Always on the look out for the latest and interesting trends in every industry, our staff’s trip was not wasted as she found out SMD (Surface mounted device) LED (light-emitting diode) were all the rage now.

Although LED has been in the market for quite some time, this industry has evolved into something rather different. This particular type of bulb emits light when heated. It is not only smaller than but can also last longer than LED.

We also learnt the various components that goes behind making a LED signage. The sign is held together by galvanizised gaskets while the sheets give it its shape. Inside are the LED illuminators, covered by a layer of protective acrylic. On top of the acrylic, you would be able to paint your sign with whichever colour you wish. Viola, here is an acrylic sign!

These minute LED bulbs would be able to illuminate a sign so bright that it can be seen from a distance away. Thus, you usually spot these signage at airports, hotels and departmental stores!

If you think you have missed out on the action during this lighting fair, fret not for this is only the spring edition. There is an autumn edition coming up from 27-30^th October 2012. Wait no further and sign up for your entry badge here!

Check out other related posts here:

• Hong Kong International Stationery Fair 2012
• Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair 2012
• Hong Kong Wine and Spirits Fair 2011
• 109th Canton Fair 2011 
• Las Vegas PPAI Fair 

With Clicker Univeral Remote with Bottle Opener, you’ll never have to encounter this problem again. This 2 in 1 product will keep you comfortably on your seats enjoying your favourite sports channel. With it’s multi function features, this gadget will serve as a handy and trusted promotional product!

Promotional Idea - Clicker Universal Remote with Bottle Opener

This promotional item can be branded with company logos to increase brand awareness among it’s target market. Being a functional item, this promotional idea increases visibility and exposure which works as free advertisements. This will enhance brand recall at the same time. With so many advantages incorporated into 1 nifty device, why not make this product your next promotional merchandise?

Does the Clicker Universal Remote with Bottle Opener reminds you of our in-house invention, the 4-in-1 Coolzee?

Do not hesitate to contact ODM for more details regarding customised promotional gifts.

For other slick promotional product you can use in your promotional campaign, check out:

• Skol PWP -Bottle opener and Lighter Promo 
• Ring Bottle Opener for your Beer Promos
• Promotional Gift Idea for Skippers, Fishermen and Boat Fans in general : The Octopus Suction Coolie
• Promo by Rudy Project – Adventure Tools
• Sport Promotional Gift – a Raincoat Poncho that fits in a key chain!

shipping marks on cartons

“Shipping marks” designate what is written on the export cartons.   These marks should be given at the same time you place an order to a factory so that the carton boxes can be printed early and the goods can be packed as they roll off the production line.

Usually, the importer specifies what the supplier should write. Of course, the information to be put in the Shipping marks can vary from time to time but generally the key points to remember are :

• Purchaser’s name and/or logo;
• Product reference and/or order number;
• Country of destination (for example, a forwarder might have to distinguish some cartons for Canada and others for the US);
• Other relevant information about the products: season, size, color, or breakdown of the different types of goods inside a particular carton;
• Net weight & gross weight of carton;
• Dimensions of the carton;
• Number of carton (example: 1/230; 2/230; 3/230…);  Individual numbers written in marker

Often, the most important information (SKU and/or barcode) are on the short side of the carton, since it is still visible after the cartons are stacked up. And lesser important information is placed on the long side.

Check out other useful articles here:

• Setting up a Promotional Products Business
• What is an ODM?
• Key Products from ODM
• Changes to Incoterms for 2011
• Promotional Puzzles for Incoterms
• Freight Industry Promos
• Calculating Air Freight Costs by weight or volume?
• Calculating Container Shipping Time
• Shipping Hazardous materials
• Ship tracking by BBC
• Quality Control in China

Promotional Products Supplier

ODM staff just returned from a factory visit in Xiamen and we are glad to say everything is in running to plan on our production lines.

