If you are thinking of purchasing Branded USB Memory sticks, then the terminology and industry jargon used can be daunting and confusing.

To help demystify the purchasing and manufacturing process here’s a glossary of terms, which should help.

Artwork: This needs to be provided so the USB Memory Stick can carry your logo and/or marketing message. There are many different file types in which artwork can be saved as. The preferred formats for the printers or factory because they provide the sharpest print are ai (adobe illustrator) or eps (photoshop) and, ideally, these should be in a vectorised format. Please see our Guidelines page for more info: Click here.

Auto Run: An autorun facility allows files to be run automatically as soon as the USB memory stick is inserted into a USB port on a PC. This is useful if you want to take the user directly to your own promotional video for example. A note of caution though – if you do want the recipient of your USB Memory stick use it over and over again “auto-run” files can be off putting as they won’t be able to access their data until they have waited for the autorun to run! For more information, please see our Data Load page: Click here.

Data Encryption: This is software that can be added to your Branded Memory Stick. It allows any data on the stick to be fully encrypted (scrambled). This means that if you lose the Memory Stick it would be very difficult for anyone to access the data held on it without the appropriate password. For more information, please see our Data Load page: Click here.

Data Load: If you have files or data that you want to provide the user with then this data can be loaded during the manufacturing process. The data can be supplied in any format with the most common data formats being MPEG’s, PDF’s and Powerpoint Presentations. Any loaded data can also be protected so that the user cannot delete it. For more information, please see our Data Load page: Click here.

Drive Partition: This creates two virtual “drives”. It can only be done during the manufacture process. One drive partition can hold data that cannot be deleted (protected) and the other can be for saving and storing data. For more information, please see our Data Load page: Click here.

Embossing: Sometimes knows as “stamping” this technique adds a logo onto Leather USB Flash Drives. Please refer to our Branding Options: Click here.

Engraving: This is the process of adding a logo onto metal USB Flash Drives. The results can be fantastic. Engraving is very durable and is the recommended option for branding on all metal cased USB Memory sticks. Please refer to our Branding Options: Click here.

Full Colour Print: A process that allows full photo quality print rather than simple “spot colour” print. Not available on all models of USB memory stick or from all suppliers but if done correctly the results can be stunning. Please refer to our Branding Options: Click here.

Silk Screen Printing: The most common method of printing onto USB Flash Drives. This option usually offers up to 4 colours to be printed to 1 position. Sometimes know as “Spot Print”. Please refer to our Branding Options: Click here.

Carabiner Keyrings: Also known as snap link, snap hook, D ring or ‘biner”. These function like a climber’s carabiner. Great for attaching onto bags or laptop cases. Unlike most small key rings they are also big enough to carry a brand or logo.

Lanyard: a cord with an attached hook that is used to hold the promotional USB Flash Drive. Sometimes know as neckties.
Memory: You would usually refer to the memory of a promotional USB Flash Drive simply as ‘memory’, but others terms use are ‘capacity’ and ‘storage.’

The memory sizes come in a range if different sizes. They double up as follows, 32Mb, 64Mb, 128Mb, 256Mb, 512Mb, 1Gb, 2Gb, 4Gb, 8Gb and 16Gb.

1GB of memory is the most popular size but its useful to know exactly how many files this would hold.

Some technical jargon:
•    1024KB (kilobyte) = 1MB (megabyte)
•    1024MB =1GB (gigabyte)
•    A good quality photo is about 100KB
•    An MP3 music file is about 3MB upwards
•    A document file can be anywhere from 25Kb upwards

Mock Up: An image illustrating the USB flash drive with your logo file. A further proof would be provided prior to production.

MOQ: Minimum Order Quantity

Pantone Reference: All colours have a specific reference will allows printers to match any logo colours. These 3 or 4 digit references must be provided with the artwork.

Proof: This is a visual of the chosen Flash Drive. It details the layout, size and colours in the logo. It is important that the proof is checked closely.

Tagging: This is the term used to label a drive letter on a USB memory stick. For example rather than having the generic ‘removable drive’ title, you could add a company name or short message.

USB: Universal Serial Bus. This is an industry standard introduced to allow peripherals to be used across all desktop and laptops.

USB Flash Drive: The most commonly used term but others include:USB memory stick, USB pen drive, USB key drive, USB jump drive, USB thumb drive and USB drive.

USB 2.0: The main primary difference between 2.0 and the previous standard of 1.1 is that the 2.0 USB Memory sticks are faster. USB 2.0 averages a data rate of 480 Mbps (megabits per second) while USB 1.1 only hits 12 Mbps, which make 2.0 about 40 time faster. All new memory sticks should be USB 2.0.