WHAT IS BRANDING?
“Branding” refers to the process of your putting your own brand (“logo/tagline”) on to a product.
This can be achieved with Engraving, Embossing, Printing, Screen Printing, etc.
One of the questions I get MOST OFTEN is whether it is appropriate to put a company logo on a gift item.
UPSCALE GIFTS:
In this article I will be discussing Upscale Gifts and not “Swag”, which are cheap items used as advertising. (For Swag the answer is obviously YES, you should!)
This question has no direct answer because every company culture is different!
Some companies will only purchase a product that includes their logo or else they do not feel they are receiving any value for the money the spend. When a client has this philosophy, I do not interfere or offer any alternative advice because I respect their decision, and I already assume they made this decision in a thoughtful way.
If a client does not yet have an opinion, or is asking my advice, I take each case separately and discuss the reasons and needs for the gift before giving my answer.
In general, here are the basic guidelines to follow if you are unsure about whether adding your logo to a beautiful gift is appropriate.
IT DEPENDS ON THE NATURE OF THE GIFT AND YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CLIENT.
Type of Gift: For more personal or high-end gifts, like a leather laptop case or tabletop serving dish, adding your company logo might come off as too promotional. In these cases, it’s often better to focus on the gift itself rather than branding.
Purpose of the Gift: If the gift is intended to celebrate a milestone, thank the client, or mark a special occasion, a subtle logo might be appropriate. However, for gifts meant to be purely appreciative, avoid overt branding.
Where the Item will be Used / Displayed: You can consider where the item will be used or placed to determine if branding is appropriate. For my client Gold River Insurance we determined that the pretty Acrylic Tea Box Organize would likely be used in an office cafeteria or kitchen and branding this item would be acceptable (and they got great feedback!). However, for an elegant serving dish or leather laptop bag I would generally recommend against a large logo imprint.
Client Relationship: If you have a close, long-standing relationship with the client, they might appreciate the gesture of having your logo on the gift, as it can reinforce the connection between you. For newer or more formal relationships, it might be best to keep it neutral.
Design and Placement: If you decide to include your logo, keep it tasteful. The focus should be on the quality and thoughtfulness of the gift rather than the branding. A lightly engraved or frosted logo on glass is not too show. A short message of thanks can be a good option because it is a reminder of your business in a subtler way. Placing the logo on the cover of the case (if it has one) and not the actual item is another approach. Another idea is to add your logo on the package or box of the included food items for an impressive touch that does not impact the gift item.
In general, the goal is to make the client feel valued and appreciated, so the gift should reflect that sentiment rather than serve as an advertisement for you company.
So – how do you promote your business if you decide NOT to put your logo on the gift?
The answer is with the Packaging and Unboxing experience. It is absolutely recommended to include your logo on the box, the ribbon, the tissue paper and on your message card. This makes the Gift-receiving very memorable and keeps your gift item CLASSY!
🎁 Cheers!
–Carrie
Ask me about:
- Premium Corporate Gifts
- Client Thank You Gifts
- Custom Curated Gifts
- Kosher Corporate Gifts
- Employee Relationship Gifts
- Corporate Holiday Gifts
- Large Scale Business & Event Gifts
Are you responsible for your company’s corporate gifting? From juggling client relationships, motivating employees and staying on top of key business milestones, your job is challenging!
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