Category: Branding

photo credit: Kalender / calendar via photopin (license)

June is here, and with it, the arrival of summer! Here in New York, we just enjoyed a lovely Memorial Day weekend and are getting excited to enjoy all that the warmer months have to offer, such as sunny bike rides and picnics at the park. As we did for May, we’d like to give you the heads up on several great opportunities to keep your business top of mind with clients and business partners during the month of June. Here are some of the upcoming holidays, events, and awareness dates coming up that you might want to have on your radar for promotional campaigns and giveaways—from lighthearted humorous occasions to thoughtful remembrances.

June!

Holidays and Awareness Days

June 5 – Ramadan begins

Ramadan, celebrated from June 5 to July 5 this year, is an important month in the Islamic calendar devoted to prayer, fasting, acts of charity, and self-accountability. The final third portion of Ramadan, in which the Prophet Muhammad was said to have received the first verses of the Koran, is an especially holy moment for people of the Muslim faith.

June 14 – Flag Day

Observed every year on June 14, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States (which originally took place in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress). Although it’s not an official federal holiday, Flag Day is often marked with parades and other special observances nationwide.

June 19 – Father’s Day

On Father’s Day, people celebrate fathers and fatherhood, recognizing the positive influence fathers have on society. Originally conceived as a counterpart to Mother’s Day in the early 20^th century here in the United States, Father’s Day is now recognized across the globe on varying dates.

June 20 – World Refugee Day, Summer Solstice

The United Nations’ World Refugee Day is observed on June 20 each year. It honors the strength and courage of women, men, and children who are forced to flee their homeland under the threat of persecution, conflict, and violence. It is also an opportunity to honor the contributions that refugees make to the communities in which they live.

Also on June 20 this year is the Summer Solstice, which in the Northern Hemisphere marks the longest day of the year (it is also the shortest day of the year, or Winter Solstice, in the Southern Hemisphere).

June 21 – International Day of Yoga

First adopted in 2004 by the United Nations General Assembly, the International Day of Yoga honors the ancient and enduring tradition of yoga as well as its many benefits to our lives and the world as a whole. It’s a perfect moment to practice yoga and celebrate wellness of both body and mind.

June 24 – Take Your Dog to Work Day

First created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) in 1999, Take Your Dog to Work Day celebrates how wonderful dogs are as companions and friends. It’s also an occasion to promote the adoption of dogs into loving homes.

Awareness Weeks June 2016

June 5-11: National Sun Safety Week. Organized by the Sun Safety Alliance, National Sun Safety Week highlights the importance of safe sun practices in an effort to reduce the number of incidents of skin cancer and other harmful effects of overexposure to the sun.

June 14-21: National Nursing Assistants Week. Celebrated each year in June, National Nursing Assistants week honors the nursing assistants who care for us and tend to us when we are in ill health or need of medical attention.

Awareness Months June 2016

– Effective Communications Month

Effective Communications Month emphasizes the importance of relating to and fully engaging with others through effective communication, improving mutual understanding in the process.

– LGBT Pride Month

Celebrated each year in June to commemorate the Stonewall uprising in 1969, LGBT Pride Month honors LGBT history, accomplishments, and important achievements on the path to full civil rights and equal participation in society for all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

– Great Outdoors Month

First begun in 2004, Great Outdoors Month celebrates the value and importance of outdoor adventures during the summer—whether that’s hiking along trails in our national parks or rock climbing challenging cliffs. It’s a perfect opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of our environment while engaging in healthy outdoor activities.

Wondering if there are promotional products that might be a good fit for the season or a particular project or campaign you might have on your radar? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for advice. If you have an idea in mind that might benefit from some creative brainstorming, we’d be happy to share some recommendations. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on custom branded promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

It’s Promotional Products Work! Week!

May 25, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Cool / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations / Wearables

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Did you know it’s Promotional Products Work! Week? It is, and we’ve been celebrating with the industry. Promotional Products Work! is an annual event dedicated to showing how powerful and effective promotional products are in promoting your business. Last week we shared 6 ways promotional products can benefit your business right here on the blog, and this week we are running special social media posts on our Twitter and Facebook profiles to highlight the many ways in which promotional products can make an impact.

So what’s Promotional Products Work! Week all about?

