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The most successful branded merchandise ideas bake in the DNA of your brand, your audience and the context in which they are given. They ooze your story and make your recipient feel something.<\/p>\n
That’s why dreaming up unique, creative promo products ideas is so tough. Sometimes you miss the mark and the items end up in the trash<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, when you get your giveaway ideas really right, they take on a life of their own. Not only is there immediate social buzz but also ongoing use by your audience, which gives long-term brand impressions from your corporate gifts. But this doesn’t happen with mass produced products<\/a>. You need promo items that force you to stop and take notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 12 Immutable Laws Of Trade Show, Conference & Event Giveaways<\/a> details how to achieve this perfect fit between your corporate gift ideas, your audience and your situational context\u2014all with swag ideas for brands such as Apple, Google and Netflix.<\/p>\n But these 12 ideas were so very specific to each brand, audience and event that we thought you might like to see a big list of cool promotional products ideas with broader appeal to really get your creative juices flowing.<\/p>\n Check out these 85 branding ideas for your business:<\/p>\n When Monotype, the brand behind more than 20,000 typefaces, introduced Quire Sans, it needed some special swag to get the buzz going at an upcoming tradeshow. Since \u201cquire\u201d is a classical term for a signature of printed leaves, folded and ready for binding with other signatures into a book or manuscript, a bookmark was a natural fit. Read the entire story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Whether you’re hosting a VIP party, networking event at a tradeshow or even an employee appreciation event, wristbands are an easy way to identify who\u2019s in\u2026and who\u2019s out. But most of the time, event managers use those generic, disposable Tyvek wristbands. Boring!\u00a0Why not design fashionable wristbands that not only serve their admittance purpose but also become part of the event swag\u2014and support your brand in the process?<\/p>\n Retail-inspired branded wristbands are\u00a0perfect for a VIP area at festivals, event-only areas at a restaurant\/bar\/club, or an exclusive celebrity meet-and-greet prior to a keynote presentation. You can also include them in swag bags for corporate sales meetings or even use them in different colors for teambuilding experiences.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an annoyance we\u2019ve all faced: The tangled, ungainly mess that happens when headphones have been carelessly tossed into a backpack. Often, untangling them is such a hassle that\u00a0it feels easier to go out and buy a new pair rather than waste another second on the snarly situation. But there’s a simple solution: The handy headphone wrap. Give these babies away and say goodbye to tangles and hello to a useful branding tool that’s guaranteed to be kept and used.<\/p>\n While this example from Klug showroom<\/a>\u00a0features a laser engraved musical note, just swap that out with a company logo to make it brand ready.<\/p>\n Most conference attendees tend to bring one business card case for their own cards and just shove others\u2019 cards in their backpack or jacket pocket. The result? A jumbled mix of cards that’s not only hard to arrange but relatively easy to lose. Instead, consider bringing a second laser cut business card case to catch all the business cards you receive during the conference so you can easily sort through them later when you\u2019re back at the hotel.\u00a0Go with a solid wooden one, or add branding to a soft material such as ultrasuede to look extra swish.<\/p>\n In this digital age, if you think people no longer print photos, you’re wrong. In fact, print isn’t dead; it’s better than ever. “We may no longer print every photo by default, but this can actually be a good thing for printing,” says Daven Mathies in this Digital Trends article<\/a>. “It is now about quality rather than quantity, and the pictures we choose to print deserve the best treatment. Honestly, there has never been a better time to print than now, thanks to technological advances in both digital cameras and inkjet printers.”<\/p>\n With photos being carefully curated, the right picture frame is just as important. And when done right, these frames can be an amazing branding tool.Laser cutting offers fantastic potential for creative customized picture frame solutions. There are several approaches to take, from material selection and cut path complexity to laser-etched details.<\/p>\n These frames were a\u00a0NOTlabs<\/a>\u00a0project produced for the\u00a0Brevity Jewelry<\/a>\u00a0New York Gift Fair booth.\u00a0(Read all about the process here<\/a>.) While these frames weren’t designed with logos or corporate gift giving in mind, you can easily imagine mini logos being seamlessly interwoven into a border design or an event name and year laser engraved as a keepsake memento.<\/p>\n Keeping track of dates, schedules and all those important calendar entries are sometimes best left to digital devices. However, the utility of having a physical calendar within eyeshot still runs true no matter how fancy the latest app download promises to be. Laser cut desktop calendars become not only an interesting focal point for the office space, but they also provide key information about the past and the future that keeps the productivity flowing.<\/p>\n This elegantly simple perpetual calendar made available on Laser Cut Plans by\u00a0Renan Roza<\/a>nte<\/a>\u00a0lends itself well to custom laser etched details. This design would work just as nicely laser cut from acrylic, with the wide number of options available in the Ponoko Materials Library.<\/a>\u00a0Just add a company logo or a workplace tagline and you’ve got an ideal item to include in employee onboarding gift bags.