Markham Trophy Inc | Awards, Engraving and Promotional Products: Blog

Your Graphic & Web Design Cheat Sheet

4 days ago

The world of graphic and web design is complicated and there is a lot of terminology out there to learn. To help you out, we’ve put together a cheat sheet with answers to some of the top graphic...

Case Study: It's Raining Cats and Dogs

Jul 27

Item: Puppies & Kittens Mini Appointment Calendar Client: Pet Food Manufacturer Purpose: Increase pet food sales through goodwill campaign A pet food manufacturer partnered with a nationwide pet...

Case Study: Adventure Awaits

Jul 20

An event promoter was compiling a gift box for top-tier ticket holders for a large-scale national summer concert tour. The Koozie® Adventure Dry Sack 10L was a natural fit for the outdoor lifestyl...

Description: Set of 4 Measuring Cups Industry: Hospitality / Tourism What it was purchased for: A casino in the Milwaukee area wanted to spice up a "normal giveaway" with a theme. They had come to t...

Case Study: Don't Bottle It Up

Jul 05

An oil & gas company was building employee gift packages that would appeal to their entire workforce during the COVID-19 public health crisis. With employees working both at home and continuing to wor...

Case Study: Write to Paradise!

Jun 27

A 5 Star Resort wanted to ensure its guests received the best experience. To encourage feedback on services provided, guests were offered a coupon for use at their next visit in return for comple...

6 Reasons You Need a Company Store

Jun 13

As more and more companies turn towards e-commerce, shopping online has never been easier or more enjoyable. Ordering branded products is no exception! Company stores give you a convenient and complet...

Advice for Getting the Most Out of a Business Trip

Jun 06

Traveling for business can be a hectic experience if you approach your upcoming trip without any preparation. As with everything else in the world, there is an art to getting the most out of business ...

School's in Session: 7 Essential Supplies for Students

May 29

Students are back in the classroom and parents are scrambling to purchase all of the necessary supplies on each teacher’s checklist. From three different types of pencils, calculators, and folde...

7 Promotional Products for Law Firms

May 22

If you're in the law business, you know that brand recognition is everything. In fact, repeat clients and referrals are some of the top avenues through which law firms gain business. If you're looking...

Case Study: Attract New Customers

May 15

As part of their new corporate wellness program, the company wanted to stress the importance of healthy nutrition to its employees. Along with literature, discount memberships at a local health club a...

Case Study: Insuring Happy Employees

May 07

Item: JAFFA® Round Zinc Coaster Purpose: End of year gifts for employees Audience: Insurance firm employees An insurance firm had a particularly prosperous year and wanted to give employees end...

9 Useful Apps for Sales & Marketing Professionals

Apr 30

Your phone’s ringing off the hook. You’ve got three meetings back to back. Emails are piling up in your inbox. And when you have a moment to book your next business trip, you wonder how yo...

5 Fail-Proof Ideas for Your Business Instagram

Apr 22

What generates over 95 million photos and videos each day, 4.2 billion likes daily and has 700 million active users? You guessed it – Instagram. This photo and video sharing social platform have...

4 Ways to Improve Communication

Apr 15

Have you ever had this conversation before? Them: "How are you?" You: "Yes." Or have you ever been in a meeting and realized you zoned out halfway through? Or how about when you’re at the mo...

5 Out of the Box Promotional Products We Love…and You Will Too!

Apr 07

We’ve all been stuck in the same rut while trying to come up with some original ideas to appeal to customers. Are you in need of some extra product inspiration? If so, here’s a little e...

You Can Bank on These 7 Promotional Products

Mar 31

Finance-themed promotional products are a great marketing investment and help increase brand awareness and customer loyalty. These seven products can be used as financial seminar gifts, banking giveaw...

Your Product Decorating Questions Answered

Mar 23

You encounter promo products every single day. You hold them, wear them, and maybe even smell them. But, did you know every one of these products goes through an extensive design process, whether that...

Case Study: YUKON 17 oz. Double Wall Party Cup for the Sustainability Win

Mar 16

Surf-inspired activewear brands like ROXY® are stoked with our YUKON design—fondly known as The Party Cup™. It’s double-wall insulated, so it keeps refreshments cool on the bea...

