Personalisation of
promotional gifts
Personalization of promotional gifts is often a
mystery to many buyers and it's even more difficult for
an occasional buyer to understand what is meant by
personalization of promotional gifts or branding of any
corporate identity product. So here's a brief explanation
of personalization, origination and artwork...three terms
which continually crop up when buying a promotional
gift.
Promotional gifts
personalization
Not to be confused with artwork although it
often is in the mind of some buyers. Personalization of
business gifts in this context mean putting a logo, sales
message or company name onto a promotional gift…though
sometimes it can simply mean a person's name.
Nonetheless, typically personalization means a logo,
motif or slogan; actually branding an item.
Promotional gifts
origination
Origination is a term peculiar to the business
and promotional gift industry and sometimes causes much
uncertainty in the minds of buyers unfamiliar with the
processes and expenditure connected with the origination
of personalized business gifts. Origination is not
artwork, neither is it the application of the printing
process; it is simply the medium used to put an image
onto a product; for instance a screen for screen
printing, plate for off-set litho printing or a jacquard
for embroidery. Both screen-printing and offset litho use
a screen or plate for each printed colour but, for
example, only one jacquard is required for multi-coloured
embroidery. A useful analogy is to think of early school
days when using a potato cut-out to put images on paper.
In this case the potato is the origination - not the
actual putting the image onto paper.
Promotional gifts artwork
Essentially a true representation of the
design and colours; sometimes broken down into the
various colours. Today most artwork is computer generated
and often fed directly into production equipment. All the
same, some processes still require artwork to be
converted to film and then to plate, screen or
block.
Promotional gift extra costs
Also, it is as well to take into consideration
that personalization, origination, artwork, carriage and
packing are all extra costs supplementary to the
catalogue price of a promotional gift or corporate
identity badge. Unfortunately, there is no single method
of personalization suitable for all business gifts or
promotional items...but, at least, now you will know a
little more about Personalization of Business
Gifts.
Martyn Riddiough is Sales
Director of Stewart Norman Associates Manufacturing
Limited and has been involved in the recognition, awards
and promotional business since 1983. He can be contacted
at enquiries@stewartnorman.co.uk
or you can validate the quality of
his products at www.stewartnorman.co.uk

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