<\/p>\n Keeping time is an important part of any work day, and it is handy to have a dedicated clock<\/a> to let you know at a glance how the day is tracking. Laser cutting has long provided designers and brands with interesting possibilities for custom timepieces,\u00a0whether through material usage or the addition of laser etched details to enhance the clock mechanism.<\/p>\n This retro-styled desk clock by RolphLaserCreations<\/a>\u00a0makes neat use of traditional laser cut assembly methods while still holding true to a\u00a0mid-century design aesthetic.\u00a0The ubiquitous nature of dials and numbers means that it can be quite refreshing to visualize clocks in a different way from time to time.<\/p>\n The workplace is an area where calendars and clocks can create interest and personal connections. By designing these products for laser cutting and incorporating laser etched personalization, your brand can become a part of the daily grind in a positive, functional way.<\/p>\n Made from 301 stainless steel, this\u00a0American Flag Card<\/a>\u00a0from READYMAN is a no-nonsense, seriously tough keepsake that can be used as a tracing template or as a decorative object in its own right. While we love the patriotic starts and strips design, it’s just one of the millions of options you can create. Perhaps you laser cut your name and laser engrave your contact details for an unmistakeable and unforgettable business card.<\/p>\n Bet ya haven’t seen a holiday card like this. Inspired by the ruler\/stencil combos of our youth, this memorable brand booster was made for Division of<\/a> and appeared on NotCot<\/a>.<\/p>\n For an even more creative take on the concept, laser cut a branded stencil with various sizes of your logo and pair it with a pocket-sized sketch book and colored pencils for a creative conference giveaway. Give attendees the opportunity to create a unique drawing using the stencil, then have the rest of the attendees vote on the most original design. You could even use a special hashtag to encourage social shares. The design with the most votes and shares is then awarded a special prize at the conclusion of the event. Not only does this build an interactive component to the conference, it also includes a little bit of friendly competition.<\/p>\n Having a chat with a drink in hand is an important part of any networking event. Indeed, sometimes the most progress is made during those in-between moments when people tend to be a little more relaxed. How can laser cutting make this even better?\u00a0Cups With Bite<\/em> are a clever innovation from Shy Shadow that add a little extra to the everyday cup in a light-hearted, fun kind of way.<\/p>\n The paper strips featuring iconic silhouettes of safari animals quickly wrap around the cups to become not only a novel way to identify which drink is yours but also provide a surface for adding doodles or text to further engage and personalize.<\/p>\n This is another great example of how a familiar, unremarkable item can become a memorable focal point through creative use of laser cutting. Whether a cup has water, coffee or something with a bit more of a kick in it, chances are your company will stick in peoples’ minds if you add a twist of fun to the social side of a networking event.<\/p>\n Coffee connoisseurs are always in need of a cozie to insulate hands from hot java. Why not make a reusable sleeve with some flair? The snaps on this design are functional yet add an industrial vibe. Engrave a corporate logo, and you\u2019ll have one good-looking promotional product for brands and agencies.<\/p>\n Christmas ornaments may be traditional, but these high-design examples from\u00a0Eight Seven Central<\/a>\u00a0are anything but. Those clever cats could have stopped with simply laser cutting interesting shapes. Nope. They put their design skills to work and created custom graphics that are hand silk-screened on to each piece for truly original hanging works of art. Read more about their work here<\/a>.<\/p>\n If picking out holiday greetings for your customers turns you into Ebenezer Scrooge, not to worry. All you need is some Christmas spirit\u2014and festive design skills. Check out how this laser cut MDF slotted Christmas tree design turns an otherwise 2D holiday greeting card into a 3D displayable decoration.<\/p>\n Robots are intriguing and get people interested in your product (and therefore brand), which is the whole point of promotional products. Think about it this way, if a conference swag bag included both a pen and a robot kit, which one would you be talking about? Check out these really cool robots by Dickson Chow<\/a>\u00a0that not only look good but also have a functional purpose, too. They help recipients remember to water their plants! Combine this kind of usefulness with design flair and that’s a recipe for a successful brand builder.<\/p>\n Hosting a VIP bash for your customers? How you invite them to this exclusive event sets the tone for all that follows (including any other promotional products that support the celebration). This two-color acrylic invite has an elegance and presence that paper simply doesn’t have. And although the invite above is for a wedding, this concept can easily transferred to a premium invite or ticket for festive corporate functions.<\/p>\n This charming bookmark\u00a0proves that the right simple design can make a big impact. While these page holders make great teacher gifts and birthday party favors, they also make smart\u00a0promotional products or direct mail pieces because\u00a0they easily fit in an envelope and can be personalized with additional text.<\/p>\n It may be the digital age, but pen and paper continue to be welcome gifts in conference swag bags. Yet today’s event attendee doesn’t want just any ole journal. Beautify traditional note takers while giving extra protection by custom cutting a book cover with graphic elements and engraving. To get the mat board to bend around the journal spine, design a living hinge<\/a>, which uses a series of strategically placed cuts that builds in flexibility to an otherwise stiff material. The results\u2014of both the living hinge and the color contrast with engraving\u2014are beautiful.