Condé Systems – The Sublimation Blog

By Steve

One of Condé’s newest offerings is a rustic wood keepsake box, also known as the heirloom box with an oval inset on the top. The really unique thing about this box is the fact it has a lock and is the only one on the sublimation market that does (at least to my knowledge). The other unique factor is that it was modeled after a box made by Lane Furniture Company some years ago. Many of the ladies who graduated in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s may remember these in that Lane used to give a box to every female high school graduate as an marketing ploy to encourage them to buy a Lane cedar chests as a “hope chest” to keep things for their upcoming wedding (in those days, all girls who graduated from high school were assumed to have a wedding in their reasonably near future). The ladies who received those chests will have fond memories surrounding the box they received.

As for your marketing, these boxes are great for girls (ladies) of almost any age of course but they will also work for boys and men as well. Because of the lock, they are a natural for any youngster who will relish keeping his or her “treasures” locked away from prying eyes. I remember one of my daughters used to collect “special rocks” from everywhere we traveled. She kept them in a box not so different than this one. The older crowd may opt to keep keys, jewelery, mementos and the like in theirs.

THIS IS AN AMERICAN MADE PRODUCT!

The insert looks like it might be FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) but it isn’t. In order to get something that could be cut into an oval and thin enough for the box, the insert is actually phenolic laminate (a form of Formica – the stuff counter tops are made of). It sublimates well and although it can chip if abused, it is very durable once attached to the box. I find it best to affix the insert with silicone adhesive ( or E6000 glue) but not too much of it or it might squirt out the edges. I found double faced tape to work only temporarily. The sublimation process is the same as for FRP or metal except this product should be prepressed for about 20 seconds just prior to being imprinted. Imprint time 75 seconds. Detailed information is also on CondeTV.com

As for pricing, this is a product that will surely become an heirloom so underselling it only makes it seem cheap. The nice thing about this box is you never risk sacrificing the box if you make a mistake – just replace the insert which is only a couple of bucks. This allows you the flexibility of selling the box retail on the high end and still have room in the price to wholesale it as well.

PRICING:
Your cost: 1-11 pieces is 24.17; 12-59 is 21.97 and slightly lower in larger quantities.
I recommend that your retail pricing should range from $49.95 to 69.95 depending on your market.
Wholesale, depending on your market, could run as low as $39.95 and as high as $49.95. Less than that and it would hardly be worth your time and trouble.
Quantity Discounts (Retail): People always want to know how much they can save if they buy in quantity – although they rarely do. In this case, I would suggest starting at 10% for six or more and perhaps 20% for a dozen.
Fundraiser Price: I suggest 25% – 35%, based on a retail of $49.95, for a serious fundraiser client.

To add value and increase your profits: Offer to make a small metal plate to attach to the underside of the lid showing who gave the box and to whom. It can be as large as you want, even up to 3 7/8”x8.25”. The larger the plate and the more you put on it, the more you can charge.
Some suggested prices for additional plate:
1×3” $7.50 + $5.00 for each photograph retail; $5.00 + $3.00 for each photograph wholesale
2×4” $8.50 + $5.00 for each photograph retail; $6.00 + $3.00 for each photograph wholesale
3×6” $10.00 + $5.00 for each photograph retail; $6.00 + $3.00 for each photograph wholesale
3 7/8 x 8¼” $12.00 + $5.00 for each photograph retail; $6.00 + $3.00 for each photograph wholesale

Potential Markets:
Individual gift items: Great for birthdays, Baptisms, First Communions, Bat Mitzvahs, graduations and, of course, Christmas.

Gift Shops: In a gift shop setting, you will probably be better off selling a finished box with a standard image on the box such as that of a local high school or college, tourist destination, etc. Customers can still order custom boxes however.

High School & College Gift Shops: Like the gift shop, your best bet would probably be to offer the boxes with stock images of the school’s logo, a famous building on campus, etc.

Wedding Shop: These make great gifts for the bride or for the Maids of Honor.

Baby Clothing Shops: Independent shops that specialize in baby clothes and the like are a great outlet for these boxes. The box is intended for saving baby’s last pacifier, teeth lost to the Tooth Fairy and all those cute little jewelry items people give newborns that no reasonable person would ever give to a baby for fear of them choking on them. The oval on the box can be imprinted with the baby’s picture, name, date of birth, weight, etc.