energy - the Opportunity to Conserve & Develop

The Platform Group Gallery manufactures ecologically friendly packaging - every item in the galleryboard packaging line is made from 100% recycled content.  We use top-sheets that are environmentally friendly and colored with chlorine-free dyes. We conduct ourselves as much as possible in a green fashion -- emailing invoices, vs. faxing and mailing -- reading documents from our computers. vs. printing -- recycling paper for multiple use, etc etc.  We keep the AC on as high a setting as is feasibly possible in Houston TX and we consolidate our inbound freight as much as possible to conserve fuel. 

All of us in the company practice green behavior in our personal lives as well -- driving Mini's, biking when possible, limiting shopping trips, etc etc. 

It is necessary for us all to conserve to make a difference in the environment and reverse damaging trends. 

But truly there is a bigger opportunity than conservation -- and that is development of new approaches to energy.  Here is a summary of a discussion I had recently with my father -- a veteran of the oil industry and now the CEO of a nanotechnology firm.

"....the real issue is not conservation--it is the development of new energy sources.  We have an abundance of energy available to us.  We have just been too stupid, lazy, arrogant to pursue sensible alternatives.  The high cost of energy now is the best thing that could happen as far as actually solving the problem.  Without doubt, the transition from low cost energy to higher cost energy has and will continue to be painful for our country and for many people, but it still is the best incentive.  I only wish we had created the current prices 20-30 years ago by putting a major tax on energy, a $3.00 per gallon tax on gasoline, for example.  That money, if used to support real scientific study, may very well have gotten us away from the dependence on the Middle East.  Instead, we have paid that same amount to the OPEC countries.  It would be difficult to think of a worse approach.

 

Here are some facts that I am rather certain about.  There are coal reserves to last probably more than 100 years.  Coal has numerous problems--it contains sulfur, various metals and produces more carbon dioxide than any other hydrocarbon fuel.  That sounds awful, but these problems are solvable.  The sulfur, metals and related materials can be captured, at a cost for sure, but they can be removed.  The carbon dioxide can also be captured, although it is not yet clear how to handle such high volumes.  That is where scientific research comes in. It would seem impossible to me that these problems can not be solved.

 

Nuclear is a second alternative.  People worry about the danger, but, in fact, the waste generation from a nuclear electrical power plant is not so large that it can not be handled.  A plant in south Texas which has been operating for 20 years has generated nuclear waste which would approximately fill a swimming pool, according to what they told Rick Smalley (winner Nobel Prize for Bucky Balls - Nanotechnology) a few years ago.  That is a problem but not an insurmountable one.  Waste of this magnitude can be protected from terrorists.  Simply collect the waste from multiple plants, store it in a single location, and guard it.  Surely this would be better than sending those potential guards to Iraq.  Nuclear is not the total answer because uranium supplies are decreasing, but it could be a major factor.

 

There still are tremendous reserves of heavy oil and remote natural gas around the world.  It is difficult to recover much of the oil, and it is not clear that the issues are worth it.  The natural gas in remote locations could be straight-forward, however, if we could convert it to electricity in place and transport the electricity long distances by wire.  That is not possible now, but carbon nanotubes have the potential to solve that problem.  This is a problem which will almost certainly have to be solved regardless of how we move forward. Electricity is almost certainly the most viable power for the future. Most people do not want a coal or nuclear electricity generating plant near their home, so the best answer will be to build them in remote locations away from population centers and then transport the electricity to cities.  To do that, we need materials with high conductivity and low weight--that is carbon nanotubes.  We also will need ways to store the electricity during non-peak utilization, and those could be relatively small batteries or fuel cells located at houses or business locations. 

 

The ultimate solution must surely be solar energy, where resources are infinite.  Every moment of every day, there are 165,000 terrawatts of power hitting the earth.  To put that in perspective, the world consumption of energy in 2004 was the equivalent of 14.5 terrawatts. By 2050, the world will require 60 terrawatts of energy equivalent, assuming that the countries which are now underdeveloped reach the same standards as the rest of the world.  So, solar can provide the energy. The issue, of course, is that we are not capable of converting this sunlight to electricity in an economically efficient manner.  It has been estimated that, at 10% conversion efficiency, one could supply 20 terrawatts of electrical power using 6 square spaces of land strategically located around the world for collection, with each space being about 60 miles on each side.  This problem is solvable if sufficient research is put on it.