<\/p>\n While slapping a logo on a generic object doesn’t tend to inspire interest, it doesn’t mean that common objects such as keyrings can’t still work\u2014if the concept aligns with your brand. The pixel-shaped edges on this heart keychain give a nod to gamers while demonstrating why solid shapes are a great fit for hardwoods<\/a>. The overall shape is simple; that’s why we love it. And it’s likely there is a customer base out there that will, too.<\/p>\n Packaging. It\u2019s often taken for granted as merely something that protects a product during transit and stacks nicely on store shelves. Yes, it\u2019s functional. But it can do so much more. Packaging, like promotional products, is a tangible extension of your brand. So it’s important to not only use it to functionally support your star products but also include a custom design that celebrates them.<\/p>\n When you think of refrigerator magnets, the white rectangle imprinted with the pizza delivery’s phone number often comes to mind. And while these stock magnets are functionally sound, there’s often no pizzazz. But adding a little zing is easier than you think. Laser cutting allows any shape to be custom cut, completely freeing designs from those limited to stock shapes in a catalog\u2014all with the texture of metallic looking materials\u2014that will stand out from the rest.<\/p>\n Do you have protection? Phone protection, that is.\u00a0Everyone these days has a phone, and some even have two to separate business communication from personal use. With so much of our lives wrapped up in these digital devices, you gotta keep ’em safe. And felt is an ideal material because its softness keeps phones free from scratches and damage. The bonus: It also looks quite cool when engraved, so incorporating branding into a laser cut design is easy peasy.<\/p>\n While some don’t want phone sleeves since they’re not attached to the device, a snap-on case provides additional protection without much bulk for those of us who drop phones far more than they should. These blank canvases are ideal branding opportunities, but keep in mind that phone covers are a very personal choice that reflects a person’s style. A bold design with understated corporate branding will go a long way toward being a well-loved promotional item.<\/p>\n Bags generate 5,700+ impressions in the U.S., according to the Advertising Specialty Institute<\/a>. That’s more than any other promotional item. While not a traditional bag (that everyone already has, btw), these felt pouches are a convenient way to deliver conference materials such as schedule of events, tradeshow floor plan and vendor coupons in an easy-to-distribute envelope style. Add a\u00a0logo or event name laser engraved on the flap, and the result is a memorable brand builder that will be used again and again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Wooden handbags may not be on your radar as promotional products. But customized with an understated logo design, you’ve got a business gift that almost no one has. What other product can boast that?<\/p>\n Because of the complexity of the design (and budget required), these bags wouldn’t be given en mass. Rather, these are best suited to small audiences you really want to impress. While these bags are definitely unconventional, we’ll wager that any fashion-conscious audience would L.O.V.E. to get their hands on one.<\/p>\n Of all the promotional products on the market, lampshades probably don’t come to mind. But here’s why you should give this unconventional idea a second look and show customers\u00a0how working with your biz will light up their life.<\/p>\n What if you received a package and the box was imprinted with “bright ideas inside.” You’d be tempted to look, right? Then once inside, there would be instructions for an “illuminating experience.” Who wouldn’t play along!<\/p>\n The final shape could be a simple geometric form like this one cut from matte turquoise acrylic with an understated logo smartly interwoven into etched details. Or depending on logo composition, the pieces could combine into a likeness of your brand icon.<\/p>\n Either way, recipients will be intrigued.\u00a0The act of building something into a physical object seems to imbue it with additional value above and beyond its inherent quality, which researchers dub the \u201cIKEA effect<\/a>.\u201d Talk about a win-win. Not only will recipients love the promotional gift more because they put it together, but they’ll also remember your brand. And that’s the power of promo.<\/p>\n Here’s another bright (promotional) idea. The desk is coveted real estate space, and it takes a really cool desk accessory to make the cut.\u00a0Designed as part of the Stanford Product Realization Lab<\/a>‘s\u00a0laser-cutting curriculum, this teeny lamp could light the way in your next successful branding campaign.<\/p>\n While traditional coasters are limited to imprints on stock shapes, laser cut coasters allow the actual design to become the product. Cut from eco-friendly bamboo, these leaves could easily be a logo for a landscaping company or a sustainable construction firm. The beauty of the design is the key for getting these promotional products kept and used by recipients.<\/p>\n Along those same lines, you could enlarge the coaster design to turn it into a trivet. Perfect for cooking conference attendees or if you’d like to show customers that you serve up a smorgasbord of delicious ideas.<\/p>\n These days, leather colors aren’t limited to shades of brown, grey and black. Eye-catching colors are available, too. These colorful coasters from Etsy seller LazerDesigns<\/a>\u00a0demonstrate just how great laser engraving looks on leather. And by offering them in a set, there’s a higher perceived value by recipients.