Have you ever looked at some gorgeous promotional items produced for market leaders and envisaged doing the same for your organisation? More often than not you're working with a strict budget that won't stretch to cover deluxe leather products or expensive custom bags. That's where we come in. There's actually more than one way to achieve a stylish, consistent branded look on a budget and we're here to explain how it can be done!

Back in Black

One of the smartest, simplest ways to achieve a strong branded design is to work with black merchandise as a base. Black conveys power and its sleek style is often used in marketing luxury merchandise. This immediately increases the perceived value of any promotional product you work with. But sometimes black by itself just isn't the look your promotion is going for. That's where vibrant colour highlights, such as bright blues and lime greens come in handy. Having strong colours line the edges of otherwise black notebooks or feature on the cap of an otherwise dark pen is the perfect way to offset the standard and to create something truly memorable.

Smart Products Multitask

A sharp way to keep costs down while increasing perceived value for your recipients is by purchasing promotional items with multiple functions. Instead of just grabbing a pen or a USB stick, why not try some of the following combo items?

• Multifunction Pens
• Lanyard USB Drive
• Stylus Pens
• Multi-tools
• Multi-function pen holder

All provide several functions in compact packages, often with price tags that closely match regular pens and tools. Only there is greater perceived value thanks to the additional features being flawlessly worked into an existing product.

Substitute Promotional Items

Don't feel that just because you're on a budget, that you can't get striking merchandise. Get smart and go for a leather-look organiser instead of a full leather one. With the quality of modern faux-leather compendiums, your recipients won't know the difference between the fake and the authentic. If you're looking to give out USB flashdrives, why not opt for a 2gig device instead of a 32gig one. 2gig is a reasonable size that most people will find suits their needs. If you can think of a luxury item you'd love for your team, chances are there's a budget alternative that's just as easy to brand with your logo — at a fraction of the price.

Talk it Through

One of the best things you can do is discuss your options with an experienced member of the promotions industry to see what's best for your organisation and budget. With so many different product options available, an industry professional is your best bet when it comes to putting together consistent custom branded designs. Feel free to contact us at Cubic Promote to learn more about what we can do for your next promotion.