Why You Should Be Having More Fun at Work

Mar 08

In the past, the words “work” and “fun” were two very different concepts that could never be caught in the same sentence. The old school rationale taught us that if you are enj...

Case Study: Time for a Rebrand

Mar 01

Objective: A university had just completed a major rebrand complete with a new logo and wanted to make sure they had all the necessary branded items for functions throughout the year. They had previou...

5 Outside-the-Box Promotional Products for Your Next School Order

Feb 22

If you’ve ever placed an order for promotional products for a school, you have probably seen your fair share of t-shirts and baseball caps. And trust us, those are definitely important! Wearable...

7 Retro Products That Will Turn Back Time

Feb 14

Do you ever have that moment when you look at something and you get an overwhelming surge of nostalgia? Everyone loves a good throwback, especially when it's a cool, vintage product. Below are seven r...

The Best Promotional Products for Sports Fanatics

Feb 07

With football season right around the corner, people are gearing up to support their favorite teams. Whether they’re grilling hot dogs at a tailgate or cheering in the stands, fans love wearing...

6 Helpful Tips to Address Unhappy Customers

Jan 31

It’s the moment you dread. The phone call you don’t want to pick up. The review you’re scared to address. Responding to unhappy customers seems like a chore. It can be overwhelming...

Drive Traffic with These 6 Trade Show Ideas

Jan 23

Tradeshows are important opportunities for your company to reach out to customers and prospects face-to-face and make lasting impressions. Make sure you’re prepared with the proper supplies to e...

Case Study: Celebrate Milestones

Jan 16

A bank wanted to promote 110 years of serving individuals and businesses in Pennsylvania through an "Open House" celebration at their branches. Among the many products selected to commemorate this mil...

Tasty Products to Satisfy a Sweet Tooth

Jan 08

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser of a promotion, consider candy! Few people can resist the delicious charms of a tasty treat, and giving someone a sweet gift is a great way to have them rem...

Branding 101: What Makes a Brand Powerful

Jan 01

A powerful brand is more than just a great logo and a mission statement (although those certainly lay the groundwork for any brand.) We live in a time where competition rises up on every corner, and t...

Cook Up a Storm With These 5 Promotional Products

Dec 25, 2021

There are hundreds of cooking gadgets that claim to make people’s lives easier but many of them end up collecting dust in the junk drawer. We’ve found the best and most useful kitchen prod...

Case Study: Masks and Casks

Dec 17, 2021

When a distillery was launching a new line of spirits, they collaborated with a large chain of liquor stores to promote their new products. The stores gave all employees PrevaGuard™ Face Masks i...

Know Your Shades: 4 Types of Iconic Sunglasses

Dec 10, 2021

“The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.” - Timbuk 3 Sunglasses have been and always will be one of the most popular promotional products. Why? Because practically everyone wea...

5 Promo Products to Make Your Office Safer for Employees

Dec 03, 2021

As business’ doors open back up and employees step into the office, it’s essential to make sure they feel safe and comfortable as the return to their desks. Whether you own a business that...

5 Healthy Tips for Business Trips

Nov 26, 2021

So, you’re traveling for work again. There are only 365 days in the year, can you recall how many days you’ve been on the road? It doesn’t matter if you are traveling internationall...

Case Study: A Shoe-In

Nov 18, 2021

Golf Mesh Shoe Bag for Association Tournaments A national golf association wanted a giveaway item for golfers in weekend tournaments and high school students considering golf at the collegiate level....

Case Study: Success on Campus

Nov 11, 2021

A large university needed a useful tool to promote its school app to students and faculty because it wanted to use the app to communicate important college news and upcoming events. Since most student...

It's Party Thyme: 7 Products for Plant Lovers

Nov 04, 2021

In recent years, home gardening has gone from a small hobby to a full-blown trend. Houseplants aren’t just beautiful home décor- they’re actually good for your health! Owning indoor...

Case Study: Boosting Trade Show Booth Traffic

Oct 28, 2021

The “Golden Lanyard” to Boosting Trade Show Booth Traffic Organization: Health Care Organization Product Featured: Cotton Water Bottle Strap Goal of Promotion: Driving Traffic ...

