Are you tired of spending a ton of money on merchandise only to have it sitting in a closet collecting dust? Knowing which merch to bring to an event can be tricky, since each one brings its own set of customers with unique wants and needs. What you need is a way to decipher what attendees want beforehand, so you can offer products they’re sure to love. That’s where AI activations come in. AI activations are changing the game for businesses looking to create immersive, interactive experiences for their customers. There’s no guessing or hoping you’ll choose the right products; AI activations put you in control. Let’s explore how you can use AI activations to choose the products that fit your budget, audience, and brand for personalized branded experiences that propel your company to the next level.

What are AI Activations?

AI activations are interactive, live brand experiences that utilize advanced AI technology to create personalized products for a customer. They open the door to unlimited designs and styles that match each individual’s personality, while staying true to your brand identity. Say goodbye to pre-designed templates; AI generation lets your guests create personalized artwork that’s made on the spot in real-time.

Why Choose Generative Activations for Your Next Event

On-site live brand activations aren’t a new concept; they’ve helped thousands of businesses and brands like yours reach the next level. While there’s no denying how effective these services are, in the past, they’ve been limited to a set number of designs, fonts, and images. Not anymore. As AI continues to advance, it creates the opportunity for businesses to offer fully customizable brand activation options to event attendees. But it doesn’t stop there. You can also use AI to accurately predict which products your customers will be most interested in, so you always choose the perfect merchandise for the occasion. From start to finish, AI activations make it easier to connect with guests and offer unforgettable items that will build brand loyalty and turn heads.

How AI Activations Work

At Sunny Side Ink, our AI activations remove the need for warehouses and help you avoid leftover swag. You never have to guess what to hand out; you just get live, intelligent merchandise your guests love. How does the process work?

Step 1 – Tell us about the event

To ensure you get the right merchandise for your event, you’ll start by giving us some basic details like your brand, your goals, and your audience. We’ll use that information to curate AI briefs that bring your vision to life.

Step 2 – Generate a perfect match with AI

Based on your unique details, we use advanced AI systems to recommend merchandise attendees will actually want. During the event, this system lets your guests create custom designs on the spot, not from a predetermined list or layout, but from scratch, using their own imaginations.

Step 3 – Live, on-site printing

We proudly offer eight exclusive live on-site printing services that bring your customers’ designs to life right before their eyes. There’s no waiting for off-site delivery; they receive their merchandise immediately, for instant gratification.

What Services Utilize AI Activations?

As we mentioned above, we offer eight exciting live printing services that utilize AI activations.

1. DTG Printing

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing creates vivid, photorealistic prints that are applied directly to your chosen garments. It’s perfect for intricate, highly detailed images and takes between 1 and 3 minutes to complete. What are the benefits of DTG printing?

• Full-color designs that are ideal for AI-generated images
• Unlimited colors in each print
• Great for light and dark garments
• Soft-to-the-touch finish that washes well

DTG printing works on cotton, cotton blends, and canvas surfaces and is best for:

• Totes
• Hoodies
• Tees
• Sweatshirts

2. Screen Printing

Live screen printing is one of the most popular on-site activations and definitely a fan favorite. It only takes between 60 and 90 seconds per item and is the perfect choice for large volume and high-traffic events. Guests love screen-printed designs because they create in-demand, eye catching streetwear and vintage aesthetics. What makes screen printing a great option for AI activations?

