Custom Promotional Products - Business Logo Imprinted Products: February 2007

Image with Custom Items

The whole idea behind the custom imprinted promotional products is to keep reminding people that you're still in business and show your brand (logo). You're not required to always give stuff away. In fact you can use custom imprinted items within your organization. Below are non giveaway items that your business can still use to promote.

Embroidered Polo Shirt - For employees
Embroidered Hat - For employees
Screen Printed T shirts
Custom Imprinted Pens - For employees and sales person
Custom Imprinted Portfolio - Sales person
Custom Imprinted Tablecloth - For shows
Custom Imprinted Banner - General Use
Car, Truck and Van Graphic Wraps
Car, Truck and Van Magnets or Decals
Full color Imprinted Business Cards

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer Creative Layout Design Internet Site Design Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

Business Presentation

I'm getting off the subject of custom promotional products for a minute. I believe at this point everyone is aware that the Internet is the future of communication between company and client but why is it that some business fail to design their web site in a professional way? Some small business owner do not have luxury of paying a design firm to re-do their site. So as a graphic designer I'm going to give some basic tips that will enhance your site and make it more readable at a little more professional.

keep content in the middle of the browser screen. easier to navigate
Keep your text background white. when you read a book what color is the background? White. Unless it's a more fun web site you should stick with white background.
Use same font type and size throughout the entire site.
keep your buttons all in the same place through the site for easy navigation. Along the top or along the left side of the page are standard.
Have a header with your logo or nice graphic
Have a footer with similar links as your navigation menu.
Keep banner to a minimum
Keep photos to a minimum

The whole idea is to make it easy to navigate, easy to read, fast loading and very clean and organize. Keep those in mind and should have a nice looking web site.

Company Impressions

The reason for promotional products is to throw your company name out there for more people to see, recognize and remember right? Then why only limit yourselves to physical products? Use banners to extend your awareness. Offer your visitors a free banner that they can post on their web site. In return you might want to give them a link from your web site to theirs. Some web site owners charge your to include an ad on their web site. Check with the web site owners before you design and create you digital banner.

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer | Creative Layout Design | Internet Site Design | Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing | Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

Band Promotions

So you want to promote your band? It's seems that today the best way to promote your band is on myspace.com. Myspace is good way to raise awareness about your band across the world, but don't forget about your local fans. Getting more people at the venue means more venues will book you. The best way is still printed flyers. Be sure to get full color printed flyers or posters and out promote the other bands. Just because your band is not famous (YET) doesn't mean you have use black and white flyers. Spend a little more on your flyers and get them designed and printed by professional designers. By hiring a graphic designer your band will "look" more professional and shows to everyone that you are really serious about the music you play.

Kick it up a notch and you can offer your fans free stickers when they show up. You can promote and make money at the same time by selling the following.

Imprinted t-shirts
Embroidered Beanies
Embroidered or Imprinted Hats
Imprinted Lanyards
Embroidered Patches
Imprinted Sweatshirts

Keep Them Feeling Good

Excuses are good in promotional products industry! Take advantage of the season to give away custom imprinted items.

Winter: you can hand out custom embroidered beanies, chapstick or scarf.
Spring: Basket for Easter or a custom mug for Saint Patrick's Day
Summer: Sun Block, Bottled Water, Baseball Cap
Fall: Moisture Cream, Duster

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer Creative Layout Design Internet Site Design Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

Trade Show Basics

A tradeshowis the best channel to extend out to promising businesses that are really looking for your business. This is where the majority new contacts and new sales leads are generated. That’s great, but how do you compete against other booths at the show that are selling the same services as your business?

Bring more booth traffic at a competitive show.

1. Draw them – Using small inexpensive promotional giveaways with your organization logo can draw traffic. People want free products.

2. Image – You are talking one on one with potential clients and you have to appear professional. Dress shirts and with a small company logo on the left chest pocket area is a good way to to present yourself. For example, you sell home stereo, you want to use a watch that matches your company’s theme.

3. Thank You Gifts – After a great show you must send new customers a thank you gift for given you the time to talking with them. This product can be something like a custom imprinted keychain or anything that they may use in their daily life.

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer Creative Layout Design Internet Site Design Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

Buzz Buzz Buzz

Ok, small custom promotional products are great, one thing that I've notice is that large companies are television shows to raise awareness. Take for example Godaddy.com. They hired the popular Orange County Choppers to hire a bike. You can spend $100,000 on commercials or spend that money on a bike that you can raffle off and help your create a buzz around your company not to mention you company will be part of the show of a full hour. That's good advertising!

thanks rudeboytv from youtube.com

Ok, some of us may not have that kind of money in our marketing budget, but using your products and services can benefit your marketing. How? Raffles, Contests in selected events. For example your company tunes cars and manufacturers parts. On the next drift, drag or car show event you can promote a free tune performance package for that particular show, people fill out the form and place it in the box. Ok, now what? The strategies is not what to offer but how you can take advantage of it.

