This guide illustrates the top ten pitfalls of buying Promotional USB Memory Sticks and how to avoid them.

Find a reputable supplier

There are many suppliers providing Branded USB Memory Sticks As with any industry the quality of the organisations varies widely. Whilst normal due diligence is always required, here are a few tips to help you with the process:

• It is always good practice to run a credit check to make sure your supplier is in good financial health. This is more important if you are being asked to pay upfront for the Branded USB Memory sticks.

• Reputation speaks volumes. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and testimonials from their existing customer base and make contact. If they have provided excellent service levels, they will not be embarrassed to share their successes.

• Make sure there are full contact details on the web site including address and contact telephone numbers – and phone them!

• Ensure they are working from a business premises. There is a growing trend for individuals pertaining to be companies are working from home without the infrastructure to support you if things go wrong. An easy way to check this is by using Google Earth.

Hidden costs

When stating your requirements to a supplier be specific about your needs and ensure that they are all met by studying your quotation carefully. Ask for terms and conditions and be aware of payment terms and delivery date promises. For example some companies will charge extra for print and origination, so ensure that these are covered in the quotation.

Quality of Chipset / Housing

If you quote sounds to good to be true – then it probably is! The core cost of any Branded USB Memory Stick is made up of the USB Housing and USB Flash Chip components. There are ways of saving costs on these buy using poor quality housing and reconditioned USB Memory chips.   Both carry reputation risk for you or your client if things go wrong. So ensure you ask for a sample to check the housing quality and your supplier provides new branded A Grade chipsets such as Samsung, Hynix, Micron or Intel.

It is also worth asking what the manufacturer’s Quality Assurance testing procedure is.

Dataloads

To autorun or not to autorun that is the question! Many clients are faced with the dilemma of whether they should add an autorun facility to their promotional USB Promotional Memory Sticks.

An autorun facility allows users to insert a USB Branded Memory Stick and for the computer to automatically run a programme e.g. a movie file.

The advantages of this facility is that it ensures the user is presented with the information the client wants them to see, without having to find the information themselves. This makes is a very intuitive process and ensures the information on the USB Memory Stick is delivered. However there are some hidden pitfalls:

• Nuisance factor. If one of the objectives is to ensure that the USB Promotional Memory Stick is a keepsake that the end user will access on a regular basis then its worth bearing in mind that every time the user wants to access or save a document they will have to run through the dataload programme. Fine for the first few times, but thereafter they may find this an irritation and relegate the memory stick deep into a draw!

• Autoruns will not work on Win 98 or 2000 operating systems – beware there are still many users out there with these systems. You will also need to ensure that the appropriate code is written into any autorun for it to work on Mac operating systems.

• Some corporate firewalls restrict autoruns, so the danger is that the end user will never see the data.

There is a middle way, why not consider loading the data onto the USB Branded Memory Stick with an icon labelled ‘Click Here To Start’ and allow the user to access the data when they want.  This data can be protected so it would not be deleted, but overcomes may of the issues detailed above.

Proofs/screenshots

Many suppliers will mock up a visual of what the Promotional USB Memory Stick will look like before production. This does not always match the finished product. So ensure that the proof carries the colour pantone references and size of the logo. Some suppliers will provide a picture of a printed pre-production so you know exactly what you are going to get.

Shipping / Customs

Almost all Branded USB Memory sticks are manufactured in the Far East and as such need to pass through both Chinese / Taiwanese and UK Customs. For the vast majority of orders this is pretty seamless process. However, any consignment can be pulled for inspection and customs may request additional information. If a global brand is printed on the Promotional USB Memory sticks they may ask for written authentication from the end clients that the goods are not counterfeit.  Either way a custom check will delay your order from a few days to up to 3 weeks!

Returning goods / Warranties

Things go wrong! The mark of a good supplier is how they manage these issues. All Customised USB Memory Sticks should carry at least a 12 month warranty. Ensure your supplier stipulates this as part of their Terms and Conditions.  However, if the items need replacing it make take several weeks for the Branded USBs to be returned to the manufacturer and repaired or replaced.

Poor Packaging

Poor quality packaging can ruin a great looking USB Memory Stick. In particular the insert that holds the USB memory stick within a box needs to be of the same shape and size of the USB Branded Memory drive. Again the only solution is to have a sample of a box before you order.

Delivery Timeframe

Do not leave the ordering of Branded USB Memory sticks to the last minute unless you want to pay a premium for rush fees and limit your choice of what is available in the UK. Allow at least 2, ideally 3 weeks, from providing your supplier with the artwork, which kicks off the production process.

Quality Of Print

The printing of logos onto your Branded Memory stick is a real art form that at best makes a perfect reproduction of your logo at worst makes it look like real mess and something you would not want to associate your brand to. The typical printing process is spot or screen-printing. This is great for simple logos with up to 4 colours. However it cannot print tints, tones, complex logos or a logo with many colours. A new full colour printing process is now evolving allowing greater printing capabilities. Again if time permits ask for a pre-production printed sample and remove this potential pitfall.

