Custom Sourcing your Promotional Products:

When hundreds of thousands of choices just aren’t enough...

The promotional products industry sports thousands and thousands of of promotional product possibilities. Almost any product or gift you can imagine is available through the vast global network of producers.

Almost.

It’s a fact that no matter how many products there are out there, there will always exist a need for something that just isn’t currently offered. You may need a keychain in the shape of your logo, a custom bobblehead doll, or you need a custom shirt made, color matched and stitched to your specifications. Inevitably there may come a time when you will need to get your project custom sourced overseas.

When getting involved with custom promotional items, there are some simple things to keep in mind:

1. It may not be as expensive as you think.

It may surprise you to learn that, at times, it may be as much as 40% cheaper to get your product custom sourced. Yes, you read that correctly, up to 40% cheaper. On average, depending on the project, you can expect savings of around 30%. One of the beautiful things about overseas sourcing is that you cut out much of the supply chain distribution process. You deal almost directly with the producer, and the producer ships directly to the customer. There are no middlemen or warehousing costs involved.

The producers can also offer their expertise on how to cut costs during production. Many times, they can suggest a slight change to the design or a change in materials that can save you big.

Overall, depending on what you want to produce, it can be surprisingly inexpensive to get your promotional products custom made. There are many cottage industries springing up, specializing in particular custom promotional products. The area is growing, and prices are dropping.

2. Your imagination is the limit.

The amount of customization is incredible. From materials, to colors, to design to functionality, to any other variable you can think of. The final product will be, as much as physically possible, built to your exact specifications. According to “The Counselor”, a promotional products industry magazine, “With today’s technology, practically anything can be created from scratch.” If you have a totally unique idea that you want to make a reality, then you can, in all probability, have it made.

3. You get higher quality.

Overseas-sourced products often have the reputation of being lower in quality than stock items. This is patently untrue. Because the items are made according strictly to your specifications, you can be sure that you are getting exactly the quality you want. Plus, the factories that deal in custom products often have the strictest standards for product quality.

4. Plan ahead and be patient.

One of the drawbacks associated with custom products is lead-time. It is estimated that between the design, the sample production, the actual production, and the delivery, the process should take 90-120 days to complete. At times, however, different delivery options, different processes, or even different materials can drastically reduce delivery times, sometimes shaving precious weeks off the project.

5. Slightly higher minimums.

Because you are having your own custom promotional item built, you will encounter slightly higher minimum quantities for your orders. The higher the amount produced, the less and less the fixed costs will affect the price per item. Instead of ordering minimum quantities in the dozens, you will likely find your minimums in the hundreds. This isn’t always the case, but slightly hgher minimum quatities are generally the rule. For most companies, this isn't too much of a problem, though. Many times, all it takes is a minor adjustment to the ordering routine in order to enjoy the benefits of custom sourcing.

Just remember that custom promotional products aren’t necessarily out of reach for you or your clients. It may not always be what’s right for you, but if you are planning a long-term promotion, it might be beneficial to explore the world of custom promotional products.

If you are interested in learning more about custom promotional products, contact Powertex. Our professional staff will help you identify whether or not custom sourced promotional products are right for you. Give us a call today at (800) 588-7111, or email us at customerservice@powertexgroup.com.