This yearly event is a chance to showcase how well promotional products get the word out about your business, generate customer interest, and create increased opportunities for sales. The promotional products market is booming, too: promotional products advertising is the fourth-fastest growing advertising medium, ranked right after mobile and digital. Here are a few stats that illustrate its popularity and effectiveness:

8 in 10 people own a promotional product.
1. Consumers especially like promotional products that are useful, attractive, informative, desirable, and fun.
88% of people who receive a promotional product remember the advertiser.
1. That’s incredibly powerful brand recall and a very cost-effective investment.
Promotional products create a favorable view of your company and lead to sales.
1. 59% of people who received a promotional product had a more favorable view of the company.
2. 85% of people who received a promotional product did business with the company after receiving the product.
They’re especially popular in the kitchen and workspace.
1. 91% of people keep promotional products in the kitchen.
2. 74% keep them in their work area.
3. 55% hold on to promotional products in their bedroom.
People hold on to promotional products for a long time.
1. 47% of consumers hold onto the promotional products they’ve received for a year or more.
Wearables and writing instruments are hot.
1. Wearables and apparel, including t-shirts and hats, get a 41% brand recall.
2. Writing instruments draw a 35% brand recall.
3. Drinkware is also quite popular, at 19% brand recall.
4. Sporting goods (15%) and pocket/purse items (13%) also do well.

Infographic: Promotional Products Work!

Promotional products can really make a difference for your company, creating increased grand recognition, a favorable view of your company, and new business opportunities. If you want to learn more about how promotional products can have an impact, check out this handy infographic or the Promotional Products Work! Week website for more information.

Looking for some expert guidance on which promotional products might be a good fit for your business? Get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on exceptional promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

6 Ways Promotional Products Can Benefit Your Business

May 18, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Promotional Inspirations

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If you’re like most business owners, you’re wondering what smart, cost-effective investments can get the word out about your company and attract new customers. There are a lot of ways to do that today, of course, and promotional products are among the most powerful options you can choose. In fact, according to recent research from Promotional Products Association International, promotional products advertising is the fourth-fastest growing advertising medium, ranked right after mobile and digital.

Why are promotional products so popular, and why are so many companies including them in their strategy? Here’s a look at five ways promotional products benefit businesses.

People remember your company from a promotional product and think about it positively.
1. 83% of consumers in a recent survey they enjoy receiving a promotional product with an advertising message.
2. 2% of people recalled the product, advertiser, and the message.
3. That’s powerful brand recall that companies only have to pay once for, as opposed to digital advertising that charges per exposure.

Infographic: Promotional Products Work!

Promotional products increase the likelihood of purchases and referrals. According to a study from Georgia Southern University, not only do promotional products contribute to a more positive brand image and perception, but people are also more likely to recommend a business or even patronize it themselves upon receiving a promotional product from them.
People keep promotional products for a long time.
1. 80% of people own 1-10 promo items
2. 6 in 10 keep them for up to 2 years
If you give out items for the kitchen or work area, people keep them around and remember your business.
1. 91% of consumers have at least 1 branded item in their kitchen.
2. Of those who did, nearly 82% could identify the promotional product and 42% could also name the advertiser
3. 74% of consumers have at least 1 branded item in their work area
4. Of those who did, 90.3% could identify the promotional product and 49.4% could also name the advertiser
5. 55% of consumers have at least one branded item in their bedroom.
Businesses get better trade show booth traffic with promotional products. Businesses that included promotional products with a pre-show mailing or offer saw more traffic to their booths at trade shows according to a study by Georgia Southern University. 76.3% of attendees who received a promotional product at trade shows had a favorable attitude toward the company that gave them the product.

Promotional products offer budget flexibility. There are often solutions to fit any budget while still offering the benefits of lasting brand recall and positive brand association. Promotional products can be used as a stand-alone advertising medium or as part of an integrated marketing mix. Perhaps most importantly, they contribute to consumer intent to buy.

Promotional products can make a big difference for your company, creating lasting awareness, increased goodwill, more referrals, and new business. If you’re curious to learn more about how promotional products can help your business achieve its goals, stay tuned for next week’s post in which we will be covering Promotional Products Work! Week and how businesses get powerful results with promotional products.

Looking for some expert guidance on promotional products might be a good fit for your business? Get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on exceptional promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

4 Personal Branding Tips for Business Owners

May 12, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Promotional Inspirations

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Personal branding is a hugely popular topic these days. As everyone’s busy curating and refining their online presence in an attempt to stand out from the crowd and attract more attention to their company, business owners wonder whether or not they should incorporate personal branding into their overall business branding strategy. If you haven’t considered exploring personal branding to benefit your business, you may want to give it a look. Here’s why.

