We had the pleasure of working with the Canada Foundation For Innovation recently for a customized USB flash drive project they decided to do before the Christmas holiday. They chose one of our key style models – a flat panel USB style that is significantly thinner than conventional drives and utilizes a slightly different looking contact. They fit into standard USB ports on both Mac and PC and have a cool premium look. These kinds of drives are ideal for conventions, trade shows, and conferences as they make a great promotional giveaway. They’re equipped – like all of our drives – with USB 2.0. Recently – we had a question from a customer asking what exactly USB 2.0 is…so we thought we’d explain.

Universial Serial Bus (USB) 2.0  – commercially released in 2001 – was a complete overhaul of the Universal Serial Bus input/output bus protocol which allows significantly higher speeds than the older USB 1.1 standard did (USB 2.0 has a raw data rate at 480Mbps – a forty fold increase). The goal of the new serial bus was to widen the range of external peripherals that could be used on a computer through a significant increase in data transfer speed, and this was one of the reasons why USB flash drives and the standard itself became so popular. Many consumers saw this a way out of the proprietary hardware world. Along with this, custom USB flash drives came into their own as a promotional utility. Companies and organizations suddenly had highly useful and portable methods of quickly storing, physically sharing, and distributing information and data, and with the increase in storage capacity, branded promotional flash drives rose in popularity. As a result, promotional USB flash drives have become products of choice for companies to market themselves as they are uniquely useful and attractive, but they also became excellent mediums for the delivery of content. Everything – from the distribution of conference or event information, to audio and video, to elaborate multimedia delivery suddenly had a medium that aside from providing it’s recipient with data, also had an immediate personal usefulness. Increasingly, we’re seeing interesting and cool uses of personalized USB flash drives – like the Beatles limited edition box set on USB released last year or the awesome release of the latest Star Trek film on a super cool custom promotional flash drive.

We’re at your disposal with any question you might have, and can proof you a variety of different ways and work with you to achieve the desired look and feel for your custom flash drive order. Need more information? Contact us at info AT standardmedia DOT ca, look through our custom USB flash drive catalogue,  or Request A Quote to get a proof going.

Promotional flash drives are great tools to create brand awareness and market your business while simultaneously providing value to the recipient/end user. There are a variety of customization methods that you can choose with many  standard USB drive models available without having to go the customizing route to get that particular look you want. We wanted to create a post about finishing technique on flash drives that many clients don’t consider before entertaining ideas on custom molds and shapes, some tips for consideration when the user receives the drives, and lastly some content ideas – all ways that you can kick up your promotional USB flash drive order.

• Color Finishes – most models we carry can match a PMS color if your company or organization’s logo requires it. We typically ask our clients if one exists before the proofing process to ensure a better match, and we advise the best method of color application. The above image is a drive from a recent order we completed for Blake Jarrett. This particular drive – the Twist USB has a metallic cap. Metallic caps can be powder coated in different colors. The above is an example of a white powder coating application that gives the drive a pretty cool look, and matches the cap to a body color. White contrasts a logo better as well.
• Logo treatments - You can print a full color or you could engrave your custom USB if it uses a metallic body. Models like the Miniracer, The Twist, or The Vista utilize a metallic casing and can be engraved. Engraving adds a premium aesthetic to your drive.
• Dual side printing – why only print on one side? Almost all businesses and organizations have a website that needs promotion.
• Pre-loaded USB data – you don’t have to deliver empty drives to your client. Include a company bio as a .pdf, a digital business card file .(vcf) or even an HTML link that can be launched manually or via autorun. Encourage the user to save the contents of the drive to a folder on their desktop for quick reference if they want to wipe the drive for personal use. We do recommend not partitioning your drives. If you want the end user to receive maximum use out of your promotional USB flash drive, don’t limit their ability to use by attempting to ensure that they don’t remove the data you want them to see. The likelihood of them not using the drive at all if you’re only giving them a certain amount of storage capacity diminishes it’s usefulness and has a tendency to irritate. The whole idea of a custom memory stick is to market, advertise, and communicate – digitally marketing on the drive’s flash memory as well as on the body is a good way to cover all the bases.
• Packaging - typically custom USB drives come in plastic sheathing. That doesn’t mean you have to deliver them that way. You can contain your drives in customized tins and printed boxes, all of which can also be emblazoned with a company’s logo or information. This is usually a minor cost increase in most cases.
• Lanyards – Every drive can include a lanyard, and you can also custom print on them. This is another opportunity to introduce a logo or website, and it’s an added element of usefulness if the user can wear the drive around their neck or hang it with a lanyard.

