Choose the Right Corporate Gifts

A corporate gift is something businesses give to show appreciation for the people they work with on a regular basis. When a company shows gratitude for its associates, it strengthens its connections, which secures future business opportunities. The trick is putting money toward the right corporate gifts. The better the gift choice, the more a business gains from its investment. Here are some guidelines to help your company shop smart and get the most from its corporate gifting strategy.

An executive desk wedge with a green bow on top, one of the right corporate gifts to give this year.

Selecting the right corporate gifts for your …

… Clients

The purpose of giving gifts to your company’s clients is to gain their trust and improve brand image. To accomplish these goals, choose corporate gifts that reflect the quality your company wants clients to associate with its brand identity. Make sure they are durable and come with a satisfaction guarantee so your company knows its clients are getting something worthwhile.

You also want to show that your company values its clients as people. To do this, give each client a gift that matches their hobbies and interests. For instance if one client likes to play sports, buy them a duffel bag for sporting gear. Another option is to give them a personalized gift, such as a desk wedge with their name on it. By adding this personal touch to corporate gifting, your clients will feel connected to your company and continue doing business with you.

… Employees

A businessman hiding a corporate gift behind their back as part of the company's effort to give the right corporate gifts.

Retain your company’s talented employees by giving them meaningful corporate gifts. By showing gratitude for their hard work and dedication, employees become loyal and motivated them to do their best. Express appreciation by giving them gifts that make their jobs more enjoyable. Examples include an indoor plant to have at their desk (assuming they don’t have allergies) and noise canceling headphones to help them stay focused.

As with clients, employees want to know they are valued as individuals. Make their corporate gifts personable by wrapping them in personalized ribbons and presenting them with handwritten notes. Another way to make these gifts personable is to let employees choose what they want. Give them different options, such as a baseball cap, t-shirt or jacket. By giving them the chance to pick their gift, employees will know your company respects what makes them unique.

Pro Tip: Make sure all your employee’s gifts have the same monetary value so no one feels excluded.

… Suppliers

Before your company buys the right corporate gifts for its suppliers, make sure the suppliers are allowed to accept gifts. If they are, then definitely include them in your company’s corporate gifting strategy. Suppliers provide the tools and equipment your company needs, so building a good relationship with them is key to business success. Show gratitude for their help by giving them useful gifts, such as coffee mugs, earbuds and umbrellas. Find that happy medium where the gifts are good quality but not too expensive. This prevents suppliers from feeling they need to give your company something in return.

Don’t forget your ribbons!

Eight custom ribbon rolls for wrapping the right corporate gifts.

When people receive a beautifully wrapped gift, it tells them your company is committed to excellence. So gain the trust of clients, employees and suppliers by wrapping the right corporate gifts in high-quality custom ribbons. Add a personal message to these fine ribbon rolls and choose a color that goes with the gifts or matches your company’s logo. Include icons or graphics to enhance your company’s message and make the ribbons more visually exciting. As your company invests in first-rate gift wrapping ribbons, people will feel appreciated and want to continue working with your business.

What’s the best corporate gift you’ve received? Tell us in a comment below.

Q&A: Perfect Your Networking Strategy with Custom Ribbons

Two badge ribbons attached to a name badge to improve the wearer's networking strategy.

Like many of our customers, you may have wondered how custom ribbons can improve your networking strategy. After all, what do ribbons have to do with such an essential part of your career? The answer: everything. Ribbons bring awareness to your brand like nothing else thanks to their bold colors and high-quality printing. Using them to catch people’s attention gives you valuable opportunities to make a great first impression. Custom ribbons are also incredibly versatile, which means you can use them to accomplish almost any networking goal. Whether you are looking for a better job or the ideal candidate for a position, custom ribbons will make it happen.

From getting clients to landing your dream job, custom ribbons improve your networking strategy.

To show you how to perfect your networking strategy, we have answered four frequently asked questions about our custom ribbons.

Question: What should I include on ribbon rolls for my business?

Answer: That depends on whether your goal is to increase brand recognition or strengthen business relationships.

If you want to increase your brand recognition, customize ribbon rolls with your company name, logo or both. This will expand your brand’s visibility as you use these ribbons to wrap best selling products and giveaways.