 

The U.S. has the best scientists in the world, although that is beginning to change, but we have them directed toward issues which mean virtually nothing.  For example, for energy, we are focusing on making ethanol from corn.  It would be hard to think of a dumber idea.  Not too long ago, George Bush announced that the cornerstone for future energy would be hydrogen generation.  That rivals ethanol from corn for stupidity.  It may be a valuable component of an energy solution as a way of storing energy, but it can not be a way of creating a new energy source.  Hydrogen exists primarily in hydrocarbons--oil, gas, coal--so it doesn't solve anything to use that.  Of course, hydrogen is also abundant in the structure of water, and it is conceivable to capture it.  But I wouldn't bet on that route for long term viability.

 

Once the U.S. realizes that we have a major energy problem, I hope we will devote the resources to solve it.  There is no question that we can, and, in my mind, there is no question that it will be good for the country and all of us.  This has the potential to be another Manhattan Project or another Space Exploration Project of the 1960s.  Both of these projects were hugely successful and also had a spectacular side effect.  They created such an interest in science, that a generation of students chose science fields for their career.  The result was rapid scientific development in hundreds of areas and, without question, leadership from the U.S. for both the development of scientists and scientific development. 

 

Right now, we have the reverse of this.  Other countries are producing far more scientists, many of them still from U.S. schools but going back to their country of origin.  This has risks at least equal to those of depending on the Middle East for oil.  I feel certain that a drive to solve the energy problem would be the best thing that could happen to the U.S.  And, if/when we are successful, abundant energy will mean the solutions or major progress toward solution of many of our major concerns--poverty, food production, water, etc.

 

None of this will be done without major cost, the cost to do the research and development and the cost of future energy.  It is unlikely that we will ever have low cost energy again.  Alternative forms can not compete with low cost energy, but, also, low cost energy is not sustainable.  And, as long as it is sustained, there will be no long term solution.

 

This is probably more than you ever wanted to know.  But I feel strongly that the transition we are now going through is a normal one and also an inevitable process.  I could even argue that conservation just prolongs the issue.  I won't argue that because conservation is good for so many reasons--saving money, reducing pollution, etc.  But I will state that both the energy and the pollution issues can be solved if we go after them.  And I will also state that we will not go after them until we have to.  The economic reality of the Wall Street Journal will prevail.  I don't like it that they are right, but they are.  We will not solve this problem until we must.

galleryboard Packaging now listed on PromoMart.com and Brandiatric.com

galleryboard packaging - made from 100% recycled content fiberboard and colored with chlorine-free dyes is now available in the PromoMart.com and Brandiatrics.com product listings.

You can find the galleryboard line in these sites by searching on keywords like press kits, binders, gift boxes, and/or by searching for environmentally friendly items.

PromoMart and Brandiatric are sites that list thousands of promotional items for advertising programs and is used by businesses small, medium and large to find the right items to promote their products, services & events.

Referrals are wonderful! Thank you Wyteria!

Recently we received an order from Tollens Office Supply, and Max Tollens told me that he was referred to The Platform Group Gallery by Wyteria Jacobo of iPROMOTEu- WLB Enterprises. 

I thanked Wyteria for the referral....

Allison,

You're welcome. I sent a message about your company to my entire email discussion group so hopefully, you'll start getting more orders from them.

My order came quicker than I expected,too. I think it was 2 days after you sent me the email about shipping. I blogged about it on Promotional Advice.

Kind regards,

--
Wyteria Jacobo
An Independent iPROMOTEu Affiliate

WLB Enterprises
Innovative Marketing Strategies. Tangible Results.

.....It came on a Saturday and I've been on cloud nine ever since. I wasn't even expecting it so soon! What am I talking about? My very own eco-friendly portfolio from my favorite supplier of "green" packaging, The Platform Gallery. If you haven't clicked on my link below to view the entire line of presentation materials, do it now. Here's the link: My Eco Friendly Package Site. I use the portfolio on my sales calls because it looks more professional than if I carried loose papers in my briefcase. Plus, it's imprinted with my business name so I can keep my name in front of clients when I leave it with them. Similar products have been used as press kits, media kits, sales kits for new distributors and to introduce new services. Clicking on case studies on the website will pull up even more uses. You gotta get one so you can see what I'm talking about. If you need help deciding which one is best for your next campaign, just call me at 321-277-4734 or shoot me an email at wlb.creativemarketing@gmail.com.