There are typically three parts to a flash drive:

• Male type-A USB connector – provides an interface to the host computer.

• USB mass storage controller – implements the USB host controller. The controller contains a small microcontroller with a small amount of on-chip ROM and RAM.

• NAND flash memory chip – stores data. NAND flash is typically also used in digital cameras.

A typical flash memory device has a housing including a small printed circuit board (PCB), and an integral connector for connecting to a USB port on a computer. The USB flash drive is connected to a computer either by direct connection or via a USB hub. When plugged into a USB port, the computer’s operating system recognizes the flash memory device as a removable drive and allows data to be retrieved from and added to the flash memory drive. Most flash drives require no other external power source or battery power source as they become active when connected with a computer.

Computers access modern flash memory systems very much like hard disk drives, where the controller system has full control over where information is actually stored.

Nothing actually moves in a flash drive: the term drive persists because computers read and write flash-drive data using the same system commands as for a mechanical disk drive, with the storage appearing to the computer operating system and user interface as just another drive.

In a nutshell, this means because USB memory sticks need no batteries and have no moving parts, they are significantly more reliable and robust compared to older storage technologies such as floppy disks and CDR/DVD-ROM media.

The USB connector is usually protected by a removable cap or by retracting into the body of the drive, although it is not likely to be damaged if exposed. Most flash drives use a standard type USB connection allowing you to plug into a port on a personal computer, but drives for other interfaces also exist.

The flash memory chips themselves are usually made in China and Taiwan by manufacturers such as Samsung, Micron, Hynix and Intel or other OEM brands. The chips are then assembled into the memory sticks and often branded with a customer’s logo. Click here to see a showcase of promotional USB memory sticks supplied by USB2U.

Recycled or B Grade flash is common in such a price driven market so it is always worth checking with your supplier exactly who the flash was manufactured by. At USB2U we only use the highest grade quality chips for all of our Flash drives. Be very cautious with some companies who offer Flash drives for discounted prices incorporating B Grade chips. These types of Flash drives will only last a dozen or so times before they break or become unstable.

USB Flash drives are now an incredibly popular way of storing and carrying data and their utility has driven their use in the Promotion and Incentives market where branded USB Memory Sticks have become one of the mainstays of the industry

Live USBs have many advantages and limitations when compared to the live CD.  Unlike live CDs the data contained can be changed and stored.  At the same time, people are able to carry their favorite operating system with them.  There is enhanced privacy with live USBs is due to the compact size and ability to store it in smaller places or carry it with you.  Live USBs usually start faster, though this is not true if a computer is lacking USB 2.0 support.  Older computers may not have BIOS that supports USB booting.  In this case, an initial bootable CD may be needed.  Due to the writing cycles of the live USB, the life of the flash drive is reduced.  This is not a worry with live CDs.

With the know-how, you can find programs that will help you to create custom USBs.  You can search the internet to find these programs that will support Windows or Linux operating systems.  In order to do this, you will need a broadband internet connection.  Some people find that creating their own custom USB suits them better.  It takes up very little space on the USB drive as well.  This allows you to personalize your live USB to your business and personal needs.

Many programs can create a live USB that is compatible with Windows and Linux.  The install for programs are completely non-destructive.  Due to this, there is no need to deal with formatting or partitioning your custom USB key.  Various programs also support automatic downloads through Fedora and Sugar on a Stick.  Storage creation is persistent, so you can save files and make modifications that will remain and persist after you reboot your system.  You are also protected when it comes to making sure that you have downloaded the correct elements.

Many, many sites are available on the internet which allows you to buy live or custom USBs.  There is also an endless amount of support on these sites to answer your questions as to what you may need, or step by step instructions to create your own.  The options that you have with live USBs are extremely vast.

There are many advantages to a live USB.  It can make life much more convenient for those who travel as well as using multiple computers. There is no more worrying about whether you are going to have the file support and programs that you need when you are traveling around.  It is a wise investment.

To realize how convenient the USB port is, we need to go back to the old ways.  Printers were connected to printer ports, and there was usually only one of these.  This is also the same spot that you would need to plug your Zip drive into, or any gadget that required high-speed.  Modems and many other devices plugged into the serial port.  If you were lucky, you had two.  If you only had one, chances are you needed it for the modem.  Devices needing faster speed came with their own card.  These had to go into a card slot inside the computer case.  The number of card slots was limited, so you had to pick and choose your devices wisely.  We won’t even talk about having to install the software for the cards.  The USB came in to help stop these headaches and seemingly grueling activities.   You can now connect up to approximately 127 devices to your computer with one simple, standardized method, making customised USB devices extremely popular.

