Promotional USB flash drives are one of the big success stories
of the promotional sector over the past few years. Given just how good
they look when they are printed and how popular they are with anyone
they are given to their popularity should come as no surprise.
Of course the ability to pre-load them with sales material, technical files, media files (web links etc.) and press releases makes it possible to offset the cost, or a significant proportion of the costs, of buying them.
Significant savings can be made by dramatically reducing your print and transport cots and loading the information digitally on the memory sticks!
If you are considering buying promotional USB flash drives then here are our Top 10 tips:
1. Make sure you choose a style and design of USB memory stick that reflects your company and more importantly will work with your brand: There are literally thousands of different styles of USB memory sticks to choose from; most are manufactured from plastic but they are also available in metal, cardboard, wood and some are trimmed with leather.
The most popular types tend to be "cap-less" with one particular model - The Rotate (or Twister as it's sometimes called) dominating the market.
If you want to go for something a little bit different then you might want to think about Leather USB flash drives (good for VIP and high net worth customers), engraved metal flash drives are a little more rugged/robust so they make a good option for students and silicon USB wristbands are great for the youth market.
2. Memory capacity: There is a balance between choosing flash memo based on what you can afford and stretching to a larger memory size that might make the USB sticks more attractive to the person you are giving them to.
If you want people to keep your USB sticks and continue to use them then you need to make sure there is enough memory on the sticks for their daily needs. It's all about balance - there is little point in paying for memory that you don't need for your own pre-loaded data but you need to give people something that is useful - a good size to aim for is a 1GB or 2GB.
3. Choosing the right logo: If you have a complex design or logo that includes graduated colours and/or tints then you will limit the number of USB sticks you can choose. Most USB sticks only have a print area of around 2cm-3cm so unless you are willing to simplify your logo it's not going to look great on a USB stick.
If you must print a complicated logo then choose something like a USB credit card because these can take a full colour print to both sides of the card.
4. Print options: Most USB memory sticks used for promotional purposes are spot printed but they can also be laser engraved or embossed. A less well known option is to use "Dome Stickers" - these stickers are not to be confused with "cheap and cheerful" stickers. Dome stickers look fantastic and the print on the sticker is protected under a layer of resin.
5. Artwork formats: The general rule of thumb is to supply the best (highest resolution) artwork you can lay your hands on. Ideally you need vectorised artwork in.EPS or.AI format.
If you just "grab" a logo from your web site or PowerPoint slides the final print will look very patchy and blotchy.
6. Do you need any packaging? Most suppliers of promotional USB sticks will either supply them in bulk in trays or cheap poly/bubble bags. These "protect" the sticks in transit but they need taking out of these before they are handed out. Just as there are lots of different style of USB sticks there are lots of styles and types of gift boxes to put them in - some are offered for free (if you ask for them) but "premium" products that can be printed or engraved will cost.
7. Think about accessories: Keyrings, and lanyards are a popular option to "add value" to your promotional USB sticks. Lanyards can also be printed to increase your brand exposure and if ordered at the same time as your USB sticks they will be significantly cheaper.
8. Be very, very clear on your timeframes: It's critical that you allow enough time for your USB sticks and make it clear to your supplier exactly when you must have the drives delivered - ideally build in a day or so contingency. The typical lead time for printed USB drives is 10 working days so use this as a general rule of thumb. A few suppliers offer a "rush" service where they print but you will typically pay more for this and reduce your design options.
9. Cheapest isn't always the best: If you get a quote for printed flash drives that seems "cheap" in comparison to others you may have had then make sure make sure the prices you are being quoted are for new, Grade A chips and not re-cycled or Grade B chips. Recycled, Grade B chips tend to be slower and have a much great failure rate which will reflect badly on your brand
10. Get references: Lots of "suppliers of Promotional USB memory sticks" seem to pop-up overnight and many disappear just as quickly. Before you place any order ideally get some reference from other customers or check out 3rd party review sites like Trustpilot.
