Corporate Gifts Blog

There are many theories relating to the origin of our company name ‘Stupid Tuesday’.

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‘Were you having a particularly bad day when you named your company, and was that day Tuesday?’ say some.

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‘I know, you only work on Tuesdays’, say others.

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Yet others speculate that ‘Stupid Tuesday’ was chosen because it is more contemporary than the Boom Town Rats, ‘I don’t like Mondays’.

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In reality, the reason we named the company ‘Stupid Tuesday’ is none of the above. In fact, the answer is a rather arcane one to which but a privileged few know the answer! What we are certain of, however, is that the name has an extremely high level of recall amongst customers and suppliers alike and we never have to explain to people who we are after the first time we contact them.

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So, in an uncontrollable outpouring of spontaneous generosity and magnanimity, we will give a free gift box containing two special edition mugs and lots of pens to anyone who can guess the real origin of the name ‘Stupid Tuesday’. All you have to do is go to our website and email your answer …. here!

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According to a study in the US by the Promotional Products Association, promotional products show ’staggering’ levels of recall and reaction.

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The study showed that 94% of persons interviewed recalled receiving a promotional product in the last two years and 89% could remember the name of the company being promoted. It also found that 83% liked receiving promotional products and 48% would like to get them more often. Indeed, the promotional products were kept by 69% of people.

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In fact, according to the findings,  recall rates of promotional products are higher than TV, print and online advertising. In addition, consumers made a purchase after receiving a promotional product more often than viewing a print ad, TV commercial or online.

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This is good news for the hard-working team here at Stupid Tuesday and shows that our endeavours in supplying quality branded promotional items are reaping rich rewards for our clients. Call us on 08450 998796 if you’d like your own company to benefit from high levels of recall.

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Source

Whilst we at the Mug Shop are working hard, day after day, nose to the grindstone, designing and supplying great looking mugs, glassware and tableware to the world at large, it’s really nice to receive feedback from satisfied clients. Of course, we receive many such testimonials but the one we reproduce below is so gratifying that we just had to share it through our blog.

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So, I’ll say no more but simply allow the testimonial speak for itself.

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Hello Stuart

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Helen has just told me the mugs have arrived.

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We have been so impressed with all the help and advice and quick, friendly responses from both you and Jill throughout the process. It feels as though I have been dealing with friends, and yet it has been very professional.

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Having never ordered anything like this before, we needed advice! Jill did a really clever job of adapting the drawing by one of our sponsored children in Uganda to make it fit the mug. We hope we shall sell them quickly to raise much-needed funds and will definitely come back to you for another set.

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We will stay in touch and will send feedback from people. Thank you for all you have done. We wish you the best in your business – you deserve to do well!

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Regards, Margaret Stevens (Teso Educational Support Scheme)

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If you would like to experience great quality products and exceptional service too, call us on 08450 998796 or visit our website.

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According to a recent BBC news item*, tea could well be a healthier drink than water! Indeed, a study reported in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition argues that three or more cups of tea is as good as taking in plenty of water and that tea does not, as previously thought, cause dehydration. In fact, as well as rehydrating just as well as water it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers.

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These new findings support recent experiments carried out at City University London which revealed that the act of making and drinking even a single cup of tea can reduce stress levels significantly. And even if we are not stressed, taking time out to make a brew is a certain way to relax. It helps us to create a small space of quiet and calm in our busy lives.

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Now, at the Mug Shop, the beneficial effects of tea are something that we did not need official studies to tell us this! Most of our customers are of the same mind and they continue to buy favourite tea mugs such as Sparta,Marrow, Diner and Almo mugs in increasing quantity. What’s more these four mugs now happen to be on special offer so there’s never been a better time to buy!

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Then there are those who think that tea just tastes so much better from a bone china mug or tea-cup and this accounts for why sales are up of Marlborough bone china mugs and Stirling bone china tea-cups. You can even give your clients a branded teapot!

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So, take time out to make a cup of tea, after all it’s scientifically-proven to do you good. It tastes great too …. no wonder we’re all turning to tea!

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Call Mug Shop on 08450 998796 for further information.

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*Source.

