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Desktop Accessories - something to appeal to everyone

Posted in Editors Column on Tue 24 Nov 2009

I dread those questionnaires that ask ‘what’s on your desk?’ because I’ve got such a collection of desktop accessories, it would take me ages to answer … truthfully!

Of course, I’ve got a pen holder (two actually, so lots of pens), and a mobile phone holder (again two, but then I have got two mobile phones … neither in the holder!) Then there’s the calculator and card index box with cards (I know you aren’t supposed to use these any more as it’s all on your computer, but there’s something definite about seeing the little print out from the calculator so you can check you entered the right amounts in the first place and the card index is so useful when the computer is down and you want to phone someone!). I could go on … a Filofax (I know, I know – my diary should be on my Blackberry), telephones (three), logoed photo frames, a calendar (of course) … and that’s without peering under the mounds of paper to see what else is lurking there. Anyway, as you can see, I’m a great fan of desk accessories … and it appears, so are a lot of people. Desk accessories are among the top gifts in the promotional product rankings. There can be inexpensive or very exclusive, can be functional, fun, friendly and even eco friendly; there’s something to appeal to everyone and to represent all manner of brands. 

FUN

Let’s begin with the fun accessories and start the ball rolling (excuse the pun) with stress balls. Squeezyballs report a breakthrough in technology which means they can now offer stress balls with designs in four-colour process and all over printing, with no distortion. Minimum order quantity is 3,000 pieces and there are three size options, 60, 75 and 100mm diameters. Prices start at £0.85 per piece and 3 to 4 week delivery. Stress balls definitely have the ‘fiddle factor’, one of the most successful traits of a desktop accessory.

So to do these Flip4Cards, brand new from Promo2U. Flip4Cards are rotating (a bit like puzzle cubes) leaflets that fold flat for easy posting. Size is 110 x 110mm (can be custom made to bigger sizes if required). Printing is four colour process on 300gsm sustainable paper (certified FSC and manufactured in an ISO 14001 environment). Minimum order quantity is 2500 pieces. Lead-time is 10 working days from proof approval.  Prices for 2,500 units = £2,475.00, 5,000 units = £2,750.00, 7,500 units = £3,150.00, 10,000 units = £3,500.00, 100,000 units = £13,500.00.

This Motor Mouse, now available with corporate logos, exclusively from Pinbadge, also has the fiddle factor, plus it’s cute and unusual. It’s available in quantities from one upwards for plain stock and only five pieces minimum for a personalised version. As seen on Dragons Den, this is a superbly crafted classic sports car, wireless mouse with exquisite detail. It has a slim design with three sensitivity settings to create superior comfort and a high quality paint finish with chrome alloy wheels.

It uses the world’s smallest 2.4 GHz USB receiver, its opening trunk can be used to store batteries, it has real rubber tyres and an ultra-wide ‘spare tyre’ scroll wheel. It comes in a gift box which includes a soft carrying pouch, with spare battery section inside and super-glide mouse mat. Available in silver, black or metallic red it can be printed in up to three spot colours on the doors (above the 'motor mouse' logo), on the rear bumper and on the roof. This definitely fits into the fun and functional category. Pinbadge    

FUNCTIONAL - write on!

No desktop would be complete without some writing instruments and something to write on.

Global Design Factory, from Northern Germany, has designed and produced writing tools for more than 10 years. The company specialises in making pencils and ballpens out of building materials. These out-of-the-ordinary writing tools are perfect giveaways for the whole construction industry or anyone looking for something a little different to ‘build’ their brand (sorry, another pun!). This sketch pencil, called BauStahl Classic, is handmade out of construction steel, boxed in a tube made of concrete.

 

This product was awarded the international PROMOTIONAL GIFT AWARD 2009.

Functional and fast!

And if you leave your corporate Christmas shopping to the last minute, you’ll be glad to know that Harrier Extra and Harrier Frost Ballpens from Pen Warehouse are now available with multicolour printing (two colours) on a 24 Hour Express service at no extra cost. These value-for-money ballpens offer a generous print area for your promotional message and are suitable for both small and very large promotional campaigns.

In addition, a three-day express service is now available from Senator on the New Spring Chrome and New Spring Chrome Clear pens, which can be laser engrave and despatch within just three days.