Before you show you let the events manager what you're doing and they may include that in the promotions flyer and website to bring more people. Boom, you just spread your logo and brand for free on those flyers. People can pre-register on your site which links to the events web site, boom you just collected email for your next promotion. People show up at the show and you have everyone fill out a form to register, boom you just collected mailing addresses, more emails and created buz buz about your company. At the end of the show you announce the winner, again the host of the show thanks your company letting everyone who you are and what you, another free exposure! Ok, you have a winner and he shows up at your door steps, Now what? You install selected products and tune the car. While the car is there you badge it by putting a large decal of your company's name, more exposure on the street!

You may have spent $2,000 worth of parts and labor, but you gain more recognition to a targeted audience. The trick here is to think outside the box and use one offer to extend your awareness and recognition to a larger niche audience.

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer Creative Layout Design Internet Site Design Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

Wedding Favors

You're about to get married or you're in charge of decorations and wedding favors for your friends wedding and can't find good ideas. Well, custom promotional products to the rescue. You want something small, inexpensive, classy and custom imprinted or laser engraved. Below is a list of products that work!

Imprinted Candles
Laser Engraved Wine Bottle Opener
Laser Engraved Frame
Engraved Wedding Bell
Laser Engraved Key chain

Make it your own, there's tons of products that fall into your wedding theme. Remember, you can combine other products and make you own favor package.

Mint boxes
Shot Glasses
Drinking Glasses
Bottled Water
Glow Sticks
Custom Plates
Bobble Heads
Thank you cards with holder
Hear Shape Luggage Tags
Chocolates in a box
Hear Shaped Letter Opener
Perfect Pair - Pair shaped salt and pepper shakers
Custom Cookies

School Spirit - School Clubs - School Sports

Schools, colleges and other organizations and clubs are responsible for purchasing most of the custom imprinted products in the industry to raise school spirit. It's simple, people love to be recognize as part of something big. Custom imprinted shirts and hats are some of the most purchased products by students, parents and ulumni followed by the little things like patches, gym bags, pencils, water bottles and other merchandise.

What items are good to giveaway for school spirit?

Stickers
Keychains
Drawstring Bags
Small Imprinted Items

what items are good for merchandise?

Shirts
Collar Shirts
Hats
Visors
Water Bottles
Seat Cushions
Towels
Blankets
Anything goes

Bottom line is, if you have the imprinted items, people will buy them if your institution is well recognize. If not, you can use the small giveaways to raise awareness. Be sure to always do your research and find out what's popular in the word of promotional products.

Car Van Truck Graphics

Why stop with small promotional items. In advertising and marketing everything you see can bring you traffic. Car graphics is no less! You have drivers? Great, need i say more? You have a retail shop? Park your car or van close to the main street for people to see while driving by. Use your imagination, if it's out there you can most likely decorate it with your logo.

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer Creative Layout Design Internet Site Design Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

Embroidery Video Demo

This video below demonstrates how embroidery get done when you buy promotional products. the process can take hours, specially if your design is complex. Machines can only hold and embroider so many products at a single time, this is one reason why production time of 2 weeks is important. Be sure to order your stufff early!

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer | Creative Layout Design | Internet Site Design | Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing | Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

Screen Printing Process

Video on how basic screen printing works.

video by lindydc

Design your artwork
Make Film
Burn Screen
Register Screen
Add Ink
Paint!

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer | Creative Layout Design | Internet Site Design | Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing | Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

Airbrushing

No two products are the same since ink is sprayed on the item by a skilled artist and requires many hours of work. This method is best used on fabrics for example shirts and tote bags.

Video by Steve Nunez

Appliqué

A piece of fabric is sewn into another base fabric creating a design. This is popular on college sweatshirts.

De Bossing

A 3D version of you logo is created on a block of metal to use as a striking plate. The plate is stamped into the product leaving your logo as an impression. This method is great on higher end products for example leather padfolios.

Embossing

A 3D version of your logo is created on a block of metal to use as a tricking plate. The plate is placed behind the product and pushed against the material creating a raised version of your logo. This method is great on higher end products for example leather Brief Bags.

