King Tutankhamun's Plywood Legacy!

In 1500 BC Egyptian craftsmen used thin strips of dark ebony to decorate the outside of a cedar wood casket found in King Tutankhamun's tomb.

The Greeks and Romans later used this technique to produce decorative objects such as fine furniture. In the 1600's this method of decorating furniture became known as  veneering and the thin strips were called veneers.

Since then the technology has advanced considerably and plywood is now made from three or more thin layers of wood veneer, glued together with an adhesive. Each layer, or 'ply', has the grain running at right angles to it's neighbour, in order to reduce shrinkage and improve strength. 

Birch Ply Round Hamper Gift Boxes

Plywood has excellent strength and stiffness properties, and therefore performs well in applications where high strength and rigidity is required. It also has good resistance to humidity and is easy to work and handle.

Most plywood is supplied in large, flat sheets with thicknesses ranging from 1.4 mm to 76 mm. The most common panel size used is 1.2 m wide by 2.4 m long.

One of the great advantages of plywood, particularly birch plywood is that it can be pressed into simple or complex curve shapes, for use in furniture, boats and aircraft, so is an extremely versatile material. 

For example, the De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito flown so successfully in World War II was built from compound sandwich panels using Canadian birch plywood.

De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito

However, plywood is also used extensively in wood box making! Among the most common uses for thin gauge birch plywood is the manufacture of round boxes such as large round hamper boxes and shaker boxes.

It's also used as the base layer of wooden boxes to provide greater overall strength and rigidity and as the top layer of larger wood boxes where solid wood would tend to warp!

Plywood has a smooth even grain pattern that's ideal for the application of clear lacquers and beautiful, natural wood and colour stain finishes, that undoubtedly add a touch of elegance and class to the finished product.

For information about Polmac round plywood boxes CLICK HERE

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Hamper Boxes - A More Stylish Alternative To Traditional Hampers!

It's that time of year when people are thinking hard about food and drink and especially about Christmas hampers which is a tradition that seems to get stronger and stronger every year. Or does it?

Have you ever wondered why gift hampers have become so popular over the years? Everywhere you look - in high street shops and online stores, hampers are there. They're growing in popularity and this can only mean that people simply love receiving gift hampers!

Polmac Hamper Boxes For Fortnum & Mason

There is a great variety of hampers available for kids, for the older generation and for people who just want to be indulged. These are referred to as 'Pamper Hampers'.

If you check out this seasons hamper brochures you'll find that most feature traditional wicker baskets/  hampers. Traditional wicker hampers however, tend to have a slightly old-fashioned, colonial whiff about them although this may be a distinct advantage for some people.

A traditional wicker hamper will always figure in people's hearts but this year why not consider a more stylish, contemporary alternative.

Round Christmas Hamper Boxes

For instance, there are now hybrid hampers, or 'hamper boxes' that are made from a combination of wood and wicker infill panels.

There are also round hampers that look rather like tall hat boxes with lift off lids that are made from thin gauge Finnish plywood.

These hamper boxes can be supplied in a wide range of styles and finishes, including clear lacquer finishes, beautiful natural wood and colour stain finishes and vibrant block colours.

They can also be easily branded with printed logos or text, if a more personalised finish is required.

If you're feeling particularly creative, you can design your very own hamper boxes, so the next time you are thinking about sending a gift box, make yourself a cup of coffee, sit yourself down in your favourite easy chair and start designing. Now there's a thought!

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Corporate Gifts - An Important Marketing Strategy!

Giving gifts to clients is a serious business. It can establish and / or reinforce important relationships, if part of a well considered marketing strategy. It can therefore be an inexpensive and effective way of promoting a business in the long and short term.

Business gifts are offered mainly to major and prospective clients, usually as a thank you for their business. This affirms the relationship with the client and enhances the personal connection between both parties.

Polmac (UK) Ltd Round Hamper Boxes

Gifts to clients are given usually without any explicit preconditions but there's always a bottom-line benefit to the company that provides the gift. This is because psychologically, people will always want to reciprocate, if presented with a gift. That's why for many companies, it's an essential part of their marketing strategy.

To get the most out of a gift giving program, a little finesse goes a long way. For example, it's important that the gift is good quality and well presented. Good quality wrapping paper, coloured ribbons and a hand written note tells the client you've made an effort and this will be appreciated.

Timing is also important. The giving of gifts is best done on special occasions such as anniversaries and at Christmas when gift giving is considered traditional.

Customized gifts keep the company's name in the minds of clients, so it's a good idea to have the company logo printed somewhere on the gift.

Items such as calendars, coffee mugs and pens are used every day, so this provides free advertising for the company, on an on-going basis. However, it's important to avoid blatant self-promotion as this may defeat the object.

Polmac (UK) Ltd are specialist suppliers of customized, wood gift boxes, hampers and hamper boxes. These can be supplied as traditional rectilinear, or round hamper boxes with printed logos. They're beautifully made, versatile and terrific value, which means they will be highly prized by clients, so will help generate repeat business.

http://www.polmacuk.com

Impress Your Clients With A Hamper Gift Box!

Many companies give their clients gift hampers chocked full of corporate goodies as a way of maintaining and enhancing the sales relationship, particularly during the festive season.

The 'Law of Reciprocity' states that if you give someone a gift, they'll feel obligated to give you something in return. This undoubtedly is a well tried and tested sales technique and it works!

Polmac Wood & Wicker Hamper Boxes For: Fortnum & Mason

Many online delicatessens and farm shops also use hampers to market their pre-picked produce, or even provide a 'pick your own' service for their customers.

Gift hampers are traditionally made from natural wicker and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. These can be open trays, baskets, or more usually in the shape of a small, flat 'suitcase' with hinged lids.

Wicker gift hampers may be the traditional choice but in the cut and thrust of the commercial world, it always pays to be different.

For example, a gift hamper can be made from a combination of wicker and wood, or from thin, flexible plywood in the shape of an elongated hat box, with a lift-off lid. 

Polmac, Personalized, Plywood Hamper Boxes

 

These 'hamper boxes' can be easily personalized, with a company logo, or text and are designed to impress.

Hampers can be filled with a wide variety of gifts, depending upon the company and can include fine wine, champagne, chocolates and packaged foodstuff.

They can be encapsulated with white satin fabric and / or clear cellophane (like the material used to wrap flowers) and tied with a coloured, ribbon bow, to provide that essential finishing touch.

Polmac (UK) Ltd supplies a large range of 'hamper boxes', as well as traditional wicker hampers, that are custom-made to our customers exact requirements. 

The hampers we make are delivered directly to our customers door and they fill them with wealth of wonderful products, for sale, or as gifts.

http://www.polmacuk.com