Not only have we conducted a follow up factory audit, but we also fostered better relationships with the factories. This allows ODM to easily communicate the needs and requirements of clients clearly to the factories and to work on new product development. For current orders, potential problems can be averted and resolutions can be implemented quickly on any issues.

During the factory visit to Xiamen, ODM staff thoroughly ensured that all resources are in place for the current orders to be successful.   Having staff on the ground is key for ODM to monitor production lines during production. This is important as it determines the seriousness and efficiency of the factory when processing your order..

Production Process – Customised Folding Bags

Material is died to match the pantone of the logo of our client.  Other items like zips and thread are also orders.  This process of preparing the raw materials is key and takes up quite a long part of the production time.

When fabric arrives in the factory it is stacked in rolls. Such organization shows that the factory follows a certain structure during its operations. Factories should send approval confirmation of the material and its colour to their clients.

Promotional Products Supplier

When the material is approved, the factory is ready to produce at full speed. The shape and construction were confirmed before the order was placed and the materials were dyed.

The material will be cut into smaller sizes and then cut again according to its various shapes and sizes using moulds. Only two people are required to operate at a time in the factory we visited.

Quality Control in China

Use of mould during production

Next the material, cut in the various shapes and sizes, is sent for printing. They are then laid out to dry on long tables like the picture below.  Ceiling fans are turned on and the silk screen print is dried.

Promotional Products Supplier

All printed materials are sent to the production line for sewing. All sewing follows a certain procedure, each staff will be in charge of sewing for one part of the product. Other staff will do sewing for next parts.

QC during manufacturing process

After all the sewing is done the factory QC team will check for defects such as untrimmed threads.  These bags will be reworked.  Finally the bags are packed according to client specifications.

To ensure all goods are good quality, we will send ODM Quality Controllers to do a Final Random Inspection (FRI) as soon as goods are finished.

Need an affordable and independent QC in China? We recommend Quality Command.

Check out some interesting blogs about factories in China:

• China Factory Selection
• Scams in China
• Negotiating Contracts & Penalties with Chinese Factories
• Promotional Scarf Production Process in China

Making an eraser from your company’s logo or from a mascot will be extremely simple and relatively inexpensive in mass manufacture. There are many fun examples for which a custom eraser can be used as a very efficient promotional product. A construction company or an architect could make erasers shaped as tools with the name of their company labelled on the eraser.

Custom Made Erasers.

This kind of promotion is terrific for companies because its cheap and it will be of great use to the customers they aretargeting. Everyone loves receiving a useful promotional product even when it is something as simple as an eraser.

Sports teams could make erasers from their team mascot, team logo or even an eraser of a star player. Erasers are capable of being molded in any desired shape, color and size, which makes them a great promotional product. The larger the eraser the more branding position is offered to print brand or company names on to it.

Contact ODMasia for any assistance in customizing and manufacturing erasers. Also check out our blogs relating to other office promotions:

• Banner Pen Promotions.
• List of Promo Gifts for Construction Industry.
• Pen manufacture in China.
• Desktop Promos- USB pen holder with notifier.
• Promotional Pen Fans.
• Promoting Differently – Banana Erasers.

ODM Group QR code (try QRreader app)

QR barcodes can be added to product packaging to give potential customers access to a whole range of product information.   QR (Quick Response) can also be called a second generation or 2D code. They were created in 1994 by Denso-wave in Japan and are revolutionising the barcode industry.

QR codes are linked to websites providing important information to consumers. In this information age consumers want to know more and more about the product they want to purchase & this is why their presence has kept growing.

The black and white checkered squares can be scanned using a QR code reader application on smartphones. In an instant all the information stored on the barcode pops up on the users phone providing consumers with instant information about the product right in the consumers hand.   This helps consumers make a better decision during their purchases.