A corporate ribbon tied around a candy bar as part of a company's networking strategy.

To strengthen business relationships, add a personal message to your ribbon rolls to congratulate the recipient or wish them well. Then, use these ribbons to wrap corporate gifts for potential clients and business partners. Adding this personal touch to your gifts will show each associate that you value your relationship with them. As you nurture your relationships with personalized ribbons, you will grow your business by gaining new clients and forming new partnerships.

Question: How can custom ribbons be used as handouts?

Answer: Turn Custom Top Ribbons into eye-catching handouts by adding information about your company, products and services.

To recruit talented employees, personalize Custom Top Ribbons with full-color text and graphics that highlight the benefits of working for your company. Pass these ribbons out at job fairs or mail them as part of recruitment packets to attract your ideal candidates. Everyone will be so impressed with your ribbon handouts that they will hold onto them long after receiving them. The longer they have them, the more likely they will apply for the jobs you need to fill.

You can also use Custom Top Ribbons to create promotional handouts for conferences, trade shows and direct mail marketing. Add text and graphics that educate people on the value of your brand. Or, turn your ribbon handouts into coupons. However you choose to attract new clients, you can be sure the full-color printing on these custom ribbons will grab people’s attention and grow your clientele.

Question: Why should I wear a badge ribbon with my name tag?

Answer: Badge ribbons allow you to share more information about yourself and set you apart from other professionals.

At job fairs (virtual or otherwise), use badge ribbons to convince employers to hire you. First, customize badge ribbons with short descriptions of the skills and experiences that make you the perfect candidate. Then, attach the ribbons to your name tag so they are easily visible. Not only will wearing badge ribbons make you memorable, but it will also show recruiters that you qualify for the job before they even see your resume.

Pro Tip: To get the most professional look, use a 3.5 inch horizontal badge ribbon on a 3.5 inch name tag. Or, place two vertical 1.625 inch ribbons on a 3.5 inch name tag.

Question: What can I use blank ribbons for?

Answer: Use Blank Ribbons to spark conversations at networking events and get insights for your business.

Add text to blank ribbons as part of a networking strategy.

Add questions to your Blank Ribbons using a marker. Then, attach the ribbons to your clothing or name tag so they are easily visible. As you wear these ribbons at networking events (virtual or live), you will gain valuable insight into how to improve your business. You will also form new business relationships that may lead to future opportunities for you and your company.

While you can use custom imprinted badge ribbons the same way, keep in mind that the questions you want to ask your peers may change over time. Therefore, it is much easier and more affordable to order blank ribbons and add text when you need it.

Perfect Your Networking Strategy

Let us help you improve your networking strategy by asking your own questions in one of three ways.

1. Join us on July 22, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. (Mountain time) for our first ever Live Video Q&A Event.

2. Comment directly on this blog post, and one of our experts will respond within one business day (Monday through Friday).

3. Contact customer service at 1-801-931-5000, and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. (Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

By sharing your questions with us, you will learn how to achieve your networking goals with the quality and versatility of custom ribbons.

Other Question and Answer Blogs:

Week One: How to Use Identification

Week Three: Q&A: Your Name Tag Investment

Retirement & Planning the Perfect Party

Getting from a job to having a career is a goal for which most people strive. And once you have this career, sticking to it can be difficult. When someone reaches certain milestones on this career path, it is always worth celebrating. And the best milestone anyone can reach is retirement.

Once someone has retired (whether for age or tenure), they deserve recognition for their hard work. Celebrating this incredible feat with a party is the perfect way to honor the retiree. And this party will take planning! Here are some easy party suggestions to use to ensure that any retirement party goes off without a hitch.

So, let’s get that retirement party planned!

The first thing to remember is that this party is for one person: the retiree. So make sure it is planned according to their tastes. From the party’s theme (which every event planner you ask will say is a must) to serving drinks and refreshments, everything must be something the retiree will enjoy.

And the best way to accomplish this is to ask the retiree what they want. Don’t guess at what they would find enjoyable, even if you have known them for a while. Make sure they want a party, and that they want to be there. Ask them who they want to attend and where they want to have the party hosted. After all, it is their retirement.

