However, if you need something that can accommodate a larger, more complex logo, or perhaps multiple logos then you need something that’s got a large print area and ideally something that can accommodate full colour printing or photographic print then these smaller USB models just won’t work. Any attempt to “squeeze” your design onto them will just result in an illegible mess that will do no favours to you or your brand. Conversely if you choose just a very large USB flash drive you could end up with something that’s not only unwieldy and just not particularly attractive.

Our recommendation if you have a complex or large logo to print is to consider one of our range of USB Credit Cards. There are several USB Credit Cards to choose from and they all support full four colour or photographic quality print finishes. As you would expect from the name they are exactly the same size as a conventional credit card, bank card or ATM card. The beauty of this is that they fit neatly into any wallet, purse or bag that your customer or prospect might have and sit alongside their regular credit cards for what the banking industry call “share of wallet”

Credit Cards USB

USB credit cards are only marginally thicker than a standard card at just 2mm and the USB connector and memory is stored discretely in the body of the card. They are available in a wide range of memory sizes from 64MB all the way up to 16GB with 1GB and 2GB versions currently the most popular.

Just like any regular promotional USB flash drive, USB credit cards can be pre-loaded with your corporate information or product information before distribution. The finished product as these images illustrate looks fantastic and they make a real impact when given out. For the relatively small incremental cost of a USB Credit Card they are the best option for large or complex logos.

The beauty of this for the promotional industry is that pretty much everyone now carries a wallet, purse or bag with them that has a compartment designed to carry a standard credit card shaped product. So whilst the promotional industry has historically not been in the market of giving away credit cards per se it has latched onto the potential to give-away products that fit neatly into a wallet or purse.

USB Credit Card

Examples of this include cards shaped calendars, card shaped calculators, card shaped CD-ROM’s and so on. As such it’s perhaps no surprise that we have now have the credit card shaped USB flash drive. These credit card USB flash drives work in exactly the same way that a “standard” flash drive work but the flash memory, the flash controller chips and all of the connectors etc. have been squeezed into a card that is barely any thicker than a standard credit card.

So not only do these cards slip easily and comfortably into any wallet or purse but they also have the added benefit of being large and flat enough to carry complex and intricate prints. So, if you’ve got a large logo, a logo with lots of colours or perhaps a logo with graduated tints then your options with a standard memory stick like the ubiquitous twister flash drive are limited but with the credit card version you can pretty much have what you want.

USB Credit Cards

The USB Credit Card just like any other USB drive can (and should) be pre-loaded with sales brochures, marketing material, media files, external web links and so on. These files can (if you allow them) be deleted by the user after they have been read and they can then use the storage space of the USB drive to save their own documents to. Pre-loading data files is a great way to get tons of useful information into the hands of your customers and prospects and in giving them a branded USB credit card you’ll be giving them something that will be used and stored in their wallet along with their other important cards.

In the credit card industry this used to be called getting “share of wallet” and there’s no doubt that by getting your brand prominently placed in a wallet or purse that you’re brand is going to get a real fillip.

In fact these incredibly useful gadgets can be used in many many ways including but not limited to:

• On-pack sales promotions
• Competition prizes
• Trade show “give-aways”
• Press Launches (and lunches)
• Product Launches
• Staff rewards and incentives
• Customer mailers
• Re-seller and partner fairs

The most popular style or shape of branded memory stick used for these activities tend to be “stick” shaped (not as in a stick from a tree but small, rectangular shaped flash “sticks”) but there are other options!

One of the key trends in 2010 is expected to be the move to a bespoke or truly custom shape that is unique to the customer using it. Examples would include custom USB disks in the shape of a car or truck to support the launch of a new vehicle or perhaps in the shape of a company logo or brand. Any 2-D or 3-D shape is now possible and bespoke memory sticks really do up the ante in terms of brand support, brand building and product recall.

But, custom memory sticks are not for everyone. If you are looking for something a little different, a little more sophisticated with the scope to support a complex logo or design then you might consider a branded credit card USB. These come in a variety of styles and types but they all adhere to the basic “form factor” of a credit card. Not only do they support a full colour, photo effect print but they can also be supplied in a complementary wallet or case. Costing just a little more than a standard branded memory stick they are certainly worthy of consideration particularly if your target audience is ABC1.

The small additional cost is worth it in terms of the visual impact and much greater perceived value. If you are interested then give us a ring or fill out the on-line enquiry form and we’ll get back to you with a tailored quotation. We also offer a free design and mock-up service to help you visualise the end product.