Events and Holidays - Ribbon Impressions

Making Ribbons as Flair Work for You

We all have them. Lanyards and lanyards of name badges and badge holders we have received over the years. We get them as we attend conference after conference. Whether these conferences were for our jobs or entertainment, we still all have at least a couple of these event name tags hanging around somewhere.

You only wear them while you are at the conference, so why do you still have them? Is it the lanyard that makes the name tag so special? What about the name tag itself? Do we cling to everything that has our name emblazoned on it? Or, is it simply because we want to remember what we did while at that particular conference or convention? Or maybe, it’s because of all the RIBBONS AS FLAIR!

stacking badge ribbons on a badge holder with a lanyard to show some ribbon flair at a convention

From cosplay to ancestry conventions, ribbons as flair is everywhere.

Badge ribbons are a tradition that started at sci-fi conventions. World Con (where the world’s supposed first cosplayer was present), may have started this trend. To quickly identify the role of other staff members, World Con employees put ribbons on their badges that denoted positions such as “Dealers,” “Artists” and “Guest of Honor.” World Con attendees took notice and made their own, silly badge ribbons to share with fellow fans. Today, you can find ribbons being passed out at many sci-fi conventions and Anime cons as well.

So what are they? Badge ribbons are little colorful, often shiny ribbons with a phrase printed on them and an adhesive strip to attach it to your badge or to another ribbon. The standard size is four inches by one inch and five-eighths. They can be custom ordered on many websites, and a pack of fifty can range from twenty-five to forty dollars. Depending on which site you use, the ribbons can be made in any color, with any phrase and any simple image.

Lots of badge ribbons used as convention ribbon flair

Much like the above author, we find that these little ribbons can cause excitement around any event booth. Everyone must have one to add to their name badge. And, with the nearly endless printing possibilities, these badge ribbons are the perfect marketing and networking tool to have at any event.

The Marketing and Networking Hack

Step 1: Design your custom ribbons with fun titles or witty sayings. Or, choose from our available stock titles.

Step 2: Pass your new badge ribbons out during any event to attendees and everyone who walks past your booth.

Step 3: Sit back and watch as more and more people show up to your booth, excited to learn about your brand and business.

Yes, it really is that easy! These little ribbons can do all of the talking for you and your business. No matter the event, badge ribbons are a must-have. From stock titles to going a bit crazy with full-color printing and fun messages, your ribbon flair is sure to stand out among the crowd.

Stack your ribbons as flair till your heart’s content!

The best thing about these fun ribbons? You can stack them onto a name tag, a badge holder and even another ribbon! With the adhesive strip that runs along the top of every ribbon, these marketing tools just got even easier to use. Now you really can sport all the ribbons as flair you want. Even if you are a presenter at an event, you can still add additional ribbons to the bottom of your credentials.

And, even if you don’t have a name tag to stick them on, the tape allows you to attach these fun ribbons to a notebook, backpacks and so much more. You can literally spend hours collecting every ribbon. So join in on the fun of ribbon flair by creating your badge ribbons today!

stacked badge ribbons for added ribbon flair to a badge holder

PRO TIP: ORDER BLANK RIBBONS

blank badge ribbons to use as DIY ribbon flair at a convention

Let attendees come up with their ribbon flair with blank badge ribbons and a permanent marker or pen. They can add notes, titles and fun quips to show off their unique flair!

Shop Badge Ribbons

Holiday Decorating with Custom Ribbons

Have you ever asked yourself how to use custom ribbons for holiday decorating ideas?

Well, we’ve said before that using custom ribbons for decorations is a great idea. But, what about the holiday season? Are they any good for Christmas or Hanukkah? What about the New Year holiday? Of course, they are! We have ideas ranging from holiday door wreaths to ribbon walls for a photo booth (and nearly everything in between). However, we want to prove to all of our customers that ribbons can be used for everything, especially holiday decorating.

So, here are some surprising ways to use custom ribbons for your holiday decorating!