We’re at your disposal with any question you might have, and can proof you a variety of different ways and work with you to achieve the desired look and feel for your custom flash drive order. Need more information? Contact us at info AT standardmedia DOT ca or Request A Quote to get a proof going.

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Utilizing a custom USB flash drive for your marketing is one of the most engaging ways to convey any communications project. Custom USB flash drives are fundamentally different than a traditional CD or DVD. They have a re-usable element, are considered high value items to the user, and have a personal and professional application for data storage. Part marketing item, and part effective office tool, thumb drives are increasingly considered the choice when looking to make an impression when delivering media. We wanted to dedicate a post to something that many of our customers are interested in doing when loading data on the drives. The USB autorun.

Creating an auto run on your custom USB drive is relatively simple, however, it must be done properly, and there are things to take into consideration on the user’s end when doing it. Auto runs do not work on Apple computers. Anything MAC will not accept an auto run file in the root directory of the USB’s folder. Keep this in mind. Secondly, for Windows users, you need to be using Windows XP with Service Pack 2, or a more recent version of the OS such as Vista. Windows 7 has significantly reduced autoplay and autorun features off of USB flash drives for security reasons. They are still enabled for all optical media pieces like CDs and DVDs.  Provided either you or your users are using either of these operating systems, the Autorun/Autoplay feature needs to be enabled on your operating system in order for the USB auto run to work.When creating the master drive or file folder that you’d be duplicating from, you’ll need to do the following.

Understanding the .INF file. What is it?

An INF file (or Setup Information file) is a plain text file used by Microsoft Windows for installation of software and drivers. You can create your own .inf file to dictate what a peripheral should be doing upon mounting into the computer. You can create simple text file using Notepad on a Windows machine. Open notepad, and type:

[autorun]
open=
action=
icon=
label=

The open= option specifies the program that should autorun – typically whatever ends in a .exe on the drive’s root directory. This is the executable. Keep in mind, your content must include an executable file for this to work properly. Also, don’t specify any paths. USB drives will show up differently in various machines – as either drive G, or F, or even E. Not specifying the drive path will ensure the drive auto playing properly.

The action= designation describes the action that will be performed. In this case, we’ve instructed to start the application.

The icon= designation tells the drive to use an icon present on the drive. The icon must be in the .ico format. This is entirely optional and is really more of an aesthetic detail.

The label= designation enables you to simply title the drive.

When everything is said and done, it will look like this…

[autorun]
open=autorun.exe
icon=Sample (a .ico image has to be present on the drive to be used as an icon).
action=Start My Application
label= Sample Title (You can name your label here and call it whatever you want).

Save the .inf file and places on your root directory. We recommend also including the .exe on your root directory as well, as indicated in the screen cap we’ve included in the blog post. Questions? Comments? Share with us. Contact us at info AT standardmedia DOT ca or Request A Quote.

We had the opportunity to work with Environment Canada recently on a customized USB flash drive project that included a custom designed and fabricated mold for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Doha, Qatar. We were initially approached about the production of a standard drive order, but after consulting with the team at EC, we pitched the idea of utilizing a customized mold of a polar bear to communicate the content loaded onto the drives more effectively.

The creation of a custom mold typically has a few steps. We ask that the client submits a series of reference images for us to draw from thematically. In this case, Environment Canada wanted to incorporate a clearly visible outline of a polar bear – something akin to the beautiful Inuit style art that graces some of Canada’s national museums, but also something that was clearly identifiable and not abstract. We settled on 5 different reference images that we researched. The 5 qualified as images that we like to call “dimension-able designs” – meaning, that they fall within the parameters of  being able to incorporate into a CAD program and create a mold that would fit universally into all USB ports. This is a key step. Creating a mold that is too wide can hinder the use of a even a single user, considering that most computers have at least 2-3 USB ports that are in almost all cases virtually on top of each other. Secondly, the client wanted to utilize a material that was comparable to the look and feel of an iPod – a cool white plastic.

After presenting the 5 CAD designs, the client chose the subtle outline shown here. We fabricated and completed production in 7 days, and then loaded over 1.6 GB (a combination of multilingual videos and documentation) of content in 48 hours on 1500 drives for delivery to the CITES conference in less than 2 weeks from the beginning of production.

Considering a custom drive for your organization, business, or upcoming event? Contact us at info AT standardmedia DOT ca or Request A Quote , comment on this post,  or let us know what you had in mind with a reference image that you’re considering.

If you’ve Googled “Customized Printed USB Flash Drives “, “Custom USB Drives Canada”, or Custom Printed Flash Drives”, then you’re in the right spot. Standard Media Services is one of the leading USB flash drive sources in North America, and we take great pride in assisting our customers with making informed decisions about the variety of different models, sizes, and aesthetic items to take into consideration when they are considering using custom printed usb flash drives. Request A Quote, browse through our Custom USB Flash Drive catalogue, or contact us directly at info AT standardmedia DOT ca.