How can personal branding help my business?

For starters, personal branding can establish you as a leader in your field and highlight your strengths as a businessperson. It also gives you more opportunities to promote your business—each time you appear in the media or write a blog post about an industry topic, for example, is a perfect chance to highlight your company’s products and services in an entirely natural and genuine way. And if you’re an entrepreneur who plans on starting more than one business, personal branding can help shine a spotlight on any venture you put your name behind.

So if you’re interested in developing a personal brand, what sorts of guidelines or best practices should you keep in mind? Here are a few bite-sized tips to get you started:

Personal branding tips for people running a business:

Be authentic. Now more than ever, people want to see authenticity from the brands that they do business with—particularly Millennials. It creates trust, which leads to more enduring business relationships. Think of the personal brands you most admire. What do you appreciate about them? Is it their slightly quirky sense of humor, their realness, or the values they embody? Share what makes you unique with your audience and you will inspire greater loyalty in your customers.
Highlight your vision and your values. Why do you do the work that you do? What are your goals, and what are your values? What are you most passionate about? Make sure that you communicate your purpose with your personal brand. Rather than dealing with a faceless corporation, people want to make a connection with the person behind the business. Giving them a chance to know you in a genuine way makes that possible.
Tell your story. Storytelling is one of the most effective forms of branding, and people who have strong personal brands do it very well. Telling your story gives people a chance to make a connection with you and possibly even identify with you, which is very powerful from a brand perspective. People also tend to remember stories, which aids in brand recall.
Make sure your personal brand syncs up with your business. Is quality a particular value that you’ve decided is important for your personal brand? Then you’ll want to make sure that your business delivers exactly that—quality—whether that’s in the form of a product or a service. If you don’t, you risk running afoul of tip #1 (Be authentic). Your personal brand should naturally flow through and be reflected in your business.

With some thoughtful care and attention, you can develop a personal brand that draws more interest and attention for your current business as well as any future ventures you may choose to launch down the line. Have you considered trying personal branding for your business? If so, how did it go and what did you learn? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments section below.

Looking for some expert guidance on promotional gifts or products might be a good fit for your brand? Get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on exceptional promotional products that can represent your business with style and grace.

In Appreciation of the Trusty, Dependable Umbrella

March 24, 2016 Branding / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations

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Did you know that March is National Umbrella Month? Indeed it is, and as it so happens, as I am writing this post it’s been a bit rainy and dreary day here lately in New York, so maybe there’s something to this idea of umbrellas getting some recognition as we transition from winter to spring. Pretty soon we will be arriving in April showers territory, so if you’re not yet stocked up with umbrellas to keep you dry during the rainy season, you may want to take a moment to pick out one or two that appeal to you.

The roots of one word we associate with the umbrella, “parasol,” reveal some interesting history about these accessories we’ve used to protect us from the elements. While para means to stop or shield and sol refers to the sun, linking the parasol pretty directly to its current purpose of protecting its bearer against the sun, the French parapluie is meant to do the same for rain – para again protects and blocks, and pluie refers to the rain. According to Wikipedia, collapsible umbrellas have existed in some form as far back as ancient China, where they may have first been used for ceremonial purposes. Who knew the humble umbrella had such a long and distinguished pedigree?

Today, we still rely on umbrellas to shelter us from the weather when the rain and wind decide to kick up, as they do from time to time. They come in all different forms: compact, hand-held versions, golf umbrellas, vented wind-resistant umbrellas, fashion umbrellas, and even majestic, broad canopies that lend a sense of pomp as you stroll down the street. Here in the Big Apple, it’s not uncommon to see scores of ubiquitous cheap black umbrellas, upended and broken, in curbside wastebaskets after they’ve been overcome by the wind. Even though it’s a bit wasteful, their apparent popularity (no doubt tied to their friendly price point) is enduring.

As the season transitions into spring, it’s always good to keep tabs on the weather, whether that’s through your app of choice or the local news. If soggy showers are in your future, it’s better to know so you can be prepared. It’s thoughtful to give umbrellas away as gifts—they are often popular since they’re so useful and come in handy when skies darken. If your business or its product happens to be directly connected to rainfall, it’s also smart to consider giving out a rain gauge as a gift so that customers will keep you top of mind as they mark this year’s rainfall.