Ribbon Rolls: Decorating a Tree

Start at the top of the tree and roll a ribbon straight to the floor. Or, run a ribbon entirely around the tree for a more traditional look. But, no matter how you use those ribbon rolls, make sure to pick the right colors to match the rest of your decorations. Go with red, green or white to match the holiday. Maybe you have a theme for your home this year? Try matching colors or use contrasting colors to brighten up any living space for the holidays.

use custom ribbon rolls for your holiday decorating by wrapping them around a Christmas tree

Ribbon Rolls: Ornament Ties

No ornament is complete without a way to hang it. So, make your tree stand out this year with custom ribbon rolls. Maybe you have a ribbon roll with names from your wedding or your company party. Tie them around each ornament and add a touch of personality to your tree. Or, get creative with where you hang ornaments. They look great dangling from the mantle or a staircase.

Rosette Ribbons: Ornaments

Speaking of a fun idea for custom ornaments, do you have any rosette ribbon awards lying around? Maybe you don’t quite know what to do with them. Well, how about using the string or fastener on the back of those ribbons and adding them to your holiday tree. They are sure to add a pop of color and spark some charm.

Rosette Ribbons: Gift Bows or Tags

We’ve shared before how badge ribbons are the perfect to/from gift tags for every gift. But here’s a new idea. Use the rosette on a ribbon as your tags or the bow. Cut off the circular portion and add it to any gift box for a magical and unique touch. Nothing will quite say, “Happy Holidays” like a fun and festive way to distinguish your gifts from others this year.

red, green and white stock star rosette ribbons are perfect for holiday decorating

Badge Ribbons: Table Runners

One of the best things about this time of year is all of the homemade crafts and goodies. So, get to work and let your badge ribbons do the talking! Although you might require a sewing machine for this craft, using bright, custom ribbons is one way to get everyone excited for your decorating. Either run the badge ribbons in straight lines the length of your table or create a pattern. But, no matter what you do with them, you’re sure to get all of the attention for your crafty thinking!

Badge Ribbons: Christmas Stockings

Another idea that might require a sewing machine is to make everyone matching Christmas stockings. Line up your badge ribbons end to end and get to decorating your home with this fun craft project. These stockings can also make wonderful neighbor or colleague gifts. Fill them with all sorts of goodies and give them away. The recipient is sure to love everything about their new Christmas stocking.

use badge ribbons to make a Christmas stocking for unique holiday decorating

So, no matter what type of ribbons you have, we guarantee you can find something to do with them for the holidays. Now, get back to decorating!

Best of Show: Festivals and Fairs

State festivals and county fairs have two things in common: the elusive best of show and award ribbons. From incredible horse shows, food demonstrations and live music to fried food, butter sculptures and roller coasters, festivals and fairs can be an incredible experience. And, don’t forget the best part: those best of show ribbons! But, before we get into our favorite topic of ribbons, let’s talk about the difference between a festival and a fair.

a festival and a fair both have something in common: best of show award ribbons

FESTIVAL vs. FAIR

Briefly, a festival is a gathering of people to celebrate something, historically religious holidays (feast days), but now also secular ones, e.g., Kwanzaa, or the Burning Man, initially held to celebrate the summer solstice. Mardi Gras is a famous New Orleans festival, a religious one celebrated more quietly in other areas.

A fair is a gathering of vendors or tradespeople for the entertainment, commerce or other purpose. There are job fairs (hardly a festival), book fairs, farm shows (also called fairs) where people show their prized livestock or farm products for the entertainment (and often sales for charity) of both fellow farmers and non-farmers alike, county fairs (mostly just summer entertainment), etc.

So now that we know the difference between a festival and a fair, we can focus on more important things. Things like how to win your Best of Show ribbon!

While we do not have specifics, especially when it comes to things other than ribbons themselves, on what the best looking cow is or if you have the best tasting chili, we do have a little bit of advice. No matter your location, from Texas to Minnesota, the best thing you can do to win that coveted prize ribbon is to try your hardest. Work on your craft and put the required time in to make sure you know what you’re doing.

Here at Coller Industries, that is exactly what we do with our custom ribbons (and every personalized product we sell). We have been working on our craft for decades, and are top in our trade. So, while we can’t really award ourselves with Best of Show ribbons (judges consider that cheating), we might just try.

But, don’t take our word for it!

Jeff Halbach, a poultry judge at the 2018 Minnesota state fair, said, “The birds that end up on champion row usually are sound in body, correct and bright in color, have been cleaned and prepared for showing by their owners. And, finally, they have that winning personality.”