How does breakfast benefit you? The eleventh annual Farmhouse Breakfast Week 24-30 January 2010 is the ideal time to find out! Taking place 24-30 January the week is a real opportunity for everyone to get into the healthy breakfast habit and celebrate the rich wealth of breakfast foods found across the country.

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Health professionals all agree we should start the day with a healthy, balanced breakfast. Breakfast really can benefit your energy levels, concentration, mood and can even help you manage your weight.

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Of course, there’s no better accompaniment to a good breakfast than a steaming hot mug of tea or coffee. Here at the Mug Shop we heartily concur and we have a splendid range of mugs, cups and teapots to go with your breakfast.

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As well as the widely-used and very popular mug types such as Sparta, Atlantic, Cambridge and Sandfield recent additions to our collection include the American style, retro Diner Mug, the elegant Almo Mug and for those with a more than hearty appetite, the extra-large capacity Metro Mug.

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Each of these mugs make splendid promotional gifts to give to your customers. All have a large branding area and can be printed in up to six colours in most cases. What’s more they are available within 2 to 3 weeks.

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So the next time you’re tempted to skip breakfast the simple answer is … don’t! Get your day off to the best possible start with a full English and a mug of your favourite beverage!

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Call the Mug Shop on 08450 998796 or click here for more details or a sample.

Promotional products are a very effective way to support and boost the normal marketing activities of companies and increase business. However, it is important to choose the right kind of promotional gifts and products to make your marketing campaign a success. Popular items that are chosen include pens, mousemats, mugs, paperweights, clocks and, increasingly, branded USB flash-drives. The common attribute of these products is that they are useful, attractive and valued by the recipients, giving companies greater visibility and recall amongst their customers.

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One product that is chosen time after time is the ubiquitous calendar .. after all, everyone uses them! Whether they are pocket calendars, desk calendars or wall-hung calendars, we all consult them to confirm the date. Send a calendar and it’s highly likely to decorate the walls of your customers premises, or even find it’s way into your customers’ homes, shouting your message each time it is consulted.

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An increasingly popular type of promotional product is the humble fridge magnet. Available in flat form they can carry your message in a colourful way and it will be seen time and time again as your customers use the magnets to stick up notes on their fridges or filing cabinets.

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For something different, USBs make a very effective promotional item. They come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the standard shape of USB to the novelty shape and in all capacities. They can be printed on both sides too which makes your message all the more prominent.

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Finally, we can’t leave out desktop items which are a perennially popular choice for printed promotional products. In this category we would include  pens, mugs, pens, paperweights and even stationery. Whilst highly effective, these items are amongst the most cost-effective so are particularly suitable for clients with limited budgets.

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Visit Stupid Tuesday’s promotional product website to view our vast range of items, or call us on 08450 998796.

In the promotional product sector, artwork arrives from clients in all sort of formats. Sometimes it doesn’t even arrive at all and we may need to create a design from just an idea, or even from a drawing on a beer coaster!

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However, if you have artwork you wish to send you should know that we at the Mug Shop are happy to receive artwork files in the following professional formats: colour separated Vector graphics (Illustrator .eps), JPEG, TIFF or .psd (Photoshop files).

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But if you don’t have artwork in these formats, don’t panic!
We can also accept files prepared in desktop packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Microsoft Powerpoint. These files, however, will usually require recreating to be suitable for print and this may incur a small additional charge.

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And what if you don’t have any artwork at all, well …. still don’t panic!
Our team of in-house designers, all with degrees in fine art and design, will create superb imagery for you! If all you have is stationery with your logo, or even if you just have a sketch on paper, our designers will work their miracles and delight you with the results. Whether a computer generated image or one that is hand-drawn or painted our designers will deliver!

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We believe that we are the only dedicated promotional mug website that directly employs its own in-house designers of this calibre, that is, with fine-art and design degrees.  When this is allied with over 30 years in-house marketing and promotional experience it gives us an edge over other on-line promotional mug providers. They provide mugs, sure, but we provide IMAGE as well. After all, why spend money on a printed mug if your logo doesn’t do you justice when we can enhance it for you? Why make do with a few lines of text when a great new image will say much more?

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So, when you’re ready to send your artwork to us, we can receive artwork electronically via email to artwork@mug-shop.net. Upon receipt of artwork a digital proof will be sent for your approval prior to your order being completed.

