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Posts Tagged ‘tips’

Top 5 Tips For Buying Custom USB Memory Sticks

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

USB memory sticks printed with a company brand or logo on continue to be popular with literally millions of them being handed out every year. If you’re thinking of buying some for your company, school or university there are a few golden rules to be aware of before you place any orders.

Whilst it’s not a comprehensive list here are our Top 5 tips when buying USB sticks:

  1. Simple and strong logo’s work best: Let’s face it, if you’re working for a large corporate company or school then you’re not going to have a huge amount of choice about which logo or brand you use for your printed USB memory sticks. Typically not only will there be a prescribed brand that you’ll need to use but you’ll also have clearly defined brand rules and guidelines to adhere to which dictate print sizes, colours etc.

    Because of the relatively small amount of space on a USB stick ideally you need to use simple logos with strong colours that create a visual impact. It may be necessary to approval to adapt an existing logo to get the best effect.

  2. You need the highest resolution you can get hold of: To get a great finish it’s essential that you use high resolution artwork. Vector shaped artwork is best because it will not lose any sharpness irrespective of how big or small you make it. Vector logos will typically be saved as .EPS or .AI files. If you have an in-house designer they’ll understand what’s needed. What you can’t really do is just “grab” a jpeg from your company web site because if you use this to print from the final printed image will look pixelated.
  3. Choose a type or style of USB memory stick that compliments your logo: OK, this sounds pretty obvious but some logos look better on a particular style of USB memory stick. Large, complex logos work better on products like the USB Credit Card but simple, clean logos work really well on smaller USB sticks like the Twister (the capless model)

    If you’re not sure what the best option is then ask your supplier to work up a range of “mock-ups” for you. They should be happy to do this for you and at no cost.

  4. Don’t go cheap on the memory size: Whilst cost will of course be a determining factor it’s important to get the balance right between choosing the correct capacity and the budget available for your USB memory sticks.

    If you hand out custom USB sticks with a small storage capacity there is less likelihood that they’ll get used. They are “ok” if you’re just using them to distribute data but if you want them to have a life beyond the initial distribution its important you give the user a reason to carry them around. A memory stick with little or no real or perceived storage will just end up in the back of a drawer.

  5. Don’t forget to pre-load data: If you have data that you want to load onto your branded USB memory sticks then to get it ready early. This way the data can be loaded during the manufacturing process and it typically won’t cost you anything.
Twister USB Sticks

Twister USB Sticks

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Top 10 Tips For Buying USB Flash Drives Printed With Your Logo On

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

The phenomenal growth in the use of USB flash drives by the companies, schools, universities and the promotional sector continues unabated. Perhaps this should come as no surprise when you consider just how good printed USB flash drives look and how popular they are with the recipients. The fact that you can pre-load them with sales material, presentation files, media files, press releases etc. means that it is possible to offset the cost (or a large chunk of the costs) of buying them against the savings made in not printing or transporting lots of printed collateral around.

Our Top 10 tips for buying USB flash drives printed with your logo on are:

1. Think carefully about which style of USB flash drive is right for your company and more importantly your brand/logo: There are hundreds if not thousands of different designs of USB flash drives on the market, most are manufactured from plastic but there are also USB drives available manufactured from leather, metal, cardboard or wood. The most popular promotional USB flash drive is the “Twister” because its relatively small, it has no cap to lose and it comes in a wide range of colours and it looks great printed.

Just because the majority are buying the “Twister” don’t just accept this as the de facto option for your company. Think about who you are going to give them to. For example Leather USB flash drives go down well with high net worth clients because of their perceived value, metal flash drives are a little more rugged/robust so might be better suited for students and USB wristbands are great for the youth market.

Twister Flash Drives

Twister Flash Drives

2. Choose the right memory capacity: Many people just buy the cheapest memory sticks they can find, which invariably means a low capacity flash drive with say 64MB or 128MB of memory. The problem with this is that there is a balance between choosing flash memory capacity based on your budget versus a higher level of memory that makes the flash drive more appealing to the recipient.

If one of the reasons for buying the flash drives is to get brand exposure and/or loyalty from repeated usage then you’ll fail in this objective if you give away flash drives with very little storage on them This can be exacerbated if you pre-load and “lock” your own company data onto the flash drives and in doing so use up a large proportion of the available storage space. Its all about balance – there’s no point paying for memory that you don’t need for your own data but you want people to use the flash drives and promote your product or company effectively. A good size to aim for is a 1GB or 2GB.

