Wet, wet, wet …
According to the Met Office, 2012 was the second wettest year on record and four of the five wettest years on record have occurred since 2000. However, sad to say, I don’t suppose many people will be surprised at this fact; one only has to recollect the months of seemingly endless precipitation, the damaging floods and landslips which appear to have become the norm.
In the field of promotional merchandise, this sad, sodden fact points the way clearly to a product ideally suited to the conditions – the humble brolly of course. One could say that, these days, a promotional umbrella is the best way to ensure that your company’s brand and it’s message is seen by hundreds, nay thousands of people each day.
As a matter of fact, an umbrella boasts one of the largest print areas of any promotional item and your logo and message may be printed on one or all of the panels whatever is your preference. They come in a veritable kaleidoscope of colours too, so you can match your corporate colour-palette for maximum impact.
At Stupid Tuesday we have a vast range of umbrellas from which to choose, costing from as little as a fiver each at the budget end, so if you want a promotional item that really makes an impact and will be valued and used time after time, then perhaps a brolly is your product of choice.
Call us on 01437 781978 for more information on our umbrellas, email sales@stupidtuesday.co.uk or visit here.
The Time-bomb Effect
Recently, I took a telephone call from a person who had been at an event at which Stupid Tuesday was an exhibitor about six months previously. Now, I didn’t remember the person. I don’t recall them coming to our exhibition stand, neither do I recall them talking to me or any colleague. Neverthless, it seemed he knew me and my company intimately. Curious, I asked politely, how so? It appears that, during the day, he passed our stand in something of a rush, as he was on his lunch-break, and picked up one of our branded ‘freebie’ pens.
Six months later, when his own company decided to invest in promotional merchandise as part of their marketing plan, the first call he made was to the company whose pen had sat on his desk, or in his pocket, for all that time, Stupid Tuesday. This is what we mean by the ‘time-bomb effect’. The person took a pen and, although not requiring promo items at the time, six months later when he did, it was there to remind him where to get them.
Would he have done the same had he taken one of our business cards, or perhaps a leaflet? Possibly, but it’s more likely that both would have been mislaid or found their inevitable way to the trash bin. The branded pen, on the other hand, he found of daily use and there it was, our ‘time-bomb’, waiting to go off just when he needed promotional materials. The result is that he placed his first order and, now a regular customer, he has spent thousands of pounds.
Not a bad result from a branded pen costing just 35p!
It isn’t just promotional pens that act as time-bombs. Other pieces of marketing dynamite include promotional mugs, usb flashdrives, eco-friendly items … well I could go on and on but you get the picture, I am sure.
In fact, in a recent survey, the theory of the ‘time-bomb effect’ was thoroughly tested, the results being as follows:
- 66% of respondents said they could remember the brand on the promotional product they received during the last year.
- 79% said they were likely to do business with the company in the future.
- 84% of respondents said that a branded promotional gift increases brand awareness.
- 87% of recipients said they kept a promotional gift for longer than 12 month.
- Finally, 56% said that their opinion of the brand/company was more favourable after receiving the promotional product.
To obtain your very own time-bombs and add some ‘dynamite’ to your marketing, give us a call on 01437 781978, email sales@stupidtuesday.co.uk or visit Stupid Tuesday.
Dye Sublimation Mugs for Impact
One of the fastest growing types of promotional mugs is the Dye Sublimation Mug Range, often referred to as ‘photo mugs’, and it is not hard to see why. Dye sublimation printing allows you to have vibrant, crystal-clear multi-colour and/or photographic images printed onto a wide range of mugs for maximum impact when you present them to clients.
Dye sublimation printing is a thermal process whereby colour dyes are transferred onto, or rather into, the surface of a special substrate, in this case, onto a specially-coated mug, which is then fired and laminated during the final stage of the process to produce a robust, colourful and practical finish. Two grades are available: standard, which will withstand up to 250 dishwasher cycles and premium, which will withstand an amazing 1000 cycles.
Moreover, the dye sublimation process is excellent when you wish to reproduce pantone colours which some other print methods find difficult and, because there is only one artwork origination process, no matter how many colours are to be printed, the set-up cost for dye sublimation mugs is low. This also means that the minimum quantity is just 36 mugs, half that of alternative printing processes.
There is a great range of dye sublimation shapes to choose from. The majority are earthenware mugs, such as the top-selling Durham although the slimline Sandhurst is top-quality porcelain. Something a little different is the contemporary Deco or you could go for something really special like a Heat Change mug, which changes it’s design when hot liquid is poured in.
Considering their versatilty and great impact, you may wish to consider dye sublimated mugs for your next promotion to really force home it’s impact and if you’d like to discuss this with us here at the Mug Shop, or receive a sample so you can judge the quality at first hand, please feel free to call us in 01437 781978 or email sales@mug-shop.net
How does the ‘bone’ get into bone china?