The sleek and sophisticated multi award-winning New Spring Chrome is a retractable ballpen with an original push-cap mechanism.  The pen features a solid metal front part and large metal clip, with a metallised inner push-button and top, and can be printed or laser engraved on the barrel, or laser engraved on the clip, with the name of each individual recipient. It is available in black, anthracite metallic, dark blue metallic and dark red metallic.

The New Spring Chrome Clear features a translucent finish on the upper section of the pen and is available in translucent blue, translucent dark red and translucent smoke grey.

Either can be presented in a stylish black and silver case, which can be personalised with a company logo for real impact.

Hold it!

With all those pens on your desktop, you need somewhere to keep them, so when that phone rings … you don’t have to make that embarrassing exclamation …’now, where did I put my pen!!!’

From Promotional Solutions, this versatile Lowe Aston desk tidy is the answer. It’s low cost and folds flat and is light for easy postage, it even comes inserted in an envelope. It’s an excellent promotional item that can be printed with dates as a calendar or with special dates to promote an event. Various styles and sizes are available. Size 104 x 133 mm and print area is 40 x 36mm (x6) or 40 x 120mm (x3) depending on the model. Promotional Solutions

Make a note of that!

Sara Smid of LA Design confirms that functions products are very popular, especially in today’s economic climate. She tells us, “Over the last few months, LA Design has noticed a big increase in demand for traditional products and in particular our new range of notebooks, which feature in the Emperor Collection launched earlier this year. It comes as no surprise, considering the economic climate, that end users are looking to use products that are functional to deliver their message. Items that are really practical and sure to be used by receivers have always been acknowledged as good promotional products and when times are hard and budgets diminished the appreciation of a notebook, wallet or even a simple Oyster card-holder has never been greater. A6 notebooks bound in high quality ‘leather look’ Vivella PU starting at just £1.28 offers a great solution … big print area that can be blind embossed, foil blocked, screen printed or take a full colour digital image, and practical with a high perceived value as well!”

Make a date!

Chris Baker, Managing Director, Vela UK Ltd, concurs with this theme, “When budgets are tight, the direct advertising spend is tight. Then it is crucial that the true efficiency of price/performance ratio is excellent!“

Vela offers a range of desk calendars which can give a lasting reminder of your company for just 2p per week over two years (based on 500 printed 1 colour).

Graham Howarth, Director, P&MM Source-e, says, “Many traditional desktop items, such as pen pots, clocks and calendars, remain highly effective as they are often functional, meaning they will be of use to the recipient and will therefore be retained and used on an ongoing basis.  A good example is a stationery desk set, which includes a stapler, hole punch, pen pot and sellotape dispenser.  This product is available in a range of colours including red, blue and white. It can be fully personalised with a company logo or identity and presented in a bespoke printed box.

FRIENDLY DESK TOP ACCESSORIES

There’s nothing like a product with the recipient’s own name on it to grab their attention and make sure it gets pride of place on the desk. Personalisation specialists ‘i name it’ have launched their online greetings cards. The easy to use system allows users to choose from a range of images, upload a logo and select from a number of greetings. There is the facility to upload a database so that every card is personalised with the recipient’s name, either within the image or on the message inside. This unique ordering system also allows distributors to add their logo to the back of the card. And with orders being turned around in just 10 working days there’s still time to order for this year’s festivities.

ECO FRIENDLY ACCESSORIES

So now we come to function and friendly – eco friendly or environmentally friendly, that is.

Squeezyball now offers biodegradable flag pens. Clip, tip and barrel are all made from biodegradable polylactide (PLA) a corn-based material. Minimum order is 1,000 pieces and quick delivery is available.

Pencils have long been a popular choice as a business gift and they represent great value for money and Pen Warehouse has introduced a recycled plastic pencil. It has a generous print area, suitable for multicolour printing – up to three line colours on the white pencils.

The company also offers the Panther Eco Ballpen.

I’ve seen those desks with nothing on them except an extremely thin laptop or note book, but I don’t believe in them, just like some people don’t believe in Santa Claus! Give me calendars, diaries, pens, mugs (we almost forgot to mention those), gadgets, motor mice and stress balls any day. All serve to gently remind you of an event, a person or a company, and if they make someone smile too and brighten their day, so much the better.

Carole Bull

Editor

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