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But, if you don’t have any artwork and you’d like us to create something unique, just for you, call the Mug Shop on 08450 998796.

Well that time of the year is fast approaching once again … turkeys will soon be running scared, and postmen groaning under the weight of parcels (that is, if they’re not on strike!). Then there’s the Christmas card ritual … we slavishly sign hundreds of cards and send out our own little piece of Christmas cheer to customers, existing and potential, in the hope that they will look kindly upon us in the New Year and shower us with lucrative new business!

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If we’re realistic, however, this rarely happens. Most of our customers will be inundated with Christmas cards, most of which will attract barely a glance before they are strung up until the New Year and then unceremoniously directed to the waste-paper bin!

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So, this year, why not ensure your message is remembered long after January 1st has come and gone by sending your customers something they will value and retain and which will keep your name in front of them all year long.

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We’re talking here about promotional printed mugs – guaranteed to be kept and used. Why not choose a Wow mug (one which changes image when hot liquid is poured in) and your message can switch between a seasonal greeting and your corporate message? Alternatively, if you want an ‘all singing, all dancing’ photographic image pick a promotional mug printed using the dye sublimation process; the results are guaranteed to make your customers sit up and take notice. On the other hand, you can choose a bone china promotional mug for that little extra style and value. Ask our advice if you’re unsure.

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Printed in one to six colours, or even photographically, your chosen promotional mug will mark you out from your competitors in the eyes of your customers and maybe they will shower you with new business after all!

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Call the Mug Shop for advice on choosing the right mug for you …. on 08450 998796

Every day, millions of people look forward to a cup of coffee whether at home, whilst on the move or at work. The reason? Well quite simply, the aroma and taste of coffee plus the sense of feeling “refreshed” after drinking it gives us a pleasurable lift and “fortifies” us as we face the tasks of the day.

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In fact a growing body of scientific research shows that coffee, when drunk in moderation can even have beneficial health implications as part of a healthy diet and physically active lifestyle. (Source reference)

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At Mug Shop, we’re the same as every other coffee-lover, we do enjoy our first coffee in the morning and several more as the day progresses! There is a slight difference however: we’ve always got a large range of attractive promotional coffee mugs at hand from which to consume our favourite beverage. For example, for those who prefer a really big mug of coffee, we have the stylish Butch Latte Mug (pictured top) which has a huge 450ml capacity.

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Alternatively, for those with a more modest coffee-intake, there’s the elegant Cafe Latte Mug (pictured left) with a 375ml capacity. The tall modern styling of the Café Latte mug will not look out of place in any modern business environment. Then there’s the Hillside Mug (pictured below), a ceramic, modern latte-style mug which is brand new to our earthenware range. With a 340ml capacity this great new mug has the smallest capacity of our featured trio but still contains enough to satisfy all but those with the largest appetite!

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Butch, Latte and Hillside promotional mugs are all available for you to print with your own logo and message and are sure to be well-received when distributed to your clients, existing and new. They may all be printed in up to four colours and come with protective packaging if required. If you haven’t any artwork, don’t worry, Mug Shop will handle this for you too! No logo yet? You can leave that to us as well!

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For more information call Mug Shop on 08450 998796 or email.

Promotional products really come into their own at business events and, with careful thought and selection, the right product for a particular event will more than repay its cost in additional exposure for your company. Of course,  the nature of events varies in context from business to business. For example, an event may be a conference or a huge trade exhibition at a national venue like the NEC , even a music concert in a park or stadium. It really doesn’t matter what the event is as long as you choose your promotional product to fit.

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If it’s a conference you’re organising, then there is a wide range of product choices open to you, from promotional pens and promotional pencils at the low end to genuine leather corporate folders at the top end. Then again, you could look at providing note pads for all attendees, printed with your message or  you might even consider lanyards emblazoned with your logo for delegates to drape around their necks.

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On the other hand, if it’s a trade exhibition you’re involved with, then promotional carrier bags, either plastic, paper or cotton printed with your logo and message are a good way to spread your presence throughout the exhibition hall and beyond. You can even pop some ‘goodies’ into the bags you give away, such as branded sweets or branded games and so on.