Q: Why should I use a custom USB flash drive for marketing? They are typically more expensive than something like a traditional CD-ROM or printed collateral, right?

Yes, but…

You can’t categorize a custom USB flash drive and a typical piece of optical media as comparable items. They might both be designed to deliver content or data, but they are very different things. We wanted to clarify on this, so that if you’re considering using a custom USB flash drive for your marketing…especially if you’ve historically used anything other than one, and you’re contemplating them…you really understand these nifty little pieces for what they are.

Custom USB flash drives are not just decorated computer peripherals with your company logo on them. These are marketing pieces that effectively combine promotional use, content delivery, long term practical usefulness, and brand impression return.  You might think there’s a lot of promotional products that can have your name stamped on them, but, does a mini flash light or zippo lighter have the same day to day personal and professional benefit of a flash drive? No. More than ever before, people are consuming and creating content with computers (music, movies, images) in an electronic format. Flash memory is regularly used for the storage, quick transfer and access, and mobility of this digital content. When you give someone something that has a regular personal and/or professional application, they use it. When they use, it is visible. The number of single customer impressions that a flash drive with a logo will receive is up to 40 times more than a conventional printed piece of advertising (flyer, brochure, or even business card), or promotional product, and they typically tend to stay in use with recipients for an average of about 18 months.

As for the delivery of content or data – custom flash memory does a better job with that as well. We conducted a survey of 75 customers in November 0f last year, specifically seeking clients who had previously utilized a CD-Rom for the provision of data to their respective intended audiences (marketing, internal documentation, video content). The unanimous response was that custom flash drives created significantly better rates of response and engagement, as well as notable increases in website traffic for those who either worked a physical printing of their URL onto the exterior of the drives or into the content itself.

Questions? Contact us at info AT standardmedia DOT ca or leave a comment and tell us on how custom USB flash drives have benefited your marketing.

If you’ve Googled “Custom Printed USB Flash Drives Canada”, “Custom USB Drives Canada”, or Custom Printed Flash Drives”, we’re glad that you found us. Standard Media Services is one of the leading USB flash drive sources in North America, and we take great pride in assisting our customers with making informed decisions about the variety of different models, sizes, and aesthetic items to take into consideration when they are considering using custom printed usb flash drives. Request A Quote, browse through our Custom USB Flash Drive catalogue, or contact us directly at info AT standardmedia DOT ca.

We recently did a run of custom printed USB flash drives for Navantis Canada. They selected our Vista model, which has a premium brushed aluminum finish to the body’s drive exterior. The client considered a traditional pad printed logo or an engraving, which is a decorative feature that we include on our metallic cased models. When considering how to decorate your drives, there are a few things to think about, and which we take the time to walk clients through and even proof in both ways to review the decorative effect.

Engraving is a nice way to introduce a premium aesthetic to the drive, however, it can be limited in its lack of ability to showcase color. You are relying on the depth of the engraving to indicate contrast, and you can only do this on a metallic model. if your logo is elaborate and detailed, includes sub text or a tagline, or is generally on the smaller side, then an engraving is probably not the best way to go. A conventional pad print in these cases is ideal. We also recommend engraving drives that are full bodied metallic, like our Miniracer, or a even The Twist, (metallic casing takes up the entire swing casing of the drive) as they have a tendency to look nicer when not framed by an element of plastic. The aesthetic quality of the drives is something that is important, and that we don’t take lightly. We’re at your disposal with any question you might have, and can proof you a variety of different ways and work with you to achieve the desired look and feel. Need more information? Contact us at info AT standardmedia DOT ca or Request A Quote to get a proof going.

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Mark Motors of Ottawa, one of Canada’s leading Audi and Porsche group of dealerships, recently contracted Standard Media for a run of custom USB flash drives. They opted for a custom shape in the impression of Audi’s distinguished 4 rings with the dealership’s information on the back. They were looking for something distinctive and useful to leave with potential buyers and with new owners that created a sense of exclusivity. The drives were done as 2 GB models, and were custom molded with a standard single color white pad print on the back with the dealership’s two national capital region locations. With every purchase, and with every prospective buyer, the dealerships wanted to provide a highly memorable way of keeping the Audi brand on the consumer’s mind with a compelling and premium aesthetic that was reflective of the product they deal in.

