Creative Ideas Gallery - Influencing Identity

Name Day: What It Is & How to Celebrate

The moniker we received from our parents the day we are born may be our most valuable possession. It distinguishes us from others, and it shapes our personalities and individuality. Many cultures and countries celebrate a person yearly on a special ‘Name Day.’

The best thing about name days is that you don’t need to know your friend’s birth date to send them a greeting; you only need their name. And, while birthdays are the most popular reason to celebrate and party, why limit our celebration of each person’s uniqueness to a single day?

Is this day the same as my birthday?

In short, the answer is no. However, there is much more to the answer than a simple “yes or no.” Birthdays are just that, the day you were born. However, your name day extends beyond and into more meaning than a birth date. In many traditions, cultures and religions, your name day is more important than your birthday.

What are name days, and where do people celebrate them?

Variety of name tags showing variations of the name John.

Many European and Latin American countries celebrate name days each year. The tradition of celebrating this day goes back to the Middle Ages, especially in Catholic and Orthodox countries and continues today. Celebrations of each name day may commemorate saints and martyrs of the Catholic church. For example, Sweden celebrates the name Karl on January 28, the anniversary of Charlemagne’s (whose given moniker is Karolus or Karl) death.

A saint’s day celebration will include all the possible variations of that moniker. For example, St. Johns Day (January 7) is the name day of anyone named John, Giovanni, Ivan, Jeanine, Joann, Juan, and any of the 119 variations used worldwide.

Name days may be associated with a season or time of the year. One example is Palm Sunday, the name day for people with names related to flowers, herbs and plants to celebrate.

Many different traditions are associated with name days. However, no matter the customs, this is a time to celebrate the individual with congratulations and even small gifts.

How can I find my name day?

We know how important names are for building and maintaining relationships. And we believe in celebrating individual names every chance we can. So, search for official lists to find out when your moniker is celebrated. Many counties worldwide maintain lists of name days. For example, Sweden and Finland have kept lists that date to the 18th century and earlier. Today, It is simple to find a name day for yourself, your family and your friends by using the power of the internet. We recommend visiting www.mynameday.com to find yours!

Why are these days suddenly so popular?

In the book and television series, Game of Thrones, author George R.R. Martin refers to namedays. While he does not clearly define their significance, he mentions that they coincide with birthdays.

The nameday is a custom in the society of the Seven Kingdoms. It is an annual celebration commemorating the naming of a person and serves to calculate his or her age. Babies are named the same day they are born. People receive presents from friends and family on their nameday. It is essentially what we now call a birthday.

— Game of Thrones Wiki

So the tradition of namedays in Game of Thrones differs from the European tradition of celebrating one’s name day.

In conclusion

While each culture, fictional or not, may have different traditions surrounding name days, they all have one thing in common: the purpose.

Names are more than a label; our names help define us, they assist in building and maintaining relationships, and they are part of the continuity of society and a culture’s history. They are a part of our uniqueness and individuality and are always worth celebrating.

So, whether you respond to Michelle or Karl, Rebekah or Yuri or any other moniker, you have two days a year that are special to only you: your birthday and your name day.

We are all about celebrating names!

Check out these products that share you with the world—showing your pride at work, in the community and at home.

Custom Signs for Every School and Classroom

From directions to artwork, custom signs are the perfect fit for all of your classroom needs.

People don’t often think about all of the places they see custom signs. Yet every day, they pass at least a dozen. And, this doesn’t change when you are in school. In many cases, this visibility increases. Signs are everywhere. They provide instructions and directions, and they give warnings and security notices. Most importantly, they are there to help.

And, we’re here to help you understand how necessary custom signs are around a school. Teachers should take advantage of these fantastic tools for every corner of their classroom. From fun and bright colors to the ability to add simple artwork and graphics, creating your sign has never been easier. Here are some great examples of how every classroom can utilize these tools.

custom signs made for any school or classroom need

Where would you put a sign in your classroom or school?

You don’t have to look hard to find a place that needs either some extra color or more instructions. Signs can be used throughout an entire school. Think about the lunchroom, the principal’s office, the library and even the bathrooms! So, don’t limit yourself when creating your custom signs.

Every person in your school will know exactly where they need to be and what they should be doing when you utilize these fantastic signs. Help students figure out just where they need to be with directional signage that even comes as a stock option. All you need to do is pick the color that best suits where you need it hung, and you’re all set. Choices range from “Entrance” to “Lost & Found” and everything in between.

Upgrade your Classroom with Custom Signs

Sometimes a teacher may struggle to decorate their classroom. From bulletin boards to homework stations, signs are a convenient way to get decorating started. Use them to help students know where to hang their coats and backpacks. Place a sign on a desk for an easy sign-in for volunteers in your classroom. They are also the perfect tool to help create order in the chaos of a supply closet.

