Crestlines Free Sample Program How To Access Custom Promotional Items Before Purchase

Crestline, a provider of custom promotional products and corporate gifts, offers a free sample program allowing businesses and organizations to evaluate products before making purchasing decisions. This article examines the details of Crestline's free sample offerings, eligibility requirements, request processes, product categories, and quality guarantees to help potential customers understand how to leverage this program for their promotional needs.

Understanding Crestline's Free Sample Program

Crestline provides free samples as a method for customers to review items before placing orders. According to the company's official sample policy, samples represent the best way to evaluate products prior to purchase. The free sample program extends to both existing customers and those not yet registered with the company, making it accessible to a broad range of potential clients.

The program's value proposition lies in its ability to demonstrate product quality, imprint capabilities, and overall suitability for specific promotional needs. By offering samples, Crestline enables businesses to make informed decisions about their promotional merchandise investments, reducing the risk of dissatisfaction with final products.

Eligibility and Sample Limits

Crestline has established specific guidelines regarding who qualifies for free samples and the limitations of the program. Registered customers (existing clients) are eligible to receive up to $20 worth of samples within a twelve-month period. This $20 value encompasses both the cost of the products and the associated shipping charges.

For non-registered customers, samples are also available through the same program structure. The twelve-month timeframe and $20 value limit apply consistently across customer types, ensuring equitable access to the sample program. This policy allows new customers to experience Crestline's product quality before establishing an official business relationship.

It's important to note that the twelve-month sample limit operates on a rolling basis, meaning customers can request samples multiple times throughout the year as long as the cumulative value remains under $20. This structure provides flexibility for businesses with evolving promotional needs while maintaining reasonable boundaries for the company's sample distribution.

How to Request Free Samples

Crestline has implemented a streamlined process for requesting free samples, with different methods for existing customers and those new to the company. For registered customers, the process involves direct communication with their designated Account Manager. These account representatives serve as primary contacts for existing clients and can assist with sample requests, product recommendations, and order placement.

For non-registered customers, two primary methods are available for requesting samples:

1. Online Form: Prospective customers can complete a form available on Crestline's website. This form typically requires basic contact information and details about the types of products being considered for sampling. Upon submission, a Crestline Account Manager will reach out to assist with the sample request and provide additional guidance.

2. Phone Call: Individuals can also request samples by calling Crestline directly at 1-866-488-4975. When contacting the company by phone, customers should be prepared to provide their contact information and specify which products they're interested in sampling. A Crestline Account Manager will follow up to facilitate the sample request.

Regardless of the method used, customers can expect personalized service from a Crestline Account Manager who will guide them through the sample selection process. This approach ensures that customers receive samples most relevant to their specific needs and promotional objectives.

What to Expect from Crestline Samples

When ordering samples from Crestline, customers should be aware of several important aspects regarding the products they will receive:

1. Pre-imprinted Logos: Sample products may include a pre-imprinted logo rather than arriving blank. This practice occurs because Crestline specializes in custom promotional items, and samples are intended to demonstrate the imprinting process. The pre-imprinted logo may not be the customer's own design but rather a generic or Crestline logo.

2. Color Limitations: Crestline may not be able to provide samples in specific product colors due to inventory constraints. Samples are typically pulled from existing stock rather than produced specifically for sampling purposes, which means customers should be prepared to receive samples in available colors that may differ from their preferred selections.

3. Quality Representation: Despite these limitations, Crestline ensures that samples accurately represent the quality of products customers would receive in a full order. The samples provide an opportunity to assess material quality, construction, and overall product feel.

4. Processing and Shipping Time: While not explicitly detailed in the provided information, customers should anticipate some processing and shipping time for their samples. As physical items that need preparation and delivery, there may be a delay between the initial request and receipt of the samples.

5. Account Manager Follow-up: After submitting a sample request, customers can expect to be contacted by a Crestline Account Manager who will assist with product selection, provide additional information about customization options, and guide them through the sampling process.

