Have you ever dreamed of developing a custom product for your campaign that would be the perfect vehicle for communicating your message? It might be an item that replicates the design of your logo or symbol, or it might be the exact colors of your theme, or it might be a miniature of your organization’s mascot.

Custom promotional products are developed from concept to delivery exclusively for your organization. While they may be a unique product or design, they do not necessarily have to begin with a blank page. You can start with existing products and combine them into an ensemble that matches the need of the campaign, or change a specific feature to an already existing product so that it better fits your program and sets it apart from the traditional.

There could several reasons why you might want to develop a custom product. For instance, you may need a promotion to mark an organizational milestone, or you may be launching a new program, opening a new facility, or re-branding your logo. Or, you may want to ride the wave of a new trend, or create the wow factor at a special event. But, probably the most important reason for a custom product is to address a particular need of your audience in such a striking and unique manner that your message has impact and is top of mind. Think about your audience, and what customizations or unique products would become their favorite that they would use every day.

Some custom products should be protected by patents. If you want to protect the uniqueness of how your product looks or is decorated then you would need a Design Patent. If you want a way to protect how the product is made and how it works then you would need a Utility Patent. They cover new processes or equipment used in making a product or the materials in its composition, and they can also cover improvements in function and design of an existing product.

Not surprisingly, custom products require months to complete. At the outset you will be refining ideas into renderings and then into engineered plans from which pre-production samples will be made. You may need several rounds of pre-production samples before the product is perfected and ready for production. It is of utmost importance that you do not give the production “okay” until after you have a pre-production sample that meets every specification. You will need to have your legal team involved if you are pursing patents on the product. Your new product will need to undergo safety and quality testing to meet federal and state consumer guidelines. If your custom product has been manufacturer overseas, ocean freight can take weeks, and clearing customs will require additional processing time. But, remember that many US companies will manufacture custom products offering you quicker turnarounds, elimination of importing and customs concerns, and transportation costs and timeframes will be a fraction of that when shipping from overseas. “Made in the USA” still produces a higher perceived value to the recipient and supports the American economy and its workers. Furthermore, if problems and product defects occur they can be addressed more quickly.

Please contact TheMarketPro when you are considering promotional products and corporate wearables so that we can provide the information you need to make the best possible purchasing decisions. TheMarketPro can be reached at 800-905-0073 or sales@themarketpro.net . Additional articles can be found at www.TheMarketPro.net in our “Going Green with Promotional Products” and “Coffee Break Reading” sections.

Author: Connie King
Published: March 2011

Sources:
Kimbrough, Tonia Cook, “Going Custom”, Advantages magazine, September 2010, pages 90-91.