Stay dry as the rainy days approach, and enjoy the spring that’s not far behind!

Wondering if there are other promotional products that might be a good fit for the season or a special project or campaign you might have on your radar? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for advice. If you have an idea in mind that might benefit from some creative brainstorming, we’d be happy to share some recommendations. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on custom branded promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

Getting Excited for the Return of Spring!

March 17, 2016 Branding / Cool / Eco / Promotional Inspirations

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photo credit: Spring! via photopin (license)

Now that we have switched over for Daylight Saving Time, we have another seasonal milestone to celebrate: the Spring Equinox (also known as the Vernal Equinox), which arrives this Sunday, March 20. Although the forecast here in New York indicates that a stubborn cold snap to come our way, lovely weather cannot be too far behind. Some trees are beginning to bud after the balmy temperatures we’ve had, and before long everyone will be out celebrating the return of bright, beautiful flowers like tulips and cherry blossoms.

With everyone soon to be in a good mood, it’s a perfect opportunity to share seasonal gifts that mark the occasion. You might not immediately associate promotional products with springtime, but you’d be surprised how many thoughtful and fitting choices there are to pick from. If you know anyone who has a green thumb, you could outfit them nicely with a little planter kit, a plant watering can, gardening tools, and seeds to grow wildflowers for their home or herbs for their kitchen. There are even neat seeded bookmarks and seeded coasters available for folks who enjoy a good book or a pleasant drink now and then.

For people who love to be out in nature, there are plenty of gifts for the outdoors that would make their day: comfortable folding chairs, picnic baskets, picnic blankets, coolers, and water bottles make for a relaxing outing at the park or beach. You can even stock the picnic baskets with cheese or meat sets to complete the care package. Lightweight jackets, sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen make it more comfortable to be outdoors when the sun is shining brightly or the wind is picking up just a bit. Insect repellent and lanterns will also come in handy if you’re planning to be out in the evening. And last but not least, a trusty umbrella is always good to have at your side once April showers arrive!

What Are My Printing and Decorating Options for Promotional Products?

March 2, 2016 Branding / Design / Promotional Inspirations

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There are lots of different ways to brand, decorate, or embellish a product with your logo—so many, in fact, that it might seem a bit overwhelming at first when you’re trying to figure out which method is right for your needs. Choices could range anywhere from printing a logo or inking it directly on a garment such as a t-shirt or a notebook or notepad on to laser engraving, which is often used to create tasteful designs on pens.

Whatever your requirements, we have a way to make sure that your branding stands out and looks great on the product you select. Here are a few of the most popular printing processes for promotional products and how they are used to best showcase a company’s logo.

Debossing / Embossing

Debossing is an elegant and attractive way to make an impression directly into the surface of an object. Embossing also impresses an image into the surface, but in relief—creating a raised image within the material. Both processes work well on leather or simulated leather, although you may also see them on other materials often associated with fine stationery and notepads and vinyl patches. Like embroidery, debossing and embossing add a high perceived value to the item and are long-lasting decoration techniques.

Decal

A decal is a design that is printed on special paper, then transferred to a promotional product made from material such as ceramic, porcelain, or metal. It’s one of the most effective ways to get a full color imprint on these types of surfaces, which are otherwise tricky to print on or decorate.

Die-Striking (also known as die-stamping)

Die-striking, also known as die-stamping, is often used to create emblems and other flat promotional products. A hard metal die is used to press or stamp an image into a softer metal such as brass or gold. It can be used to create lettering and simple designs, but is not ideal for detailed or complex artwork. Die-striking is commonly used on medals, coins and belt buckles.

Digital Printing
Digital printing is a four color, CMYK process that can create photo-quality images in full color with a single pass through the printing machine as opposed to screen printing, which requires a separate pass for each color. It’s a particularly good choice for artwork with lots of colors, shading or gradients.

Embroidery

Embroidery involves using needlework and machine stitching to create an attractive logo using vibrant, colored threads to match your branding. Commonly used on apparel such as t-shirts and hats, embroidery is a fine choice for adding high perceived value to the item and making it desirable.

Etching

In the etching process, an image is first covered with an acid-resistant protective coating. Portions of the image are left exposed, leaving bare metal and protected metal, and then the entire image is exposed to acid. The acid attacks only the exposed metal, leaving the image etched onto the surface. It can be used to create very fine lines and detailed designs.