<\/p>\n What’s one of the easiest ways to help event attendees break the ice, get comfortable participating in activities and capture all the fun for social media? Photo booths! When done right, they’re a marketing trifecta for just about any kind of event from annual sales meetings and trade shows to education forums and corporate retreats. But you’ll need some props to entice engagement.<\/p>\n Perhaps some brightly colored laser cut sunglasses? What about laser cut top hats and bowties that are engraved with your company logo? Designing speech bubbles with the company tag line or that say “I Love XYZ Company!” would be fun, and photogenic, too.<\/p>\n If you like the concept of a flat-packed products, bowls are another option that can showcase your good taste. Talking to foodies? It’s a fruit bowl. Gardeners your target market? It’s a potted plant adornment. Got the ear of engineers? It’s a puzzle. Oh the possibilities. It’s all about how you frame it for your audience. Get it? Frame…<\/p>\n Hosting a casino night event? Rather than off-the-shelf chips, take the opportunity to incorporate your brand with custom gaming tokens. While\u00a0MSRaynsford<\/a>\u00a0designed these tokens specifically as counters for the Tigris and Euphrates game, you can use them as inspiration for creating your own logoed tokens. Use them during games at team-building events, or hand them out at education conferences when audience members correctly answer questions as a modern take on getting a gold star.<\/p>\n If you’re looking for an executive gift that’s no gamble, you’ll be aces with this Fancy<\/a>\u00a0laser engraved wooden deck of cards. If you’re designing your own 52 words of art, wouldn’t it be fun for the face cards’ clothing to be designed with mini logos artistically placed throughout? And here’s a great networking idea: Give conference attendees a card at registration, then\u00a0encourage interaction by getting each person \u00a0to find their matching suites or styles.<\/p>\n If you really want your corporate jewelry to make a statement without being so obviously branded, the\u00a0<\/span>waveform necklace<\/a>\u00a0is one of the coolest concepts we’ve seen. The auditorily acute peeps over at Soundwave.love take voice recordings and turn them into\u00a0custom-made bracelets, necklaces or keychains using laser cut wood or acrylic disks that are sized and arranged to match the soundwave patterns of the voice recording. Every piece is 100% unique based on the individual’s voice and the words said. Brilliant!<\/span><\/p>\n Applications? Bosses can give words of thanks and praise to their employees on milestone work anniversaries. A president of a board of directors could use them as service gifts for board members with a phrase that is meaningful to their board term.<\/p>\n Conferences could use them as VIP gifts or sell them as commemorative mementos with the conference name, year and theme\/tagline. Do a new version each year and turn them into a collectible series that attendees can use as conversation starters during networking events by inquiring which year each person is wearing.<\/p>\n Knitting needles come in a variety of sizes, from the small, thin varieties for tightly woven projects to the large and wide options for chunky construction. While it would seem logical for knitting needles to be marked with the size, it’s often not the case. Thus the need for a knitting needle gauge\u2014and a branding opportunity for those companies targeting yarn crafters.<\/p>\n Another measuring tool that we’ve seen a supissing amoutn of people laser cut is a needle gaude. Clearly quite a speicifc market, but if your audinece is into needlework then there is endless room for custom versoins of this type of product. Due to the small size and the need for accuracy this is well suited to laser cutting .<\/p>\n Material choice is an important consideration when laser cutting knitting needle gauges. The swirl acrylic in the previous example is so bold that the design remains simple so that the material can be the star. But in this TARDIS<\/a>-inspired gauge from Etsy seller\u00a0Tangerine8<\/a>, the wood is the perfect backdrop to let the police call box design shine through. The addition of the company website fits perfectly within the layout, giving it a hint of branding without being overpowering.<\/p>\n This fetching set of Venetian Blinders may look like something from a 1980s music video, but in actual fact it was featured at The Future Is Here,<\/a> a 2013 design exhibition showcasing digital manufacturing.<\/p>\n Agencies and brands can take inspiration from cleverly simple laser cut products like this. Finding a way to play on their debatable merits as a fashion accessory, they are a perfect example of what can be made at high volume and low cost.<\/p>\n Creating promotional products ideas that show off your technical and creative skills in a fun, playful way is made even more memorable if your clients can wear it home.<\/p>\n For executive gifts to make a lasting impression, it can help to find a clever way to surprise and delight recipients. Take this example from Canadian ad agency Grey<\/a> who created a memorable direct mail product that references the client’s historical association with vinyl records.<\/p>\n A very basic but fully functional record player folds out from a sleeve containing the 45rpm single. Manually operated, the hollow space in the folded card amplifies the sound. According to Geoff Dawson from Grey:<\/p>\n “It’s actually shocking how good the sound quality is, it took a long time of playing with different materials and designs to get the audio just right.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n For a little more on the Grey player and how it kept customers in the groove, check out the brief review on Modular 4.<\/a><\/p>\n Take this idea for a spin or use it as inspiration for\u00a0making simplified interpretations of other familiar domestic products.<\/p>\n The tactile satisfaction of a physical stamp can help give your brand a memorable impact. The example above includes a simple but cleverly designed laser cut ergonomic handle which also has several surfaces where further branding or information can be laser etched.