Perk up Your Promotions With These 6 Coffee Products

Oct 21, 2021

Coffee enthusiasts will love these promotional products that look like they’re straight from the coffee shop! Millions of people drink coffee and tea every day, even multiple times a day which m...

6 Ways to Get More Done Every Day

Oct 14, 2021

From the moment you get to work in the morning, you’re probably planning all the things you intend to get done. By the time you head home, you may wonder how the day got away from you! We’...

8 Paw-some Promotional Products for Dogs and Dog Lovers

Oct 07, 2021

Whether you work with animals or want to show that your business is pet-friendly, there are plenty of products that will win over every dog breed! Here are 8 of our favorite pet products. Collapsi...

7 Promotional Products For Those On the Go

Sep 30, 2021

According to a 2016 AAA Foundation report, American drivers spend an average of more than 17,600 minutes behind the wheel each year. Now, imagine that someone is looking at products with your logo for...

5 Phone Accessories to Help You Get a Grip

Sep 23, 2021

It’s pretty safe to say that cell phones are a ubiquitous part of everyday life. In any room with more than a few people in it, you’re likely to find a few phone screens lighting up in som...

Case Study: Zip It Up

Sep 16, 2021

Description: Hit Sports Pack with Front Zipper Industry: Broadcast Media/Telecommunication What it was purchased for: A cellular provider needed giveaways for an event at a major university. How it ...

30 Quotes That Will Motivate You to Succeed

Sep 08, 2021

We all want to succeed in business and in life, but sometimes we could use an extra boost of motivation. Some of the most successful people we have ever known have failed many times before succeeding....

Must-Have Promotional Products for the Real Estate Industry

Sep 01, 2021

Real estate promotional products are a memorable way to stay top of mind with your clients by promoting your brand, while also giving something back to your clients. Whether it’s part of a direc...

Case Study: Snack Pack It!

Aug 25, 2021

Vertical Market: Hospitality Product Use: Gift with Enrollment Promotion: An ocean excursion company chose the Igloo® Marine Backpack Cooler as a gift with enrollment for customers participating...

6 Budget-Friendly Products to Drive High-End Sales

Aug 18, 2021

Are you looking for a marketing campaign that is not only successful but budget-friendly? Good news! You don’t have to break the bank to find promotional products that get the job done and leave...

6 Promotional Products to Fit Your Budget

Aug 10, 2021

Branding: it’s something that every company needs but there can be a common misconception that you need a large budget to get started. That’s not the case! Branding and promoting your comp...

Case Study: Fewer Tricks and More Treats: Halloween Safety Lanyard

Aug 03, 2021

Fewer Tricks and More Treats: Halloween Safety Lanyard Organization Insurance Company Product Featured Reflective Lanyard Goal of Promotion Promoting safety on Halloween Description of Case H...

6 Books That Every Business Owner Should Read

Jul 26, 2021

As business owners, it’s crucial to understand the trends that affect your industry and your company. Each day, you consume an incredible amount of data, statistics, and research. However, it&rs...

Branding 101: Let’s Talk Logos

Jul 19, 2021

A logo is often a company’s first impression and it can impact a customer’s perception, purchase decisions and overall attitude toward your company. A logo is a symbol or graphic element t...

10 Promo Products for Auto-Lovers

Jul 12, 2021

Grab your keys and prepare for a Bo Duke slide across the hood of your car. It’s time to take a look at 10 promo products for auto-lovers. For this list, we put together a travel-bag of gear wor...

Case Study: Guess the Flavor Lip Balm

Jul 04, 2021

Guess the Flavor Lip Balm Organization Health Insurance Organization Product Featured Lip Balm & Lip Balm Sleeve Goal of Promotion Generating positive reinforcement with sales reps De...

Case Study: Bringing Back the Fanny Pack

Jun 27, 2021

Market: Entertainment Product Use: Gift With Purchase Promotion: A major theme park chose the Safeguard Security Waist Belt as a gift with purchase for customers who bought season passes. The wais...

Case Study: Snap a Pic!

