Promotional Products Blog

Quick Fact About the Promotional Products Industry

Inkspress, Inc — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:27:00 GMT

Recently an article in the June issue of “Advantages” trade magazine published- “Quick Facts About the Industry”. They referred to the popular game show “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader” and as many of us that have seen that show, we know the importance of the ability to draw from our early school knowledge or lest be humilated. As the article states few customers care if their salesperson knows the difference between longitude and latitude but they will notice if you can't answer basic facts about the industry. Here are a just a few quick and interesting facts.

First quick fact: There are approximately 22,000 distributors in the promotional industry. What makes INKSPRESS stand out from all the rest? Our INKSPRESS research team spend hours on educating themselves on the many Promotional Products available to our customers. INKSPRESS customer service is rated outstanding by our clients. We always go the extra mile for our clients.

Second quick fact: In the ESP database there are more than 750,000 ad specialties - that's alot of products to show our clients. INKSPRESS is always looking for new products, even testing out some to see how they may help to advertise and promote our client's business. According to Advantage the top three types of Promotional Products perceived to be most effective by buyers were: 1)shirts, 2)writing instruments and 3) desk / office/business accessories.

Third quick fact: Early Products, A Little History - Can you remember digging in the cereal box for that special prize? In 1910, Kellogg's put prizes into its Cornflakes cereal boxes for the first time. Promotional Products have been around for centuries. The first calendars were printed as early as 1850. Advertising matchbooks were distributed in the early 1889. King George III of England used a card that had his likeness on one side and a reproduction of his coat of arms on the other. Even our own George Washington had metal buttons engraved with his initials to build goodwill during his campaign for his second term in office. INKSPRESS has been doing business since 1982 so we have a little history too. We have been providing Promotional Products for our customer to promote their businessness for over 26 years.

Fourth quick fact: Cost Per Impression - For example: Notepads - A 50 sheet notepad gives the buyer a minimum of 50 exposures and then if the note is passed along that number doubles. Watches - people look at their watch an average of twice an hour, with 16 waking hours for most people in a day. The imprint on the watch face is viewed 32 times in a single day. Mugs - a mug ususally lasts at least 1-2 years with three to five people viewing it each day which yields as many as 15 to 50 impressions per five-day work week. INKSPRESS will help you find the best product to yield the maximum impressions for your customer. When you realize how products are used and the many times viewed by customers it is very important to choose the right one.

As always INKSPRESS is available to help you with all of your promotional advertising products. Please visit our website www.inkspress.com or give us a call at our toll free number 866-465-7773. We look forward to providing you with quality products, fast and friendly service.

Early Bird Gets the Worm....

Inkspress, Inc — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:29:00 GMT

The Early Bird Gets the Worm...

It's that time of year to order your 2009 calendars. Calendars are an excellent promotional item to provide your company's information to your customer. Everyday of the year a calendar is not only visable to your customer reminding them of your company's comittment to provide them with the very best service but also provides your name and phone numbers for easy and fast access.

Calendars are best ordered in advance--so you can take advantage of the early pricing. Remember to order before July 1, 2008 to get the best price. However, if you miss the deadline INKSPRESS can provide calendars at a competitive price

You don't have room to store your calendars - no problem we will store your order free of charge and ship later in the year - Calendars are a really nice promotional product - whether you choose the stick-up, desk or wall calendar. We can custom any calendar just for you! You choose the style, color and the imprinting of your logo.

Let us help you by designing the perfect promotional item for your business or special event. Please visit www.INKSPRESS.com to view our calendar selection. Don't find the exact one you want - call us on our toll free 1-866.465.7773 and our research department will locate it for you.

Excellent Year-End Employee Recognition Promotional Awards

Inkspress, Inc — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:25:00 GMT

The 2006 year is quickly coming to a close and when faced with the task of finding the company year-end award, consider the Sun Deco Clock .

The Sun Deco Clock is a modern time piece with clean lines and quartz analog movement. It has a high-luster, silver base with a clear disk of acrylic. The clock appears to be hovering over the base. A bold stripe of either blue or red halos the clock helping to give a streamlined contemporary feel to the piece. Batteries and a gift box are included with your clock.

Another way to tell your employees or top customers that they are special is with a Star Award. The Star Award is made of 1” thick acrylic and is 5” across from tip to tip. Let them know what “star” quality they are!

For other terrific time pieces and awards, take a closer look at our awards page for more ideas!

Have a terrific 2007!

