An Ingenius Approach to a Ceramic Dilemna

The standard method for decorating just about any promotional item has been the traditional silk screen.  Silk screen involves the use of a screen or mesh that is placed over an item to be decorated.  Ink is then poured on the mesh and a straight edge is run over it to squeeze the ink through and the logo is applied.  This has always worked well for flat items but has been more expensive and slower to accomplish on odd shapes.  Even more difficult are non-porous items like ceramic where the ink has to dry on the surface.   During the summer this can lead to a smudged logo during periods of high humidity.

Along came MB Works with a unique solution to what has been an industry wide problem.  Instead of decorating on the actual ceramic mug they deboss a simulated leather wrap.  The Alta Ceramic Tumbler uses a full length leather type grip which insulates the hand but also lays flat for simply debossing.  They are then stitched together and are put in place around the tumbler.  This allows the manufacturer to stock a single item while carrying multiple colors for the wrap.  Extending this particular style even further MB Works has released a larger tumbler with even more colors that has a spill resistant lid.  The To-Go Ceramic Tumbler combines a black lid with a colored leatherette wrap that is debossed with the client logo.  Again unlike so many other manufacturers MB is not suffering from stock issues because the wraps are easy to produce and they are therefore able to concentrate their budgets on the single color ceramic tumbler. 

With the current economic situation so dire organizations need to come up with creative ideas for saving money.  The principle of stocking a single base item while providing multiple color options via the use of wraps is brilliant.  Even in a crisis they could afford to air freight in the wraps for a small fraction of what it would cost to fly in tumblers.  Yesterday we presented some ideas for using a blanket to boost client relations which was a direct attempt to mention that with marketing money so tight it is important to come up with ideas that serve many purposes.  Corporate mugs are the same in the sense that they serve a purpose other than promoting a brand.  Especially with ceramic mugs which can be refilled at many coffee shops you are potentially saving the end user recipient money while also fulfilling the primary goal of spreading a marketing message.

 

Comments

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That's some good creative thinking to solve that problem, it's true that given the current economic situation we have to think of any possible ways to improve the business and save costs. Ceramic mugs are a good promotional item as people will always have a use for them, whether that be at work or at home.