And don’t forget about those graphics! Add a simple image that represents your school or logo. Or, choose something that can represent your classroom. Students enjoy having a mascot to look up to or draw inspiration from.

Update your classroom’s look with new decorations using signs. Customize them with nearly any message you can think up. Add your favorite quote with a suitable graphic to hang on your wall. Or, create a custom sign to hang on the outside of your room door so others can enjoy it as well. But, no matter your wording or literary choice, remember that this personalized product is just as unique as you.

Get Creative With Personalized Signs

Sometimes all you need is a creative mind, and you’ll have an instant piece of art. Adding a door sign to a room is the perfect touch to help you be yourself. Custom signs are perfect for a classroom and any room in any school. (Careful, we have limitations that your imagination might not!)

From desk placement to student homework, there is a place for everything. So, make sure you know where that place is by creating an organized space. Once you have an organization plan, write it down. By doing this, you will help the students in your classroom know where things go and you will stay organized.
And, don’t forget to decorate. Use posters, banners, ribbons and custom signs to make your classroom a pleasant place for learning. Don’t go overboard, but make sure that your classroom is inviting and stimulating.

From simple instructions about how to complete a task to holidays and birthdays, these custom signs are here to make your day.

Acrylic Awards & Recognizing VIPs

One-of-a-kind acrylic awards are the best way to make someone feel truly special! Everyone from your favorite coach to your boss loves to be recognized for their contributions to your success. And, with the newest addition to our plaque line, we’re positive that we have the perfect award for your needs.

5 x 7 Crystal Acrylic Plaque

With an average yet versatile size, you can use these awards to recognize almost anyone in your life. Add full color UV logos, engraved graphics and engraved text to your plaque to make it a unique gift for someone special in your life. And, with an 11/16 inch thickness, they are self-supporting, so they are perfect for displaying on a desk, bookshelf or in a trophy case.

crystal acrylic plaque with uv color printed graphic and engraved text

Give the Best Gift Ever!

Is your best friend getting married? Or someone else close to you? Use the text from their wedding announcement, and this will be a unique gift for the special couple. Find out their favorite quote or a poem that is suitable specifically to them. Add colorful UV printed graphics along with the saying. Talk about a great way to help the couple celebrate their special day! Then wrap them in a personalized ribbon to complete the look.

These acrylic plaques are the perfect answer for that hard-to-buy-for person in your life. Customize one for your dad or mom for Father’s Day or Mother’s Day. Find some vector artwork of a fish or a flower bouquet to go with a personal thought. Your parents or grandparents are guaranteed to love this one-of-a-kind gift. Get a graphic that suits a sibling, niece, nephew or other family member and create a gift meant for one. Any recipient will be grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Use these crystalline blocks for holiday decorations. From pumpkins to Christmas trees and everything in between, add graphics and sayings to make your home sparkle during every holiday. With back engraving, the details from the text and graphics will be reflected and refracted within the plaque in various ways.

Honor a veteran with these fun plaques. Just like any other award we offer, these acrylics can be customized with messages of honor and presented as a keepsake. And, they look great on display on darker surfaces due to their transparency and white engraving. They are durable and lightweight, so they are easy to add to your decor. And, with a little personalization, they are the perfect way to honor someone for their service.

From the Home to the Office

crystal acrylic plaque for employee of the year reya sunshine

Don’t forget about your office! Whether it is for adding something fancy to your desk or to use as directional signage in your office, these acrylic plaques are definitely something to look into. They will look great on a receptionist’s desk to welcome customers. Use them to identify a courtesy phone or other item your office has for visitors.

Add your company’s logo and motto and present it to your boss for National Boss’ Day. Then they can decide where they want to display your thoughtfulness. And, with full color UV printing, any logo is sure to stand out and be just the right touch for your office decor.

The elegance of these Crystal Acrylic Plaques will make any office achievement shine. So, for your next “Employee of the Month,” grab one of these incredible awards and make your team feel important and appreciated.

No matter who you want to thank, make it shine with these beautiful plaques. Remember that coach in your life whether it be for little league baseball or the professionals. Everyone enjoys being recognized for their hard work and achievements.

3 Sets of Products That Work Better Together

From the simplest of pairs to the most personalized sets, here’s a list of all of our products that work better when paired together.

Badge Holders & Lanyards

Let’s get started with the most basic and well-known personalized product: badge holders. They are so underrated, and we think that’s a shame. Badge holders are great for so many things. From identification needs at conventions to at-home DIY projects, these unique products are downright perfect.

And, with printable inserts, badge holders are products that are only limited by your imagination, and maybe your printer. Add graphics, logos and any text you need for any event or craft. They come in several sizes and either a horizontal or vertical orientation. From lightweight to heavy duty, these vinyl badges are perfect for any need.

