Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Why should I use promotional items?

Most people use promotional products daily. Items such as logo t-shirts, pens, mugs, and keychains are among the most popular for personalization. These items are a very reasonably priced way to advertise your company’s logo and message while lending credibility within your community. Research has shown that 76% of business people surveyed could recall the advertiser’s name on a product they received in the last year. The more useful and attractive the product, the more effective it is, offering repeated exposure in your client’s home and workplace. When given, the recipient is left with a favourable impression, visually communicating friendliness and appreciation which in turn builds customer loyalty. You can bet that your competition is trying to target the same market as you are. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain the upper hand in securing a new customer.

2. What can I use promotional items for?

The possibilities are endless. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

• Promote your company’s website.
• Generate fresh prospects. Encourage people to sign up for your email newsletter or specials flyer by offering an entry into a monthly draw in exchange for their contact information. The prize could be an item that promotes your company.
• Reward those who refer business to you with a useful gadget.
• Thank your loyal customers, or those who consistently pay their bills on time with a holiday gift.
• Spread the word about a new product or service.
• Heighten awareness of your business with tradeshow giveaways, by donating imprinted items to charity events or sports teams, or by offering items to be used as prizes at community events or tournaments.
• Thank volunteers for their efforts.
• Impress prospective customers during the initial sales call, or pave the way for a follow up visit.
• Use these items to re-establish contact with inactive customers.
• Recognize employee achievements, promotions, and retirements.
• Offer items as an incentive to attend a meeting, training class, convention, or seminar.
• Use promotional products to celebrate a grand opening, company anniversary, or open house.

3. Are there statistics to support the effectiveness of promotional items?

Consider this recall rate data: Banner ads: 27%, Print and TV ads: 53.5%, Promotional Products: 84%. Of those who receive wearables (jackets, caps, scarves), a full 94% remember the advertising logo and company. 42 % have a more favourable impression of an advertiser after receiving an advertising specialty, and 24% said they are more likely to do business with an advertiser on items they have received. A functional and attractive promotional item is kept and used by 81% of recipients because it was considered useful, thus continues to remind people of your business long after it is received. Almost half of end-buyers have a more favourable impression of an advertiser after receiving an item. The research, conducted by the Promotional Product Professionals of Canada, has shown that customers who receive promotional items as gifts are more likely to refer friends, colleagues and others to your company than those who don’t. Other research shows that a customer’s positive feelings about you can rise 50% if they are given a useful promotional product. An exhibitor at a tradeshow who has a giveaway for booth visitors increases awareness and preference for their products by as much as 70%. Survey results found that bags, caps, t-shirts and pens deliver the most significant impressions per month. On average, bags achieve the best results, at more than 1,000 impressions per month. Pens remain the most used promotional product; among those surveyed, 20% use pens more than five times per day.

4. What kinds of items make good corporate or executive gifts?

Ever popular choices for the executive are pen sets, clocks, technology products, anything made of stainless steel, chrome or silver, padfolios, or even wine sets. Studies show that the gift must be of a useful nature to deliver the best impression. New, sophisticated items make their appearance on a regular basis.

5. What services does Creative Edge offer?

Creative Edge can help you find innovative items that will enable you to stand out from the crowd of vendors while staying within your budget. We will have your name and message imprinted on the product of your choice, tailored to your company’s unique marketing needs. Our goal, like yours, is to help you get your name and message to prospective and existing customers, while increasing your brand and company recognition. Our sales team can suggest specialty items that fit your business image, products, and services. Our knowledge of industry trends will help you choose a product that is valued by your customers.

With our experience in fine tuning your artwork, you can be sure your logo will look its best on your chosen product. We want you to get a return on every penny of your investment in advertising, and promotional items are a cost efficient way to do that.

6. Can I order products on line?

Due to the amount of variables associated with ordering promotional items, such as artwork, quantity discounts, and shipping options, we do not currently have a program to purchase on line. We do, however, offer a quote, free of charge, on the items you are interested in purchasing.

7. What if I can’t find what I need on your website?

We have a team of sales specialists who will be glad to help you find what you need. Almost any item is available, somewhere. We maintain relationships with multiple suppliers to keep the selection of items up to date and as varied as our clients’ needs.

8. Are there any minimums to the size of my order?

The listing for a particular item, most times, states prices based on quantities it is possible to order. Purchasing less than minimum quantities, if the supplier allows, will usually result in an extra charge.

9. What methods are used to personalize promotional items?

Some common methods of imprinting include screenprinting, embossing, embroidery, hot stamping, pad printing, etching, engraving, sublimation, and transfers. Promotional items are usually sold in quantity so the setup fees and imprinting charges cost little per piece.

10. What are setup fees?

When your artwork is submitted for imprint on an item it may require a die to be cast for embossing or engraving, screens may need to be burned for silkscreening, logos may need to be digitized for embroidery, or another method may need to be employed to get ready for the production process. These preproduction processes are referred to as setups and a cost is associated with each.

11. How long will it take to process my order?

The time it takes to complete your order is about 3 weeks after your artwork has been approved. There are circumstances that can delay delivery such as product availability and origin.

12. Can I purchase a sample?

A sample can usually be provided at a reduced price. It may be possible to see a virtual sample, or a mock up of an item to approve before production begins.

13. What are acceptable formats for artwork?

The most common and flexible form of artwork is a digital graphics file. It is important that the artwork be easily resized to fit the imprint area of your chosen product. CorelDraw12 or earlier with text converted to outlines, and EPS (vector only) files with text converted to outlines are acceptable formats. Art within non graphic applications such as MS Word, or bitmap images with the file extensions of .tif, .bmp, .gif, and .jpeg are generally low resolution and may need a great deal of editing to be of used. Providing artwork via fax, photocopy, or business card usually requires recreation in our art department to achieve the quality needed to meet industry standards.          

14. Are eco-friendly products available?  

With today’s focus on being environmentally conscious, it is a good idea to present an earth friendly attitude with the promotional items you choose to give away. There are many “green” products available and new ones popping up daily. Look for packaging solutions to eliminate trash such as sport bottles, reusable lunch bags, grocery bags, tote bags, and refillable pens. Inquire about earth friendly products like mugs, rulers and letter openers made of corn plastic, bamboo caps and shirts, or products imprinted with soy based inks. Find recycled products such as pencils made from jeans and recycled wood, as well as notepads and journal books made from recycled paper and plastics. Look for products that won’t contaminate the ground if they end up in a landfill including items like wind up flashlights that have no batteries, or USB drives made without lead solder, or pens, notepads, and note cubes that are biodegradable. You can also have your gift of a calendar or a write-on, wipe-off board, include a message to educate, and remind others to be eco conscious as well.