Jun 20, 2021

Objective: A large photography studio wanted a better welcome kit for their wedding clients than just a few loose flyers. Product: Mini Horizontal Pocket Folder Personalization: The photography stud...

6 Retro Products That Are a Blast From the Past

Jun 13, 2021

No matter what decade you think of when you think of “retro products”, you can bet there’s a customizable product perfect for your next event. Using nostalgia to promote your busines...

7 Promotional Products Perfect for Weddings

Jun 06, 2021

Adding names, monograms, or wedding dates to wedding favors is a great way to increase the wow-factor of any event. After everyone leaves the reception, these personalized gifts are there to help them...

Beyond PPE: 6 Feel-Good Promo Products for Hospitals

May 29, 2021

Although 2020 has been over-saturated with PPE products, hospitals and medical offices still seek other promo product ideas (beyond PPE) to pass out to patients, nurses, and visitors. Whether being...

Case Study: A Wedded Keepsake

May 22, 2021

Item: JAFFA® Scalloped Edge Vase Purpose: Gift vase for use during wedding ceremonies Audience: Engaged couples A church wanted an elegant and useful gift for couples who chose their venue for ...

6 Promo Products for the Great Outdoors

May 15, 2021

A little branding goes a long way with these promo products perfect for the great outdoors! By adding your logo to these six sturdy items, your brand can be seen on hiking trails, huddled around a cam...

6 Things You're Missing out on by Not Using Promotional Products

May 08, 2021

Promotional products aren't just for niche industry operations. Whether you are a small organization looking to grow your business, or an established company wanting to reach a new market, a product b...

Case Study: Jot It Down

Apr 30, 2021

Description: Mini Flip Pad Jotter Industry: Financial What it was purchased for: An investment firm wanted to promote their new financial blog to their existing customers with a memorable branded it...

6 Promotional Products That Put Safety First

Apr 23, 2021

Whether it’s on a construction site, warehouse, or a laboratory, it’s always important to help your workers stay safe. Encourage your employees to make safe choices all year long with thes...

Case Study: Fun in the Sun

Apr 16, 2021

Product: Two-Tone Malibu Sunglasses Industry: Sports What it was purchased for: A major sports team was having difficulty keeping attendance up at weeknight games. They came up with the idea of doin...

Case Study: Financial Industry

Apr 09, 2021

Products Javalina® Classic Pen Industry Financial Application Direct Mail A local bank wanted to increase awareness of its low mortgage rates and decided to do a direct mailing t...

12 Promotional Products for Safe Travels

Apr 01, 2021

Whether you’re traveling by plane or by car, it’s important to stay safe and comfortable. As COVID-19 cases continue to fall and the amount of vaccinated people rises, business travel is b...

5 Pitch Perfect Products for Musically Talented Individuals

Mar 25, 2021

We all have talented musicians in our lives. Whether they can shred on an electric guitar or have tried out for the local singing competition, some people are born to make music. Here are 5 promo pro...

Case Study: Do a Double Take

Mar 18, 2021

Objective: A general contracting company was looking for a fun way to provide "before and after" photos to their clients after a remodeling project was complete. Product: Double-Sided Portrait Fold...

Case Study: Fresh Mesh Promotions

Mar 11, 2021

Market: Real Estate Product Use: Incentive Gift Promotion: A high-end resort selected the Atlantis Mesh Beach Tote as an incentive gift for the visitors who attended their timeshare presentations....

Case Study: A Race to Remember

Mar 04, 2021

Item: Sport Bottle with Metallic Ring – 28 oz. Purpose: Race day giveaway Audience: Breast cancer survivors and race participants A regional race supporting breast cancer research added an in...

Print's Not Dead: How Print Products Can Work for You

Feb 24, 2021

In the past decade, many businesses have moved away from print marketing to focus almost entirely on digital marketing. You may have even heard people say that print is dead. However, print media has ...

Case Study: A Hole in One Promotion

Feb 17, 2021

Product: Jumbo Cooler Bag Industry: Agriculture What it was purchased for: These bags were given out to participants in a company golf tournament. How it was distributed: All participants received ...