Emily Griffiths, also a judge (beef cattle) at the 2018 Minnesota State Fair, said, “I have always believed that beef heifer shows are very comparable to a beauty pageant in that it is about combining desirable female traits in a well-presented form with poise and style. You want an amount of body and muscle that is proportional and well suited to the animal’s frame with excellent structure. What separates an ordinary cow in the pasture from a champion at the state fair are those heifers with an extra amount of class, style, and grace. Those characteristics are not just limited to people—cattle can have those, too!”

Okay, on to those elusive Best of Show ribbons!

Rosette ribbons are seen everywhere at a fair. From giant pumpkins to those cute baby piglets, they are the classic touch at your local state or county fair. There are plenty of titles and stock ribbons from which to choose or make custom fair ribbons. They can have any award or honor imprinted to meet all of your needs.

From county fairs to holiday festivals, personalized ribbons are sure to bring home the Best of Show! And, no matter your ribbon choice, we have something to meet all of your festival and fair needs. Whether it is a pie eating contest or a 4-H event, ribbon rolls are sure to amaze with the right customization. Rosette ribbons are available as stock titles (yes, Best of Show included) or customize your own. They are a great way to make sure all winners are recognized for any achievement.

best of show stock rosette ribbon from Personalized Ribbons

But, enough about us, what about you? Are you planning on taking home Best of Show this year? Will it be your prized pig or your mom’s best blueberry pie?

SHOP AWARD RIBBONS

Greeting Cards with Unique Flair

From holidays to weddings, personalized ribbons are your best friend!

Custom ribbon rolls and greeting cards are the perfect pair when it comes to any event. They are great for a birthday party invitation or a thank you card. And, with just the right message, these ribbons will make any recipient feel how special you think they are.

So, whether you’re throwing the party of a lifetime or need a way to express your feelings, let’s figure out some ways to incorporated those custom ribbons into your greeting card needs.

Weddings and Formal Events

weddings invitations and menus are perfect with personalized ribbons

Most people look forward to hearing that their favorite couple is finally tying the knot. And, if you need a way to make those invitations a bit more inviting, add a bit of ribbon flair. Try tying a length of ribbon roll around the stack of the announcement, the RSVP card, your photo and anything else you want in your invitations. Don’t forget to customize the ribbon with your wedding date, names and choose the perfect color to match your special evening.

Even if it isn’t for a wedding, formal events are a great place to get some incredible use out of custom ribbons. Use that ribbon roll again for tying around menus. Or, use them for place holder cards at a formal family reunion. Everyone is sure to be happy to sit where you want them with such a fancy place card on their plate.

custom top ribbons can make a unique wedding announcement or greeting cards

Another fun idea is to use custom top ribbons as your event invitation. Add fun and colorful graphics and images along with names, dates and other essential details. Slip these ribbons into envelopes and get them in the mail. People are more apt to appear at an event when they know you put some real thought and effort into the invitations.

Birthdays and Other Holidays

We’ve all seen those super cute birthday greeting cards with ribbons sticking out everywhere. Now, picture those with personalized ribbons! How cute is that? And, with our custom ribbon rolls, you can now make your own. Forget about spending all that money at the store. Buy some high-quality card stock and design any holiday card your heart desires.

badge ribbons on greeting cards for mother's day and father's day

And, don’t limit it to ribbon rolls. Custom badge ribbons are a fun accent to any card. Make an award ribbon for that special mother or father in your life. Then, attach it to the front (or inside) of your handmade greeting cards. You will get the best hug you have ever had by giving such a thoughtful gift.

Or, go all sorts of fancy with big, beautiful bows on Christmas and other holiday cards. Even if you don’t want to design a card, find some inexpensive cards and add to them with strips of ribbon rolls or bows made from custom ribbons. Don’t forget the most important part: personalization! Add a festive message to your color choice, and people are sure to know how much you care.

The Feeling of Greeting Cards

From congratulations to a simple missing you, expressing your feelings is what greeting cards are all about. So, learn how to say thank you, congratulations, good luck and so much more with your personalized ribbons.

Express gratitude, say you’re sorry or give condolences with personalized ribbon cards. No matter your emotion, you can make a greeting card with personalized ribbons that says it all.

