Promotional Items – Overseas vs. Domestic

Choosing a promotional item to distribute to your clients and prospects can be tricky. Consider the gifts that you’ve received. Which ones did you like and keep, and which ones did you immediately discard? Do you remember the companies that you got them from?

Promotional items have become more popular in recent years, and there seems to be a competition between companies to see who can give out the best, or most memorable gift.

Where to Source a Promotional Item

With the rise of the Asian manufacturing economy, the market for small promotional items has been flooded with many products that are cheap, both in cost and in quality. Conversely, the cost of manufacturing in North America has risen, so many companies have been forced to turn to China for manufacturing, and this increase in the level of business going there has actually improved the sector. When you’re looking for promotional items to send to your clients and prospects, here are some of the things you need to consider when choosing between domestic and offshore products.

Reasons to Choose Items Manufactured Overseas:

Cost

Hands down, the per-unit cost of manufacturing in China is considerably lower than in North America.

Number of Manufacturers to Choose From

There are many manufacturers in China, and they compete vigorously for business. This gives you some leverage when finding one to do business with.

Diversity of Products

The intense competition, coupled with some loose attitudes toward intellectual property mean that you’ll have a wider selection of items to choose from than when you shop domestically.

Reasons to Choose a Manufacturer at Home

No Language barrier – it’s a lot easier to get what you want when all parties involved are fluent in the same language.

Reduced cost and hassle when shipping – if your items don’t have to cross an ocean, it’s a lot faster and cheaper to get them to your client.

Higher perceived value – warranted or not, people place a higher value on items manufactured in the US. Asian manufacturing has a reputation that’s more and more undeserved, but there’s still a residual anxiety about its products.

At the end of the day, it’s your company, your reputation, and your choice. As a commercial printer located in NYC, we know that we’re up against some stiff competition in the global marketplace for your promotional dollar. Call us today, and find out what we can do to help you raise the profile of your business. We’re proud to be the best printer in New York City!