<\/p>\n Whether laser etched stamps are produced as promotional items to be given away or as a tool to apply branding onto media for prospective customers, there is a novel human element to it that can communicate at a deeper level than conventional printed materials.<\/p>\n Creative modern interpretations of seemingly superseded technologies are a great way to make your brand stand apart from the competition.<\/p>\n Whether you are actual royalty or just a regular Joe, on certain occasions there can be something special about slipping a crown onto your head. As this example from Art We Heart shows, there is scope to include considerable complexity (and therefore artistic expression and identity) when using laser cutting in this way.<\/p>\n Laser cut crowns are a cost-effective way to transform customers into proud, willing and eye-catching roving brand ambassadors that will make heads turn. Let your fans make a regal impact wearing your company’s brand messaging at the next big trade show or industry event.<\/p>\n Giving your clients a quick and easy construction project can be a fun way to ensure your message will be remembered. This effective example of a pop-out chair from seier+seier<\/a> was produced as a Christmas card and includes straightforward assembly instructions and branding etched onto the remaining material.<\/p>\n As a cute little extra, an additional card featured a bonus pop-out cat to sit on the assembled chair.<\/p>\n Using\u00a0laser cutting<\/a>, you can create branded merchandise that can ecreaasily be transformed from 2D to 3D by the end user. These kinds of interactive designs are great way to make a lasting impression.<\/p>\n When exchanging business cards with someone, what information about you do they really need? In a world where connected devices are within reach at all times, perhaps your most critical info is your online presence.<\/p>\n Gabe Ferreira<\/a> reduced his key details down to a personal website address and then maxed out the text to fill the area of a traditional business card.\u00a0In his own words:<\/p>\n “…there is no distinction between content and material. The cards are more durable and cheaper to produce than most ‘premium’ business cards.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n To give brand identities a strong visual presence, this example from Gabe shows how clever laser cutting will really stand apart from the more familiar printed alternatives.<\/p>\n When an image is laser etched it takes on a whole new emotive feel, as many artists have demonstrated in recent years. This example from Malaysian laser cutting service Passion Woody<\/a> uses a clever combination of photographic imagery with laser cut and etched wood.<\/p>\n It is a simple but very effective technique that gives the printed material a depth and visual presence that really catches the eye. Using laser cutting and etching in a selective way to enhance key aspects of an image enables your brand messaging to have a totally different impact.<\/p>\n Distributing large files on optical media continues to provide significant bang for your buck… even in these times of ever-cheaper flash storage. So if you’re still using discs as a way to distribute your digital wares, why not show off some creative flair with the packaging that goes along with your promotional CD, DVD or Blu-Ray?<\/p>\n The particularly refined laser cut case pictured above comes from designer Jazz Tigen<\/a>, and it is a great example of the impact that can be achieved when you break away from the standard DVD sleeve.<\/p>\n Here are a few more approaches that others have taken in creating unique CD and DVD sleeves through clever use of laser cutting such as these\u00a0by Sarah Holbrook<\/a>.<\/p>\n The dark colors used by Stine Strand<\/a> allow the contrast of the bright colors to show through.<\/p>\n The circle design by Neslihan Ulus<\/a> has a subtle cool vibe.<\/p>\n Flowers in a vase can mean so many things, and bringing a beautiful snippet of nature into our lives has a unique magic to it. Where to put those flowers can be as personal as the choice of flowers themselves, but sometimes it can help to give people something to work with.<\/p>\n As we’ve seen many times before, laser cutting is a great way to quickly achieve novel 3D forms from sheet materials. These vase examples from\u00a0Colin Francis<\/a> and Chromatophobic<\/a> use a test tube as the vessel, with a laser cut structure to hold it in place.<\/p>\n How would you use this as inspiration for your own creative promotional product ideas? To get you started, imagine placing branding on a slot-together structure that assembles around a standard water bottle, which can then become a functional keepsake for conference attendees or clients to take home with them.<\/p>\n Rewarding people for their hard work or congratulating team members on a particular achievement has greater impact when something tangible can be handed over. If the presentation item is good enough, hopefully it will be retained and proudly put on display to share with others.<\/p>\n With even the most straightforward use of laser cutting and laser etching, awards and trophies can be easily customized. Identifying the event and naming the recipient in crisp, clean laser precision adds a perceived authenticity to the trophy. We’ve come a long way from hand-engraved brass name plates glued to a generic cup!<\/p>\n Pictured above is a laser etched award plaque-in-progress by Epilog Laser.<\/a> For more creative approaches, check out their other examples and think about how you could make the most of laser cutting to give your next presentation ceremony a memorable impact.<\/p>\n Attending a conference or event involves many layers of social nuance. As these laser cut and etched examples show, with a little creativity and planning in advance you can find all kinds of ways to make personal identification novel and memorable.<\/p>\n Pictured above are samples from the Engraved<\/em> project by John T Kim.