Duck-Talk

Duct Tape Gifts for Father's Day

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:42:05 -0400

It’s a simple fact…dads love duct tape.

Since Father’s Day is right around the corner, it’s time to decide on the perfect gift for dad. We’ve compiled a list of Father’s Day gifts that combine Dad’s love of duct tape with some traditional Father’s Day favorites.

-Duck Tape® Wallet: With this gift, dad can always have everything he needs in his back pocket – money, credit cards and pictures of his favorite son or daughter.

-Tie: One of the most traditional gift ideas for Father’s Day, creating a duct tape tie for dad is sure to make him the talk of the office.

-Drink Koozie: The perfect accessory for dad to carry at the family cookout or sports event. He can keep his drink cool and his hands dry!

And, since you’re making your gift with duct tape, you can use his favorite colors (we have more than 20 to choose from – and some pretty cool new patterns, too), personalize it with his name or preferred hobby, and more.

Do you plan on making a duct tape wallet for Dad this year?

Beat the Summer Heat with Home Weatherization

Thu, 20 May 2010 15:35:04 -0400

Each fall, we spend money insulating and protecting our homes from the cold winter winds. I’ve found that stopping air from invading my home saves money and makes my home more comfortable, too. But, while I worry about blocking the cold drafts and winter winds, I often forget about the hot weather over the summer, which can also seep in and cause an increase in energy bills.

So, this year, I’m making a plan to “summerize.” It’s an easy-to-do and cost-effective project that can be done over a day or a weekend. Here are a couple of key locations that will likely be at the top of my list to check:

• Windows and doors – These two areas are the most common sources for leaking air in and out of the home, which can account for up to 46 percent of home energy loss each year. Air leaks around windows can be sealed with weatherstripping seals, while problem areas underneath doors can be solved with a door bottom seal. Duck® brand has an array of weatherstripping and door bottom seals to fit any need and budget.

• Window air conditioners – How can a machine that makes the room so nice and cool be so bad for home energy efficiency? Easy, check out the gaps around the unit after you install it. As cold air escapes, hot air enters along with dust, insects and pollen. While some of you might use blocks of wood or plastic to fill the gap, why not use something designed specifically for the job? There are a variety of air conditioning products, including many from the Duck® brand, that can be customized to the size and shape you need.

• Walls – Ideally, wall cavities are filled with insulation to stop air leaks; however, hot air often can enter through hidden areas such as around electrical sockets. Duck® brand Socket Sealers® provide a barrier to keep the hot air out and the cool air in. They are easy to install by simply removing the plastic cover, slipping in a foam sealer and reattaching.

Not only can “summerizing” your home help you save money on energy bills, but this year, the U.S. Federal Government is also giving up to $1,500 in tax credits to homeowners who install certified home energy efficiency products. There are many Duck® brand products that qualify. Learn more.

What are you doing to keep the cold air inside when the temperature outside skyrockets?

Here Comes…Spring Cleaning!

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:10:16 -0400

Here in Avon, Ohio, we’re counting down the days to warmer weather, plenty of sunshine and no snow! But, while spring may bring the weather we’ve all been missing, it also brings with it plenty of cleaning projects to be done around the house.

I’m getting prepared to wash my walls, scrub my floors and clean my windows, but these are all the places that are seen. For me, the true test of a proper spring cleaning is tackling the areas that are often not seen, like the pantry, kitchen cabinets, linen closet and more.

With the height of the cold and flu season near an end, I want to make sure everything is wiped down from top to bottom.

So, this year, I’m pulling everything out to make sure my house is clean and fresh. I am even going to get organized by finishing the projects that I always put off, like:

Catching up on my filing.
Sorting through my linen closet.
Storing winter clothes.
Going through my kitchen pantry.
Organizing my kitchen cabinets and drawers.

And, since I am pulling all of the stuff out of my linen closet, pantry and kitchen cabinets, it’s probably the best time to line my shelves with shelf liner. It’s another one of those tasks that I keep putting off, but it’s a great project to help maintain the health of my family and the cleanliness of my hidden spaces. Shelf liner – like our line of Duck® brand Easy Liner® shelf liners – can help protect surfaces from scratches and dings, while also providing a surface that is not only the perfect catch-all for crumbs, water rings and other spills, but also easy to clean (or replace if need-be). Many Duck brand Easy Liner shelf liners are machine-washable, which make clean-up even more of a breeze!

Are you getting ready to spring clean? Let us know your tips and tricks – and most forgotten places!

Happy 50th Anniversary Bubble Wrap®!

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:03:50 -0400

Happy 50th Anniversary Bubble Wrap®!

It’s hard to believe that Bubble Wrap® brand is turning 50 years old this year! Most of us can’t even remember a world before Bubble Wrap® cushioning; and, thankfully, we don’t have to. Ever since Bubble Wrap® cushioning was invented in 1960 by Sealed Air Corp., it’s been POPular for everything from protecting valuables to relieving stress (a favorite use for many).