Types of Products Available for Sampling

Crestline offers a diverse array of promotional products that can be sampled, spanning multiple categories suitable for different marketing applications. While the complete product catalog is extensive, the provided information highlights several categories and specific items available through the sample program:

1. Branded Apparel Items:
   • Baseball caps
   • Messenger bags
   • T-shirts
   • Sunglasses
   • Luxurious fleece jackets
   • Winter gloves

These apparel items are popular for promotional purposes due to their functionality and frequent public use, providing ongoing brand exposure. Sampling allows customers to evaluate material quality, sizing, and imprint durability on various fabric types.

2. Marketing Gifts (Consumable Items):
   • Gourmet cookies
   • Snack trays
   • Chocolate bars
   • Candy tins
   • Peanuts

Consumable promotional items create positive brand associations and are often shared, extending the reach of the promotional message. Sampling these products enables customers to assess packaging quality and product presentation.

3. Drinkware and Accessories:
   • Reusable cups
   • Tumbers (such as the Polar Insulated tumblers mentioned in customer reviews)
   • Lip balms (flavored lip balms were highlighted as particularly popular)

These practical items experience daily use by recipients, providing consistent brand exposure. Sampling allows evaluation of durability, functionality, and imprint quality on these products.

4. Trade Show and Event Items:
   • Booth displays
   • Banners
   • Tablecloths
   • Backdrops
   • Signs
   • Wooden planters (mentioned in customer reviews)

These larger items are essential for creating an effective presence at trade shows and events. Sampling helps customers assess size, material quality, and visual impact.

5. Small Promotional Items:
   • Pens
   • Lip balms
   • Reusable cups
   • Various other items under $1

These small, affordable items are ideal for mass distribution at events, trade shows, or as direct mail pieces. Sampling enables evaluation of practicality and perceived value.

Corporate Gifts and Promotional Items

Crestline specializes in corporate gifts and promotional items that can be customized with company logos, colors, and names. Their product offerings span various price points to accommodate different budget requirements:

1. Items Under $1: Crestline offers promotional items costing less than $1 each, making them suitable for large-scale giveaways or events with constrained budgets. These items include practical products like lip balms, pens, and reusable cups designed for widespread distribution to maximize brand exposure.

2. Items Under $5 and Under $10: In addition to the most affordable options, Crestline provides promotional items in the $1-$5 and $5-$10 price ranges. These mid-range items offer more substantial gifts while remaining cost-effective for many marketing budgets.

3. Bulk Wholesale Pricing: When ordering promotional items in larger quantities, Crestline offers bulk wholesale pricing that provides additional cost savings. This pricing structure makes larger orders more affordable for businesses planning widespread distribution at events, trade shows, or for employee recognition programs.

4. Customization Options: All Crestline promotional items can be customized with company logos, colors, and names. This customization transforms generic items into brand-specific marketing tools. The company's experienced graphics team can assist customers without existing logos or design concepts, helping create effective imprints for their promotional items.

Trade Show Giveaways

Trade show giveaways constitute a significant portion of Crestline's product offerings, as these events provide prime opportunities for brand promotion and customer engagement. The company offers comprehensive trade show items designed to attract attention and create lasting impressions.

1. Effective Trade Show Giveaways: Crestline positions their trade show giveaways as "unique, functional giveaway ideas that ensure you leave a lasting impression." The company references research indicating that approximately 80% of people who receive meaningful trade show giveaways remember the name of the advertiser. This statistic highlights the potential return on investment of well-chosen promotional items.

2. Categories of Trade Show Items: Crestline's trade show offerings span multiple categories:

   a. Wearable Items:

   • Baseball caps
   • T-shirts
   • Sunglasses
   • Fleece jackets

   • Winter gloves

     These items extend brand exposure beyond the event as recipients continue using them in daily life.

   b. Consumable Items:

   • Gourmet cookies
   • Snack trays
   • Chocolate bars
   • Candy tins

   • Peanuts

     Food items create positive brand associations and are often shared, extending promotional reach.

   c. Practical Items:

   • Reusable cups
   • Tumblers
   • Lip balms

   • Pens

     Everyday items ensure consistent brand exposure through regular use.

   d. Display and Booth Items:

   • Booth displays
   • Banners
   • Tablecloths
   • Backdrops

   • Signs

     These larger items help create professional booth displays that draw attendees in.