This party is a great way to express your gratitude toward the retiree. It will help those in attendance reflect on all of the things this person accomplished during their chosen career. So, the next thing to remember is to make sure everyone in attendance understands what part they need to play in showing this gratitude. The more memorable you can make the party, the more the retiree will feel how much they impacted your life during their career.

Pieces of the Party (Don’t forget the ribbons!)

Guernsey Rosettes are the perfect gift for a retirement party.

You already have the theme and the guest list, now what does your party look like?

  • Speeches: Whether it is a toast given by the boss or short remembrances shared by everyone in attendance, the retiree is sure to feel the love with speeches prepared about them. Once the speech has been presented to the retiree, give them a printed copy of it tied up with a ribbon.
  • Music: Use comical songs like “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen for sending off your cherished co-worker. A timeless tune to have playing in the background at your party is “Happy Trails” by Roy Rogers. And spice up your decorations around the DJ’s table with ribbon rolls with some song lyrics imprinted in a bright color.
  • Refreshments: Cake, drinks and finger sandwiches are only a start to the list of yummy foods you can have at your retirement party. From sweet to salty, pick your retiree’s favorite foods and make sure they are on the menu. Don’t forget that ribbons are now your best friend especially for decorations for the snack tables and room centerpieces. You can put them everywhere!
  • Games: Does your retiree love Scrabble? Or is there another game that fits their personality to a t? No matter which games are chosen, get everyone involved in making new memories with their old friend. Use badge ribbons or rosettes and create a game specifically for the party.
Rosewood and Floating Acrylic Plaques are perfect for any retirement gift.
  • Recognition: You’re going to miss the retiree. So, why not celebrate them with an award! From an extravagant rosette ribbon to an award plaque, create something that reflects the importance that for which the retiree has worked so hard.
  • Favors: Make all the attendees something to take home that will always remind them of the fun and wonderful times they had with the retiree. You can even ask the retiree for help on this. Then wrap it up and tie a ribbon around it with the retiree’s name imprinted in their favorite color.

After the Retirement Party

Your final planning task is to make sure that both your retiree and attendees have a way to stay in contact with each other. Use a memory book that people can post a picture in and then sign with contact details. Or encourage the use of social media. But, no matter what you choose, make sure both the attendee and retiree are happy to participate.

Using this information to plan a retirement party accordingly, will make it not seem like a huge task, and your party will be the best ever.

Have we forgotten something? What would you add to this list of retirement party suggestions?

Traveling Ribbons: The Perfect Branding Tool

We’ve coined a new phrase: traveling ribbons! But what exactly does that mean?

Branded ribbon rolls are perfect to use as traveling ribbons on goody bags an other treats.

From badge ribbons to ribbon rolls and everything in between, adding personalization to ribbons helps your brand recognition. Especially when these ribbons are attached to things (products or services) that make it out of your reach. These “things” can be anything from goody bags at events to items from your storefront adorned with strips from a ribbon roll. Don’t have a storefront? That’s okay. Attach a small ribbon strip to a flier discussing your services and hand them out. So, there you have it: traveling ribbons!

How can traveling ribbons help you get your message into the public’s hands?

That’s easy! After all, the idea behind a traveling ribbon is that it travels to your customer in place of you. Remember that all ribbons aren’t equal because they can’t all do the same things. But, don’t think that one ribbon type is better than another. Grab your nearest personalized ribbon and figure out how it can become a traveling ribbon.

Promoting Your Business

Personalized ribbon is a subtle yet powerful marketing tool. So, how do you make these traveling ribbons work for you? First, choose a ribbon color that matches your brand. Then, have us imprint your website, logo and any other text in a corresponding color. Next step, use them everywhere!

Decorate your store with them. Attach them to products you sell, either in your store or at events. You can even hand out ribbon strips during events your business is attending. Use personalized ribbon rolls to wrap products, gifts and more. And, don’t forget those fliers adorned with your branded ribbons! Customers are sure to appreciate the custom touch, and then your ribbon will help them remember your business.