Leather USB

Leather USB

3. Choose the right logo to print onto the USB Sticks: If your company logo is complex, contains graduated colours and/or tints then you choice of USB drive will be limited to those that can support full colour printing. Unless you are printing onto a USB credit card the print area you’ll be working with is relatively small. Its not unusual for complex logo’s to be simplified before being printed onto a USB drive – this can either be done by reducing the number of colours or supplying a version with solid colours rather than tones/tints.

4. Select the right printing option: Typically flash drives are “spot printed” but they can also be laser engraved or embossed. Another option that’s growing in popularity 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.

USB Credit Cards

USB Credit Cards

5. Have your artwork available in the right format: Don’t expect great looking printed USB drives to be produced from images “grabbed” from your web site or supplied in Jpeg format. To get a really good quality print you need to supply your artwork in the highest resolution possible and ideally in .EPS or .AI format.

6. Think about your packaging needs: The default option with many suppliers of branded USB flash drives is to supply the printed drives in bulk (in trays or polythene bags). Some will offer “free” or discounted options for other gift box and most will offer a premium range of boxes including tin presentation boxes or frosted plastic boxes with magnetic clasps (both of which can be printed)

7. Do you need any accessories: Keyrings, carabineers and lanyards are a great option to “add value” to your printed USB flash drives by making it more them easier to carry.  Lanyards or carabineers can also be printed up to increase your brand exposure and if ordered at the same time as your flash drives will only add pennies to the unit cost.

USB_Boxes

USB_Boxes

8. Define your timeframes very clearly: Its critical that you both allow enough time for your USB drives and make it clear to any supplier exactly when you must have the drives delivered. The typical lead time for printed USB drives is 10 working days so use this as a general rule of thumb and ideally allow a couple of extra days to be on the safe side.

Some suppliers will offer a “rush” service where they print onto stock held locally 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: In the highly competitive world of printed USB flash drives lots of companies “appear overnight” and claim to be experts. The reality is that they’re out to make a ‘quick buck’ from unsuspecting customers so don’t be afraid to ask for testimonials from companies they have supplied to. Pre and post sales support from designated account managers will help to ensure that whole process runs smoothly and you are provided with the correct information from the outset. Remember that guarantees on products are worthless if the company is not around to honour them.

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Top 10 Tips For Buying Promotional Flash Drives

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

The growth in the use of USB flash drives, memory sticks, thumb drives, pen drives (call them what you will) by the promotional sector continues unabated. Its no surprise really when you consider just how well printed or branded flash drives look, the fact that you can avoid costly print costs by pre-loading electronic copies of your sales material on the drives and the benefit the recipient gets by being able to use the flash drive to store their own documents on.

When looking to buy promotional flash drives there are a few things to look out for:

1. Make sure you choose the right style of flash drive: There are lots and lots of different standard designs of

Promotional Flash Drives

Promotional Flash Drives

flash drives on the market with the twister flash drive as the most popular but this is not right for everyone because its relatively small and as a result complex or large logo’s don’t work well on it. To help you choose ask you supplier to work up various examples with your logo and ask them to send you samples of the short list if you have time. Most companies will do this free of charge. Material, shape and colour options are the fundamentals to consider.

2. Choose the right memory capacity: There is a balance between choosing flash memory capacity based on your budget versus a higher level of memory that makes the flash drive more appealing to the recipient. As you’d expect the smaller the memory capacity the cheaper the price of the flash drive. But, if you’re looking to pre-load and “lock” your company data onto the flash drives it’s important to make sure that there is sufficient space, not only for this data but also to ensure the drive is of value to the user. Its all about balance – there’s no point paying for memory that you don’t need for your own data but you want people to use the flash drives and promote your product or company effectively.

3. Choose the right logo to print onto the flash drive: If your company logo is complex, contains graduated colours and/or tints then it might not be suitable. Remember the space you are printing onto is relatively small and the printing options on some memory sticks are limited. Its not unusual for complex logo’s to be simplified before being printed onto a memory stick

Promotional Flash Drives

Promotional Flash Drives

4. Choose the right printing option: Typically flash drives are “spot printed” but they can also be laser engraved or embossed. Another option that’s growing in popularity is to use “Dome Stickers” – these top quality stickers enable complex logo’s to be printed and protected under a layer of resin and are ideal for logo’s with tints or graduated colours

5. Have your artwork available in the right format: If you want your printed flash drives to look good then its essential that you provide your artwork in the highest resolution in a format that does not compress the image data, e.g. Jpeg. Ideally you should supply your artwork in EPS or AI format.