Embroidery

Using colored thread a special sewing machine stitches your logo into the material for example polo shirts or jackets using a computer file called a “tape” of your logo. This file tells the machine where to insert the needle and what shapes to create. This decoration method is best used in high quality products like corporate apparel and baseball caps. “Tape” charges are separate.

Engraving, Etching or Laser Engraving

Using a diamond tip, acid solutions or lasers the machine shaves of a small portion of the surface of the product embedding your logo in it. This method is great on metal products like pens or key chains given them a more classy look and feel to them.

Engraved Enamels, Enamel Medallions

Pre-shaped metal medallions are filled with colored enamel inks filling portions of the medallion and leaving exposed metal for a medallion emblem looking application. Then the medallion is glued using strong decorating adhesive onto the product. This method is best used on pins or emblems used on backpacks or handbags.

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer | Creative Layout Design | Internet Site Design | Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing | Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

Epoxy Domes

Your logo is printed on high quality shaped paper and a clear epoxy dome is overlaid over the paper giving your logo a sleek look to it. The epoxy dome is then glued using strong adhesives to the product. This method is best used for notebooks or portfolios.

Medallions, Metal Stamping, Steel Threads

Your logo is carved out into a mold using a complex computer software, them the mold is used to cast a metal medallion. Different metals can be used and finishes can be applied. Matte Silver, Antique Silver, Antique Brass, and Pearl Nickel are available.

Molded Rubber or PVC Patches, 3D Logos

You logo is recreated using different colored rubbers or PVC material and glued together to create a composite of your logo. This product then gets glued onto your product of choice. This is best used as a patch or key chain application.

Pad Printing

A soft plate is used to transfer your logo to irregular shapes like pens, mugs and golf balls.

Screen Printing

Using special framed screen like your window at home are used. A mask us generated using special chemicals that is applied on the screen. Ink them get’s pushed through the screen leaving ink on the product is the shape if the mask (your logo). Multiple screens are required for each color. There are several types of screen printing; Spot, Process or Index. These methods are best used on garments for examples shirts and hats.

Stamping, Hot Stamping, Foil Stamping or Color Stamping

Similar to a regular hobby stamp, a large stamp die is created from your logo design. Special colored materials (foils) is placed between the stamp and the product, then pressed into the item using the die. Stamping is ideal for leather or vinyl products for example wallets or binder covers. Stamping Decoration Example

Sublimation, dye Sublimation

A printing process using small heating elements to evaporate pigments from a carrier film, depositing these smoothly onto a surface. Sometimes used to reproduce full color logo graphics and photos onto products like mouse pads, mugs, or nylon banners. Dye Sublimation Decoration Example

Low Cost Promotional Products

Beware!

Beware of super low cost promotional products distributed by vendors. You may be getting a great price but may sacrifice customer service quality. When gathering quotes, be sure to do a little research on the company. How many years have they been in the industry? Who are their major customers? What is their return policy for miss-printed items? The best resource is to visit their web site.

Promotional Products Ordering

You are ready to order promotional products? I don't know where to begin!

Here's the basic process when ordering promotional products for your local vendor. If you do not know where to buy click this link >> Promotional Products.

1. Have a general idea of what type of product and decoration method you want.
2. know your budget
3. Have your artwork ready - vector format
4. Send your information to your promotional products distributor
5. wait for confirmation and proofs
6. Allow for production time (standard is 2-3 weeks)
7. Receive your items

Vector Artwork
Vector artwork is the standard format for printing, specially promotional products. If your logo is in a jpg format, you may have to hire some one to re-create the logo into a vector format.

College Event Products

There are many ways to promote your events in any college or university. First you need to decide what your budget and who will be attending your event.

Budget
will the custom imprinted product be used as a gift for participating in the event or is it a reward for winning an event or will it be used to promote your event. No matter what your plans are for the custom imprinted items you will want to know how many products you will be need and what the budget can afford. Keep this in mind when looking for a product.

Decoration Price vendor
Product Price from vendor
Shipping Price from vendor
Distribution Cost
Re-use of product after the event

Attending
Who will receive this product, young kids, teens, adults, college students, athletes. You need to find a product that suits that particular target audience. Buy a product that is they'll use over and over again so your imprint will be visible more than once. Be sure to take the time to research your audience before you commit to a product. Also be sure to choose a different item every time you have an event.

Suggested items
Here are some generic imprinted promotional products that are always safe to buy:

Large Tote Bag
Polycarbonate Water Bottle
Key Tag
Imprinted Draw String Bag
Imprinted T Shirts
Embroidered Hats
Embroidered Patches

Car Show Giveaways

Are you a vendor or manufacturer representing your company during car show events? Be sure to bring a lot of giveaways for the crowd. Be sure to take small items that are not bulky and can help promote your company. Below are some suggestions that are a big hit at car shows.

