Promotional Items for Business

Troy Davis · August 18th, 2008, 11:38 AM

Hello,

Can anyone recommend a company for business promotional items (i.e. bags, apparel, pens, etc.)?

Thanks,
Troy

Chris Davis · August 18th, 2008, 12:13 PM

For apparel I'd recommend Queensboro. Low minimums, no setup fee, quality stuff. I'm wearing one of their shirts right now. Get on their mailing list because they have some great deals occasionally.

I don't have any personal experience with promotional items, but the marketing person down the hall recommends 4imprint.

Frank Simpson · August 18th, 2008, 12:50 PM

There are about a million sources for these types of items. Most are members of ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute). They can run the whole gamut from a kitchen-table business that is run very loosely to advertising agencies who develop entire promotions involving the promotional items. (By the way, this is the most effective way to use promos and get as much mileage from them as possible. Unfortunately, most of the world has just relegated them to cheapo give-aways at trade shows etc.)

I used to work for BigLook Displays & Graphics and we did promo items for customers all over the country. I remember one time even sourcing collapsible hemp frisbees for a customer!

Whoever you choose to go with, don't let pricing be your only criterion. A lot of times you can get pinched by a supplier who drops the ball at one stage or another, either in terms of artwork submission, or worse, shipping. I've known orders to be so badly delayed that they ended up being just so much garbage for the trash heap! Just make sure that your supplier clearly understands ALL of your objectives.

Matthew Rogers · August 20th, 2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Davis

For apparel I'd recommend Queensboro. Low minimums, no setup fee, quality stuff. I'm wearing one of their shirts right now. Get on their mailing list because they have some great deals occasionally.

How's the quality of the print from Queensboro on your t-shirt? Is it more like the really nice photo print, or is it more like a iron on that you buy from wal-mart? (I don't think it is but thought I'd ask.)

Matthew

Chris Davis · August 21st, 2008, 07:12 AM

I've never bought screenprinted stuff from Queensboro, only embroidered items. The embroidered stuff is good.

August 18th, 2008, 11:38 AM	#1
Troy Davis Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 117	Promotional Items for Business Hello, Can anyone recommend a company for business promotional items (i.e. bags, apparel, pens, etc.)? Thanks, Troy

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August 18th, 2008, 12:13 PM	#2
Chris Davis Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 411	For apparel I'd recommend Queensboro. Low minimums, no setup fee, quality stuff. I'm wearing one of their shirts right now. Get on their mailing list because they have some great deals occasionally. I don't have any personal experience with promotional items, but the marketing person down the hall recommends 4imprint.

August 18th, 2008, 12:50 PM	#3
Frank Simpson Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 165	There are about a million sources for these types of items. Most are members of ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute). They can run the whole gamut from a kitchen-table business that is run very loosely to advertising agencies who develop entire promotions involving the promotional items. (By the way, this is the most effective way to use promos and get as much mileage from them as possible. Unfortunately, most of the world has just relegated them to cheapo give-aways at trade shows etc.) I used to work for BigLook Displays & Graphics and we did promo items for customers all over the country. I remember one time even sourcing collapsible hemp frisbees for a customer! Whoever you choose to go with, don't let pricing be your only criterion. A lot of times you can get pinched by a supplier who drops the ball at one stage or another, either in terms of artwork submission, or worse, shipping. I've known orders to be so badly delayed that they ended up being just so much garbage for the trash heap! Just make sure that your supplier clearly understands ALL of your objectives.

August 21st, 2008, 07:12 AM	#5
Chris Davis Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 411	I've never bought screenprinted stuff from Queensboro, only embroidered items. The embroidered stuff is good.