Helpful hints and facts about Promotional Merchandise, Corporate Clothing and Workwear and how it can work for you.

  • Always check the small print

We try to be very clear when quoting our customers for any promotional merchandise or corporate clothing to ensure that all costs are clearly visible right from the start.  There will often be a delivery charge as well as the possibility of a screen charge or origination charge.  Whereas these costs are clearly shown on our quotes, there are some companies that will just show in the small print 'Plus origination and carriage' when quoting.  This can be misleading and a shock for the customer when invoiced higher than they had thought once invoiced for the completed job.

 

  • New technology offering antibacterial products

For any company or organisation that is involved in the health service, pharmaceutical service or any such other for that matter, we can now offer a range of items that kill 99.9% of harmful bacteria and viruses and so are a perfect promotional product to promote your company as well as the essential cleanliness required for such environments to prevent bacteria.  The Antibac pen was the first item to be introduced, which not only kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria and viruses (including MRSA among many others), but is effective 100% of the time for the entire lifetime of the pen.  The antibac compound is also present in the printing inks used for branding to ensure the effect is not compromised.  As development has carried on, we can now offer a range of products with the Antibug formula such as mugs, mousemats and many more, so you are now able to offer a complete range of gifts, all of which will keep the users safe against 99.9% of bacteria as well as promoting your company/organisation at the same time!

 

  • Corporate Clothing

Providing branded clothing for your staff has many benefits, not only will your staff look smart at all times, they will also be promoting your company and brand when wearing the company clothing.  With many different items to choose from depending on the environment that the staff are working in, perhaps smart shirts with an embroidered logo on the front for office workers, or perhaps polo shirts or t-shirts printed or embroidered with the company logo.  Another option would be for branded fleece jacket for those working in a warehouse or anywhere outside. 

We are also able to offer bespoke options where we can help with the initial design through to production.  When considering bespoke options, you can choose from the fabrics used, style, colours, button options even through to a personalised label so that the items of clothing are truly bespoke for your company and brand.

By offering corporate clothing to your staff, not only are you ensured that all staff will be dressed appropriately and in uniform when working, it will also remove the worry for staff as to what they have to wear to work on a daily basis.

 

  • Work with the seasons.

Albeit a little unpredictable in the UK, it's a great idea to make use of the seasons when considering a promotional gift.  For example, when approaching summer, branded flip flops are a great promotional item, that can not only be branded with your logo on the sole, but can have your logo stamped into the bottom of the sole so that your logo is left imprinted in the sand as you walk along, great fun which will definitely get noticed by many more people than just the person wearing them!  Or perhaps branded suncream, or a branded lipbalm with an SPF, which won't only promote your company, but will also promote staying safe in the sun, a worthy message that most people are keen to pass on.  March/April tends to be the time for golf days and so are a great time for branded golf umbrellas (especially with those April showers we all know and love!) or perhaps printed golf balls to name but a few.  The end of the year is the perfect time to hand out corporate diaries and corporate calendars, ensuring your brand will be in front of your customer for the whole of the following year, or for a bit of fun, maybe a branded corporate advent calendar which is usually a welcome gift, as there's not many people who don't enjoy a chocolate treat at Christmas!

 

  • With London hosting the Olympic games in 2012 it's a great opportunity to get into the spirit of things and offer some promotional gifts to suit as there will be a real buzz as the games get closer.  There are however extremely strict guidelines when it comes to the branding and use of wording when considering any such promotional merchandise.  We do have a copy of the strict guidelines which can be viewed by clicking on the following link which has documents to read outlining the strict guidelines to be followed: 2012 Olympic Brand Guidelines

 

  • Is it best to choose a unique or a popular product?

Bestselling promotional products involve minimal risk as they are useful and efficient products that have proved their popularity over the years, such as pens, mugs and pads.  These are all items used on a daily basis by the receiver and so are ideal items of promotional merchandise for a company to use if they have just been introduced to the benefits of corporate merchandise.

A unique promotional gift however will stand out from the rest and often leave a more lasting impression on the receiver as it should leave an unforgettable first impression.  It may well be worth considering if your target audience often receive promotional merchandise from competitors, by opting for a unique product will help you stand out from the rest.  We are always happy to advise on unique promotional products that are suitable for your brand to help your company get noticed.

 

  • Consider an environmentally friendly promotional product or business gift as an alternative.

Does your company have an environmental policy or agenda?  If so, perhaps your company could offer a recycled promotional product as proof that the recycling does work by showing a finished product.  We offer a range of eco-friendly promotional merchandise that is 100% manufactured in the UK from 100% UK waste product.  The products have stories about them, what they were made from and where they came from.  If the amount is substantial, we can always look into recycling your own company's waste into a recycled promotional gift!  It's always worth looking into an a recycled promotional gift as an alternative to promote your company and it's environmental policy by offering a UK manufactured promotional gift from UK waste product.

 

  • Choose a promotional product that will be useful to the receiver.

Depending on the promotion, by choosing a promotional item that will be of use to the receiver will increase the effectiveness of the product as it is much more likely for the item to be kept and perhaps kept on hand for regular use, rather than being stashed away in a drawer.  For example, if you are considering a keyring as a giveaway, it might be worthwhile considering a trolley coin/locker coin keyring or a keyring torch which can be branded with your logo, but also be of everyday use to your customer, therefore your branding being seen and noticed by the user on a daily basis.

 

  • Bespoke products - are they worth the extra money?

Yes.  There are many standard promotional products available to choose from today, however if you wanted something to really get you noticed it is worth considering a bespoke product.  Bespoke meaning something produced to your own design, own colours, own materials, making the product truly unique.  By offering a bespoke promotional product it will generate better brand loyalty, better brand recall and is certain to leave a longer lasting impression.

There is no denying that a bespoke product will cost a little more, however with the technology and techniques that are available in this day and age, the difference may not be as much as you think, and done well, will repay the extra investment.

For example, USB Flashdrives are a popular promotional product at this time with many different standard styles to choose from.  However as you will see from the image below, we offer a bespoke option for USB's and can help from design to production.  The finished bespoke USB Flashdrive is sure to get your customers talking (and hopefully ordering) and leave a lasting impression.

 

  • Things to consider when purchasing Promotional Merchandise to ensure that no mistakes are made:

Opting for cheap items - there is a place for inexpensive gifts, however be careful not to be too cost-conscious, you do get what you pay for and your brand image will be noticed by your customers along with the product quality.

Leaving it too late - we do offer express items which can be delivered in just 24-48hrs, however these often carry a slight surcharge for such express service and there is no time left for last minute changes/amendments that may be required.  The longer the lead-time, the better the price as alternative options can be explored.

Right product for the right audience - ensure that you have picked the right product for your target audience, we are always willing to offer advice on items suitable for particular audiences.

Purchase from reliable sources - it's best to buy from a company specialising in Promotional Merchandise, Corporate Clothing and Workwear as such companies will have the knowledge to advise where necessary to ensure that you receive the best possible product for your company brand.  Purchasing from an inexperienced or unreliable company could cost you!

 

  • In a recent BPMA survey, it was found that 52% of those surveyed have purchased from companies whose branded Promotional Merchandise is on their desk.  This isn't surprising as office workers spend an average of 8 hours at their desks.