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Custom matchbooks and match boxes have long been a part of history, as people continue to use matches to start fires, to smoke, and for producing light. In addition, these match boxes served as places for people and businesses to express themselves and advertise their offerings. Why were they so effective?
The truth is that for many years, smoking was considered a normal habit, a way of life. That meant people routinely carried custom matchbooks to light their cigarettes and cigars. Businesses, from restaurants and bars to various professionals, offered these custom match boxes to their clients and potential clients.
Clearly, there is a history to these products becoming the standard promotional items that they are today. Let’s explore the history of business promotional products from the viewpoint of custom match boxes or matchbooks.
The Early Years of Promotional Products
The first known promotional products found in the United States were commemorative buttons, which could be traced back to the election of the first President, George Washington. However, the widespread use of promotional products didn’t really begin until the end of the 19th century. Prior to that point, the mass production of these promotional products, such as custom matchbooks, was not possible.
In the late 1800s, newspaper owner Jasper Freemont Meek saw an opportunity to create a promotional product that was meant to create more foot traffic. First, he went to a friend of his and directed him to have a simple slogan put onto burlap book bags. It called attention to the business. These bags were given out free and children became walking advertisements as they carried the bags to and from school.
From there, other items became promotional products, including signs, custom matchbooks and match boxes. Artwork, slogans, and even business logos could be added with ease and businesses turned their customers into walking advertisements.
Growth of an Industry
In 1904, as promotional items began to take hold for small and medium sized businesses, 12 manufacturers decided to get together and create an industry association to address a variety of issues, such as pricing, new ideas, and even operating procedures.
The Great Depression hit this industry hard, like it did to so many others. Still, by the early 1940s, the promotional products industry was up and running again. Over the following decades, associations, tradeshows, and more began to define this industry.
Along the way, specific promotional products started to take center stage, particularly ones that were light and easy to care, as well as being useful. Think of how custom matchbooks naturally fit into this category.
Bars and restaurants could have them available for their customers to use while they smoked, and the best part is that they could slip them into their pockets and use them again later. You could easily remind a customer of your business and refresh their memory regarding their experience with your waitstaff or other team members.
Today, brand promotion through products is just a part of daily life. Pick up a pen and it likely has the name of a business on it. Visit a hotel room and you are surrounded by branded products. Even sports teams have their own brand products and apparel. With all the different options available, clearly there is a promotional product that can fit the needs of your business.
Why Choose Custom Matchbooks?
If your business is making the leap into promotional branding products, then it is important to choose the right product carefully. After all, you want a promotional product that is useful to the customer, but also has room for your logo or business information. Some businesses have even made them stand out with unique art from local or commercial artists that interweaves their logo or business name into it.
Custom matchbooks have been the ideal option for years. Even though a majority of people are no longer smokers, matchbooks can still be a practical item to have on camping trips, when the power goes out, or just to light candles for a romantic evening. Every time your customer takes out that match box and pulls out a match, they are being reminded of your business and seeing your logo again.
Other businesses have created collections and contests around their promotional products, getting customers excited to visit their business to get the next product for their collection or to possibly win the next contest. No matter how you choose to use your promotional products, the truth is that they are a means to keep your business name in front of your customers and others that they come in contact with on a daily basis.
If you are interested in finding your next business promotional product, be it custom match boxes, coasters, or more, then contact our team today!
Wagner Match has specialized in providing impeccable service to the hospitality, entertainment and service industries since 1981.