We doubt the inventors, Al Fielding and Marc Chavannes, knew their original invention – a plastic wallpaper with a paper backing – would be such a useful, diverse and multi-FUNctional hit. Nowadays, people use Bubble Wrap® material for all sorts of things…here are a few of our favorite creative uses:

• Keyboard wrist pad – fold or roll Bubble Wrap® material and use it to cushion your wrists.
• Gift-wrap – Bubble Wrap® cushioning is great for wrapping presents or as the “filling” in a gift bag.
• Faux painting – use Bubble Wrap® material to add texture and style to painted walls.

Throughout these past 50 years, Bubble Wrap® cushioning has even made its way into mainstream culture in a number of ways. Among journalists, a “Bubble Wrap” is slang for a news story of little substance or consequence, and you believe there’s actually a book dedicated to Bubble Wrap® material written by Joey Green and Tim Nyberg?

What do you think is in store for Bubble Wrap® cushioning for the next 50 years? Happy Popping!

BUBBLE WRAP® and BUBBLEWRAP AND FLAG DESIGN® are registered trademarks of Sealed Air Corporation (US).

Duct or Duck? Time to Choose.

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:48:32 -0400

It’s a timeless question I hear almost daily…is it Duct or Duck? It’s time to set the record straight.

At first a nameless product, “Duck” tape was the original term used to describe the tape that was invented during World War II by Permacel, a division of Johnson & Johnson. The war effort required a tape that was durable, waterproof, strong and could easily be torn. Inventors used medical bandaging tape as the basis, generating a solution that was army green in color and nicknamed “duck” tape because of its ability to repel water (like water off a duck’s back).

After the war, the tape was changed to its well-known gray color and put to work holding heating and cooling ducts together…thus officially giving it the “duct” tape name (though ductwork is not a suggested use for the product today).

Thirty years after the invention of duct tape, Jack Kahl, former CEO of Manco, Inc., created the Duck® brand of duct tape by renaming the product Duck Tape® and adding Manco T. Duck (now Trust E. Duck) as the mascot and logo for the brand. Through the years, working in partnership with Shurtape, the product has evolved from its traditional gray color to include more than 20 colors of Duck Tape® brand duct tape, including bright colors and patterns.

Today, duct tape has thousands – if not millions – of uses. It’s a fix-it, create-it product with a cult-like following. We receive stories and uses daily from the people we call duct tape enthusiasts. Here are a couple of my favorite “did you know” duct tape fun facts:

• Years ago, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of this patriotic product by unveiling an American flag made completely with red, white and blue DuckTape®. The size of a professional basketball court, the flag required 1,120 rolls of Duck Tape® (220 rolls of blue, 420 rolls of red, 380 rolls of white for the stripes and 100 rolls of white for the stars).
• In 2001, a couple vowed to “stick together” with a duct tape wedding ceremony. The festivities included Duck Tape® wedding attire, accessories and decorations. Everything from the cummerbunds to the bouquets to the centerpieces was made from Duck Tape®. The bride’s gown, made by designer Brian McKinney, was made almost entirely from white Duck Tape® and was accented with more than 600 Bavarian crystals.
• Duck Tape® is a secret that’s been used in the fashion industry for years. We took it to the runway! We partnered with both Parsons School of Design (New York, N.Y.) and Ryerson’s School of Fashion (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) to work with student designers to create fashionable Duck Tape® duds for the catwalk.

Are you a duct (or Duck) tape enthusiast? We want to know…

A Little Valentine’s Romance Help

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:52:25 -0500

Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it…and if you’re looking for a creative way to express your feelings for your sweetheart, I might have a crafty idea for you. The ancient symbol of love and beauty…the rose.

But, the beautiful bouquet I am suggesting is free of thorns and might save you enough money to afford a delicious heart-shaped box of chocolates, too…the Duck Tape® Rose. You can make one or a whole dozen for your Valentine – click here for instructions to make your rose.

Before you begin, I am sure you want your bouquet to send the right message. Each color rose has a specific meaning in the language of love. Duck Tape brand duct tape is available in more than 20 colors, so, with the help of Wikipedia, I’ve compiled the following “Duck Tape brand duct tape Rose Color Chart of Love:”

Red – True Love
Blue – Mystery
Green – Jealousy
Yellow – Friendship or apology
White – Eternal love, innocence, reverence
Beige – Unity
Brown – Sweet (like chocolate)
Black – Farewell
Gray – Strength
Clear – Honesty
Camouflage – Tough love
Funky Flamingo – Grace
Island Lime – Escape
Atomic Yellow – Cheerful, pure joy
Blaze Orange – Desire, passion
Maroon – Beauty
Electric Blue – Peace
Aqua – Trust
Purple – Love at first sight
Totally Tie-Dye – Groovy love
Chrome – Love from the future

What duct tape Valentine’s surprise do you plan to make for your sweetie? Share the romance…

Wear Duct Tape to Prom… And Win Money For Doing It!

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:17:30 -0500

It’s hard to believe that 2010 is the 10th anniversary of our Stuck at Prom® Contest! For the past decade, we’ve watched in awe as thousands of students from the United States and Canada have cut, torn, rolled and even crocheted duct tape to create one-of-a-kind prom outfits and accessories.