Don’t limit a badge holder to an event staple at your next conference, convention or trade show. They are so versatile that they will last through any meeting. And, they are an excellent benefit for schools to use as visitor passes. Retail environments also get significant reuse from these identification products when using them for seasonal employees.

Now, let’s pair these badge holders with the power of a lanyard!

Whether it’s a chain or full-color printed ribbon, lanyards have a power all to themselves. They are perfect for branding for any company or event. Keep essential items close at hand with a lanyard. And, you can find these tools anywhere you find badge holders. After all, badge holders come with a slot at the top specifically designed to go hand-in-hand with a lanyard.

And, with the variety of available lanyard styles, materials and colors, they provide an excellent source of advertising. Design your lanyards with logos, graphics and text to make them stand out. Even more important, make sure that your design flows with your badge holders. When used together, these two identification products provide multiple functions for a variety of events and situations.

Badge Holders & Badge Ribbons

badge holders and badge ribbons are two identification products that pair well together

We’re beginning to sense a theme here. Badge holders are making another appearance.

Badge holders and badge ribbons, it’s all in the name! They really do go hand-in-hand with each other. But, this time they are being paired with badge ribbons. These ribbon products are a fantastic tool at any conference. They help identify different participants and vendors. Badge ribbons are available with stock or custom titles so no one will be left out.

Badge ribbons are often used to promote brand recognition, events, sales and to market services or products. Add a ribbon to the bottom of a badge holder to make someone stand out in a crowd. Or use them for DIYs and home crafts. But, no matter what you use them for, remember to grab a badge holder to go with them.

Name Tags & Name Plates

Yes, you may not think that these two identification products work better together, but we beg to differ.

pair a name tag and a name plate together and make all of your identification products work well together with matching colors and logos

No matter how big your company is, using your brand is what makes you stand out. Your logo represents not only you and your company but also your brand and overall commitment to your clients and customers. And, in the name tag world, using your logo consistently on all personal identification products helps to define and identify you and your company.
From colors to logos, consistency matters. So, finding the right consistency with logos, colors and fonts helps to solidify your message. By defining what your brand is up front, you help establish your company as an industry leader. Find a way to keep your logo and text the same on all name tags and name plates. A company who ensures that their brand is well developed will retain and obtain connections with their clients and customers.

So, lesson learned. Never underestimate the power of combined identification products. Let them work for you, and your job will be even easier.

New Name Plates As Unique As You

Creating new name plates for your office doesn’t have to be boring. Get creative using these ideas.

Everyone seems to have one, a boring name plate sitting on the edge of their desk. How does it read? Your first and last name? Your generic title? Boring, right? Well, why not lighten up the mood in your office and share a laugh with your coworkers with new name plates. So, let’s get creative and get rid of the boring!

Your name is unique so it should stay put on your new name plates.

But, let’s put some class into it. Whether your name is short like Jim Shu or long like Vernon Ringo Fyre don’t underestimate the importance of font. Yes, you should remember to keep your name plate consistent with your company brand, but have a little bit of fun. With more than 15 different font choices, you can class up your name plate easily by changing the font.

And, what about that generic title.

Even if you are the CEO of your company, there are still better ways to say it on your new name plates. Use creative phrasing like “Master of Everything” or “The Man Who Signs Your Paycheck” to get the laughter going. Or are you the office clerk? Use a title such as “Magical Paper Transferrer” or “Organizer of Random Thoughts and Erratic Activity” to redefine a job that may seem boring. This can be done with any job title! Check out these other examples:

Human Resources becomes Timeline Overlord!
Social Media Manager becomes Entertainment Seer!
Customer Service Manager becomes Head Unicorn Wrangler!
IT or Computer Specialist becomes Warlord of Ingenuity!
Content Writer or Blogger becomes Ink Magician!

Who said it had to be a logo?

Okay, so we have your name covered and your title, but what about that logo? Why not go for something a bit more unique. Yes, if you are ordering in bulk, it will have to be the same for every name plate. But, you can still be creative. Instead of your company logo, make up a graphic that is just as fitting. Do you have a mascot? Or, try a unique icon that is suitable for your business.

Funny name plates also make great gifts!

From Father’s Day to Christmas and everything in between, everyone will love your creative side when you present them with a thoughtful gift of a new name plate. And, they don’t just have to be names and titles. Add a quote, personal thought or nickname to your new name plates. If the text can be engraved, put it on an Acrylic Desk Block or an Executive Desk Wedge to make it even classier.

get new name plates as Acrylic Desk Blocks and give them as gifts with a special and unique quote

If you are ordering for yourself, the sky may be the limit on this! And, with UV color printing available as well as engraving, you can include colors and images. Pick your favorite animal or other unusual and defining hobby. Do you like quilting? Provide an image of a quilt block. Are turtles or owls your absolute favorite? Well, you get the idea.

No matter what you decide for your new name plates, make sure you are representative of who you are and get that creativity flowing.