<\/a>\u00a0The clean graphic impact of this design and the way that it has used the precision of laser etching are a good reference point.<\/p>\n Quirky Etsy laser cutters\u00a0Cropscotch have taken the traditional name tag and given it a laser etched makeover.<\/p>\n Here’s another traditional name tag, where a section of the contour that has been laser cut to break free from the standard rectilinear format. This works well with the laser etched artwork, while leaving plenty of space for primary and secondary lines of text. A nicely resolved example from Dominion Stamps.<\/a><\/p>\n Here are some wedding name tags produced by DoES Liverpool<\/a> that will be standing up long after the guests have gone wobbly at the knees.<\/p>\n These name tags have that iconic laser cut look to them, and were quite a hit at the OKFestival<\/a>\u00a0event in Finland.<\/p>\n Taking a similar approach but with a more refined outcome, these name stencils from Miss Bold<\/a> encourage the recipient to use the laser cut trinket for further acts of identification.<\/p>\n This creative promotional product idea is a bit more involved than laser cut or laser etched wood, but as you’ll see, the extra effort is well worthwhile. Produced for a kids workshop at FabLab Aachen, the LED illuminated name tags have laser etched details that light up when a cleverly integrated circuit is activated. The battery is held in place by the wire legs of the LEDs, so there’s no soldering required. Check out the design in detail over on Instructables.<\/a><\/p>\n Celebrating a company’s milestones and achievements, the annual report is an important document that can be further enhanced through clever use of laser cutting. By using typographic voids, multicolored layering and other similar techniques familiar to laser cutting designers, the published information becomes interesting and eye-catching in a way that invites the reader to explore further.<\/p>\n Pictured above are examples of laser cut cover artwork on annual reports and cataloges from\u00a0Under Consideration<\/a> (top-left) and\u00a0Croatian Post<\/a> (lower-right) as well as internal content from Pelayo Insurance (top-right) and the\u00a0Zuiderzee\u00a0Museum<\/a> (lower-left).\u00a0We can see in these different approaches that selective application of laser cut elements can help to give a sense of prestige and style to the printed material.<\/p>\n High contrast laser cut layers are really visually effective and unusual materials mean recipients are more inclined to display and keep them.<\/p>\n Laser cut and etched wood has a striking impact all on its own, but as this example from San Francisco creative duo b-spired shows, adding in a backing layer of bright colored card really makes things pop.<\/p>\n Enhancing the crisp lines and bold negative space that is such a strength of laser cutting, the layered card creates a high-contrast visual impact that completely transforms the natural tone of the timber. The same effect will be equally impressive when applied to other popular laser cutting materials such as acrylic and metals.<\/p>\n These greeting cards and invitations also have a sturdy backing and a neat little pop-out stand, because when something looks this good, chances are high that people will want to display them.<\/p>\n Imagine how this technique would look when applied to corporate identities and company artwork.<\/p>\n While there are some people who don’t give the humble mobile much thought outside of a baby’s nursery, for others the transformation that takes place as an object floats delicately through the air can be quite mesmerising.<\/p>\n Mobiles can take on many forms, as is demonstrated by the playful examples pictured here from Diana Jess aka daswooddesign.\u00a0Hand-made\u00a0from low impact eco-plastic, she used the compositionally friendly arrangement of four floating elements (pictured above), but you can also have just as much impact with five, three, two or even one lone pendant suspension. It all comes down to how interesting your individual items are and how well they balance when suspended.<\/p>\n Many of our favorite\u00a0laser cutting materials are ideal to use in this application, as the silhouette of the object and the negative space around it contribute to creating a dynamic visual impact. The designs from\u00a0daswood<\/a>\u00a0achieve this particularly well, using the strengths of laser cutting to make the most of the chosen material’s physical characteristics.<\/p>\n Where can you suspend this kind of eye-catching merchandise from? Going beyond the standard ceiling mount, there are opportunities around us all the time. See what else you can come up with\u00a0to create a “space modulator” that leaves a lasting impression.<\/p>\n Taking an everyday object and making it big can really change your perspective. The same thinking can be just as effective going the other way–when large objects become interesting and engaging by making them tiny.<\/p>\n No one does this better than the clever makers at Everything Tiny.<\/a> As we can see in the tinysaur<\/a> example above, miniaturisation is an easy way to encourage a fresh, light-hearted response to your brand. Considered use of layering and materials can also help to create more impact,\u00a0and also remember that small items tend to be fragile or easily lost, so a display case of some kind (perhaps laser engraved with a logo?) would be a handy addition.<\/p>\n Tasty treats are a great way to draw a crowd at your tradeshow, and as these playful laser cut cake toppers demonstrate, there can be so much more to the proverbial “cherry on the top” if you’re willing to get creative with laser cutting.<\/p>\n This approach calls for elements that ring true with the strengths of laser cutting: A combination of crisp outlines, bold forms and delicate silhouettes that are uniquely eye-catching. Individual units are also fast and cheap to make, and they will be resilient enough to withstand the rigors of more than a few rounds at events or parties. This makes them a great take-home souvenir or giveaway, with the added memorable twist of your brand being associated in a fun way with a tasty treat.