Appreciate Your Employees & You Will Appreciate Your Customers

Inkspress, Inc — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:58:00 GMT

All you have to do is search 'Customer Service' and you will see many articles and blogs that have covered the topic of customer service. Everyone is searching for the industry secret to good customer service. Accomplishing good customer service is not a secret. It does not take a genie in a bottle to find the answer to the question. It is not written in the stars and you do not have to pay $19.99 somewhere from a TV sales guru to know what is vital to grasp that golden ring. Anyone in sales know that good customer service can make your company and bad customer service can kill it deader than the Dodo bird. So what is the secret? Well, according to Homestead.com's CEO, Justin Kitch, it is that employees come first. “At Homestead, we've chosen instead to put employees first. Above profits, and above customers. It's not that those things aren't important, I just believe that great employees are the enablers that make everything else happen.“ Not customers?

According to his blog responses, this has not always been met with great enthusiasm from everyone. There are those who would say that the customer would come first. However, in Justin's blog, customer's come third. This is a rather bold statement. However, when you see the logic, it is difficult to argue with Justin. “Simply put, customers are the oxygen of any business. There's no denying that. Without revenue, even the most high-flying, venture-capital backed, red-hot, media-adored, brilliant business will eventually fail. And who provides that revenue? Customers, obviously.

That's why they don't come first. In fact, in my view of the world, they don't even come second. First come employees. See my post from last week for my philosophy on that. You need employees because they build the company's products and deliver the services. Without your people, you have nothing...“

Justin makes the point that employees are vital and no one can argue that point. Several ways that he has given appreciation to their positions is to offer weekly luncheons, annual retreats, an anniversary party and the newly added company talent show. All of these events geared to focus on employees feeling very plugged-in to the company and feeling as though they are vital to the goings-on within the company. This brings the employee to a place of personal pride for the job that they do and the way that they conduct themselves. This certainly does not take a genius to figure this one out. Employees that are informed on all facets of the company, know they are going to be heard if they have a grevance, and are compensated for their time are happy, productive employees. More importantly, they are loyal. Loyal employees are long-term employees. These happy, long-term, compensated, loyal employees are going to serve their company with pride and integrity. Every time an employee picks up the phone or personally addresses a customer, it is a direct reflection of the way the company is treating the employee.

If you are struggling with ways in which to make your employees feel important, you can start by getting their imput in regard to company matters. Give them an opportunity to voice their opinions in a structured manner. Make them feel important. Give them good, solid, competitive pay. And don't forget to give incentives: Trips, gift certificates or nice company tokens to display--Items for their desk i.e. clocks or pens. Maybe something for their family to enjoy too--like a cooler, picnic items, or mugs.

The important thing to remember is that without a healthy, well-adjusted employee base, a company will fail (or continually struggle). So, treat your employees well--Make them feel valued and vital to the life of the company, and in turn, they will pass on that vitality toward the customer. In the end, everyone wins.

Eeeek! A Mouse! Whew! It's Just a Mouse Pad...

Inkspress, Inc — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 15:44:00 GMT

Most businesses are looking for a really great product to help market themselves. One overlooked item is the not like they used to be. You can choose the thickness, the diameter, the shape, the material, the colors (as many as you like), you name it!

So if you are looking for a new/old idea that works, don't overlook your friend, the mouse pad. Give our customer service team a call and let them help you design a mouse pad that best reflects your company's personal style!

Brrrrr...Snow...It's Official: It's A Cover-UP!

Inkspress, Inc — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:33:00 GMT

I know that no one wants to think about it, but you know you will have to sooner or later--I know, you want to think about it later. The fact is snow and ice is going to fall on a large majority of the country in a short time. To be ready, you will need the ever-popular ice scraper to make those frosty days more bearable.

The economical 10” Heavy Duty Ice Scraper is equipped to handle the toughest of ice situations. You may choose to imprint in 3 different locations so that you can leave your company imprint standing out from every angle! You may choose from the grip side area, the flat side area or on the blade--or all three!

The color choices are terrific and you are sure to find a color to go with your theme or logo. The blade color choices are: Clear, smoke, blue, red, yellow, violet, green and orange. The handle color choices are: Black, white, red, blue, green, teal, medium blue, yellow, athletic gold, violet and gray. I told you!

We also have other sizes available. If you are looking for a larger 11 ½” Ice scraper, we’ve got you covered. We also have smaller scrapers measuring 7” that will handle the scraping job nicely. Or, if you like, we have a Mini Ice Scraper attached to a key chain. It is credit card sized and is great for a quick scrape across your mirror.