3. Customer Favorites: According to customer reviews, certain promotional items have proven particularly popular at trade shows:

   a. Cruise Retro Sunglasses: Described as a "hit at tradeshows and conferences" with praised quality and appeal.

   b. Flavored Lip Balm: Noted for being "a big hit at our trade show" with good quality that was "nice and creamy feeling."

   c. Polar Insulated Tumblers: Highly regarded for being "good quality that was not going to break the bank" and being "used by almost everyone at our event." Their dishwasher-safe feature adds practicality.

   d. Wooden Planter Block: Considered a "creative and unusual company giveaway" that generated many compliments.

4. Booth Enhancement Items: Beyond individual giveaways, Crestline offers a complete assortment of trade show booth enhancement items including booth displays, banners, tablecloths, and eye-catching backdrops designed to create professional and attractive displays.

Quality Guarantees and Return Policies

Crestline stands behind the quality of their products with clear guarantees and return policies that provide customers with confidence in their purchases:

1. Quality Guarantee: Crestline guarantees "quality products at fair prices" and assures customers that custom imprinted items will be delivered exactly as approved in their proof, free from material defects. If a product does not meet these standards, the company will issue a refund. This guarantee applies to all products, not just samples.

2. Return Policy Limitations: Because Crestline's products are customized with specific designs and logos, the company cannot accept returns on products once they have been printed with the customer's design. This policy is standard in the custom promotional products industry, as returned items would likely be unusable due to the customized imprint. The only exception is for products with material defects, which are covered by the quality guarantee.

3. Setup Charges: Crestline explains that setup charges are fees required by their factories to set up screens for creating custom imprints. The amount of these charges depends on the specific items being ordered. However, if an item is re-ordered with the same artwork, customers will not need to pay another setup charge. This policy encourages repeat business while maintaining fair pricing for custom imprinting services.

4. Compliance and Safety: Crestline's product manufacturers monitor their supply chains and use third-party labs to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including those from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and state regulations. For products covered by California's Proposition 65, customers may be given notice before orders are dispatched, allowing for product substitutes if desired.

5. Customer Support: If issues arise with an order, Crestline has an "expert resolutions team" committed to addressing problems related to product quality, shipping errors, or other concerns that may affect customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Crestline's free sample program offers businesses and organizations a valuable opportunity to evaluate promotional products before making purchase commitments. With a straightforward request process, clear eligibility guidelines, and a $20 sample value limit (including products and shipping), the program is accessible to both new and existing customers.

The samples provided by Crestline, while potentially featuring pre-imprinted logos and available colors rather than specific selections, offer an accurate representation of product quality and imprint capabilities. This allows customers to make informed decisions about which promotional items best suit their marketing needs and brand representation.

Crestline's extensive product catalog includes wearable items, consumable gifts, practical accessories, trade show displays, and affordable promotional items across various price points. Their trade show giveaways have proven effective in creating brand recall, with customer reviews highlighting popular items like sunglasses, lip balms, tumblers, and wooden planters.

With quality guarantees, clear return policies (with appropriate limitations for custom items), and compliance with safety regulations, Crestline provides customers with confidence in their promotional product purchases. The company's setup charge policy further benefits customers who re-order items with the same artwork.

For businesses seeking to enhance their brand visibility through promotional merchandise, Crestline's free sample program represents a low-risk opportunity to evaluate products and make informed purchasing decisions. The personalized service provided by Account Managers ensures that customers receive relevant samples and guidance throughout the selection process.

Sources

1. Crestline Free Samples
2. Crestline Corporate Gifts Under $1
3. Crestline Giveaways
4. Crestline Main Website
5. Seneca East vs Crestline Baseball Game