Get Your Message Out -- Inexpensively -- With Printed Bracelets
Let's face it folks -- we live in an age of advertising. And it isn't just a commercial businesses that advertise -- all sorts of organizations do it: religious organizations, hospitals, schools, athletic teams, community awareness groups, political parties -- even individuals try to get their unique message before the public. And one effective method of doing that is the printed bracelet. The Different Types of Personalized Bracelets Printed bracelets are actually one of several different types of personalized bracelets. A "personalized" bracelet can be something as simple as the traditional engraved metal bracelet -- the kind you can purchase in a jewelry shop. But other types of personalized bracelets are becoming popular as well. One type of bracelet is the debossed personalized bracelet -- these feature the personalized message in a style that looks "pressed into" the bracelet strap. Another type of personalized bracelet is the embossed personalized bracelet -- instead of your message being pressed into the strap, it is set out in bold relief. The third type of personalized bracelet is the printed bracelet. These have your personalized message printed on the surface, neither debossed nor embossed. How Personalized Bracelets Are Made -- And Why It's Important Understanding how personalized bracelets are made is not difficult -- and as a purchaser, it is important that you know these things (more on that in a moment). Typically both embossed and debossed personalized bracelets are manufactured via a molding process -- a mold is created with your specific personalized message, logo, etc., from which many copies of your bracelet can be made. Printed bracelets, however, are generally made using a silk-screen process, which does not require the creation of a prototype or mold, simply a stencil. Why is this important? Primarily, because the manufacturing process used effects the price. This means that embossed and debossed personalized bracelets usually cost more to purchase than silk-screen printed bracelets, because a separate mold must be created -- printed bracelets require only the preparation of a stencil. For this reason, if you only need small quantities of a personalized bracelet (for example, to give away at a family reunion) and your finances are limited, printed bracelets are a better choice. But if you can afford to pay more -- and especially if you want a minimum of several hundred personalized bracelets, you can go ahead and purchase an embossed or debossed silicone rubber bracelet. Personalized and Printed Bracelets: the Issue of Returns One of the things that you need to keep in mind about all types of personalized bracelets is that the manufacturer cannot resell your bracelet to someone else, simply because your bracelets contain your own personalized message. For this reason it may not be possible for you to return unsold printed bracelets or silicone bracelets if they have been personalized. So, if you are going to try to sell printed bracelets as a part of your group/organization fundraising effort, you need to consider very carefully what will happen if you have many bracelets that remain unsold. What are you going to do with them? Printed Bracelets -- Will They Last? One of the most common misunderstandings about printed bracelets is that the advertising slogan or message printed on them will not last -- some people seem to feel that the embossed or debossed bracelet message is preferable. But keep in mind that modern methods of printing, combined with technological advances and new ink formulations mean that that your message on asilk-screened printed bracelet is NOT going to wear off -- if you purchase your printed bracelets from a reliable manufacturer/dealer. So here is my recommendation: contact a few printed bracelet manufacturers and request some samples -- when they arrive, check them for the durability of their printing. If you have small kids, let them wear those sample bracelets around for a while -- then check on those printed bracelet samples after a couple of weeks to see how the printing is holding up. Of course, if you are going to do this, you will need to request your samples at least a few months in advance before you will need to place your actual printed bracelet order. One final note: because it is the MESSAGE that is important with printed bracelets, make sure that your order is checked thoroughly when it arrives -- make sure your company/organization name is spelled correctly, that the colors are what you ordered, but the printing is the right size, that your company/group logo has reproduced correctly, etc. If you find any mistakes, contact the manufacturer of your printed bracelets RIGHT AWAY to request a replacement order.
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