Foil Stamping

Foil stamping involves applying pigment or metallic foil to the surface of a product such as a leather padfolio or a gift box. It can be performed as a standalone decoration technique or as a follow-up step to the embossing process, creating an attractive 3D image of a logo or custom design.

Hot Stamping

Hot stamping involves transferring pre-dried inks or foils to a product at a high temperature. It is especially effective on plastic products, but wood, leather, and paper products are also commonly decorated using this technique as well.

Laser Engraving

Engraving, or laser engraving, is a sophisticated way to custom brand promotional items with an image, your organization name, or your logo. It involves using a laser to apply a logo directly to a product, removing the top coat and revealing the color beneath it. Laser engraving is especially effective on metal items such as pens, and plaques wood items, like cutting boards, and glass or crystal corporate awards.

Pad Printing

Pad printing is similar to screen printing, but it’s often used for small objects with an irregular shape, such as a stress ball or a key chain. In pad printing, a recessed surface is covered with ink. When the plate is wiped clean, the ink remains in those recessed areas. A pad then is pressed directly against the product to create a design. Pad printing is great for printing or decorating small, oddly shaped objects that can’t be run through the screen printing process. Plastics, paper, ceramics, glassware, wearables, leather, and vinyl are some popular materials used with this process.

Patches (embroidered, appliqué rubber/pvc)

A patch is a standalone patch featuring a company logo that can be embroidered, woven or dye sublimated, and even made of rubber. Patches can be used on wearables or a wide range of items—whether it’s a bag, a hat, a t-shirt, or a jacket. Patches can be in custom sizes and shapes and in a variety of colors that can match your unique branding.

Personalization

As the name suggests, personalization is a technique for personalizing an object with someone’s name or initials. It’s a fine choice for occasions when you want to recognize someone’s exceptional achievements or their ongoing contributions to the company. This technique can be applied to a wide range of products and can be combined with other decoration methods to include a company logo.

Screen Printing

Screen printing, sometimes also called silk screening, is a technique in which an image or design is transferred to the surface of a product with ink that has been squeezed by a squeegee through a stenciled screen stretched over a frame. The screen or screens are then coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, then exposed to a strong light. The light hardens the areas that have been coated with the emulsion, leaving a permeable area on the screen where the squeegee can successfully apply ink. Screen printing is an effective printing or decorating method for objects with an irregular shape—particularly items that are made from glass, plastic, fabric, or wood.

Sublimation

In the sublimation process, toner or ink is thermally converted to a gas that hardens on the special substrate used by the printer. Printers that use this process are able to create smooth, even tones using soft-edged dye spots. This technique is somewhat new and can be used on many different types of materials.

Transfers (also known as heat transfers)

Transfers involve printing an image onto fabric that is usually synthetic fabrics. An image or logo is first printed on paper with special dyes, then transferred to the fabric with heat. After that, the fabric absorbs the dye from the paper. Printed heat transfers are a great alternative to screen printing for small-order program runs and multi-color logos, and they are particularly good at printing clear text at small sizes.

Of course, there are even more options for branding promotional items with your artwork or logo! Stay tuned for future blog posts in which we take a deeper dive into related topics, such as what printing processes are most ideal for apparel and other types of products.

If you have a project in mind that might benefit from some expert consultation, drop us a line! We’d be happy to share advice and suggestions on what printing or decoration process might work best for you. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll advise you on solutions that can represent your company with style and grace.

Co-Branding: What It Is and Why Brands Do It

February 19, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Promotional Inspirations

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Kung Pu Panda and Wix team up on a co-branded advertisement

Did you tune into the Super Bowl earlier this month? If so, you probably noticed a couple of ads that were a bit different from the others. One was an ad for Wix featuring personalities from Kung Fu Panda 3; the other was a commercial for Airbnb featuring characters from The Jungle Book. In both instances, popular characters from films that are currently playing in theaters were used to showcase the benefits of a service. What’s going on here, and why might these brands have chosen to team up in this way?

Co-branding, in which two different brands join forces for an advertising campaign or a special product release, has been around for quite some time. Very popular with the auto industry, it spans several verticals, right on up to consumer retail. Also referred to as a strategic partnership, co-branding allows brands to reach audiences they might not other be able to access, leading to increased awareness and sales. Co-branding also implies a subtle endorsement that can deliver positive benefits by dint of association: if one of the brands is highly esteemed and has a stellar reputation, simply appearing alongside it can have lend positive associations to the other brand as well. If the two brands have similar target audiences and brand identities, engaging in co-branding can help reinforce and strengthen their respective brands.

