What is Vectored artwork?

A lot of clients ask us what type of artwork file we need. And while there are several file types we can work with, the most important factor is that the artwork must be vectored.

Artwork is only as good as you provide. Only vector art (.cdr or .eps) can be edited to change the size or the colors. Faxed or scanned art, or art which has been reproduced numerous times, will not improve and will not look its best without additional clean up efforts.

So, what do you do if you only have "bad" artwork? Try contacting the designer. He or she should be able to email you the original file.

What if you just copied and pasted your logo from web graphics and you can't go back and find the originals or the originals were unvectored to begin with? Most businesses (like ours) will vector it for you for a charge. All you have to do is ask!

Do T-shirts Work??

Once, I was standing in Home Depot wearing a t-shirt that advertised my screening printing services.

Someone approached me and asked for a quote on t-shirts for a new painting business. I told him the price. He hemmed and hawed and said, "How do I know they'll work?"

The immediate response, "What do you want them to do?" sounds flippant, but it's a logical question. A bunch of screen printed t-shirts can "do" a multitude of things.

• They can help you and your employees look and feel more professional.
• They can help clients feel that your company is stable.
• They can be used as gifts to clients and employees.
• They can help with your overall company branding.
• They can simply remind people of what you do.
• And yes, they can even get you new business. Just ask the guy from Home Depot who bought t-shirts from me because he saw a t-shirt in Home Depot!

Top Promos

Most Popular Promotional Products

In no particular order, the 10 most popular promotional products:

Pens

Calendars
Mugs

Tote bags
T-shirts

Buttons
Hats

Key chains
Magnets

Note pads

Vehicle Advertising

This is a follow up story to the previous post. We have a client who installs hardwood floors. We helped him design and install vehicle lettering for his truck and trailer. He paid us $375.

The day after the lettering and logo were applied to his truck, he was on his way to a job, and he stopped to get gas. A contractor was pumping gas beside him. The contractor asked for a quote on installing floors in a large new house he was building. The quote was accepted, the job was completed and our client made $14,000.

Not bad for a $375 investment!

New Business Must Haves

So you’ve started a new business and you know you need to generate some interest, but you have a limited budget. What do you spend it on?

We get this question all the time and depending on your business and your budget, here are our top suggestions:

1. You absolutely must have business cards. Hand them out to everyone you come into contact with. One mortgage broker we work with has a goal of handing out ten cards a day!

2. Logoed apparel. T-shirts for casual wear, embroidered golf shirts and button downs for less casual wear. Once you get them made, wear them everywhere. Logoed apparel is great for networking events and subtly reminding everyone you come in contact with about your business. Be sure you get enough for employees, friends and family, and the new clients you’re about to get!


3. Car magnets. If you’re a home based business, don’t over look the advertising available on your vehicle. Whether you choose car door magnets or a full vehicle wrap, this is a great way to advertise your business at the grocery store, your kid’s school, and all the other places you drive daily.

You’ll notice that these three ideas have something in common. They can all be had for a small, ONE TIME investment. Then, they continue to work for you. Depending on your business, one new contact could pay for everything!

Sticky Business

Today a client asked me to recommend a promotional product that he could use in items that he mails such as invoices, thank you notes, announcements and sales letters.

I immediately suggested sticky notes. These are one of my favorite promos. Why? They’re useful, they’re easy to mail, they’re inexpensive (less than .50 each) and people love them. But my favorite thing about sticky notes is that they are like having little billboards with my business information all over the place! I send them to my client, he writes notes on them and they keep advertising for me.

My client ended up ordering 500. I’ll let you know what he thinks!

Our first blog

In this space, we'll discuss our business - screen printing, embroidery & promotional products - and how to use these items to build business!

We look forward to your participation. We hope you'll bookmark us and check in often.