6. Choose the right packaging: For many the right packaging option is no packaging but before you discount packaging on ethical or ecological grounds remember that promotional flash drives in gift boxes do look better and more professional. You don’t have to opt for a top end tin presentation box with foam inserts because printed cardboard boxes (manufactured from recycled cardboard) work just as well.

7. Choose the right accessories: Key rings, carabineers and lanyards are a great option to add value to your branded memory sticks by making it more functional and easier to carry.  The lanyard or carabineers can also be branded to increase your brand exposure.

8. Be clear on your timeframes: Its critical that you allow enough time when ordered printed flash drives. Whilst many companies will offer a “rush” service you will typically pay more for this and reduce your design options. The majority of flash drives are manufactured in the Far East and as such you need to allow around 10 days from approval of the proof to the delivery of your final product.

9. Cheapest isn’t always the right option: There are certain factors to be consider when comparing prices for

Promotional Flash Drives

Promotional Flash Drives

branded USB flash drives. Make sure the prices you are being quoted are for new Grade A chips and not re-cycled or Grade B chips that have a much great failure rate, Secondly make sure all of the cost quoted is fully inclusive, e.g. does it include; print set up, print origination, pantone matching, data-loading, accessories delivery and finally what are the payment terms.

10. Select a Company with a proven track record: It’s incredibly important that you choose a reputable company that has an established reputation in the marketplace. There are far too many people trying to make a ‘quick buck’ from unsuspecting customers so don’t be afraid to ask for testimonials from companies they have supplied to. Pre and post sales support from designated account managers will help to ensure that whole process runs smoothly and you are provided with the correct information from the outset. Remember that guarantees on products are worthless if the company is not around to honour them.

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If You’re Buying Branded USB Memory Stick Read This First

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

The once humble and now ubiquitous USB memory stick is everywhere. The promotion and advertising market is awash with them. It’s rare to attend a conference, exhibition or seminar and not come away with at least one of these little beauties. The reason is understandable – they are just a fantastic way of distributing data, slides, sales material etc. whilst at the same time giving the recipient something that is useful and something that promotes your brand beyond the event.

But before you rush to buy branded memory sticks for your own event or campaign there are a number of critical factors you must consider. The onus is on you to know this because not all suppliers are equal when it comes to absolute disclosure of what they are supplying

Point #1 – Am I getting A Grade (new) Memory Chips?

Its not particularly well known but flash memory chips are graded.  Only 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

Point #2 – USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 and does it matter.

The short answer is yes. Anything using USB 1.1 is old. Version 2.0 has been around for several years and is the current standard, its faster and more reliable and you should expect all of your branded USB memory sticks to be Version 2.0. Users will get frustrated with the slow transfer speeds of USB 1.1 sticks and abandon them pretty quickly which is not what you want.

Point #3 – RoHS Compliance – You need to understand what this is.

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.

Point #4 – WEEE Compliance – Its Your Responsibility

The WEEE directive is designed to actively encourage reuse and recycling. The Directive states that 65% of IT equipment must be recycled, and materials such as old LCD displays and the larger CRT display, printed circuit boards, batteries and computers must be pre-treated before disposal. USB memory sticks fall into the same category and must be supported by a WEEE recycling scheme that allows the end user or recipient of the promotional USB stick to return it for ethical recycling. If you fail in your obligations to support this then you could be prosecuted.

Point # 5 – REACH Compliance – What do you need to know?

This new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use within industry also has a direct bearing on branded USB Memory sticks. The regulation deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances. This new law came into force on 1st June 2007.

The legislation is intended to enhance the protection of human health and to protect the environment through the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances. The benefits of the REACH system will come gradually, as more and more substances are phased into REACH.

Point # 6 – Choose a reputable supplier with a proven track record.

The above points illustrate that there is a little more to buying branded USB memory sticks than just choosing the cheapest supplier. You have a corporate responsibility to understand your obligations and to ensure you comply. An easy way to do this is to work with a supplier of branded USB Memory Sticks that has the experience and expertise to take all of this pain away from you. USB2U is such a supplier.

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