Swing, Batter! The Best MLB Promotions

Feb 10, 2021

Looking beyond the peanuts and Cracker Jacks, there are some creative new promotions heading to major league baseball stadiums this season! The tradition of these MLB giveaways dates all the way back...

Case Study: Work it Out!

Feb 03, 2021

A nationwide insurance company shifted their employees out of their field offices to at-home workspaces due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Their HR team was tasked with providing a team appreciation gif...

Case Study: Wave Hello to Recognition

Jan 27, 2021

Item: JAFFA® Wave Award Purpose: Welcome gift for incentive winners Audience: Software company sales representatives A software company held a sales incentive contest for reps to win a trip ...

7 Fitness Promotional Products to Help You Stay in Shape

Jan 20, 2021

Exercise is an important part of our overall wellness and many companies are using wellness initiatives to promote healthy choices like regular exercise. Whether your company is encouraging physical f...

Get in Gear With These Automotive Promo Products

Jan 13, 2021

Branding these car-accessory promotional products for a campaign will drive more customers to your business! In the U.S., the average daily work commute is 26 minutes and Americans spend around 38 hou...

Case Study: A Getaway Promotion

Jan 06, 2021

A resort wanted to make sure guests felt safe as they reopened after COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were lifted. At check-in, they chose to provide each guest with a Fold-Up Cinch Corner Tote to keep ...

6 Morning Routine Products That Will Wake Anyone Up

Dec 30, 2020

Everyone has their very own personalized morning routine. It doesn't matter if you wake up 3 hours before work or 20 minutes before you have to rush out the door, with Pop-Tart in hand, we all have ou...

Case Study: Keeping it All Together

Dec 23, 2020

Objective: An insurance company wanted to send new customers home with a special gift and a way to keep their new insurance policy documentation organized. Product: Insurance Document Pouch & Full ...

Case Study: Charity Fundraiser

Dec 15, 2020

The organizer of a charity fundraiser wanted to add an element of fun and excitement to their door prize giveaways. As each guest arrived, they were given a Mardi Gras Jubilee pen and instructions to ...

A Lunch That Packs a Punch

Dec 08, 2020

Description: 3 Section Lunch Container Industry: Healthcare What it was purchased for: A hospital was looking for a unique lunch packet for nurses, doctors, and anyone else employed at any of the ho...

7 Financial Products That Are a Great Investment

Dec 01, 2020

Finance-themed promotional products are a great marketing investment and help increase brand awareness and customer loyalty. These 7 products can be used as financial seminar gifts, banking giveaways,...

Case Study: Save the Date, Save the Day

Nov 24, 2020

Description: Trifold Calendars Industry: Banking What it was purchased for: A local bank wanted a way to thank their new customers with a promotional gift item that would have a high perceived value...

Case Study: Inking Impressions

Nov 16, 2020

Portability and permanence are among the desirable traits sought in an effective promotional product. A company was looking for a unique self-promotion that incorporated these elements and decided on ...

Case Study: Go Green or Go Home

Nov 09, 2020

Item: goingreen™ Stapled Appointment Calendar Purpose: Promote awareness of recycling programs and provide recycling information to the community Audience: Residents of the company’s s...

Case Study: Spec-Tacular Promotions

Nov 01, 2020

Description: CUSTOM Malibu Sunglasses Industry: Food & Beverage What it was purchased for: The end user wanted to give something away at this year’s Spring Break in Jamaica for an MTV even...

Graphic Design Terms Everyone Should Know

Oct 25, 2020

It can be hard to communicate with a design team on a project when the designers speak their very own language. That’s why we have a rundown of words you may come across frequently that can sav...

10 Promotional Products for Healthy Living

Oct 18, 2020

We all strive to be our best selves, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. We can all make excuses to make unhealthy choices. Your niece has a birthday and it would seem rude to turn down th...

Case Study: It's in the Bag

Oct 11, 2020

Description Non-Woven Shopper Tote Bag Industry Bookstore What it was purchased for A large Metropolitan Community College Bookstore wanted to feature a reusable shopping bag to the students who ...