We continue to be amazed by the creativity of the outfits and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2010! To sweeten the deal and celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’ve decided to award 10 prizes this year:

• The ﬁrst place winners will receive a $3,000 scholarship each.
• The couple in second place will receive $2,000 each.
• The couple in third place earns $1,000 each.
• All other runners up who made it into the Top 10 will receive $500 each.
• Winners also receive money for their school!

Sound good so far? Well, if you are a college-bound teen looking for some extra cash or maybe you know an artistic student looking for ways to showcase his/her creativity, this is the contest for you!

Here’s how it works:

• The contest starts on March 1, 2010. Check out the Stuck at Prom page for official contest rules, important dates and a registration form (after the contest start date).
• Participants are required to submit completed forms and a photo of themselves wearing their duct tape prom formalwear by June 7, 2010.
• A panel of judges will select 10 finalist couples from all contest entries based on workmanship, originality, use of color, accessories and quantity of duct tape used to create their prom attire.
• These couples will then compete during a period of online public voting to earn the top scholarship prize.
• In a new voting format, the top 10 couples will be “voted off” each week based on lowest number of overall online votes from June 18 – July 26.
• The winning couple with the highest total of valid online votes will be announced around July 28, 2010.

Would you go to prom dressed in duct tape? We want to hear from you!

Welcome to the new DuckBrand.com!

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:13:57 -0500

Welcome to the new and improved DuckBrand.com! DuckBrand.com is now your one stop shop for everything Duck® brand (we’ve consolidated duckproducts.com, makingyourmove.com, ducktapeclub.com and stuckatprom.com all in one place). This easy-to-use site is equipped to help you find the Duck® Products you love, search out the Solutions you need, participate in fun contests and promotions, and more.

Throughout DuckBrand.com, you’ll find features meant to make your life easier. For example, if you have a question about a Duck® brand product, or anything related (like how to get tape adhesive off a surface), simply enter it in the Ask the Duck field found on every page. Be sure to check our FAQs, too—we already have many great questions answered.

It’s also easier than ever to buy the Duck® products you need. Our Store Locator is on every page, along with a link to our exclusive online store.

The Duck® Boards, found on the bottom of most pages, are an easy way to keep up with the DuckBrand.com buzz. These feeds feature the most recent Blog posts, Solutions, User Comments and Discussion Board Posts. For more Duck® brand news and offers, friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check out our YouTube channel or sign up for our newsletter.

Visit each of the different blog categories to learn more about the features of the new DuckBrand.com.

Find your products in your neighborhood.

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:11:36 -0500

On the new DuckBrand.com, finding your favorite Duck® brand products has never been easier. When you’ve found the product you’re looking for on DuckBrand.com, simply enter your ZIP code in the “Where to Buy” box found on that product’s page. You’ll instantly receive results showing stores near you that carry that specific product.

So when the unexpected happens and you need to run out and grab an emergency roll of Duck Tape®, the results from the DuckBrand.com Store Locator will tell you exactly where to find it. What could be easier?

Win Cash and Prizes from Duck® Brand

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:09:54 -0500

There’s always great contests, coupons or events going on at Duck® Brand.

For example, the Promotions page is home to the Stuck at Prom® Duck® Brand Duct Tape Scholarship Contest, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2010!

The contest will run a bit differently this year, and Duck® brand will be awarding prizes to 10 talented couples. View the Official Rules here.

Duck Tape® Fans Unite! This club is for you.

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:08:04 -0500

Duck Tape® fans, you’ve come to the right place. The Duck Tape Club™ is the section of the site made just for you—our motto, “1% Inspiration, 99% Duck Tape.” Because here, Duck Tape® rules.

You’ll be able to register and make a Duck Tape Club™ profile so you can rate products and Ducktivities (our favorite Duck Tape® inspired crafts), share your ideas on the Discussion Board and more. The Duck Tape Club™ also features the History of Duck Tape®.

Get the Duck to do it!™ Products you'll love.

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:05:18 -0500

On the Duck® Products page, start by choosing from one of the many product categories, located on the Products landing page or in the left navigation. From DIY products to craft supplies, and shelf liners to weatherization, Duck® brand has the perfect products for your application.

Then, when you’re on the page of the product you need, you’ll have access to product information, related Solutions and DuckTivities, and will be able to browse and add product Ratings and Reviews. This is another spot where you can easily Find a Store that carries your specified Duck® product or Buy Online.

Duck® Brand has your everyday Solutions

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:04:30 -0500

Do you need a way to keep your energy bills low this winter? Looking for tips to make your upcoming moving day easier? Duck® Brand has your solutions.

In the Solutions section, you’ll find helpful everyday tips from Duck® Brand, as well as solutions that DuckBrand.com users have submitted.

Sort through the Solutions by category on the left of the page, then browse further by choosing the Featured Solutions tab, Most Recent tab or Top Rated solutions tab.

You’ll also be able to rate and comment on existing solutions, or Add a Solution of your own.