There is a real growth in the demand for custom USB Memory sticks but for many the world of promotional memory sticks, branded memory sticks, printed memory sticks and custom USB memory sticks is all a bit of a mystery. To help you understand what they are and how to go about ordering them here’s our top 10 tips:

1. Understand what a customised memory stick is. They should not be confused with standard “factory owned” designs that simply have your brand or logo printed onto them. A custom USB Memory stick is manufactured specifically for you and you will “own” the finished design.
   

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2. Typically custom USB memory sticks are manufactured in a 2 dimensional or 3 dimensional shapes to represent your brand, product or in a shape that works with your advertising and marketing campaign. Pretty much anything can be manufactured so don’t be afraid to ask for what might seem impossible. Custom sticks in the shape of bottles, cans, fruits, cars, forklifts, footballs, baseballs, cartoon characters, badges, poker chips, bullets and even tampons have been manufactured.
3. Choose your material – Custom USB Memory sticks can be manufactured from a range of materials including but not limited to plastic, PVC, ABS, Silicon, PET, rubber, wood, leather and metal. If in any doubt ask your supplier and get some samples so you can feel/see how the material influences the finished product. Be aware that for some intricate designs the factories may not be able to manufacture them in all of the materials available.
4. Be clear in your brief to your supplier. Most good suppliers will have their own in-house design team and be able to work up concepts and ideas for you and they should be willing to do this free of charge. The requirement on you is to articulate what you want, how its going to be used and to provide some context. If your supplier is expecting you to deliver a finished design and drawing for the factory to work from then they are probably best avoided. There are experts in the field of custom USB memory sticks so work with one of these.
   

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5. Allow sufficient time. Ideally your supplier is going to need around 4 weeks to deliver your custom USB memory sticks so factor this into your project plan. This time allows for the development of the concept, the completion of design drawings and mocks ups for approval, a physical sample, modifications and the final delivery.
6. Insist on a physical sample. Whilst photographs from the factory of the manufactured custom sticks are “ok” they are no substitute for seeing and handling the real thing. Your supplier should also be keen to do this for you, as they will want you to approve the production against a real sample.
7. Make sure the right grade of flash memory is being used. Grade A memory chips are new and give you access to the full amount of advertised memory on the Chip. All other grades of memory chip make less of the advertised memory available for use and in some cases are re-cycled. In other words they are memory chips taken out of used kit or recovered from USB sticks that have failed the build QA process. If you end up with anything other than Grade A memory chips you are likely to experience a higher failure rate, you won’t be able to store as much information on the stick as expected and its possible you’ll overpay for what you’re getting. Always check with your supplier that they are using Grade A memory chips.
   

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8. Choose the right memory capacity for your project. There’s no point going to all the trouble of getting your own custom USB memory sticks designed and manufactured and then skimping on the memory. Typical memory sizes used today are 1GB but there is a trend towards 2GB as the price differential between the two capacities drops.
9. RoHS Compliance – although the memory sticks are being manufactured for you and not for general sale they still need to be RoHS compliant. RoHS stands for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances and it applies to thousands of electrical and computer parts and components imported into the EU. This is EU Legislation and you must comply with it. Finding out you have imported non-RoHS compliant products and then pushing the blame back to your supplier won’t wash. The fines are significant so ensure you ask the right questions and get copies of RoHS certificates.
10. Choose the right supplier/partner. Lots of companies offer standard printed and promotional USB memory sticks but far fewer have any experience in the delivery of custom USB memory sticks. If in any doubt ask for references, get samples and read up on any cases studies. A custom USB memory stick requires time, energy and money so don’t waste any of these valuable resources.

Bored with the same old style of USB memory sticks? Then why not consider a customised USB Branded Memory stick. They can be produced in any shape or design which is totally unique to you.

The introduction of new tooling machines has resulted in greater design scope and a dramatic reduction in the set up costs.

So what goes into producing your own Custom USB Memory Stick?

•      The first step is to have an idea of what shape or design you would like for your Custom USB. Ideally provide a photo or drawing of what you are after. The better the initial brief the closer the manufacturer will get to meeting your requirement.

•      From your initial idea a 3D virtual mock up would be produced. It will show the size and shape of the Custom USB Memory stick. This is the stage to make as many changes as you require, as no tooling has yet been produced.

•      Once the 3D drawing has been agreed, moulding tools are manufactured. These are the same tools that will make the final production run, so you can be sure that the sample will be an exact replica of the Custom USB Memory stick you are after.

•      Silicon is mixed with selected colourings and poured into the mould. This is then baked in industrial ovens to set the silicon.

•      The moulding for the Custom USB will normally come in two separate parts that are stuck together with the USB components sandwiched between them.

•      The excess PVC is trimmed and any additional colours added my hand.

•      The sample is complete! This is your chance to ensure it’s what you expected. Ideally you would need to see the physical sample as the tactile nature of the Custom USB is just as important as the aesthetics.

•      Once the sample is approved the same process as above is undertaken for the full production run.

Due to the labour intensive process the typical leadtime is 3-4 weeks.

If you want to explore the art of the possible, simply email your ideas to sales@usb2u.co.uk and we shall produce a 3d mock up free of charge and without any commitment.