Case Study: A Prom Ticket Keepsake

Oct 03, 2020

A Prom Ticket Keepsake Organization High School Product Featured Neoprene Bracelet Goal of Promotion Issuing prom tickets Des...

6 Products to Include in Every Holiday Gift Basket

Sep 26, 2020

It’s always a good idea to get those gifts planned out and ready to go before the holiday chaos begins, and that includes client appreciation gifts. But, what do you get them? Put in extra thoug...

5 Promo Products for the Stay-at-Home Worker

Sep 19, 2020

Working from home has become the norm these days. It’s also becoming increasingly difficult to separate our professional lives from our personal lives. From trying to make deadlines, cooking din...

5 Promo Products That Are Bright, Light, and Ready to Excite

Sep 12, 2020

Looking for some promotional products to outshine the competition? Need some LED magic to illuminate your brand? We’ve got you covered with this selection of super fun promotional products th...

Case Study: Raise Your Glass!

Sep 05, 2020

Objective A local brewery wanted an eye-catching promotional item to place on tables that would boost their alcohol sales and highlight their weekly specials while encouraging enrollment for their ta...

Here Are Our Votes For The Best Political Promotional Product Staples

Aug 28, 2020

Whether you are right or left, red or blue, or somewhere in the middle, if you’re in need of political promotional product staples, we've got some great candidates for you! Yard Signs ...

5 Men's Wearable Promotional Products for the Office and Beyond

Aug 21, 2020

It’s fun giving out promotional products like fidget spinners and stress balls, but sometimes you need an option for the guy that likes to keep it a bit more professional. These business casu...

Case Study: Do the Wave

Aug 14, 2020

Market: School Objective: A school’s athletic program was struggling to pay for recurring expenses. Game attendance had dropped over the previous year, and alumni attendance was weak. The sc...

How Promo Products Can Make a Lasting Impression

Aug 07, 2020

How would you describe your company in 30 seconds? This common sales technique is known as an elevator pitch, and the goal is to captivate the attention of your potential clients and explain how you...

Case Study: Health & Wellness Spas

Jul 31, 2020

Products Javalina Jewel® Pen Industry Health & Wellness Spas Application Future Visits A day spa wanted to ensure that its guests always received the royal treatment. To encourage f...

Case Study: A Gift to Build a Dream On

Jul 23, 2020

Description: Medium Pillow Box Industry: Healthcare Personalization The pillow box was modeled after designs used at a charity golf tournament benefitting the hospital. Because children at the h...

From Zero to Wow: 6 Uniforms That Every Employee Will Love

Jul 16, 2020

Have you ever worked at a 9 to 5 job where there is a mandatory uniform? But... this required uniform is old, frumpy, and 100 percent unflattering? We've been there too! There are benefits of uniform...

Case Study: Improve Sales and Traffic

Jul 09, 2020

A hotel wanted to promote its amenities to guests in a personable, yet non-intrusive manner. The goal was to encourage guests to utilize hotel amenities instead of going off-site to fulfill their need...

Case Study: Good Deeds for Kids in Need

Jul 02, 2020

Item: Landscape Mesh Tote Purpose: Fundraising Gala gift bag Audience: Kids in Need Foundation supporters The Kids in Need Foundation Gala is one of the organization’s largest fundraising ...

8 Promo Products That Will Kick Start Your Goals

Jun 25, 2020

We all want to live healthier, sleep deeper, and work better. These motivational promotional products will help kickstart goals and increase your brand visibility! Exercise Band Let's get physical...

6 Promotional Products for Music Lovers

Jun 17, 2020

These promotional products will be music to your ears! There are all kinds of music lovers out there, from fans of rock to jazz and everything in between, that would love to get any of these music-the...

8 Essential Office Supplies for Remote Workers

Jun 10, 2020

Since the CDC declared the COVID-19 virus a pandemic on March 11, 2020, various shelter-in-place and social distancing rules have been put into place to help slow the rate of infected peoples in the p...

Take it To-Go: 8 Restaurant Takeout Essentials

Jun 04, 2020

The way restaurant patrons experience dining out has changed immensely since coronavirus cases have begun popping up in the U.S. Restaurants that were once packed to the brim with happy diners are now...