As a marketing tool, promotional umbrellas have always been a firm favorite with companies wanting to expose the public in general, or a particular target market, to their brand. Because of this, you will not be surprised to find how many different variations there are on the traditional branded umbrella.

The obvious uses for umbrellas are to protect you from both the rain and, increasingly, the harsh rays of the sun. If you are going to promote your company by means of a promotional umbrella, you want to opt for the best quality – taking into consideration the fabric used, the frame, and of course the print quality of your company image. Use a reputable company to design and make your promotional umbrellas, and the extra cost will be justified.

Apart from the various shapes and sizes, the designs are all-important. As well as a sturdy framework, the look of the shade is the most important aspect to consider. This normally falls into three categories : a single color fabric with your logo printed on a single panel; panels in two alternating colors with the logo printed on one or more of the lighter colored panels; and then you can get the full color printing across the entire shade. Of course you can get endless variations on the above themes, but these are generally the more popular ones used today.

You can be as creative as you like. The first option, that of the single color fabric with the logo on one panel, creates a quiet, understated image of your brand. Nothing wrong with that as many people don’t like to look as if they are a walking advertisement for someone else’s business. The most popular umbrella chosen by companies to advertise their brand is normally the classic “golf umbrella" with panels of two alternating colors (one normally being white) and the logo printed on the lighter-colored panels – either on one only, or on alternating panels. Classic, classy and not too busy.

However, if it’s a real statement you are looking to make, you can have your umbrella printed over the entire shade area – in full color, as busy as you want. It’s certainly eye-catching, but sometimes the “busy-ness" of the image takes away part of the message you are trying to get across. You need a very good design for this to be effective. It can sometimes be an overstatement and the brand or logo of your company can be lost in the myriad of images and colors on the promotional umbrella.

Another type of umbrella that is becoming increasingly popular is the outdoor fabric umbrella, often used in restaurants to advertise products allied to that industry. The logo, simply and well-positioned on the outdoor promotional umbrella, carries a strong and effective message to the buying public.

For additional information on printed umbrellas, promotional gifts, advertising marketing business gifts and corporate promotional products simply check out the internets leading promotional gift suppliers where you will find a massive choice of promotional items and what’s more available at highly competitive prices compared with traditional offline gift companies.