There is not a right or wrong answer when it comes to this question. The best answer is to take care in selecting an appropriate item and think twice about whether or not to put your corporate logo on it.
The ultimate success of a promotional product as a gift for an employee, client or vendor, is whether the recipient uses it or not. Certainly having your logo on it gets more advertising miles out of the product. However, that is assuming they are using the product and seeing the logo each time. If they throw it in their box of junk in the garage, or trash it, then not only did your advertising dollars go down the tube, but so did the recipient’s feeling of appreciation.
Some things to think about when deciding whether or not to imprint the item:
What is the message you are trying to convey?
Cost of item (the higher the price, consider, no imprint or a more subtle imprint such as deboss or tone on tone)
Consider an add on item that can hold the logo (for example – a nice duffle bag with no imprint accompanied with a luggage tag that has the logo)
If you choose not to put the logo, don’t be afraid that the recipient will not remember where it came from – in fact they will likely never forget.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The new and improved Artina website
As you may have noticed, it has been a while since a new blog has been posted. That is because we have been very busy with the design and rollout of the new and improved Artina Promotional Products website (www.artina.com). The new site features an improved search feature with some advanced options that were not previously available. For those that are budget conscious or in a time crunch, you can search by price range or lead time as well. For quick answers, there is an on-line chat. Operators are available from 8:15 to 5:00 EST...so get online and chat with us! Along with the improved search features the entire site is more user friendly and easier to navigate. The new site has been a long time in coming and we are pleased to offer this new level of online service to our current and new clients.
Check us out online frequently as the website is a work in progress and we hope to make continuous improvements as well as additions to the products that are available via the site. Currently there are over 10,000 products to choose from. As always, if you don't see what you are looking for on the site, just give us a call...or better yet...chat with us online!
Check us out online frequently as the website is a work in progress and we hope to make continuous improvements as well as additions to the products that are available via the site. Currently there are over 10,000 products to choose from. As always, if you don't see what you are looking for on the site, just give us a call...or better yet...chat with us online!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Labor and other issues in China challenge promotional products industry.
As we are all aware, the price of everything is on the rise these days. The same is true of the promotional products industry as some major changes in China are affecting the industry dramatically. Promotional products are for the most part, imported from overseas and a large majority come from China. In the past, the items have been inexpensive to make for the Chinese and therefore inexpensive for us to purchase. China is now facing several factors that are changing their costs of doing business.
One thing that is not a China only issue is the rising cost of raw materials. Costs for petroleum based plastics have been on the rise for the past couple of years and there are no indications that it is going to slow down.
The Chinese government recently enacted a new labor law that requires employers to give new employee benefits that were not previously given. This of course increases the cost of doing business for these factories and they are in turn passing that on to their clients. China is also now moving into an inflationary environment as opposed to the previously deflationary one. This means that the deflation of the Yuan and the weakening US dollar are working together to increase the prices that we pay for goods. Prices are now being adjusted upward on a weekly basis. Another governmental factor is the decrease in the VAT (Value Add Tax) that the Chinese government has been paying factories to help them offset the cost of production.
Another surprising factor in the mix is the Summer Olympics. The Chinese government has closed many factories for various periods of time in an effort to reduce air pollution for the upcoming games. Lastly, the Chinese labor force is realizing that they can get paid more and have better working conditions closer to their homes and are leaving their jobs. After the Chinese New Year holiday this year, less than 70 of every 100 workers returned to their jobs in the factories. This has significantly reduced the available workforce.So, how does all of this affect promotional products? Well, one thing that is happening are price increases. In the past, the increases have been such that the factories were offsetting the cost on their own, but with the dramatic increases, they are now being forced to pass those along to the end users. The other thing that is happening is inventory issues. With the shortage of workers and the shutdowns, production schedules are being disrupted. So, it is important to talk with your promotional products distributor when you are working on projects to get accurate pricing as well as check inventory prior to placing an order. With the longer lead times for importing goods, it is a good idea to start working on your projects a little further in advance.
One thing that is not a China only issue is the rising cost of raw materials. Costs for petroleum based plastics have been on the rise for the past couple of years and there are no indications that it is going to slow down.
The Chinese government recently enacted a new labor law that requires employers to give new employee benefits that were not previously given. This of course increases the cost of doing business for these factories and they are in turn passing that on to their clients. China is also now moving into an inflationary environment as opposed to the previously deflationary one. This means that the deflation of the Yuan and the weakening US dollar are working together to increase the prices that we pay for goods. Prices are now being adjusted upward on a weekly basis. Another governmental factor is the decrease in the VAT (Value Add Tax) that the Chinese government has been paying factories to help them offset the cost of production.
Another surprising factor in the mix is the Summer Olympics. The Chinese government has closed many factories for various periods of time in an effort to reduce air pollution for the upcoming games. Lastly, the Chinese labor force is realizing that they can get paid more and have better working conditions closer to their homes and are leaving their jobs. After the Chinese New Year holiday this year, less than 70 of every 100 workers returned to their jobs in the factories. This has significantly reduced the available workforce.So, how does all of this affect promotional products? Well, one thing that is happening are price increases. In the past, the increases have been such that the factories were offsetting the cost on their own, but with the dramatic increases, they are now being forced to pass those along to the end users. The other thing that is happening is inventory issues. With the shortage of workers and the shutdowns, production schedules are being disrupted. So, it is important to talk with your promotional products distributor when you are working on projects to get accurate pricing as well as check inventory prior to placing an order. With the longer lead times for importing goods, it is a good idea to start working on your projects a little further in advance.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Artina's Grand Opening
Please join Artina Promotional Products in celebrating the Grand Opening of their new Powell offices and showroom located at 50 S. Liberty Street, Suite 250, Powell Ohio. The event will take place on Thursday, May 15th from 3-7PM. Food and refreshments will be provided. Join us for a tour of the new space as well as relaxing on the rooftop patio and networking with other Artina clients. Visit our website, www.artina.com, to RSVP. Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
It's too early to think about calendars...or is it?