• Exceptional cost per item
• Fun to watch, drawing large crowds
• Opaque, bold ink is vibrant on dark garments
• Looks great on a variety of products
• Ideal for branded merch drops and festival activations

Adding a live screen printing setup to your table is sure to draw crowds who are eager to create their own personalized merch. This service works on best cotton, polyester, and canvas:

• Hoodies
• Totes
• Tees
• Jerseys
• Polos
• T-shirts

3. DTF Heat Transfer

Direct-to-film (DTF) heat transfers are the fastest option for live events. They involve using pre-printed transfers that are heat-pressed onto the guests chosen garment. You can use your AI activation to create a unique design that aligns with your brand identity and helps set your business apart. DTF heat transfers are best for:

• Speed-critical activations
• Light and dark colored garments
• Full-color and vivid reproductions

Consider using DTF transfers for your AI activations on a variety of items, in polyester, cotton, and nylon, like:

• Hats
• Mixed garments
• Shirts
• Pants
• Hats

4. Laser Engraving

If you’re looking to make a statement, laser engraving is the way to go. This permanent etching by an industrial laser creates customized designs on glass, metal, wood, leather, plastic, cork, coated ceramic, and more. It’s truly luxurious and gives a high-end feel to your brand activation. Although the result is highly intricate and detailed, each item only takes between one and three minutes to complete. What are some benefits of laser engraving?

• Permanent—won’t rub off, peel, or fade
• Premium, tactile feel that exudes luxury
• Works on materials other methods can’t
• Exciting to watch

While printing and transfers are great for creating colorful designs, laser engraving offers a more timeless feel. Use it to personalize:

• Leather tags and wallets
• Water bottles and tumblers
• Wood decor like coasters

You can also use laser engraving for premium giveaways and to draw customers to your booth. The results speak for themselves and quickly become treasured heirlooms.

5. UV Printing

If you’re looking for a more unique way to use AI activations, why not try UV printing? Add full-color, bold images to hard, flat surfaces like acrylic, wood, plastic, leather, and drinkware. The print cures instantly with UV light, creating a highly durable finish that looks beautiful and stands the test of time. Why is UV printing a great choice for your booth?

• Adds vivid, colorful designs to any flat surface
• Cures instantly so there’s no drying time
• Raised tactile finish option
• Allows for product customization that was previously unavailable

You can use UV printing to create stunning, customized, and branded images on an array of items, like:

• Wooden product art
• Ceramics and glassware
• Acrylic badges and signage
• Tech accessories and phone cases

6. Sublimation

For merch that lasts for years to come, turn to dye sublimation printing. This process uses heat-pressed dye that combines with the fabric to create edge-to-edge color that’s vivid and will never fade or crack. In only 30 to 90 seconds sublimation creates items that are truly unforgettable, with benefits like:

• Photo-realistic, colorful images
• Lifetime durability with numerous washes
• Holds up to wear on athletic and performance gear
• Color becomes a part of the material and won’t peel or crack

Use sublimation printing to bring your AI activations to life on polyester blends, coated metal, coated ceramics, and white polyester:

• Sock activations
• Ceramic goods and mugs
• All-over-print apparel
• Performance jerseys

7. Embroidery

Live embroidery and chainstitch lets you create stitched patches, names, and logos, with a high-quality heritage finish. Considered the most premium textile option, each piece is complete in just three to ten minutes. What makes AI activations with embroidery so a great choice?

• Personalization at scale
• Premium, heritage aesthetic
• Chainstitch option for a vintage feel
• Separate patch embroidery options for faster finishes

You can embroider virtually unlimited designs on cotton, twill, denim, wool, and leather:

• Uniforms
• Polo shirts
• Caps and hats
• Pants
• Bags

8. Debossing

Live leather debossing is an eye-catching AI activation that uses pressed-impression branding on leather surfaces. It’s perfect for high-end activations and creates timeless merch your guests will adore. What makes AI activation debossing unique?

• No ink-just press and go
• Premium, subtle tactile impression
• Creates an heirloom-quality feel
• Pairs perfectly with leather goods

Use debossing for C-suite and executive events, luxury packaging, and premium giveaways on suede, premium paper, vegan leather, and full-grain leather:

• Wallets
• Journals
• Belts
• Shoes
• Bags

AI Activations are the future of live printing. Sunny Side Ink is proud to offer advanced generative activations, backed by over 15 years of experience. Take your business to the next level with AI activations and discover the future of design.