Hacking Personalization for Your Traveling Ribbons

Traveling ribbons can include a full-color vertical ribbon advertising a summer sale

One of our favorite ways to use a badge ribbon or other flat award ribbon is as a bookmark. That way, when your customers are reading in public, others not only see the book, but they also get curious about the imprinting on the ribbon the reader is holding.

Now, when that traveling ribbon has your logo and brand imprinted on it, people will start to recognize who you are. Traveling ribbons are an effective way to drive consumers straight toward your business. But remember to keep your logo and text consistent so that your brand stands out. No matter the size of your business, traveling ribbons are here to help.

These ribbons not only help promote your brand to current customers, but they also get your brand into the hands of potential customers. By simply adding these fun and fancy adornments to treat bags at a grand opening, or tying them to products throughout your store, these ribbons are guaranteed to travel. Once a current customer uses your product, they are sure to either pass on your ribbon or use it for something else.

Even if your ribbon is taken off a treat bag and thrown haphazardly onto a desk, it is sure to attract attention. Oh, everyone will want that treat! But, more importantly, they will want to know where they can get some too. So, now your ribbon becomes that great traveling marketing item you need. So, what are you waiting for? Get your traveling ribbons today!

Holiday Decorating with Custom Ribbons

Have you ever asked yourself how to use custom ribbons for holiday decorating ideas?

Well, we’ve said before that using custom ribbons for decorations is a great idea. But, what about the holiday season? Are they any good for Christmas or Hanukkah? What about the New Year holiday? Of course, they are! We have ideas ranging from holiday door wreaths to ribbon walls for a photo booth (and nearly everything in between). However, we want to prove to all of our customers that ribbons can be used for everything, especially holiday decorating.

So, here are some surprising ways to use custom ribbons for your holiday decorating!

Ribbon Rolls: Decorating a Tree

Start at the top of the tree and roll a ribbon straight to the floor. Or, run a ribbon entirely around the tree for a more traditional look. But, no matter how you use those ribbon rolls, make sure to pick the right colors to match the rest of your decorations. Go with red, green or white to match the holiday. Maybe you have a theme for your home this year? Try matching colors or use contrasting colors to brighten up any living space for the holidays.

use custom ribbon rolls for your holiday decorating by wrapping them around a Christmas tree

Ribbon Rolls: Ornament Ties

No ornament is complete without a way to hang it. So, make your tree stand out this year with custom ribbon rolls. Maybe you have a ribbon roll with names from your wedding or your company party. Tie them around each ornament and add a touch of personality to your tree. Or, get creative with where you hang ornaments. They look great dangling from the mantle or a staircase.

Rosette Ribbons: Ornaments

Speaking of a fun idea for custom ornaments, do you have any rosette ribbon awards lying around? Maybe you don’t quite know what to do with them. Well, how about using the string or fastener on the back of those ribbons and adding them to your holiday tree. They are sure to add a pop of color and spark some charm.

Rosette Ribbons: Gift Bows or Tags

We’ve shared before how badge ribbons are the perfect to/from gift tags for every gift. But here’s a new idea. Use the rosette on a ribbon as your tags or the bow. Cut off the circular portion and add it to any gift box for a magical and unique touch. Nothing will quite say, “Happy Holidays” like a fun and festive way to distinguish your gifts from others this year.

red, green and white stock star rosette ribbons are perfect for holiday decorating

Badge Ribbons: Table Runners

One of the best things about this time of year is all of the homemade crafts and goodies. So, get to work and let your badge ribbons do the talking! Although you might require a sewing machine for this craft, using bright, custom ribbons is one way to get everyone excited for your decorating. Either run the badge ribbons in straight lines the length of your table or create a pattern. But, no matter what you do with them, you’re sure to get all of the attention for your crafty thinking!

Badge Ribbons: Christmas Stockings

Another idea that might require a sewing machine is to make everyone matching Christmas stockings. Line up your badge ribbons end to end and get to decorating your home with this fun craft project. These stockings can also make wonderful neighbor or colleague gifts. Fill them with all sorts of goodies and give them away. The recipient is sure to love everything about their new Christmas stocking.

use badge ribbons to make a Christmas stocking for unique holiday decorating

So, no matter what type of ribbons you have, we guarantee you can find something to do with them for the holidays. Now, get back to decorating!