by Maddalena Baldini

The Special Edition of PTE, besides finally recreating the opportunity to meet in person, was a chance to showcase many new useful, creative and original products. The focus has clearly shifted back on everything that is produced in Italy and Europe as a guarantee of quality. The technology, paper and textile sectors are also strong, with some objects that are still a hard core for targeted and impactful communication.

Sips of creativity

Fab Be.re Facile, a young company participating for the first time to PTE, presented a very original patent, completely Made in Italy: the bottle that becomes a glass. A small bottle that, when turned upside down, becomes a glass, with the cap serving as the base of the glass itself. An article that is most appropriate for spirits but can also be used for other drinks, from water to wine, available in Pyrex glass thanks to the ancient artisan technique of blown glass, or in other plastic materials suitable for food use.

An idea that contributes to water saving, especially when thinking of bars and clubs. Plus, it can be used several times, thus becoming an object to be carried around. Different sizes and shapes, as well as various colours, are available according to the type of drink. Perfect to be customized with the brand or company logo.

Silk and green yarns

When talking of Made in Italy, Tessitura Attilio Bottinelli comes also into play, a historical reality of the textile district of Como, specialized in scarves and ties. A positive vision towards the recovery and an increasingly innovative approach, both in terms of eco-sustainable materials and services to be offered to customers: in the first case, for example, the choice of relying on recycled polyester or ecological silk, in the second case, on the other hand, the company gives an absolute guarantee in terms of quality but also in terms of implementation and processing, thanks to a team of designers and a careful workmanship that is still handmade in many respects. The tie made for the G20 is among the various products presented at the Special Edition of PTE.

Technology and Augmented Reality

Also Maikii presented a series of very interesting products at the Special Edition of PTE. Among the most revolutionary innovations there’s Fresh, the digital and self-sanitizing water bottle, a product equipped with an internal sterilization system that uses UV rays to eliminate most viruses and bacteria. In addition, the closure includes a touch-sensitive sensor and a Led display: two touches are enough to start the sterilization. The Fresh water bottle can hold any liquid without the risk of being 'altered' and even chemical agents are not a problem, as the inside is made of 304 stainless steel with a capacity of 750 ml. Available in white, it has a silicone strap for easy carrying and can be customized with logos through laser engraving. Finally, it has a 220 mAh battery rechargeable with a USB Type-C cable.

Among the very interesting proposals presented at PTE, Maikii introduced the use of Augmented Reality as an alternative or addition to the traditional catalogue, an absolutely new theme within the field of advertising. Thanks to this technology, by framing the QR Code of a product, you have the possibility to see the object in a physical environment and observe it in different ways using the screen of your phone. A perfect way to give customers an idea of the product they have chosen.

Services and Made in Italy

Success and satisfaction are also coming from the 'voice' of Pubbli-Point, which reiterated how the Special Edition of PTE was appropriate and useful to immediately support the market in the period that leads up to Christmas, highlighting how customers are particularly focused on products. With an extensive catalogue, Pubbli-Point has focused on one key element: the service, by working alongside buyers and going beyond the neutral product, as well as by giving prominence to the customization of garments, considering that 80% of Pubbli-Point is related to textiles. A system that allows the delivery of a finished product and involves the whole production, since the company offers the possibility to 'create clothing as you want', besides guaranteeing excellent value for money even on small quantities and not only on large orders.

And when it comes to preferences, the theme of seasonality is still actual, with the demand for polo shirts and T-shirts for the summer and sweatshirts for the winter, without forgetting the wearability of the garment and the trends dictated by fashion in general. Among the top priorities of Pubbli-Point there are still eco-sustainability (especially when it comes to the colours used for customization) and Italian production, two elements that are interconnected.

And for what concerns Christmas, the gadget department of Pubbli-Point focuses on diaries and calendars, two items that are still among the most sought-after, thanks to the fact that they belong to those objects that, more than any other, remain in the public eye for an entire year. In the future, the focus will be on the partnership with Th Clothes of which Pubbli-Point is the exclusive distributor for Italy. Pubbli-Point is a strong and consolidated industrial reality on the regional and national territory thanks to the commitment of Entonj Carrano (now 41 years old), owner of the company and general manager, who worked to achieve these results since he was very young.