When you plug a customised USB device into a USB port, the computer operating system searches for the device in its drivers.  If the driver is not found, the appropriate one must be installed.  The computer will be able to recognize the device the next time that it is hooked to the computer.  When the device is recognized and loaded to the correct driver, data is transferred between the computer and the devices at a very high rate of speed.  Files can be transferred to and from hard drives, USB flash drives and other storage devices.

USB has been a great time and sanity saver for any computer user.  People seem to be more on the go these days, and the quicker ways of the USB make it possible to travel, and to be a lot more mobile with your operating systems, programs and information.

Not only can you run many more devices with USB ports, you save a lot of space on your computer as well.  There is also not as much wear and tear on your hard drive. Not everything has to be stored and formatted like the old days, and customised USB devices are adding an extra dimension of fun to data storage with numerous fantastic designs available.

As you sit and use your separate keyboard, scanner, printer and more with your portable laptop, you have your USB set up to thank.   The world of computers is much more convenient due to the production and function of the USB port.

Simply provide the Pantone Colour you would like the body of the memory stick to match and we’ll do the rest.

Our normal Pantone Matching price is £150!

The models included in this offer are:

• TWISTER – More info
• MOSCOW – More info
• BERLIN – More info

Please fill out our quick form and we’ll get back to you with a quick quote: Click here

This amazing offer will end at the end of August 2009 – so don’t miss out.

2. Choose the right capacity : There is a delicate balance between choosing the correct capacity and the budget available for your Branded USB Memory Sticks. The cheapest sticks are normally the lowest capacities and these are often used as promotional giveaways. If you want to add company data to your branded USB, it is important to make sure that there is sufficient space, not only for this data, but also enough space remaining to make the stick functional for the user. Its all about balance – there’s no point paying for memory that you don’t necessarily need to promote your product or company effectively.

3. Choose the right logo : This may seem strange considering that you would normally use your corporate branding but how you apply this logo to the memory stick is vitally important. The size, positioning and colour combination within the logo can improve the effectiveness of its visual impact.

4. Choose the right branding options : Spot printing is not the only option. Logos with colour blending can now be printed using digital print technology. Laser engraving on metal-cased sticks is a professional looking, long lasting option and embossing on leather USB’s are a couple of other ideas that more and more people are starting to use

5. Choose the right artwork : Providing the artwork in the correct format is essential to ensure that the quality of the branding on the finished article is of the highest quality. Vector shape logos are by far the best quality and never lose any sharpness irrespective of how big or small you make the logo. These logos are normally found in EPS or AI format

6. Choose the right packaging : If you USB Memory Stick is a “corporate gift” then it will look more impressive in a great looking box or tin. If its simply a promotional giveaway then as a general rule you don’t need to go to the additional expense of packaging.

7. Choose the right accessory : Key rings, karabiners and lanyards are always great ways of enhancing your branded product by making it more functional and easier to carry. In the case of the lanyard, this too can be branded to increase your marketing potential.

8. Choose the right timeframe : Please, please, please leave your self enough time when considering a purchase of Branded USB memory sticks. They are not produced overnight and in the majority of cases they are manufactured in the Far East. This means you need to allow at least 14 days from the approval of a graphic proof to the production and delivery of your final product. However in some cases, suppliers will hold blank stock, which can be printed but be prepared to pay more to have them branded locally

9. Choose the right price : Surely the cheapest price is always the right one. This is not the case and there are certain factors to be consider when investigating prices for your branded USB memory sticks. Firstly, is the chipset in the USB brand new, don’t be afraid to ask. Secondly, does the price include a warranty, if so how comprehensive is it? Finally, does the price include all of the costs, i.e. Artwork setup, production and delivery?

10. Choose the right company : Last but certainly not the least important is choosing the right company to supply you with your Branded USB memory sticks. It is of utmost importance 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.

An autorun facility allows users to insert a USB Branded Memory Stick and for the computer to automatically run a programme e.g. a movie file.

The advantages of this facility is that it ensures the user is presented with the information the client wants them to see, without having to find the information themselves. This makes is a very intuitive process and ensures the information on the USB Memory Stick is delivered. However there are some hidden pitfalls:

•    Nuisance factor. If one of the objectives is to ensure that the USB Promotional Memory Stick is a keepsake that the end user will access on a regular basis then its worth bearing in mind that every time the user wants to access or save a document they will have to run through the dataload programme. Fine for the first few times, but thereafter they may find this an irritation and relegate the memory stick deep into a draw!

•    Autoruns will not work on Win 98 or 2000 operating systems – beware there are still many users out there with these systems. You will also need to ensure that the appropriate code is written into any autorun for it to work on Mac operating systems.

•    Some corporate firewalls restrict autoruns, so the danger is that the end user will never see the data.

There is a middle way, why not consider loading the data onto the USB Branded Memory Stick with an icon labelled ‘Click Here To Start’ and allow the user to access the data when they want.  This data can be protected so it would not be deleted, but overcomes may of the issues detailed above.