Wedding Traditions are Better with Ribbons

custom blue ribbons around tealight candles used for a wedding

A wedding is a day for celebrating love, joy and the families that come together. And, what better way to bring two families together than wedding traditions? Whether it is a tradition handed down for many generations or something the special couple has chosen for themselves, it is a time to celebrate their love for each other.

Every detail should be just right, from finding the perfect dress to picking the right venue. While there is much to do, here are a few fun traditions we discovered that will have added meaning when you incorporate custom ribbons. So try these out, or suggest them to a friend about to tie the knot.

Handfasting Ceremony Traditions

handfasting ceremonies are just one of the many traditions performed at weddings

This particular ceremony is becoming increasingly popular but has strong, traditional roots. No matter why the bride and groom chose this ceremony, it always involves cords or ribbons. The word handfasting has given us phrases such as “tying the knot” and “bonds of matrimony.” It signifies the joining of the individuals involved. During the ceremony, the bride and groom weave ribbons together using their chosen colors, messages and symbols.

Make sure everyone feels involved by including small trinkets, such as charms, into the ribbon weave or braid. Each trinket should be unique, from favorite colors to symbols representing different events in the couple’s lives. Another way to include everyone is to have various family members, such as mom/dad or grandma/grandpa, place different parts of the ribbons around the couple’s hands.

Why not make this an even more unique and individualized experience? Customize your ribbon rolls before braiding them together in the traditional manner. Choose names, dates, sayings or anything involving the couple getting married. Consistent with tradition, the bride and groom will have individual ribbons wrapped around their clasped hands. So, the ribbon imprint should be unique to the couple and individualized to the person. This personalization will help signify the joining of the two in marriage.

The Cake Pull

While this tradition is often found in the American South, it still fits in for nearly any wedding. Customizing the ribbons to match the pulls adds a specific and unforgettable charm. So, what is a cake pull?

cake pulls are a fun way to incorporate southern traditions into your wedding

A cake pull, sometimes also known as a ribbon pull, is a New Orleans wedding tradition not unlike the bouquet toss. The bride gathers a number of her single or eligible female friends around the wedding cake. Inserted into the wedding cake are various charms with ribbon tails. After a count of three, each of the women pulls a ribbon, exposing a charm. The charm is meant to signify the puller’s future.

There are eight classic charms historically used for ribbon pulls, each with its own meaning. The ring (which indicates the next to get married), the horseshoe or the four-leaf clover (signifying good luck), the telephone (offering good news), the anchor (encouraging hope), the heart (indicating impending love), the thimble or the button (revealing the old maid), and the penny (meaning poverty). While these are the charms used most often, a cake pull can have up to twenty different charms for the various single friends of the bride.

The charms are usually inserted into the bottom layer of the cake (after it is baked, but before it is frosted) and are often made of sterling silver to be a keepsake for the woman who pulled it. Many brides provide bracelets as gifts for the charm to be worn on.

Now, you can take this fun filled tradition and make it your own. Personalize small ribbons attached to each charm with memorable, custom text before baking them into the wedding cake.

Accessories & Traditions

From trading out traditional flowers for a ribbon filled embroidery hoop to adding custom ribbons to jewelry, every wedding will be perfect with personalized ribbons. Here are some great ideas to add to your new traditions.

add something blue and keep in line with wedding traditions using custom ribbons on shoes

Make a statement during the wedding by braiding custom ribbons into the bride’s hair instead of a veil. And remember the bride’s maids and flower girls. Let them in on some of the ribbon fun. Give them ribbons to carry with their flowers, or weave some custom ribbons into jewelry as a statement piece.

Need something blue for the bride? Order custom blue ribbon rolls and tie big, beautiful bows to her wedding shoes. Keep the traditions alive with blue ribbons in the bride’s bouquet or throughout her accessories. From the garter to a small piece of ribbon tacked inside the hem of her wedding dress, help that special gal find something blue for her special day.

And don’t stop there! Add these pretty ribbons to embellishments for all the dresses and suits for the wedding party. Yes, it is traditional to use flowers, but incorporate ribbons to make everything even better. Even the men at the wedding party can be part of these fun traditions.

two ribbon rolls designed with bride and groom names for weddings

So, no matter what traditions you plan on having at your wedding, remember that custom ribbons make everything better.

MAKE MEMORIES WITH RIBBON ROLLS