When flash memory first started gaining popularity as a marketing product it was primarily content owners needing high quality compact flash and SD cards duplicated with promotional or retail content. Users included major mobile phone manufacturers looking to include free content on their phones as a marketing exercise and digital signage specialists needing fast turnaround times on timely content for in store use.
USB manufacturers realized that by offering a low volume custom printing option on what were now being called Alloy USB Cards they could tap in to a much wider market than just those companies requiring content delivery. Off the shelf USB designs could be customized by screen printing and laser engraving.
In addition to supplying the more standard products, a custom shaped USB design service is also a major part of this new offering. From CAD designs or product photos a realistic 3D custom molded USB stick can be created that not only truly reflects a brand’s values but is also guaranteed to be a unique promotional item in the sea of similar looking USB promotions. With materials such as recycled PVC, a custom USB promotional flash drive can be made for not much more than an off the shelf variety. PVC is malleable and easily colored so it makes an ideal material for use in custom molded USB shells. With an additional benefit of being more ecologically friendly than standard off the shelf designs, PVC has gained tremendous popularity in this use.
An additional benefit of Alloy USB Cards are that the moulding process required for working with PVC is far less intensive than that required for ABS or other plastics. A mould can be made in a matter of days, compared to the weeks required for a heavy duty ABS mould. This results in prototype samples being turned around in a matter of a week or two rather than the month or two required for ABS prototypes. Modern laser cutting mould creation techniques allow for an incredible amount of detail to be incorporated onto even small designs.
