For starters, mugs are both functional and practical. Both in the home and the workplace, nearly everyone drinks coffee or tea, so a carefully branded mug could mean that your company receives round the clock brand placement in a variety of locations. And once your mug has attached itself to its recipient - and becomes their 'favourite mug' - you can be sure that it'll be used virtually everyday. Essentially, mugs are a permanent fixture of office desks - so if an employee uses one of your mugs, your company logo will be in full view of his or her colleagues as well.
The effectiveness of promotional mugs as a corporate gift means that you have to make sure your company's promotional mugs are designed well - and carry a motif that befits your company image. For instance, if you're a travel agent or a global trade company, an interesting design could see your company logo and slogan set against the backdrop of a colourful map. Alternatively, banking or investment firms might want to see mugs adorned with dollar signs as well as a brand logo. Mug designs can be used as an effective promotional tool, whether you want a simple image on one side of the mug or a design that stretches from one side of the handle to another.
Whatever design you decide to go for on your promotional mugs, bear in mind that it needs to be seen as attractive to the mug's owner. White or beige mugs are most likely to be drunk from, while blue or green mugs might not be seen to be quite as striking. You'll also need to make sure your company logo is the same as that found on official documents and your company website, since conflicting brand images will hinder people from being able to identify your brand or organisation.
Ultimately, while promotional pens will be thrown away after the ink runs out, promotional mugs are likely to stand the test of time. Even mugs that are no longer used for tea or coffee are likely to be kept and used as pen pots, thus ensuring that your brand exposure is as effective as possible. And if you decide to compose a promotional gift pack, why not combine a promotional mug with a branded pen, a company mouse mat and a promotional key ring? A handy gift pack like this will make sure that your company logo is as visible as possible in any office space.
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Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer. His portfolio, called Capquest Photography is available to view online.