<\/p>\n Using the cupcake as a base for their creative endeavors, John and Christine from Thick and Thin Designs<\/a> have gathered quite a following with their cake toppers on Etsy; a few of which are pictured here. Bringing your\u00a0corporate messaging to life has never been so sweet.<\/p>\n Wondering how to use laser cutting to stand out from the crowd?\u00a0 Check this mini shipping crate out. Complete with cargo inside.<\/p>\n The distribution of creative promotional products can be a powerful marketing tool, with novelty objects triggering conversations between stakeholders in new and interesting ways. When used to full effect, these products become memorable in their own right and, most importantly, this also means the brand identity\u00a0becomes an integral part of the ongoing conversation.<\/p>\n For an exhibition showcasing the best student works titled “D&AD New Blood,” the creative design team from Southampton Solent University incorporated visual, conceptual and sensorial metaphors into their very effective event swag. A neat little laser cut box was produced in the style of the ubiquitous Southampton dock packing crates. Inside, further supporting the theme of “cargo,” nestled a macabre-looking glass vial with the top sealed in wax.<\/p>\n This small bottle of wine continued to play on the New Blood<\/em> idea of creative juices being shipped out. All sealed in a laser cut crate with sliding lid and laser etched details, it held just the right combination of conceptual nostalgia and contemporary novelty to become an effective conversation starter. People loved the diminutive scale and the nonsensical utility of the object. This was all made possible through clever use of laser cutting to increase brand awareness. See more photos of the miniature crates on behance.<\/a><\/p>\n Life-sized laser cutting is pretty darn impressive, especially with shiny lights.<\/p>\n For brands and agencies in the automotive industry, the challenge of finding new ideas for creative promotional products to engage and excite potential customers calls for eye-catching innovations that are able to match the impact of the vehicles themselves.<\/p>\n In a campaign created for the Lexus IS Saloon, the collaborative team from\u00a0LaserCut Works<\/a> and\u00a0Scales & Models<\/a> faithfully reproduced the automotive giant’s flagship vehicle out of cardboard.<\/p>\n Hand assembled from 1,700 individual laser cut pieces, the cardboard replica carries with it the fine contours and perception of energetic motion that is a hallmark of the Lexus brand. For the model makers, the process of exploring the complex three-dimensional design contours using a flat 2D laser cut material gave them an insight into the creative skills of the automotive engineers.<\/p>\n Through this cardboard construction, they were able to create a visually arresting object that is\u00a0“…a celebration of the human craftsmanship skills that go into every car Lexus makes.”<\/em><\/p>\n1. Custom Leather Bookmarks<\/h3>\n
![\"monotype-quire-sans-bookmark\"](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Monotype-Quire-Sans-Bookmark-1-768x1024-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2. Branded Wristbands<\/h3>\n
![\"Herbalife](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Herbalife-Bracelet-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. Laser Cut Headphone Wraps<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-Klug-showroom.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4. Business Card Holders<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-Bone-Ultrasuede-Card-Case.jpg\")
<\/p>\n5. Commemorative Frames<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-Brevity-Jewelry-Frames02.jpg\")
<\/a><\/h2>\n6. Laser Cut Desktop Calendars<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"http:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/9to5-laser-cut-perpetual-calendar-e1473164563109.jpg\")
<\/p>\n7. Retro Table Clocks<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-Clock-RolphLaserCreations.jpg\")
<\/p>\n8. Laser Cut Stencils<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-readyman-stencil.jpg\")
<\/p>\n9. Brand Boosting Ruler\/Stencil Combo<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-decoration-ruler.jpg\")
<\/p>\n10. Paper Cup Sleeves<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/cwb_safari_05-e1427103862212.jpg\")
<\/p>\n11. Reusable Coffee Cup Cozies<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-coffee-sleeves-.jpg\")
<\/p>\n12. Silk-Screened Holiday Ornaments<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-Eight-Seven-Central-Ornament.png\")
<\/p>\n13. Laser Cut Holiday Decorations<\/h3>\n
![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Custom-Printed-Materials-4-Christmas-Tree.jpg\")
<\/p>\n14. Laser Cut Robots<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-Robots-Dickson-Chow-.jpg\")
<\/p>\n15. Two-Color Acrylic Invitations<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-Invitations-.jpg\")
<\/p>\n16. Laser Cut Bamboo Bookmarks<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-bookmark.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n17. Custom Book Covers<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-book-cover.jpg\")
<\/p>\n18. Audience Specific Keyrings<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-Keyring-.jpg\")
<\/p>\n19. Custom Laser Cut Packaging<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-Packaging-.jpg\")
<\/p>\n20. Premium Magnets<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-Premuim-Magnets-.jpg\")
<\/p>\n21. Felt Phone Sleeves<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-phone-case.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n22. Laser Cut Phone Cases<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-phone-cover.jpg\")