OK, so why ‘bone’ china?
It has been around for a very long time but why ‘bone’ china? Well, the ingredient that sets it apart from fine china is the component of bone ash that is included in its manufacture. Hence the name ‘bone china’ for without this ash component, china is not really ‘bone’ china.
Bone china is a type of soft-paste porcelain that is composed of bone ash, feldspathic material and kaolin. Developed by English potter Josiah Spode, it is known for its high levels of whiteness and translucency, very high mechanical strength and chip resistance. Bone china contains at least 25% of bone ash which not only adds strength and white colour to the china but also makes it translucent. Not totally, but enough for the light to pass through it.
Here’s a good method by which you can quickly verify the authenticity of bone china: if you hold up any piece of bone china to a light and place your hand behind it, you should be able to see your fingers through it. It also has a certain clear ring, if you ‘flick’ the edge of a cup. If neither applies, it is unlikely to be genuine bone china.
Moreover, the inclusion of bone ash makes bone china stronger than it appears, and all of the Mug Shop’s bone china mugs are dishwasher-safe. Bone china can last through generations and the pieces can often be beautiful heirlooms. But don’t be afraid to use it, it is made to be enjoyed. In fact, tea and coffee tastes the best in bone china cups. I can attest to that – try it!
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Call us to discuss our extensive range of bone china items on 01437 781978, email sales@mug-shop.net or take advantage of the great deals on bone china at Mug Shop such as the Banborough Bone China Mug.
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Brilliant Branded Bags
Branded bags …. first there was paper, then plastic and now cotton, jute and canvas, the list goes on!
Not only did the 70′s see the birth of disco and flares, but it also saw the birth of the carrier bag. Since then the world has changed, disco has come and gone (although I’m sure I still have a pair of flares somewhere) yet the carrier bag has continued on. Not only is it something that conveniently carries shopping, it now does the talking while you do the walking.
In addition to being walking billboards for your company, bags are also now the ambassadors for communicating your company’s ethics to the masses, such as being eco-friendly and environmentally conscious.
At Stupid Tuesday’s Bag Store we have a range of promotional printed bags made from 100% natural cotton, organic cotton and sustainable jute and hessian all of which are robust and very practical. Not forgetting bags made from kraft paper and laminated paper for longer life. These promotional bags may be printed on one side or both sides in one to four colours to really emphasise your brand and the large print area afforded by these branded promotional bags underlines and empowers your company message.
There’s loads of styles from which to choose in our new Bag Store, but if you can’t see exactly what you want just tell us and our bespoke bag service will deliver. Fabric, shape, colour, size, no matter what your specification, we’ll make it for you.
Call us on 01437 781978 or email us sales@stupidtuesday.co.uk
Get a Grip … Get a Gripsta!
Free-standing for easy viewing
INTRODUCING THE UNIQUE GRIPSTA
Anything which improves the way you use your smart-phone can only be a good thing right?
The Gripsta is a great new gadget available from Stupid Tuesday which protects your smart-phone from scratching and makes it much more convenient to view and use… ok so it’s not a world shattering invention but then the best gadgets are always the simplest aren’t they!
Discreet, portable and stylish, unlike flimsy plastic holders, the Gripsta is engineered from hard-wearing polyurethane and is available in a variety of colours: yellow, blue, orange and pink as standard.
This brilliant soft grip mobile phone holder lets you rest your phone anywhere, so it’s easier to view and free from scratching and fits iPhones, HTC, Blackberry, Samsung, LG, Nokia and all other leading smartphone models.
Flying the flag for the UK
WHY THE GRIPSTA?
Coming up with the idea for a mobile phone stand was a bit of a lightbulb moment for the UK-based inventors … they couldn’t believe there wasn’t a decent product on the market designed to cradle all smartphone brands which was also colourful, handy and affordable… so they designed our own!
The Gripsta mobile phone accessory has been thought up, designed and manufactured here in the U.K. by a family business manufacturing foam products for over 20 years at their Lake District factory.
Great print area and colourful packaging
GREAT FOR BRANDING
Not only is the Gripsta a practical item it also has a brilliant promotional potential with a big, big branding area (45mm x 60mm) complemented by colourful, fully customisable packaging.
And get this …. because it’s made from durable polyurethane it doubles as an excellent ‘stress’ item. Two promotional items in one in fact! How’s that for promotional power?
The Gripsta may be printed in full colour and, if you buy in bulk, you can even pantone match the Gripsta to your corporate colour.