We had the opportunity to work with Miv Fournier of Miv Photography, professional photographer extraordinare. Miv’s commercial work is well known around the National Capital Region and includes the National Art Gallery of Canada, The Museum of Science and Technology, The Art Bank of Canada, and Ottawa City Magazine. His wedding portfolio is strife with celebrities and professional athletes such as Ottawa Senator Jason Spezza.

Miv decided to utilize a custom USB flash drive to provide proofs for clients and for commercial promotional purposes, and wanted something that looked refined and elegant. We suggested our Mini Racer model with engraving to give it a premium touch. “The fact that a USB flash drive can be reused was a major deciding factor for me”, says Miv, “I wanted to give my clients something that would emphasize the studio’s brand and that they could find useful in a personal capacity”.

Check out Miv Photography online or contact us at info AT standardmedia DOT ca.

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If you’ve Googled “Custom USB Thumbdrives U.S.A.”, “Customized USB Flash Drives with Logos Canada”, or “Printed USB Flash Drives Canada”, then you’ve come to the right place. Standard Media Services is one of the leading USB flash drive sources in North America, and we take great pride in assisting our customers with making informed decisions about the variety of different models, sizes, and aesthetic items to take into consideration when they are considering using custom usb flash drives. Request A Quote, or contact us directly at info AT standardmedia DOT ca.

We had the opportunity to recently pair up with Summers Direct Event Planners for the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) conference being held in Banff, Alberta. The event is called Ranges To The Ridge and is being held at Banff Park Lodge Resort & Hotel in Banff, Alberta. The IABC in an internationally recognized body of communications professionals and  is committed to shedding light on, creating dialogue and promoting best practices amongst professionals within the practical realities of today’s communications landscape in the private and public sector.

We were one of the sponsors of the event, and provided the custom USB flash drives that will be distributed to the guests. Utilizing custom USB flash drives is one of the most effective ways to distribute literature for a conference or event in today’s environmentally conscious and digital age. Ranges To The Ridge was of course a fitting  event. You can read the conference sheet here.

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If you’ve Googled “Custom USB Thumbdrives Canada”, “Customized USB Flash Drives with Logos Canada”, or “Printed USB Flash Drives Canada”, then you’ve come to the right place. Standard Media Services is one of the leading USB flash drive sources in North America, and we take great pride in assisting our customers with making informed decisions about the variety of different models, sizes, and aesthetic items to take into consideration when they are considering using custom usb flash drives. Request A Quote, or contact us directly at info AT standardmedia DOT ca.

Common misconceptions about custom USB flash drives – Volume 1:

All Custom USB Flash Drives are the same quality. Wrong.

This is a myth, and a dangerous one at that. Not all Custom USB Flash Drives are the same quality, and there are a variety of different things a consumer needs to know before purchasing them. These are electronic components, and as such, and like any other product, their quality is determined by the care and quality assurance invested into manufacturing, the quality of the components, and the process. There are quality grades of memory that an average consumer can usually determine. We affectionately like to refer to it as the A-B-C-and D grade of flash memory. This applies to whether you are purchasing 500 custom USB flash drives with your company or organization’s logo or brand printed onto them, or whether you are purchasing a thumbdrive off a store shelf at a retailer or big box store.

Quality memory will have a lifetime warranty – commonly about 5-10 years. Often times, you’ll also see the RoHS compliance logo associated with  products of a higher grade – meaning that they don’t use harmful elements to the environment like hexavalent chromium, lead, cadmium, or mercury. Quality memory will have a formatting guarantee – meaning that your expectation that your custom USB drive order arrives ready to work right out of the box will be met. They don’t need any special tinkering, and it’s literally a situation where you can plug one in and immediately begin saving, transporting, or relaying files. Standard Media Services only deals in A grade RoHS compliant custom USB flash drives, and we offer a lifetime warranty with a drive integrity check prior to shipping your order.  We include a formatting guarantee with every piece that we deliver to a client. In short, your order will arrive in perfect working order and ready to use, looking exactly like the proof we electronically provide to you for approval. When you’re putting your company or organization’s brand on a promotionally effective piece like this, these are things that are good to note in an effort to avoid faulty units and users contacting you looking for a replacement on a dud. As the customer, you are relying on a vendor who will enable you to avoid these kinds of situations.

The lower the grade of memory, the less of these indications of quality you may see. You will see drives with a 1 year warranty, and brand names that you may not have heard of.  The flash memory market is ripe with counterfeit chips, poorly made components, or weak process that follows or leads up to manufacturing . Lower grade memory will have a variety of issues that can occur, from the corrupting of files, to an inability to be recognized by the computer they’re being plugged into. All of these things need to be taken into consideration when considering drives as a medium.

Questions? Contact us at info AT standardmedia DOT ca.

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