Great, high-quality customization even for a few pieces

Visitors at the stand of Melprom were eager to start over and interested in the new printing and customization techniques capable of meeting the needs of today's products, first and foremost those whose demand emerged during the pandemic, such as take-away accessories, for which Melprom uses an ad-hoc machine to customize bags and sacks made of ecological recycled paper. It was also presented a new way of applying the transfer on clothing and bags with excellent results, low costs and the possibility to carry out even smaller orders.

Among the objects that attracted the attention are those related to writing, such as customizable pens equipped with a small container and a sprayer at the end, in which to put the disinfectant gel so as to have a sanitation system always at hand.

The gift that reminds of time

Also Mantuano (from the name of the owner, Nicola Mantuano), exclusive distributor for Italy of the world's leading watches for over twenty years, made its first appearance at the Special Edition of PTE. At the moment the company represents a dozen brands of watches with different price ranges, from 50 euros up to no limit. Satisfied with the participation, because it was an opportunity to meet various promotion agencies, each with its own characteristics and with different target customers, Mantuano explained how it is possible to insert a specific logo on the dial. This operation requires an agreement with the watch manufacturer, who in some cases may not give its consent. Even delivery times may vary: for an Italian house they are faster, while for a Swiss house it could take several months.

It’s possible to process for the engraving just a few pieces or even a single item. In case of customization of the dial, the watch must be completely disassembled and reassembled, and water-resistance must be checked. All of this comes at a cost and a minimum quantity that varies from brand to brand.

Mantuano's target clients include private and public companies and institutions, and in some cases, for certain brands, they propose promotional activities with large-scale retailers as part of point collection programs. The different brands ensure a wide choice of technical (quartz, automatic and manual mechanical, solar) and commercial, sporty, classic and trendy products.

Custom-made services and projects

Riccardo Canestrari, owner of YWC, has an in-depth knowledge of the sector and very clear ideas. After participating for the first time to PTE, where he registered a great turnout, he tells us how YWC immediately highlighted its ability to be a reality that focuses on offering import services and implementation of custom-made projects within the promotional sector, aimed exclusively at distribution agencies and sector operators. It offers ad-hoc productions for multiple product categories, whose minimum quantities are related to the type of article. Plus, it guarantees compliance with regulations from all points of view and focuses on a flexible and practical custom-made.

The customer project from the distribution agency is implemented according to specific instructions and is imported and carried out creating customized products without the need of having high minimum quantities, such as, for example, caps starting from 250 pieces and backpacks, umbrellas and jackets from 500 pieces.

For what concerns sustainability, ecology and Made in Italy, according to YWC, the difference is still lying in the price. Customers do look for green and products that are made in Italy but, in the end, the expense for full sustainability is always limited, and Made in Italy often involves investments that are not compatible with the budgets dedicated to large promotional campaigns for end customers. This is, in any case, an aspect of the sector that is constantly growing and to which maximum attention should be paid: shoppers, technological items, bags and clothing made of bamboo, Rpet or other green materials are an example of that.

The pen plays with shapes

The attention to detail has also emerged for objects dedicated to writing, behind which there’s always more aesthetic and design research. This is the case of Klio Eterna which, on the occasion of the Special Edition of PTE, presented Klio Qube.

The Qube retractable ballpoint pen is a game of geometric shapes: the cylindrical stem ends in a cube. The metal tip is 100% made in Germany, the writing range is up to 3000 meters and there are 7 customization areas. The Qube model is available in up to 14 standard colours.

Customization starts from the box

Also Xindao highlighted the good contacts made during the Special Edition of PTE and the strong appreciation for customized proposals. Among the others, was really appreciated the MYBOXD service, which gives customers the possibility to create kits of articles with the inclusion of a box that is customized according to their graphics.