How to scan QR codes

Customers install an application on their smartphone and use the camera to scan the barcode. QR codes are usually linked to websites, but they also can be used to add contacts to a phone’s address book, geo location,  automatically dial a number, send an e-mail and gather product or service information on the spot. The picture to the left shows how a user would scan a QR code. It is very easy and straightforward, once the code is scanned the website with the information will pop up on the phone’s screen.

QR barcode used to promote free gifts!

On the picture on the left you can see the large QR barcode in front of the product being sold – prominently displayed on a Shelf Talker.

In this example consumers can scan the QR barcode and can have the opportunity to win/redeem a promotional prize! This is a great example of how effective QR barcodes can be used by companies to give more information to there consumers. These barcodes are found on all types of products and services.

They are found on a very large amount of various consumer products, advertisements, service brochures, business cards, concert tickets and many more.   There are hundreds of QR code readers for smart phones. Here is a list with a few of them:

• i-Nigma
• NeoReader
• QRReader
• 2D Sense.

Create your own bar code on i-Nigma’s website!

QR barcodes are great tools that should be added to all banners advertizing promotional products, giveaways, GWP campaigns. This will allow your clients to scan the QR code and have access to the website with all the information of the promotion on there phones. This is much more efficient then traditional banner advertising. It will allow your clients to come back to the information of the promotion when they have spare time in  their day. Thus creating longer exposure to your promotional message!

Check out our other blogs relating to smart phones and ways to display promotional campaigns!

• Barcodes & Labels – Great for Branding.
• Developing Product Packaging.
• Adding Value through Packaging – Champagne GWPs.

The small solar panel on the base of the product collects energy and powers the small turbines of the windmill and the turbines create an air ventilation. This product could also be offered as a mobile device charger and fan. The solar charger could have a unit to store energy, a small lithium ion battery.

This would allow your customers to charge their mobile devices such as cell phones, iPhone, and iPads using clean energy. Solar Windmills are a great fun product for the office as it can help keep your employees cooler during the hot summer months. The windmill can also be of great use for outdoor meetings in remote areas where there is no ventilation and no electricity socket.

Solar Windmill Promotional Product

The solar windmill is a great green giveaway product as a corporate gift or even for a GWP campaign. It can be used as an initiation product to environmental friendly products and clean tech energy alternatives. The product can also be used by solar companies to give away as promotional products to showcase on a small scale what there products can achieve.

Don’t forget to customize the solar windmill by printing logos and brand names on the base of the product. Corporate colors can be used to display more brand recognition.

Contact ODMasia for assistance in sourcing and customizing this product. Also check out our other Green Products at www.ODMgreen.com.

• ODMgreen – Special Awareness day for trees.
• ODM Green Website
• Promotional 6 in 1 Solar Toy
• Solar Backpack Manufacture

Here is a perfect example of an ancient Chinese lantern mixed with new technology to create a modern 21st century version of the Chinese Lantern.

The small solar panel on the top of the lantern is exposed to the sun light all day when placed outdoors. The energy created is stored in the device and is released when a small switch is activated to turn the light bulb on. There are no electric cables with this lantern, all the energy comes from the sun’s UV rays. The lantern is easy to attach anywhere outdoors because it is free of cables and thus can be placed anywhere the customers decided to place it! This modern version of the Chinese Lantern is absolutely perfect for a summer dinner or an outdoor party, not only do they serve as a light source they also are great for decoration.

Nowadays lanterns are found in various shapes and designs. The very basic round lantern is very common but more complex shaped lanterns have been spotted, for example some are shaped as animals. This product can be customized in the shape and can include printing of your company’s brand name or logo on the lantern so that the lamp will illuminate the print..

Contact ODMasia for any request on the vast array of Solar lights available – also check out these last blogs about other fun green promotional items, and dont miss our web site dedicated to green products:  www.odmgreen.com

• Solar LED keychain Promos.
• Green Toy Promotions – Solar Powered Car.
• ODMgreen – Special Awareness day for trees.
• Solar Backpack Manufacture.
• Brainstorming on Green Promotional Products.