There’s a difference between a corporate gift and a promotional product. A promotional product says, Remember our company. A great corporate gift says, “Our company remembers you.” Both have their place. But when you’re choosing personalized corporate gifts to thank an employee, recognize an achievement or strengthen a client relationship, the difference matters.
Putting a company logo on something makes it branded. It doesn’t necessarily make it personal. Sometimes the recipient’s name should be more prominent than your logo.
Depending on the occasion, personalization might include a name, important date, achievement, handwritten signature, coordinates, custom artwork or a short message. In our experience, it usually isn’t about engraving more. It’s about choosing the right detail.
And personalization isn’t necessary for every project. For one employee event, for example, we engraved a set of YETI tumblers with the company’s branding. The purpose was to create a consistent, quality gift for everyone attending, so individual personalization wasn’t needed.
The important question isn’t whether every corporate gift should be personalized. It’s what approach makes sense for the reason you’re giving it.
There isn’t one product that works for everyone. A good corporate gift usually has three things going for it:
Price isn’t necessarily what creates that impression. A carefully chosen personalized gift can have more impact than a more expensive generic item that could have been given to anyone.
Price isn’t necessarily what creates that impression. A carefully chosen personalized gift can have more impact than a more expensive generic item that could have been given to anyone.
We have more than 30 years of experience in signs and graphic design, so we’re certainly not going to tell you that branding doesn’t matter. But bigger isn’t always better. If you’re giving away promotional merchandise at an event, prominent branding may be exactly what you want.
If you’re recognizing someone’s retirement after 25 years, perhaps their name and accomplishment deserve the spotlight instead. Good design finds the balance.
Corporate gifting isn’t just for large companies. Small businesses make up 98.2% of employer businesses in Canada, with more than 410,000 small employer businesses in Ontario alone, according to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
Whether you have five employees or 500, the same principle applies: start with what you’re trying to accomplish.
For businesses in London, St. Thomas and Southwestern Ontario, working with a local engraver can also provide more flexibility when individual personalization or custom design is important. The product can change. The principle doesn’t: Choose the gift for the recipient, not simply for the opportunity to display your logo.
If you’re giving gifts or awards to employees, there may also be tax considerations depending on the type of gift and why it is being given.
The Canada Revenue Agency has specific guidance covering employee gifts, awards and long-service recognition. Because these rules can change and different situations may be treated differently, we recommend checking the CRA’s current guidance on employee gifts and awards when planning your program.
For businesses in London, St. Thomas and Southwestern Ontario, working with a local engraver can also provide more flexibility when individual personalization or custom design is important.
The product can change. The principle doesn’t: Choose the gift for the recipient, not simply for the opportunity to display your logo.
Custom corporate gifts take some planning, particularly when you’re ordering for a group. Names need to be checked. Artwork needs to be prepared. Designs need approval. Products and materials need to be available.
And when multiple people are receiving individually personalized gifts, accuracy matters. At Tenera Design, we provide a design proof before production begins.
It gives our customers an opportunity to check the details and see the proposed design before anything is engraved. For larger or individually personalized orders, starting early simply gives everyone more options.
Sometimes you know exactly what you want. Other times you know why you want to give something but have absolutely no idea what the gift should be. We actually like those conversations.
That’s enough to start a conversation.
Before You Order Corporate Gifts you don’t need to have the finished idea, but it helps to know a few basics:
At Tenera Design Co. in St. Thomas, we work directly with businesses and organizations in London, St. Thomas, Elgin County and across Southwestern Ontario.
Because we handle the design and engraving ourselves, we can start with your idea rather than asking you to choose a product number from a catalogue.
Tell us about the recipient, your budget, quantity and what you’re trying to accomplish. From there, we can explore what makes sense.
That’s enough to start a conversation.
A corporate gift is an opportunity to say thank you, recognize someone’s contribution or strengthen an important relationship. So make it about the person receiving it.
The best corporate gifts don’t just remind people what your company does. They remind people that your company noticed what they did.
At Tenera Design Co., we’re Daren and Terrie Jarvis. We combine more than 30 years of sign and graphic design experience with modern laser engraving to create personalized gifts, awards and recognition pieces for businesses and organizations throughout Southwestern Ontario.
Have an occasion, budget or idea in mind? Tell us who it’s for and what you’d like to say. We’ll help you figure out the rest.
