1. I've never ordered lucites before and I just got word I'm handling them for this deal. How do I get started?

Handling the lucites should be one of the fun parts of the deal. We have the experience and expertise to make sure it's the enjoyable and painless process it should be.



Especially if it's your first time ordering Lucites, we strongly suggest that you set up an appointment with your TCP account executive. Meeting your account executive in person, and seeing first-hand some of the design options and techniques, will do a lot to set your mind at ease about the process.

TOP

2. How much time do we need to allot to produce a Lucite?

For most Lucite projects you should allot 4-5 weeks for the design and production process.

Here's why: The bare-bones production process for Lucite isn't so time-consuming. A good rule of thumb is that it takes 6-8 working days to produce a sample, and 8-10 working days to for the production of the full order once the sample has been approved. But when you start factoring in the decision-making time necessary to select a design, review the physical prototype etc. (especially given bankers' travel schedules) you can see why it's wise to allow for some extra time.

TOP

3. What information do you need from me to get started?

There are some preliminary questions that we need to ask you to get started. These include:

Will there be a closing dinner? If so, has it been scheduled yet?

Do you have a specific budget for the piece?

How many pieces do you expect to order? (Be as precise as possible, but even if you just have a rough idea it's helpful to us.)

What can you tell us about the transaction? (Type of deal, nature of client's business, etc.)

TOP

4. Do you need anything else from me?

There are a couple of things:

Text from the deal: We'll need the text to begin artwork for the design. The tombstone may already have been published - in which case you can send us a pdf. On the other hand, even if you can only provide a handwritten tombstone, don't worry: we know your formats and can typeset the tombstone here.

Logos: It will save us considerable time if you can provide logos in digital, preferably vector form. (The ideal form for color logos is either in an .eps or .ai format with assigned Pantone colors. Ask your account executive for more details).

For logos not available in digital format, we can work off a logo you provide us by email, or from something containing the logo such as a business card, letterhead, annual report, etc. There is also a good chance we already have at least some of the logos for the companies involved in your deal.

Client materials: : Annual reports, brochures, marketing materials - all of these can be great sources for ideas, artwork, or photographs.

Client products: If you want to include in your lucite one of your client's actual products, the earlier you can get it to us the better. It will be helpful for us to see the product for its sizing, its look and its ease of embedment.

TOP

5. Can you give me a quick overview of the design and production process?

The various steps in the Lucite production process are laid out in Making Your Lucite. Here is a quick summary:

After our initial contact with you, we'll provide you with design options appropriate for your piece (either by email or fax or both).

Once you decide on an option, which usually involves some tinkering with the original concept, we send the artwork to our factory. The factory will produce a sample (something we recommend whenever possible) or proceed directly with the full order.

Again, a good rule of thumb is to allot 6-8 business days for the production of a sample or 8-10 business days for the full order once you have given us the go-ahead.

When a sample is involved, we review the piece with you and your group for modifications or final approval. Typically, we then proceed to the full order.

TOP

6. I don't have the kind of time you're talking about. My dinner's next week! What do I do?

There's no way around it: rush situations definitely limit your options. But before you panic, give your account executive a call. There is no one that can get a rush order done for you faster than The Corporate Presence.

There are several possible solutions for rush situations. First, we still may be able to get the job done! Alternatively, we might be able to turn around a simpler piece, in the quantity you need in time for your dinner. Or, we might be able to produce a piece for your dinner and distribute the full order to attendees sometime later.

Frames are also another possibility, and can be done "last minute". We readily source other corporate gifts, so you never have to be left empty-handed. The most important thing is to contact your account executive and relay the necessary information.

TOP

7. Do I have to come up with ideas for the Lucite or is that something you'll do?

If you and your group have some preliminary ideas for the design, that's great; but if not, don't worry, we'll take care of it. Remember, no one has more expertise in designing lucites than we do.

Your account executive will guide you through design options appropriate for your budget and timetable.

TOP

8. I've looked through the gallery here and through your brochure, and I don't see anything that looks like the piece I had in mind. Am I out of luck?

Absolutely not...

All of our Lucite designs are customized. The pieces we show on this website and in our brochure are for illustrative purposes only.

There are almost a limitless range of possibilities. Maybe you've seen something you like but envision a variation. Or perhaps a combination of a number of pieces. Or something totally new or even untested.

Regardless, we'll help you get the most effective Lucite possible. You are in the right hands!

TOP

9. We really want this piece to be special for our client, but nothing about the industry or the deal seems to lend itself to a creative piece. Any suggestions?

Over the years we've gotten inspiration for creative lucites from some not so obvious sources. Did the deal have a code name we could play off of? Was there some running joke we might make use of? Keep in mind also that there are a number of other sources of ideas--your client's logo, a flagship product, the location of the company, etc.

TOP

10. Can just about anything be put inside Lucite?

Cookies, cigars, tortilla chips, motor oil--over the years there aren't many things we haven't put inside Lucite. Keep in mind that the production process involves a high-temperature baking process--meaning that rubber and most plastics will melt. But don't worry, there are other ways we can work these materials into a design, and we will test embed any product free of charge.

TOP

11. What other products & services do you offer?

OTHER PRODUCTS

Frames:
Framed tombstones provide a very elegant memento for the deal. We're thoroughly familiar with your formats, and can turn around an elegant set of frames in a short time frame.

Non-Lucite Gifts:
Remember that, in addition to lucite, we provide a full selection of non-lucite gifts ranging from crystal, leather, silver, and clocks to t-shirts, umbrellas and golf balls.

Gag Gifts:
Our experience and judgment will take the fear out of providing gag gifts. We'll help you develop ideas that are both clever and appropriate.

Give your account executive as much advance notice as possible, as these closing gifts may require a longer lead time (such as caricatures of deal participants).

Other Events:
Keep us in mind for other events ranging from corporate outings and golf tournaments to award ceremonies, and speaker gifts for your conferences.

OTHER SERVICES

Special Shipping:
We can handle all the logistics of shipping to multiple addresses and locations, both domestic and international.

Gift-Wrapping:
We can also provide customized gift wrapping for your order.