Imprinted License Plate Frames
Imprinted T Shirts for guys and girls to wear during the show
Vinyl decals
Embroidered Hats
I mprinted Lanyards to hold keys
Imprinted Draw String Bags

Be sure your designs, booth and custom imprinted promotional products are design for your crowd. Import Tuner and different from Hot Rod and Muscle crowds. Bring products that will fit the age group and style of the community.

Trade Show Works

Why go and participate in a trade show? How could you not? At trade shows you have the ability to reach out to targeted audience that WANTS your products, this is your chance to reach out to them face to face and extend business network and customer base.

Trade Shows attract over 2,000 exhibitors and over 10,000 visitors while it's open. If you're a visitor it's a must to carry with you a lot of business cards to leave with the vendors. Also don't forget your comfortable sneakers and muscles for all the free giveaways you'll be getting. If your a vendor at the show be sure to dress professionally, be ready to answer questions, bring business cards and plenty of custom imprinted promotional products to attract the viewers to your booth. If you choose not to giveaway imprinted products be sure to bring plenty of reading material to hand out and be sure you booth looks inviting. Be sure to hire a professional designer to design your both or you can buy a pre-made booth from and online source so you can compare prices.

More information on Trade Shows http://money.howstuffworks.com/trade-show1.htm

Gorilla Marketing - Guerilla Marketing

Gorilla Marketing well known as Guerrilla Marketing has become the foundation for most companies and salesmen. Guerilla Marketing has become a landmark book in 41 languages for one great and simple reason; It working like nothing else. Maximize your company profits and your investments.

From small to large businesses have adopted and applied the basic principles of Guerilla Marketing because of their simple common sense and proven in action rules.

"One of the main reasons that businesses fail is lack of marketing insight. Guerrilla Marketing provides that insight." - www.gmarketing.com

Guerilla Marketing provides books, dvd, Cd and more to help you market your company. Neatness counts

Guerilla Marketing Tip:
Expensive magazine ads cannot compensate for the credibility that is lost by the sloppiness of an overall package. Unconsciously, prospects assume that if an office or employee's attire looks messy, the company runs their business the same way. An unfortunate, but real-life conclusion.

Extend your Guerilla Marketing skills with custom imprinted promotional products to market your small business. Raise awareness about your service by giving away small imprinted items on your next sales meeting or company event.

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer | Creative Layout Design | Internet Site Design | Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing | Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

Free Logo Desgin Information

Free Logo Desgin Information

A corporate identity is the image which portraits a business or its services. Logo perpose is to generate a memorable, recognizable impression on the mind of a future clients or customer. The logo design is essentially at the heart of a corporate brand.
What can you call a good logo? Most customers would answer "I just know it when I see it!" and this isn't so far from the truth. A great logo design catches the eye, it makes the observer curious, if only for a short moment. There is three standard variations of logo designs, which can be used alone or mixed within 1 design.
Illustrative logo designs (A logo which clearly illustrates what your business does)
Graphic logo designs (Logo that includes a graphic, often an abstraction, of what your business provdies)
Font based logo designs (Font which represents your business)

Some logo designers prefer to create logo designs using fonts. Experimenting with fonts, effects, shapes they seek to find an interesting way to represent the company using the form of letters. Simplicity is super important, this is not the time to use fancy decorative photo filters. Whether alone or mixed with illustrative graphics, the text in a logo must be easily readable at far.

Creating a logo is always a step process, though different logo designers have their own ways. Many designers will begin by sketching thumbnails or playing with shapes on the computer screen, until it "CLICKS" and they follow that path to see where it leads. One way to start is to select a object which represents the concept of the company, and begin playing with it. The idea is to come up with something interesting or clever, whether a viewpoint which is different, or an unusual combination of objects. Perhaps it will be something which will require some guesswork on the part of the viewer, but clear when they look at it another way.

Logo designs by GD Solutions. We’re proud to provide the small business community with design services from logo design to custom imprinted products. For more information please visit your web site at www.graphicdesign-s.com

Promotional Products Tricks and Tips

Welcome, This blog was created to give some ideas, tricks and tips of how you can use promotional products and other marketing medias to help your small business grow. For more infomation or for graphic design services and promotional product items please visit

www.graphicdesign-s.com

For services please follow the links below:
Logo Designer | Creative Layout Design | Internet Site Design | Custom Embroidery Design Logo Digitizing | Imprinted Promotional Product Advertising Customized Items

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