Sometimes co-branding ideas come naturally through the course of doing business: for example, Pottery Barn got lots of questions about the paint colors used in its catalogs, so it teamed up with Benjamin Moore to create a special color palette to better serve customers. In the beauty world, MAC recently teamed up with Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper to promote new, bold product lines of cosmetics. Household products have also gotten in on the act: Tide offers a version of its detergent that includes Febreze, a popular freshener.

Brands also occasionally partner up to promote humanitarian causes, such as when Bono’s Global Fund (Red) formed a sort of brand supergroup, collaborating with American Express, Apple, Converse, Dell, Emporio Armani, Gap, Hallmark, and Starbucks on a major initiative to fight AIDS in Africa. The campaign is still going strong, having recently welcomed Snapchat for a special social media campaign on World AIDS Day last fall.

Co-branding is also a popular and growing trend where promotional products are concerned, spanning a wide array of sectors and brand levels. Selecting a branded promotional product that people already recognize, appreciate and trust can be an effective way to draw their attention and get them to positively associate you with a brand they know and admire. We offer top national and international brand name product lines ready to be co-branded with your logo or design, from elegant corporate gifts designed by MoMA to a generous selection of Moleskine notebooks and weekly planners, Brookstone products, and many more items from every day brands like Thermos, Carhartt, Built, Bobble, Cutter & Buck and Swiss Army / Victorinox!

If you’re curious to know more about the name brand promotional products we offer, including select executive and corporate gifts from brands that are not listed on our website, such as Tumi and Mont Blanc, feel free to reach out to us! We’d be happy to share advice and suggestions on what types of branded promotional products might best fit your needs. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll advise you on branding ideas that can represent your company with style and grace.

People Love Promotional Products: Here’s the Research

February 12, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Promotional Inspirations

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Infographic: Promotional Products Work!

Have you ever wondered how well promotional products work—that is, whether they’re popular with potential customers and how well they contribute to lasting brand recognition and recall? Promotional products are considered very desirable and are often well received, perhaps more than you might expect. Here are some research findings that illustrate just how powerfully promotional products can represent your brand.

Consumers like promotional products, especially if they find them useful

83% of consumers say that they like getting promotional items with an advertising message
People especially value promotional products that are useful to them
48% of them want to get promotional products more often
79% of people use promotional pens

Curious whether or not your customers liked the promotional t-shirt that you recently offered as a giveaway? They likely did. The vast majority of people enjoy receiving promotional products, and many of them would like to get them more often. Consumers particularly like to get promotional products that they think are useful. While this may sound kind of a no-brainer, it has a proven effect: something that they need, like a kitchen tool or a desk accessory, is much more likely to be kept over a long period of time, increasing their awareness of your brand.

Taking care to select a promotional product that gives value to your customer can make a difference. For example, power banks do quite well at trade shows since attendees’ smartphones and gadgets are often running low on power. Office and desk products, including pen sets, desk diaries, and note pads, are another great choice since they can immediately be put to productive use at work. While some people might think pens are a bit unoriginal, they’re actually very effective: 79% of consumers use promotional pens.

Most people have promotional products, often more than one

Eight out of ten consumers own between one and ten promotional products

Related to our earlier point about how people enjoy receiving promotional products, it turns out that the majority of them have promotional products right now—and, in many cases, they have more than one. And once they have promotional products, they tend to keep them for a long time.

Customers keep the promotional products that they get, especially if they’re useful

91% of that people surveyed said that they have at least one promotional product in their kitchen, while 74% have at least one in their work area and 55% have at least one in their bedroom
53% of people surveyed use a promotional item at least once a week or more.

People tend to hold onto the promotional products they receive—particularly if they think they’re useful. If you give out promotional products, the likelihood is good that they will be kept and used for quite a while, increasing the length of exposure that potential clients have to your brand.

People remember the promotional products they receive for a long time

When asked to think of a specific promotional product they had received in the past two years, 76.2% of those polled could recall what the product was, the advertiser whose brand was associated with it, and the message.
88% of people were able to recall the advertiser alone.

You’d be surprised at how well people remember the promotional products that they have—88% of them remember the advertiser who gave the product to them, and 76.2% of them remember other specific information such as what the product was and what the message was. That recognition represents a powerful impression that is not easy to achieve using other advertising methods.

