Promo items: T-shirts, Lexan water bottles and mousepads, oh my!

[biggazillakilla]

Been doing a bunch of research and some thinking about various promotional items for my site and bricks-and-mortar business.

I already have pens (from www.4imprint.com -- good prices and service) and Post-It notes (from www.iprint.com ). I tried polo-type shirts, but I think good quality t-shirts may be better. I've found an awesome deal for Costco members here--6.1 ounce t-shirt (basically the same as a Hanes Beefy-T) for around $5 each for XL black. I called and requested a sample shirt, which I've been wearing for a few days now and washed once. It's really nice--big, loose sleeves with a comfortable collar, and it's nice and heavy.

I don't like promo stuff that's chintzy or useless. I don't use the stuff myself. I don't like cheap pens that break. I don't want to do calendars because I find I "forget" the companies that give calendars to me. Cool stuff like USB flash memory is too expensive.

I've been thinking hard about two things, though--logoed Nalgene (made of Lexan) bottles and Lexan mousepads (just a coincidence about Lexan, BTW). Here's my reasoning--I love those Nalgene bottles. I bought my first one in 1990, and still have it. I bought a smaller one that I use, too. People who use them tend to be fairly active and will take them different places, meaning others will might see them.

I also like those thin mousepads with the Lexan top. I've got one from Dell and one from UPS, and I like both. Problem is, these stay in the house, and I also stop noticing the company that is advertising on them. Also, the graphics on those things are pretty intense, and could be expensive.

Just sort of thinking out loud here, and I'm wondering if anybody has had any experience with these things or if anybody has other ideas.

[gladding]

good thread idea. I myself am looking for good promo items. I have gotten pens and balloons from 4imprint myself (ditto your comments - great prices, great services, great products). The balloons I plan on giving out at our local street fair in the summet. I figure if a hundred or so kids are walking around with balloons, people will inevitably notice the website url with the name of their city on it (at least that is my theory).

The biggest thing I'm looking for is something that sits (for a while) on someone's desk, so they'll see the product and think of visiting the site. So far the only ideas are:
mousepads (unoriginal, don't we all have a million of them?)
pens (cheap and effective, but I've done that)
stress balls (these I think would end up in a junk drawer
paperweights (same as above)

I'm still looking for that golden promotional item which will work for sure for a website. Any others have any experience here? Care to share your results?

[Dan Grossman]

Still on my desk after several years... my Commission Junction wooden train whistle (2"x2"x8" and works).

[Sparkie]

I like www.printablepromotions.com - they have lots of interesting promo items that a lot of the other companies don't have.

They've just started selling mascot bobbleheads - those little trinkets that are really hot at baseball games and such. I know the fellow who runs the site - he was able to take a mascot I had designed, and turn it into a promo item for a company. Quite cool!

[TDNetworks]

I recived about 3 things in the mail to put on a keychain... it is a pocket nife, bottle opener, nail filer, and some other stuff all in one. Hard to see the company name but it is pretty neat and actually comes in use. Also, they are very cheap...

[Promocuda]

You can check our site at www.promotionalcenteronline.com
We have over 50K items to choose from and I'm sure we can beat competitor prices.

Also looking for link trades if anyone is interested 8-)

Thanks

[Dkenne]

We do a lot of follow-up with our customers regarding the quality and impact our promo products make on them and their customers. Consistently, we find that the "post-it notes" are rated very highly for quality and impact. Smaller post-it notes have your logo and contact information printed on every sheet and the larger pads typically have your logo and contact information on all four sides. Post-it notes make repeated impressions on your clients and anyone who receives a note from your client. Also, they're relatively inexpensive and extremely useful.

Another product we find makes a big impact on customers are desk clocks. The clock needs to be "executive quality," however. There are lots of desk clocks out there and many are basically just cheap plastic. A very nice looking, well-made desk clock will sit on a customer's desk for a long time--consequently, making multiple impressions on your client and others who see the clock. Of course, nice desk clocks are more expensive than post-it notes.

Anyway, those are just some ideas from our experience. The key is to hand out promotional items that are of good quality and are useful to the client. If you’re handing out “junk” that reflects badly on your company.

If we can help in anyway, just drop us an email or call.

Good luck!

Deric
KeenPromos.com

[force5]

I think printed balloons are a great idea for anyone who has a website which aims at a local audience,
Try MM Balloons Online , I've found them to be helpful, friendly and reasonable in price.

[sid egg]

I'd like to go about doing something like this, however, a little different.

I don't have any money to invest in it (nor, do I want any money directly back), so I am looking for a service LIKE cafepress, however, I'd rather work with someone than with a machine. Basically, I'd sell branded items, and the business would keep all the profits... any services like this?

[divamissx]

You may want to check out the magnetic business cards at Vistaprint.com. People like to smack them on the fridge as opposed to tossing them out. Prices are good too.

[TaylorH]

Who do you guys use for tshirts? I'd love to look into some actual quality shirts to get printed.

[Fahd]

I was nicely impressed by the quality of those post its from iprint. Thought it was going to look really cheesy. And the 5 different colors help to add some, well color.

[Chef]

It's very noticeable lately that people are looking beyond t-shirts and mousemats and offering more and more different kinds of promotional items:

Other popular gift/promo items available include

- sparkling wine
- puzzles
- teddy bears
- stickers/decals/badges

That said, the humble tee does offer the best vantage point for showing off your URL.