Articles: lighters

A lighter travels further than most giveaways. Somebody borrows it, somebody leaves it on a table, somebody drops it in a pocket and pulls it out a month later somewhere else entirely. So it is not only the print that matters, but also the moment you hand the item over.

Where this small gift fits

It works best where people step outside anyway or meet for a short while. Worth considering if you run one of these places or organise an event.

• Bars and clubs - by the counter and at the door, as something a guest takes home.
• Gigs and festivals - a keepsake tied to a date, once you add the name of the event.
• Trade fairs and conferences - a light addition to a leaflet that takes no room in a bag.
• Petrol stations and shops - a small thank you at the till, matched to the season.
• Workshops and service points - a quiet gesture when somebody collects a job.

Print, colour and how many

The surface is small, so simplicity wins. A logo and a short name read better than an address, a phone number and a slogan all at once. Light lettering on a dark body is usually visible from further away than the other way round, and one strong colour beats several small elements sitting side by side. Match the colour to your other materials or to the mood of the event - a summer festival asks for something different to a quiet restaurant. When counting pieces, be generous: they go faster than expected, and topping up halfway through an event is rarely convenient.

If you are putting a set of gifts together, treat a lighter as an addition rather than the main present. It sits well beside other small items carrying the same logo and the same colours.