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If it’s a concert you’re involved with then you’ll go a long way to beat printed t-shirts, polo shirts or sweat shirts or, indeed, other items of clothing that may be branded, such as baseball caps. Consumers often see t- shirts, polo shirts, and other clothing items as more expensive even when you get them at a cost effective price. Place your logo in a prominent position on your chosen item of promotional clothing and you’re on the way to achieving great brand recognition.

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So, the key is to think carefully about which promotional product will best suit the event that you’re planning. It’ll pay in the long run!

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If you need help choosing the right promotional product for your own event, call Stupid Tuesday, the promotional product specialists  on 08450 998796 ….. or email

One of the most damaging effects of our takeaway, ‘eat on the go’ culture is the amount of disposable material that goes with it. Paper cartons and paper cups galore litter our streets. ‘Not exactly environmentally-friendly’, I hear you say and we agree totally.

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That’s why we’re delighted to come across a brand new takeaway mug which does not cause a problem for the environment in the same way.

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This great new innovation looks just like its disposable paper cup counterparts but is actually a re-usable, heavy-duty ceramic mug with a silicon lid. What’s more, it features a double-walled construction for insulating both hot and cold liquids and this also means you can handle your hot coffee without risk of burning your hands! This Takeaway Mug, which has a capacity of 270ml, has an excellent wrap-around print area to take your logo and message and is 100% dishwasher safe.

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We think the Takeaway Mug is set to be a real winner, not least in helping to reduce landfill!

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Call us on 08450 998796 for more information.

Alternatively contact us by email.

I’ve been involved in the marketing and promotion business for more than twenty years and I’ve grown used to hearing from some companies the old refrain: ‘times are hard you know, we can’t afford to undertake any advertising, we’ve had to cut our marketing budget’. The funny thing is, most of these companies say this without the slightest sign of tongue in cheek!

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In fact, it is the precise opposite view that these companies should be taking, along with their more progressive and enlightened competitors. It is ‘when times are hard’ that the need for advertising and promotion should be to the fore. If business is difficult to find it makes sense to be pro-active and shout out your message louder rather than sit in a gloomy place wringing your hands and hoping things will get better.

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A quotation from a famous figure of the 18th Century, Thomas Jefferson, sums the matter up perfectly. Jefferson said: ‘The man who stops advertising to save money is like the man who stops the clock to save time.’

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The question to be asked is, quite clearly, not be ‘can we afford to advertise’ but rather ‘can we afford NOT to advertise’.

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It goes without saying, however, that you should spend your advertising wisely, after giving great consideration as to how it will be most effective. You should be looking at specifically targeting your market with a message that not only has immediate impact but is also long lasting. This is where the strategic use of promotional products as part of the marketing mix can be so effective.

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A printed promotional mug, for example, is a gift most clients love to receive and very few are likely to discard. Even if they don’t use it for their morning brew it may wind-up on their desktops being used as a make-shift but very handy pen-pot. On the other hand, if that’s what your customers prefer, why not give them a green option.

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It’s true, there’s a lot of choice out there, so if you’re a little confused as to which of the many promotional products available is best for your campaign speak to our expert team on 08450 998796 …… or click here.

You know, some days I wake up and think ‘why am I doing this?’ and then I remember why … because ‘it’s a mug’s game’! And, when I think of all the pleasure, not to mention the promotional boost, our fabulous range of promotional printed mugs has given to clients and their customers time and again, I know why I’m still in it!

Whether it’s a ceramic or earthenware promotional mug, a printed mug made from fine bone china or one made from acrylic, there are millions of them out there bringing good cheer and extra sales wherever they are used. Printed mugs create a lasting impression when they are given and your customers see your company name and logo in front of them day after day.

Some of the most popular mugs are the ceramic Sandfield printed mug and the Atlantic printed mug both very traditional and used far and wide in all manner of work-places. Acrylic mugs are used where they may be subject to heavy use as they are very robust and ideal for schools and companies involved with outdoor pursuits. Bone china printed mugs are ideal for that more prestigious customer or event.

You can print promotional mugs with one colour up to six colours using traditional methods or print photographic imagery using a process known as dye-sublimation. There is even a mug that changes colour and image when you pour into it hot liquid. These ‘heat change’ mugs are known variously as Magic Mugs or Wow Mugs.

