Often in times of financial crisis the first budget to get cut is marketing. Marketing is an investment not a cost. And times of ”financial crisis” can result in a great return on this investment.

While your competitors are cutting their marketing budgets and not promoting themselves, some saavy marketing can result in a gain of market share. Spend your money wisely by carrying out a targeted promotion with a call to action, this way you can monitor the return on your investment.

A promotional product is ideal as it lasts for a long time. So even if your clients are suffering as a result of tough times and have no money to spend with you now, the right product will keep you at top of mind for when they can.

Red Fish Marketing has lots of great ideas for how you can do this, contact us for some creative ideas

The process  of branding merchandise with a company’s logo or message is commonly called decoration. It can also be called imprinting, branding or personalising.

Their are different types of decoration, dependant on the logo, product and look required. Common forms of promotional product decoration are;

• Screen Printing
• Embroidery
• Laser Engraving
• Pad Printing
• Blind Embossing
• Foil Printing
• Offset Printing
• Sublimation

Before choosing a promotional product, there are are a few questions you should ask yourself, which, will make the task easier;

• how will the product be used e.g. in a mailer, handed out?
• What theme or message does the product need to convey?
• Approximate budget
• What decoration method is required?
• Quantity required?
• Leadtime?

Pad Printing is commonly used on plastics, paper, ceramics, glassware, pens, leather and vinyl.  I like to think of pad printing as a very sophisticated version of potato printing.

There are a couple of steps involved in the pad printing process;

1. A recessed surface is covered with ink. The plate is wiped clean, yet the ink remains in the recessed area of the plate.
2. A silicone pad presses against the plate and pulls the ink out of the recesses.
3. The pad then moves and presses directly against the product.

Pad printing is excellent for imprinting small, unusually-shaped objects for which screen-printing is not practical. This is not the most highly-recommended process for imprinting large areas; screen printing is better for large areas of ink coverage.

 Also known as silk screening, screen printing is a method where ink is pressed through a fine mesh screen, leaving a colour imprint on the materials surface.

Also known as silk screening, screen printing is a method where ink is pressed through a fine mesh screen, leaving a colour imprint on the materials surface.Ideal for logos with limited colours and patterns. Pricing differs between logos with spot colours (colours directly referencing a PMS or permaset colour) and those with process (graduated) colours. Price also differs based on the surface being printed. Some surfaces need to be pre treated to ensure that the ink sticks. Dark fabrics have to have an additional layer of ink screened onto the surface so that the logo can be seen clearly.

Screen printing can be used on irregular shaped objects. Apparel, glass, plastic, fabric and wood are popular materials on which to screen-print.

Foiling, also known as hot stamping, can be used to decorate fabric, leather, paper, wood, hard rubber, coated metal and all types of plastic.

Foiling, also known as hot stamping, can be used to decorate fabric, leather, paper, wood, hard rubber, coated metal and all types of plastic.Foil print is applied by impressing a relief die with heat and pressure through metallic or pigmented foil onto the printed surface.

A great way to decorate metals such as trophies, pens, keyrings and nameplates. Designs are cut or etched into metal, wood, glass or other materials usings a laser. Engraving offers a permanent imprint that will not wear off because it is cut into the metal base.

A great way to decorate metals such as trophies, pens, keyrings and nameplates. Designs are cut or etched into metal, wood, glass or other materials usings a laser. Engraving offers a permanent imprint that will not wear off because it is cut into the metal base.

Also known as debossing. This is a process where an image is depressed into a material such as paper, leather or suede, so the image sits below the product surface. Ink may or may not accompany the stamp (colour stamping).

Looks great on leather compendiums, bags and satchels.

Decal transfers are the method commonly used to decorate porcelain, ceramic and glass products.

Their are a few steps invloved in decorating with a decal transfer;

1. The  water-soluble decal is printed using an offset or letterset press,
2. The decal is applied, by submerging it in water and sliding it onto the product to be imprinted. The decal is then rubbed with a cloth or squeegee to remove any excess water and air from between the product and the decal.
3. The product is then kiln-fired. Once fired, the decal becomes fused with the glaze. 

Decals withstand washing very well. This decoration method is labor intensive, since each decal must be aligned and applied by hand.

By definition promotional products are “Useful items that can be imprinted with the name of a company or individual and given free to the end user without obligation or advertising incentives”. We prefer to think of promotional products as any piece of merchandise that promotes a company’s brand.

Popular uses for promotional merchandise are;

• Tradeshow or Conference Giveaways
• Corporate Apparel or Staff Uniforms
• Prize Packs
• Christmas Gifts
• Direct Mail Pieces
• Thank you gifts
• Corporate Stationery
• Staff or Sales Incentives