Umbrellas

Umbrellas are seen by some people as a fashion accessory, by others as just means of keeping dry when it’s raining and sometimes even as an instrument of self-defence. However, there is a huge market out there for umbrellas as a business, promotional or advertising umbrellas.

 Where to start? Certainly if you are new to buying promotional umbrellas for your company golf day or other sporting occasion you’ll have a fair amount of leg-work to get up to speed on the pros and cons of this product. There are all sizes of umbrellas from a City umbrella with an A4 print area through to large golf umbrellas with a full coverage print on each panel.

Umbrella printing costs

One of the problems you’ll come across in buying golf, business, promotional or advertising umbrellas is that the price printed in the business catalogue usually gives a price for the umbrella with one panel printed in on colour and one position.

As most promotional and golf umbrellas have eight panels the cost will quickly escalate if you decide on a two or three colour print on each or alternate panels…and especially  so if you go for different designs. Added to this there is often a set-up fee per colour per design per position and you will soon see that the print costs amount to more than the umbrella.

Screen printed umbrellas

You’ll have to decide whether you are happy with a screen print or if you want to go for a sublimation print. Both of these printing methods are covered in this website underHow Business Gifts Are Personalizedwith an explanation of screen printing and sublimation transfer printing. Briefly, sublimation can provide a soft-feel multi-color print with full coverage of any or all panels; whereas a screen print lays on the surface and is often restricted in size and spot colors.

Imported golf umbrellas

You will also have to choose your country of origin quite carefully because there are some extremely cheap umbrellas sourced from the Far East. These are available in a choice of panels, usually white and another color and are screen printed after they are mad up. However, some enterprising manufacturers now bring in Far Eastern frames and then cover them at a UK factory after printing the panels.

 Quality storm proof Hoyland Fox umbrellas

 If you want a quality storm-proof - as opposed to wind resistant - umbrella you can do no better than choose the legendary Hoyland Fox frames made in the UK for the last 150 years.

There are color options available on handles, shafts and points and these may be mixed and matched on each frame to match a company logo or motif.

Additionally, hardened and tempered carbon steel solid ribs eliminate the problems of wind damage.

Other quality UK manufacturers

 However, there are other UK manufacturers who have taken the best features of the Hoyland Fox frames and produced some superlative Golf umbrellas.

Many of these have dispensed with metal shafts and frames, preferring to go the carbon fiber route. One thing is for sure and that is you’re not spoiled for choice as the average gift catalogue will have around six pages of umbrellas from different makers.

These will include soft feel umbrellas, twin vented umbrellas, sports golf umbrellas, valueline umbrellas, promo-golf umbrellas, city umbrellas, fashion umbrellas, promo-max umbrellas, promo-matic umbrellas, promo-light umbrellas, automatic classic umbrellas and, believe it or not, a golf bag telescopic umbrella to keep the clubs dry.

But like everything else in thebusiness, promotional and advertising gift industry…pay your money and make your choice; but there’s no such thing as a cheap umbrella if you intend to use business, promotional or advertising umbrellas.