I always think there's no way anyone out there is reading my blog. At least not large numbers, and not consistently. This is why it's been surprising when companies reach out to me wondering if I'll mention them in an upcoming blog in exchange for compensation. The whole concept has always made me uncomfortable, but at the same time, I have bills to pay, so I've done it but only with products I truly and deeply do personally recommend.
One of these companies had been the very popular brand, Sticker Mule. Based in Amsterdam, NY, this printing company manufactures custom stickers, temporary tattoos, pins, tee shirts, and more. When they repeatedly offered me substantial credits for giving them a shout out I thought it was awesome since I used them all the time anyways and truly did love the quality of their products. On multiple occasions I struck this deal with them and was quite happy about it.
However, given what has happened with this company I wanted to publicly un-endorse them. On July 15th 2024 the CEO sent out an email as well as posting to social media about how Donald Trump had “been shot” and how all the hate for Trump has to end. This initial message was off-putting because you don't normally hear corporations making political announcements. However over the next 3+ months it seems the CEO lost his mind completely and my beloved Sticker Mule was now a full blown pro-Trump tragedy (but also sprinkled with a lot of delusion about how Trump represents peace and kindness and respect despite literally every word that has ever come out of that fascist's face).
What's truly astounding is all the cognitive dissonance going on here where the CEO seems to honestly believe Trump is not an evil, hateful, convicted felon who will work to strip away the rights of millions, but rather someone who the whole country can unify under. Customers who would express their disgust in this new direction were met with antagonizing comments on social media. The company has already lost 50k+ followers on Instagram, but seems to continually dig their heels in deeper. They then retaliated at some of their lost subscribers by doxxing them. Then he put up a 100 foot wide “vote Trump” sign and gave away 27,000 pro-Trump stickers.
All this is to say, not that anyone may care, but that I highly suggest using other printing companies for your sticker and merchandise needs if you don't want your money to go towards the funding and support of our soon-to-be dictator.
Some companies that seem safe that produce quality products are Sticker Giant, Sticker App, Experiental Printing, Sticky Brand, Slapp Co, and Zugg Monster.