12 Sep How to Be Memorable with Corporate Custom Framing Gifts
Do you know when you’ve nailed a gift, just absolutely crushed it? It’s a moment where you know it’s unattractive to brag, but you don’t care because you want to tell everyone how amazing you are and how perfect this gift is. It’s the type of present that is hard to keep a secret, and when the special day arrives, you’re instantly five years old, bouncing on the balls of your feet, ready to wet yourself with excitement while barely containing a high-pitched scream of “Open mine! You’re gonna love it!”
That feeling needs to be bottled. What an addiction.
Every gift-giving experience should be this exciting. Your recipient knows when something has been phoned in–an obligation present. It lacks imagination or enthusiasm. In the corporate world, some people expect lackluster gifts after making a donation, retiring, or doing something else noteworthy because “corporate” is often synonymous with “boring.” When they receive a thoughtful, out-of-the-box present, they’re shocked and pleased at the effort behind the action.
That is the feeling we want to deliver with our custom framing. We want our clients to feel elated about their gift and their recipients to feel truly appreciated. It’s all about making someone feel significant and memorable.
You can show someone how special they are to your organization through corporate custom framing gifts. You can even do it if you’re on a budget. How? Here are a few ideas:
Collage Custom Frame
If you need a gift for someone who has longevity in their field or with your organization, a collage custom frame is a great way to showcase their achievements. Our client wanted to celebrate one of their doctors and feature articles and photographs of them that spanned decades. They brought us a huge envelope with invitations, photos, clippings, newsprint, and more. Mary Lou curated the items, and after a few reviews, we had the best piece to tell the story of the doctor’s career.
Mary Lou and Amy got creative with their design. The photos and articles were not the same size or shape. No cookie cutter pattern here. Instead of forcing the originals into a standard frame or design, we photographed, restored, and printed each piece on archival paper. This allowed us to control the final output and give our client clean, stable images and documents.
Traditionally matting each photograph and article would get unwieldy quickly. If everything was the original size and traditionally matted, then the frame would be oversized and overwhelming. We wanted to include all important documents while maintaining a manageable size. To achieve this, we individually mounted or matted some of the pieces and layered them strategically to create dimension and intrigue. When you look at the contents, your eye can move around easily without being overwhelmed. We also used the organization’s branded colors in the matting and moulding. It is a compact design that looks professional and is personal for both the organization and the recipient.
Our client put the frame on display at an event for everyone to enjoy. Attendees gathered around the frame to learn more about the recipient and their history. It was a great conversation starter and a monumental gift.
Shadow Box Frames
If you want to be fancy, think objects. A shadow box frame is a custom frame built to house a 3D object for display and preservation. You can get (almost) as funky as you want with a shadow box. We once had a client custom frame a camera, cotton, sugar cane, and seeds all in a single shadow box–a true one-of-a-kind.
Shadow boxes are an impressive gift and always seem exclusive. If an object is shadow boxed, it feels important. With the above camera, the recipient enjoyed photography, and we needed to make sure the camera could come in and out of the frame. It’s unique to them. For example, you could custom frame a jersey, lab coat, or another article of clothing unique to your organization. Think about objects that mean something to the recipient–a tool from work, a product they developed, a memento from a trip. Get personal, and turn a memory into art.
Photographs & Art
One of the easier gifts you can give is a custom framed photograph or piece of art. You can choose a photo you already have from your event or marketing photo archives, or commission something entirely new. If you want to make the frame interesting, you can incorporate your brand colors, include a plaque, or ask teammates to write notes on the mat.
For a recent project, our client commissioned a portrait for a dedication plaque. They decided to surprise the recipient with a framed copy of their portrait. We chose a frame that worked with their personal style and paired the intricate gold frame with a simple white mat. Our client presented the final frame to the recipient at the dedication, surprising their entire family. It’s a sweet moment that shows the power of gratitude.
Corporate gift-giving can be exciting and personal. If someone’s been with a company for twenty-five years, they should get more than a clock or silverware. Be bold and create corporate custom framing gifts that makes you want to brag to the world how perfect it is.
Want more ideas on how to engage with your nonprofit and philanthropy audience? Check out “The Guide to Nonprofit and Philanthropy Photography.”