Of course the ability to pre-load them with sales material, technical files, media files (web links etc.) and press releases makes it possible to offset the cost, or a significant proportion of the costs, of buying them.
Significant savings can be made by dramatically reducing your print and transport cots and loading the information digitally on the memory sticks!
If you are considering buying promotional USB flash drives then here are our Top 10 tips:
1. Make sure you choose a style and design of USB memory stick that reflects your company and more importantly will work with your brand: There are literally thousands of different styles of USB memory sticks to choose from; most are manufactured from plastic but they are also available in metal, cardboard, wood and some are trimmed with leather.
The most popular types tend to be "cap-less" with one particular model - The Rotate (or Twister as it's sometimes called) dominating the market.
If you want to go for something a little bit different then you might want to think about Leather USB flash drives (good for VIP and high net worth customers), engraved metal flash drives are a little more rugged/robust so they make a good option for students and silicon USB wristbands are great for the youth market.
2. Memory capacity: There is a balance between choosing flash memo based on what you can afford and stretching to a larger memory size that might make the USB sticks more attractive to the person you are giving them to.
If you want people to keep your USB sticks and continue to use them then you need to make sure there is enough memory on the sticks for their daily needs. It's all about balance - there is little point in paying for memory that you don't need for your own pre-loaded data but you need to give people something that is useful - a good size to aim for is a 1GB or 2GB.
3. Choosing the right logo: If you have a complex design or logo that includes graduated colours and/or tints then you will limit the number of USB sticks you can choose. Most USB sticks only have a print area of around 2cm-3cm so unless you are willing to simplify your logo it's not going to look great on a USB stick.
If you must print a complicated logo then choose something like a USB credit card because these can take a full colour print to both sides of the card.
4. Print options: Most USB memory sticks used for promotional purposes are spot printed but they can also be laser engraved or embossed. A less well known option is to use "Dome Stickers" - these stickers are not to be confused with "cheap and cheerful" stickers. Dome stickers look fantastic and the print on the sticker is protected under a layer of resin.
5. Artwork formats: The general rule of thumb is to supply the best (highest resolution) artwork you can lay your hands on. Ideally you need vectorised artwork in.EPS or.AI format.
If you just "grab" a logo from your web site or PowerPoint slides the final print will look very patchy and blotchy.
6. Do you need any packaging? Most suppliers of promotional USB sticks will either supply them in bulk in trays or cheap poly/bubble bags. These "protect" the sticks in transit but they need taking out of these before they are handed out. Just as there are lots of different style of USB sticks there are lots of styles and types of gift boxes to put them in - some are offered for free (if you ask for them) but "premium" products that can be printed or engraved will cost.
7. Think about accessories: Keyrings, and lanyards are a popular option to "add value" to your promotional USB sticks. Lanyards can also be printed to increase your brand exposure and if ordered at the same time as your USB sticks they will be significantly cheaper.
8. Be very, very clear on your timeframes: It's critical that you allow enough time for your USB sticks and make it clear to your supplier exactly when you must have the drives delivered - ideally build in a day or so contingency. The typical lead time for printed USB drives is 10 working days so use this as a general rule of thumb. A few suppliers offer a "rush" service where they print but you will typically pay more for this and reduce your design options.
9. Cheapest isn't always the best: If you get a quote for printed flash drives that seems "cheap" in comparison to others you may have had then make sure make sure the prices you are being quoted are for new, Grade A chips and not re-cycled or Grade B chips. Recycled, Grade B chips tend to be slower and have a much great failure rate which will reflect badly on your brand
10. Get references: Lots of "suppliers of Promotional USB memory sticks" seem to pop-up overnight and many disappear just as quickly. Before you place any order ideally get some reference from other customers or check out 3rd party review sites like Trustpilot.
Phil is part of the team at USB2U. USB2U is a specialist supplier
of Branded and Promotional USB Memory Sticks. We offer fast turnaround
times, excellent advice and support and free design and mock-ups. If you
are considering Branded Memory Sticks or want custom USB memory sticks then please contact us - we 'd be delighted to hear from you.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Battison
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