What do you mean calendars? It is too early to look at calendars for 2009....I just received my 2008 ones! Well, it really isn't too early to start thinking about your calendars for 2009. If you are not using calendars in your marketing plan, it is a perfect time to consider the impact of calendar advertising.
Calendars provide a perfect branding opportunity since everyone looks at a calendar once a day and most people look at it much more often. Once you start using calendars in your marketing plan, your clients start to look forward to receiving them and will ask about them each year. There is a calendar to fit every budget, industry and target audience...from desk calendars, wall calendars and planners.
Calendars also present another unique marketing opportunity when it comes to customization. You can choose to go with a stock calendar, however, the possibilities are unlimited when it comes to creating a completely custom calendar. Your promotional products distributor can walk you through the options for customizing the calendar pads, photos as well as the back of the calendar and adding custom pages at the front that provide valuable information to the recipient.
Now that we know more about the options and value behind calendar advertising, why should you start on your 2009 calendar project now? There are a couple of reasons...first of all, calendar manufacturers are bombarded with orders in the last quarter and if you place your order now, they will hold them to ship when you want them. That way, they are able to manage their production schedule and you get your calendars when you want them. This is especially important if you are ordering a stock calendar, you may run into inventory issues if you wait too long to place your order. Most calendar manufacturers offer early order discounts as an incentive as well, typically the deadline for ordering to take advantage of the discount is end of June. Again, they will hold the order to ship until you are ready to receive the calendars so you do not have to worry about storing them.
Visit our website (www.artina.com) to view some stock options for calendars or call 800-433-5587 and ask to speak to an account executive to learn more about stock or custom calendars.
Calendars provide a perfect branding opportunity since everyone looks at a calendar once a day and most people look at it much more often. Once you start using calendars in your marketing plan, your clients start to look forward to receiving them and will ask about them each year. There is a calendar to fit every budget, industry and target audience...from desk calendars, wall calendars and planners.
Calendars also present another unique marketing opportunity when it comes to customization. You can choose to go with a stock calendar, however, the possibilities are unlimited when it comes to creating a completely custom calendar. Your promotional products distributor can walk you through the options for customizing the calendar pads, photos as well as the back of the calendar and adding custom pages at the front that provide valuable information to the recipient.
Now that we know more about the options and value behind calendar advertising, why should you start on your 2009 calendar project now? There are a couple of reasons...first of all, calendar manufacturers are bombarded with orders in the last quarter and if you place your order now, they will hold them to ship when you want them. That way, they are able to manage their production schedule and you get your calendars when you want them. This is especially important if you are ordering a stock calendar, you may run into inventory issues if you wait too long to place your order. Most calendar manufacturers offer early order discounts as an incentive as well, typically the deadline for ordering to take advantage of the discount is end of June. Again, they will hold the order to ship until you are ready to receive the calendars so you do not have to worry about storing them.
Visit our website (www.artina.com) to view some stock options for calendars or call 800-433-5587 and ask to speak to an account executive to learn more about stock or custom calendars.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Ideas in Promotion Show 2008
Artina Promotional Products is once again hosting our Ideas in Promotion Show. We have invited our top suppliers to join us. The suppliers are going to be exhibiting in a trade show format to allow you to see their new products as well as proven sellers. The show is a great opportunity to see a lot of new products and to brainstorm about upcoming promotional needs that you may have. Your account executive will be on hand as well to help you navigate the show and keep notes about the products that you like.
The event is being held at the Bridgewater Conference Center in Powell Ohio on April 17th from 10-2. You can visit the website www.ideasinpromotion.com to RSVP or contact Artina directly at 800-433-5587. We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity, most trade shows of this nature are distributor only events. We will provide lunch as well as exciting prizes to the attendees. Feel free to invite others that you know that you think may benefit from attending the show as well.
We look forward to seeing you there!
The event is being held at the Bridgewater Conference Center in Powell Ohio on April 17th from 10-2. You can visit the website www.ideasinpromotion.com to RSVP or contact Artina directly at 800-433-5587. We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity, most trade shows of this nature are distributor only events. We will provide lunch as well as exciting prizes to the attendees. Feel free to invite others that you know that you think may benefit from attending the show as well.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Specials....are they a good value?
As we all know, people love things that are on special. Promotional products companies run frequent specials to generate more business for themselves. Like anything else, it is important to determine if the "special" you are getting is a good value.
For example, if you receive a special on a bag that is regularly priced at 4.99 and it is on special for 1.99...is that a good value? At first glance it seems like it. It is vital that you ask your promotional products distributor their opinion of the product on special. It is also a good idea, time permitting, to get an actual sample of the item. You may find that the bag that is on special for 1.99, is really only worth 1.99.
This is just one example of how a strong relationship with your promotional products vendor can help you to avoid getting a product that you are not happy with.
For example, if you receive a special on a bag that is regularly priced at 4.99 and it is on special for 1.99...is that a good value? At first glance it seems like it. It is vital that you ask your promotional products distributor their opinion of the product on special. It is also a good idea, time permitting, to get an actual sample of the item. You may find that the bag that is on special for 1.99, is really only worth 1.99.
This is just one example of how a strong relationship with your promotional products vendor can help you to avoid getting a product that you are not happy with.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)