Support for Communities in Schools Houston

For years The Platform Group Gallery has supported Communities in Schools Houston with time and product donations.  Please consider learning more about this national drop-out prevention organization that is dedicated to providing support to students in-need, teachers and parents.  Here is just one example of the spectacular work done by Communities in Schools Houston. 

At only age 9, Rene faced life circumstances that threated to overwhelm him.  He wasn't doing well in school and other kids made cruel remarks about the clothes he wore to school and his stutter.

You see, Rene lived with his grandmother, and they barely got by.  His mother was serving time for drug possession, and he had never known his father.  There were times when Rene and his grandmother had no electricity, and eviction notices were common.  Despite being hungry and tired, Rene went to school every day and did his best.

A caring teacher noticed that Rene was withdrawn and was being teased by the other students.  She referred him to the Communities in Schools office on the campus, and the project manager immediately contacted Rene and his grandmother.  She put Rene's grandmother in touch with several local organizations that could help with electricity, rent and food. And because of the generosity of CIS donors, the project manager was able to provide Rene with school supplies, a backpack, and clothing to wear to school from the CIS Emergency Fund.

Over the last 29 years, CIS has encountered thousands of Rene's.  And because of generous, caring people like you, we've been able to give them the assistance they've needed to succeed in school and prepare for life.

Communities in Schools can't do it alone.  Please consider becoming a Communities in Schools partner at one of the levels below.  Event a small gift makes a big impact!

Schools Supplies:  For as little as $5/month you can provide a child with school supplies for an entire year.

Dental Care: For just $9 / month you can provide a child with a complete cleaning, dental exam and x-rays.

Emergency Fund: For $13 / month you can provide a child with basic emergency needs such as food, clothing or shelter.

Complete Services: For $19 / month you can provide a child with the full array of CIS services, including school supplies, dental care and emergency assistance for an entire year.

VISIT CIS Houston's and Click the DONATE NOW BUTTON.

Vote for The Platform Group Gallery

Vote for The Platform Group Gallery (asi 78708, ppai 216134, upic platform) in Corporate Logo's annual Best of Business 2008 survey.

Vote for best Customer Service, best Overall, best Service Providers, best Innovative Products.  Thank you!

The Platform Group Gallery makes galleryboard packaging - an ecologically friendly line of press kits, binders, gift boxes, mailers and accessories, including custom cut foam inserts.  Every item in the galleryboard packaging line is made from 100% recycled content and dyed with chlorine-free colors.  Choose from over 300 stock items or ask us to design a custom item for your program.  We make everything in our U.S. plant and ship quickly. 

All items can be imprinted up to 6 colors with screen printing (great for PMS Pantone colors), digital vignette printing (perfect for cmyk in low-runs), offset (spectacular for half-tones and cmyk) and blind debossing.  Our customer service team is spectacular - provides firm pricing (which you can also check 24/7 online) for items and freight -- and easy to read art proofs and pre-press -- there are no surprises. 

The Platform Group Gallery has been a trust advertising specialty supplier for 10 years and we provide a host of spectacular distributor support tools.

galleryboard Packaging featured in PPB Product Showcase

The Platform Group Gallery's galleryboard packaging line is featured in the June PPB Product Showcase. 

galleryboard packaging is ecologically friendly & sustainable (designed for re-use).  Every item in the line is made from 100% recycled content fiberboard and chlorine-free dyes.  The line features over 300 stock press kits, gift boxes, binders, mailers and desk accessories. 

Every item can be imprinted up to 6 colors, via screen print (great for pantone colors), digital vignette (great for cmyk and low-runs), offset print (great for cmyk and half-tones), and blind deboss (a subtle indentation).

The Platform Group Gallery has been a supplier to the advertising specialty industry for 10 years (asi 78708 and PPAI 216134, upic platform).  galleryboard packaging is made in the United States from U.S. sourced materials.

Learn more about the galleryboard packaging line at www.ThePlatformGroupGallery.com