Certain products lead to better consumer recall than others

The types of promotional products that lead to the best consumer recall are wearables (41%), including shirts, caps, other headwear, and outerwear.
Writing instruments are a strong second (35%), while drinkware also does well (19%)

People remember certain types of promotional products better than others—wearables, writing instruments, and drinkware tend to do especially well. Even calendars rank highly on the list of products that perform well. If you’re contemplating a promotional giveaway in which you really want to generate lasting brand awareness, you may want to keep that information in mind.

People do business with the brands that give them promotional products

85% of people surveyed said that they did business with a brand after receiving a promotional product from them.
59% had a more favorable impression of the brand after getting a promotional product from them.

Most importantly, promotional products lead to sales. Promotional products not only give consumers a positive feeling about your brand; they make them more likely to want to purchase your products and services.

So now we’ve seen that promotional products clearly do work and that they have a strong and lasting impact for your brand—particularly if they happen to be items that the customer feels is useful and relevant to their life. Stay tuned for future blog posts in which we share more insight into promotional products: what types are most effective, trends in the industry, and how businesses can best use them to connect with their target audience.

Are you looking for custom branded promotional products that can make a difference for your brand? Interested to learn more on what types of products might be a fit for you? We’d be happy to share some recommendations and creative ideas with you. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll advise you on branding ideas that can represent your company with style and grace.

Much of the research in this post was sourced from the Promotional Products Industry International (PPAI). For more information, visit www.promotionalproductswork.org.

Color Matching: Why Is It Important?

February 4, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Design / Promotional Inspirations

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Consistency is one of the most important aspects of branding. It’s how people recognize your brand. If your company’s logo is inconsistent, it can throw consumers off and confuse them. The color used in a logo can also be very important. For example, take UNICEF’s iconic blue logo, which is referred to as UNICEF Blue in its brand book. No matter where you see it, it’s always recognizable and evokes a certain feeling.

In order to ensure this consistency, some companies issue strict corporate branding guidelines that dictate such things as the proper color to be used in the logo or the correct spacing for letters in the logo. They can also provide instructions how to use the branding for promotional items. This can be very helpful when it comes time to make decisions about what promotional products the company wants to select and how it wants the branding to appear on them.

Some companies use the Pantone Matching System (PMS) to make sure they get the right color every time. So if UNICEF were a new customer of ours and they were to place an order for promotional t-shirts printed with their logo, for example, we would ask them for the PMS code of their logo, along with a file for their vector format. Or, they might supply us with a brand kit or set a brand guide that provides details on proper use of the brand elements including their logo, colors, and other brand elements. This would allow us to get a full sense of how to match their colors on promotional products. This type of preparation helps ensure that we are using the correct color.

Although PMS color codes themselves are exact, there’s a wrinkle—the product on which the color is printed may affect the way it appears. The color may also look different depending on whether you’re looking at it outside in daylight as opposed to indoors under fluorescent or incandescent lighting. Many printers know that they must make an adjustment to control for this factor, but some do not. This is where we can help.

If you need your promotional items printed with a specific shade of blue, for example, it we’ll ask you for a specific Pantone® code. But if you don’t know it, we’re here to help. In some cases where our clients consider color very important and require an exact match, it may be best to order a pre-production physical sample for review prior to placing a full order. While a printed sample adds a little time to the process, it’s a great help if exact matching is a priority.

There are two types of these printed samples available. One is a pre-production sample, or pre-pro. We recommend this if you know you are definitely ordering 5,000 t-shirts, to give an example, and want to see how they look before going to final press. There’s usually a small cost to create this sample. The second type is a spec proof. This type of proof is ideal if you really like the idea of a certain product but, before making the commitment to order 5,000 of them, you want to see if your logo looks good on it. In that case, you would just order one spec. If you like it, you can go ahead and put in the order, if not, you don’t have to and only pay for the spec sample.

We’re here to help you get the color that’s best for you, whether it’s color matching or finding the right product color. If you have a designer on staff and already know the exact color you want, great. If you are brand new to the process, that’s fine too. We’ll work with you to find out exactly what you need to know. With deep experience and careful attention to detail, we can help you find the right solution.

Looking for custom branded promotional products that can make a difference for your brand? We’d be happy to share some recommendations and creative ideas with you. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on branding ideas that can represent your company with style and grace.