Recently, latte mugs have become increasingly popular and we have just launched a new one, the Hillside latte mug. This stylish latte mug has a large capacity and a big print area so that your logo and message will really stand out. Take a look at our website if you want more information on the Hillside or if you’d like a free sample.

The new Hillside is sure to be a big hit – just one more reason why I’m happy to be involved in this mug’s game!

Call 08450 998796 for more information or a free sample of  the Hillside latte mug.

Of all the promotional items that you can use to support your marketing effort, one of the longest lasting and most valued are bone china printed mugs. Made with the finest bone china these mugs will last for years and are both dishwasher and microwave safe. The traditional, classic look and feel of bone china mugs, printed with your logo and message, gives your clients an item they will value and use daily.

Of all the promotional items that you can use to support your marketing effort, one of the longest lasting and most valued are bone china printed mugs. Made with the finest bone china these mugs will last for years and are both dishwasher and microwave safe. The traditional, classic look and feel of bone china mugs, printed with your logo and message, gives your clients an item they will value and use daily.

Printed mugs are extremely cost-effective and provide a promotional vehicle that will last and last and keep advertising your message. Does any other item offer such a cost-effective return on investment? We doubt it! Indeed, more and more businesses are concluding that printed bone china mugs is the best way to promote their message because they are in the hands of clients and potential clients, day after day!

The form of repetitive marketing that you get with printed mugs is invaluable in building your brand and there are several ways to distribute your your bone china printed mugs:

First, you can mail them out quite safely using specialised packaging such as robust cardboard boxes or polystyrene cubes. There is a cost of postage to add but given the great impact a bone china mugs makes with the recipient, you may not consider this significant.

Secondly, you can hand out your promotional mugs to existing clients is at your place of business. Try including a coupon for a printed mug to your clients in a mail shot, offering them a free mug if they call by.

Thirdly, to hit potential clients, the best place to hand them out is at a trade event or exhibition, where the audience is targeted to your industry and are interested in the products you offer. Most of the leaflet and pamphlets they collect will be ‘binned’ after the exhibition but you can guarantee that your mugs will be kept safe!

Not only mugs are available and, if you want to provide something just a little bit different, you may like to consider a cappuccino cup and saucer …. elegant and stylish and, above all, memorable!

So, the smart choice is to add printed bone china mugs to your promotional mix. They will effectively promote your company for years to come.

Call us on 08450 998796 to discuss your requirements or CLICK HERE to see our range of mugs.

Ad Loop keyrings are plastic looped key fobs that have made a real name for themselves within the promotional industry. Made from tactile PVC and plastic with a metal split ring attached, they have become popular in a great many business sectors and been used in every area of marketing.

These little promotional keyrings last forever abd are a great and almost indestructable giveaway. Strong, bright, useful, handy and cost effective Ad Loops are designed to help you keep your business details advertised.

The best seller is the original, Standard Ad Loop keyring which has a 180mm long ribbon length. With a large print area of 120mm and the facility to print on both sides of the ribbon, the standard Ad Loop is a consistent high performer.  More recent additions to the Ad loop range are Mini Ad Loops with a ribbon length of 110mm and Jumbo Ad Loops with a massive 300mmm ribbon. 

The large variety of colour options available for Ad Loop Keyrings has to be one of their main features and benefits. There are 5 coloured ribbons, 8 plastic reverse colours and 8 colours for the end-caps. There is now even a ‘glow in the dark’ end-cap which makes finding that bunch of keys a little easier. These colour options are all available on Standard, Mini and Jumbo Ad Loops.

If required, Ad Loop Keyrings may also be printed with sequential numbers, albeit at a slight extra cost. This allows the Ad Loops to be considered for membership schemes.

Ad Loop Keyrings have been used across most promotional and marketing activities and in most business sectors. You could use them as exhibition give-aways or client gifts, even in direct mail campaigns where their small size and weight will not add to postage. In fact their usage is only limited by your own imagination!

If you would like samples and prices or any other information call us on:

08450 998 796

Click here to view our range of Ad Loops

Are you aware that the UK generates some 2.8 million tonnes of plastic waste each year and this figure is rising by about 2% per year? Most of us are trying our best to reduce this waste by recycling both in the home and in our business with varying degress of commitment and success.