For more information on the unique Gripsta smart-phone accessory call Stupid Tuesday on 01437 781978 or email sales@stupidtuesday.co.uk
There’s still time to get your Diamond Jubilee Mugs
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee has been set for June 5th 2012 and as that date approaches we at the Mug Shop have been inundated with orders for our Diamond Jubilee range of mugs, so much so that we have already seen stocks of some mugs become exhausted. Demand has been very heavy from schools, local authorities, parish councils, local Jubilee Committees, charities and societies to name but a few.
However, don’t worry if you haven’t yet obtained Diamond Jubilee mugs for your own organisation as there is still time and plenty of quality mugs still available, both earthenware and bone china. Still, it would be wise to make your move soon if you wish to make sure you have your mugs before the big day.
How should you go about it? Here’s how:
1. First of all choose your style of mug and preferred design here: Diamond Jubilee mugs.
2. Then email us the details which you wish to print on the reverse side from the Jubilee design. By return, we will send a proof to show how your chosen mug will look with your own details in place.
3. Once you sign-off the proof that’s it! Just leave the rest to us. Nothing more for you to do except sit back and wait for your Diamond Jubilee mugs to be delivered.
So, if you have still to order your own special Jubilee mugs, give us a call on 01437 781978, email sales@mug-shop or go to Diamond Jubilee mugs to request a quote or a sample.
It’s in the Bag
As reported in these pages earlier this year, sales of tea pots have fallen 39% in the last five years and, what’s more, sales of traditional tea-cups and saucers are down by 44%. In stark contrast, sales of mugs have leapt by 59% since 2006.
In an era of instant gratification the idea of slamming a teabag in a mug and pouring on the hot water has now taken over. To acknowledge this undeniable fact, we at the Mug Shop have introduced our very own (or indeed your very own) unique branded teabags. Now you have the opportunity to add value to your branded mugs and add extra delight for your customers by popping your branded teabag into your mugs when you send them out.
What’s more, they are very inexpensive, just 50p each for 100 teabags provided in a full colour 75mm x 75mm envelope printed with your logo and message on both sides. They’re a perfect and a much more memorable substitute for a boring business card which, let’s face it, in these days of digital information will normally end up in the bin.
Much better for your message to land up in your customer’s mug, quenching his thirst whilst bringing a smile to his face, I’m sure you’ll agree.
If you think you’d like to know more about our unique teabag-business cards, call us on 01437 781978 or email sales@mug-shop.net.
All set for a Right Royal Knees up!
It’s only a few weeks until the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, so if you’re planning a street party or to mark the event for your school, company or organisation, why not have a lovely cup of tea in a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee mug from the Mug Shop.
We are currently producing bespoke branded mugs to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee in full colour or as an alternative, you can have the official emblem shown on one side, with your school or organisation’s crest in mono on the other. These are available in a wide range of earthenware, porcelain or bone china mug styles
To complete your Diamond Jubilee table-setting, you may also have Diamond Jubilee branded cups and saucers, plates, trays, glassware, even babies’ trainer cups! And for a special gift for the occasion you may also have Diamond Jubilee branded pens and pencils, keyrings, trolley coins, etc. In fact, virtually anything you can think of, within good reason and in the bounds of good taste of course!
So bring out your bunting, fly all your flags, tease out your tablecloths and boil up those brews in a stunning choice of beautiful bone china, perfect porcelain or exciting earthenware! Oh, and don’t forget to call out Mother Brown!
For more information on our Diamond Jubilee branded mugs and other items call us on 01437 781978 or email sales@stupidtuesday.co.uk
Love Lancashire? …The Queen does!
Calling all Lancastrians far and wide!
Did you know that the Ribble Valley, home to many writers, artists, craft workers, and performers is also reputed to be where Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II would love to retire? In fact, during the war around parts of Mellor, Clitheroe, Whitewell and Longridge, the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret spent many happy times, away from the threat of London bombings and this imbued in her a deep love for this wonderful, yet little known, part of the world.
Incidentally, did you know that whilst living in the village of Hurst Green in this lovely corner of Lancashire JRR Tolkien wrote much of his epic ‘The Lord of the Rings’ which, in two years time also celebrates it’s very own ‘Diamond Jubilee’ since its publication? A somewhat tenuous connection, I know, but just thought I would mention it as I’m a big fan of the work! I digress.
Anyway, let’s get back to the theme; Lancastrians, you have a county of which to be proud, fly the flag (along with all other British citizens!) with a celebratory Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Mug, printed with your school, company or organisations logo in full colour or mono with the Royal Crest or the Official ‘Child’s Drawing’ Emblem on the reverse.
Our full range of bone china, porcelain or earthenware Diamond Jubilee mugs can be seen at Diamond Jubilee Mugs.
So come on Lancastrians far and wide, let’s show the world how proud we are of Preston, Poulton and Parbold!
Even if your not from ‘Lanky’ you can call us on 01437 781978 or email sales@mug-shop.net to find out all about our Diamond Jubilee mugs.