Promotional Gifts Printing

When it comes to putting your logo on promotional giveaways, there are so many methods:

Screen Printing is the most common method used for printing clothing, from 1 to 4 colour process. Screens are typically made from a woven mesh; this supports an ink blocking stencil.

Transfer Printing is great to use for mass-production or very short runs for logo application of an image to a curved or uneven surface. It is commonly used for printing on hard surfaced pottery, clothing and other materials. Transfers can be hand applied with excellent results from a 1 colour print to a 4 colour process.

Tampo Pad Printing is a very common method of print on promotional merchandise. It can be used to print on small and curved surfaces like pens but only solid spot colours, no tints.

If your product is metal then Laser Engraving is the practice of using lasers to engrave or mark an object. The engraving process gives you a longer lasting finish and adds to the perceived value of the product. Laser engraving is also sometimes used on wood and acrylic and is more permanent than tampo print on these surfaces.

Diaries and conference folders can be given a classier look with Embossing. There are two types of embossing, blind and hot foil. Both of these methods can be used on leather and some PU items. With the hot foil process it’s the heat that applies the logo onto the surface of the material using a metal block that has been produced with your logo on. Blind embossing etches the logo onto the product into the material. Almost like a stamp.

Embroidery is the most common method used for all types of clothing including Baseball Caps, Jackets and T-shirts. It can also be used on some material bags depending on the access of the bag. The logo is produced on an embroidery jacquard or disc. Embroidery costs can vary; a stitch count of the design will give accurate prices.

Dye Sublimation Print is quite new in the promotional gifts industry. It’s a computerised process that uses heat to transfer dye onto a medium such as fabrics, plastic cards, paper and even on ceramics like mugs and coasters.

Digital Printing reproduces a digital image onto a physical surface. Digital Printing can give you a faster turnaround and is typically used on short runs printed onto paper. It’s a cheap and easy way to produce a 4 colour process image on flyers, paper insert rulers, coasters and keyring’s, pus booklets.

Business Gifts, a Family Business

Business Gifts, a Family Business
It seems most business gift companies are spawned from a family business, typically starting from the kitchen table and then slowly expanding into offices and mergers.

The principle of any Business and Promotional Gifts company is basically selling branded items from pens, mugs, t-shirts, umbrellas, diaries, clocks, conference folders, badges and awards just to mention a few. Branding is typically by printing, embroidery, engraving or hot foil blocking. Unusual requests tend to occur from printing eggs to badminton nets. Some companies tender for schemes, these tend to be high turnover, high servicing and lower profit margins.

The norm is for the gift company to be part of a catalogue group, this gives them immense buying power and discounts from products sourced all over the world. There are also associations that can help and support the business, promoting best practice around the sourcing, manufacturing and distribution of promotional products. There are also Trade Associations that represents manufacturers, importers and distributors.

Right, back to the family business, this tends to be a mixture of parents, (the owners), their children, spouses, friends and relations. This mix contributes to a real cocktail passion and fireworks. That day’s business can carry on in the car, at dinner and even breakfast, emotions can cloud business decisions.

Power struggles can happen, the older experienced heads who know best nearing retirement, conflict with younger driven know it alls. This in fact can be a fantastic combination, which should the clouds disperse then the business would have a clear blue sky. Success is in the hands of the drivers, it’s their decision which way to turn when they hit those crossroads!

Am I talking from experience, what do you think?

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