The promotional products industry is no exception and there is now a vast range of items that are manufactured from recycled materials: pens made from old CD cases, recycled card, biodegradable plastic and sustainable timber, pencils made from recycled newspaper and denim, mousemats, rulers, paper products and bags all utilising recycled or sustainable materials in their make-up. 

When co-ordinating your next marketing campaign it makes sense to consider these eco-friendly promotional items for a number of good reasons. Firstly, it goes without saying, customised products are a proven way to support your efforts and get your message across. Secondly, eco-friendly products set your credentials as a caring, environmentally-aware organisation. Thirdly, environmentally-friendly products now can cost no more than standard promotional products.

It’s a win-win-win situation for you, your customers and the environment!

Click here to view our range of quality, inexpensive eco-friendly products.

… or call 08450 998796

There’s nothing like that first cup of coffee or tea early in the morning, don’t you agree? And, guess what, most of your customers feel exactly the same! Throughout the business world, the first thing most people think about when they get into work is … ‘let’s have a cuppa’.

This simple truth is why sales of our printed mugs remain high. In fact, branded promotional mugs are consistently one of our biggest sellers. It’s no wonder …. no-one throws a printed mug away and they stay around on your clients’ desks day after day after day, keeping your brand and message right under their noses!

Our branded mugs come in all shapes and sizes, in a variety of colours, including pantone matching and in materials such as earthenware, bone-china and acrylic. We even have heat change mugs, widely known as Wow mugs, that once hot liquid is poured into them change colour! They are all colour-fast and dishwasher safe. Minimum ordering quantities are quite modest too, starting at just 72!

Despite the advent of more ‘high-tech’ promotional gifts such as printed USBs, printed mugs represent probably the most cost-effective part of a promotional mix repaying their outlay time after time.

Now, writing this blog is thirsty work ….. who’s for a cuppa?

Click here to view our range of quality printed promotional mugs

We’ve recently added printed bags to our huge range of promotional products and, the pity is, I wish we had done so long before as the demand is so great! 

Our bags come in a wide range of materials: plastic bags, nylon bags, cotton bags, jute bags and so on but the greatest sales growth has been in environmentally-friendly bags. The styles too are wide ranging: long or short-handle shoppers, duffle-style, specialist bags … and in all the colours you can think of.

There are also specialist bags which are ideal for delegates attending conferences or exhibitions. These printed bags have a higher perceived value and are likely to be used by your clients time after time as they take your message wherever they go!

As for printing your logo and message, bags can offer one of the largest print areas of any promotional item, so your profile is shouted out, loud and proud!

They really do offer superb advertising and promotional opportunities and, as the bags can be used time after time, the impact is long-lasting. 

Call us on 08450 998796 

Click to see our range of bags.

Ever since I can remember, in fact from my earliest days as a school-kid, I’ve doodled. Give me a pencil and piece of paper and I’m away! I’ll doodle anything …. circles, squares, squiggles, images of Mickey Mouse, rocket-ships, the list is as endless as my fevered imagination! I’ve carried this on through my working life too. I must have filled half a rain-forest’s worth of paper with doodles drawn out whilst on the phone to a customer or supplier as we discuss our promotional products or deep in strategic thought!

It’s sobering to think that I’m not alone in this particular pastime. Let’s admit it, we’ve all doodled from time to time. So what better to encourage this time-served activity than our range of paper pads?

Our Desk Pads come in all shapes and sizes, from A3 and A4 right down to A7. What we love about them is that after we print them with our customers’ logos and loads of other useful information, such as event details, significant dates and calendars, contact information there is still plenty room left for that ubiquitous pastime …. doodling!

And it doesn’t stop with desk pads …. we also print the ever-popular Sticky Mate pads. Once printed with a logo, not only are these suitable for doodling but you can also stick them on a colleagues computer or desk to ensure they really take notice of your message. One thing is guaranteed … clients won’t throw them away with the waste-paper, they stay on their desks delivering your message again and again!

And, once you have your promotional paper pad, don’t forget a promotional pen or promotional pencil to go with it!

So, if you want to give your customers something that they will find really useful to spread their message, think no further than our Desk-Mate pads, Logo-Mate pads, Jot-Mate pads and Sticky-Mate pads. Let’s keep the world doodling!

Call us on 08450 998796

Or  CLICK HERE to see our range of great paper products.