We have 14 styles of scrapers to choose from. Just give our Customer Service team a call, and we will show you all the different options in scrapers!

So don't get caught without the perfect promotional item this winter. Ice scrapers are so economical for your business and your customers will certainly thank you.

This Is A Stick-Up! Stick-Up Calendar, That Is...

Inkspress, Inc — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 10:26:00 GMT

It's about that time of year again and everyone is thinking about calendars for their year end giveaways. Calendars are best ordered in advance--so you can get while the pickin's good!

And, as calendars go, a really nice promotional product is the Button

Magnetic reminder business cards

These are just a few items that you might need to campaign and get the word out for your candidate. We can also print your yard signs and banners for you! Give us a call if you need anything that didn't make the list!

Wabbit Twacks! Duck Twacks! -- Either One, Get Ready For Hunting & Fishing In Camouflage

Inkspress, Inc — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 15:37:00 GMT

Fall is tap, tap, tapping at the door. Can you feel the cool snap in the air yet? Can you see your breath in the air? Do you see your trees turning rich yellows, oranges and reds wherever you are? Well, if you can't yet, you will very soon! And with the cooler weather comes the new season of hunting and fishing. I can hear the hunters cheering and chanting in unison with their guns and bows raised above their heads.

You know, I admit it, I've done it--I've stood in the cold, cold morning hours in a duck blind wondering why I was there. (Actually, it was to impress a guy I was going out with at the time. He was so impressed with my ability as a hunter that he married me. I like to think he was not easily impressed...)

I tell you something else, when I recall the times in my life when I have been the coldest, that morning is always the winner. It was pure misery for me. But, I understand that many love it--and that's great. The people I was with on that chilly morning certainly did. And, another pitfall for me is the whole not talking thing...Needless to say, that was my one and only duck experience...

Now, if you want to talk about a fun sport for this girl, I love to fish. However, my favorite time to fish is at night. I usually can't get as many people excited about going out in the dark and fishing. Oh, it is so nice. Quiet...stars...the sound of the water...You can't beat it.

At any rate, whether you are sitting in a cold duck blind, fishing (at any hour of the day or night), or carefully walking through the fields waiting for your prey to spring out and run like the dickens, you will need a few items.

You should keep these in mind for your customers who like outdoor sports or corporate hunting/fishing trips: The Stowaway Camouflage hat embroidered or if you prefer, screened. Pulled down tightly, it will keep your sight clear. There is a handy side pocket that will hold your ID, money, keys or hunting license. Hunting License? Don't forget that! Your customers will appreciate this functional, 6-panel cap, I assure you.

Another handy item is the Jumbo Waterproof Wallet. Clip it on and it can hold a lot of things secure and dry. It is really a jumbo sized item at 3“ x 5 3/8“.

In addition to the terrific camo cap and the airtight wallet, if you are planning a corporate hunting or fishing trip, you will be stylin' with this Camouflage Clip Folder. Whether you are taking notes on your colleagues' superb casting techniques in the swamp or just hiding from the boss in the break room, this folder is sure to come in handy!

Please Wait Mr. Po-woe-woe-woe-woest Man--Because I Have a New Letter Opener!!

Inkspress, Inc — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 16:03:00 GMT

I know, it was a little cheesy...Anyway, onward with my quest to find inexpensive Promotional Items and then tell you about them!

Today's great item: The Stylish Letter Opener. Available in green, yellow, purple, blue, red and white. Not just a letter opener, but a “stylish” letter opener. I'd say that the name alone would make me feel like owning one. I know what you are thinking, “A letter opener?! Isn't that a little old fashioned?“ Well, let me tell you, this is not your father's letter opener! Didn't you hear me say “stylish“?

These are the best little items for any office, home or place where you need to open mail. It is so much better than the ol' scissors. Actually, they are quite fun. I don't mind opening the mail and it is always so neat and clean after they are opened. It is a far cry from the mail I have opened with my finger! Eee... You know what I mean--you've used your finger too, huh??

You are sure to find a color that suits you and if you are not keen to the whole “stylish” scene, we have another style that you might like: The Little Rip Letter Opener. I guess that says it all! It is available in 6 different colors- black, grey, green, purple, red and yellow.

And if you feel like multi-tasking, you can “Rip 'n Rule”. This little gem will let you rip open your mail and then measure the length of the envelope! It has 9 colors available: Teal, Yellow, Pink, Forest Green, Granite, Lime Green, Red, Royal and White.

So when you are looking for yet, another inexpensive promotional item for your customers, consider a letter opener. Just think of the fun they will have--all because of you!