<\/p>\n23. Custom Envelope Pouch<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-custom-pouch.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\n24. Wooden Living Hinge Bag<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-wooden-Bag.jpg\")
<\/p>\n25. Flat-Pack Lampshade<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-lampshade.jpg\")
<\/p>\n26. Kerf Cut Teeny Lamp<\/h3>\n
![\"Laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Laser-Cut-Products-16-Stanford-Teeny-Lamp-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n27. Laser Cut Coasters Or Trivets<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-trivet.jpg\")
<\/p>\n28. Custom Coaster Sets<\/h3>\n
![\"Laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Laser-Cut-Products-30-LazerDesigns-Promotional-Coasters.jpg\")
<\/p>\n29. Photo Booth Props<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-costume-props.jpg\")
<\/p>\n30. Laser Cut Acrylic Bowls<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-bowl.jpg\")
<\/p>\n31. Game Tokens<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-decoration-game-tokens.jpg\")
<\/p>\n32. Playing Cards<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-wooden-playing-cards.jpg\")
<\/p>\n33. Soundwave Jewelry<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-soundwave-necklace.png\")
<\/p>\n34. Acrylic Knitting Needle Gauge<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-acrylic-needle-gauge.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n35. Wooden Knitting Needle Gauge<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/creative-promotional-product-ideas-decoration-needle-gauge.jpg\")
<\/p>\n36. Custom Sunglasses<\/h3>\n
![\"custom](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Laser-Cut-Shades1-e1421840034667.jpg\")
<\/p>\n37. Pop-Up Record Player<\/h3>\n
![\"pop-up](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/ggrp_0703.jpg\")
<\/p>\n38. Laser Cut & Engraved Stamps<\/h3>\n
![\"custom](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/11c2733206f49b6900394a6f17b732eb-e1423445073346.jpg\")
<\/p>\n39. Laser Cut Paper Crowns<\/h3>\n
![\"paper](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/1_Product_1024x1024-e1424230239997.jpg\")
<\/p>\n40. Laser Cut Pop-Up Chair Card<\/h3>\n
![\"laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/seier-seier-chair-card-e1424348513192.jpg\")
<\/p>\n41. Business Cards With Just The Key Details<\/h3>\n
![\"laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/GabeFerreira_Cards_1-e1424430385569.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
42. Multi-Layered Laser Cut & Etched Images<\/h3>\n
![\"multi-layered](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/940_495_penang-bridge-e1427110993671.jpg\")
<\/p>\n43. Laser Cut DVD Sleeves<\/h3>\n
![\"laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/dvd01-platten-e1431952272596.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Holbrook-laser-cut-sleeve-e1431953109404.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Strand-cd-sleeve-e1431953169258.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"promotional](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Ulus-laser-cut-sleeve-e1431953216604.jpg\")
<\/p>\n44. Laser Cut Flat-Pack Vases<\/h3>\n
![\"laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/ponoko-laser-cut-vase-x2-e1432901602122.jpg\")
<\/p>\n45. Laser Cut & Laser Etched Awards & Trophies<\/h3>\n
![\"promotional](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/award-engraving11-e1433804978125.jpg\")
<\/p>\n46. Laser Cut & Engraved Business Cards<\/h3>\n
![\"creative](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/laser-engraved-name-tags2-e1435324428853.jpg\")
<\/p>\n47. Key Rings<\/h3>\n
![\"corporate](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/laser-cut-nametag-cropscotch-e1435324757405.jpg\")
<\/p>\n48. Name Tags<\/h3>\n
![\"wood](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/laser-Engraved-Wood-Name-Tags-e1435324946463.jpg\")
<\/p>\n49. Place Names<\/h3>\n
![\"wedding](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/laser-cut-3d-names-e1435325347456.jpg\")
<\/p>\n50. Conference Badges<\/h3>\n
![\"wood](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/laser-cut-okfestival2012-e1435325943333.jpg\")
<\/p>\n51. Stencils<\/h3>\n
![\"name](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/laser-cut-Name-Stencils-6-e1435326271617.jpg\")
<\/p>\n52. Illuminated Signs & Labels<\/h3>\n
![\"ED](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/laser-cut-nametag-lightup-e1435326701736.jpg\")
<\/p>\n53. Laser Cut Annual Reports & Catalogues<\/h3>\n
![\"annual](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Laser-Cut-Annual-Reports.jpg\")
<\/p>\n54. Laser Cut Cards<\/h3>\n
![\"high](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/b-spired-laser-cut-layers-e1438039087850.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n55. Laser Cut Mobiles<\/h3>\n
![\"laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/laser-cut-robot-mobile-das-wood.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"mobiles\"](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/laser-cut-mobiles-das-wood.jpg\")
<\/p>\n56. Scale Models<\/h3>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/tinysaur-1024x679.jpg\")
<\/p>\n57. Cake Toppers<\/h3>\n
![\"laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/laser-cut-cake-topper1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"laser](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/laser-cut-cake-topper-collage.jpg\")
<\/p>\n58. Tiny Boxes<\/h3>\n
![\"event](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/new-blood-laser-cut-1a.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"event](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/new-blood-laser-cut-c1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n59. To Scale Models<\/h3>\n
![\"lexus](\"http:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/lexus-cardboard-car-1024x562.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n