Congratulations on securing a spot in our upcoming annual press gifting opportunity with New Product Events!

This will truly be a very exciting process for you and we’re here to help guide you every step of the way. If you’re like most of our members, you’ve already started brainstorming what you’ll gift the press and how you can market the heck out of your participation in this event.

You probably also have a lot of questions, especially if this is your first time participating in an event with us. We’ve prepared this list of important information below to help answer your questions. If you have any questions not covered, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, and I’d be happy to help you.

Press Swag Bag Gifts

Press gifts do not have to be the same identical color, but must all be the same product design, with the same monetary value.
Whatever is submitted as your final product photo will be included in our Gift Guide, and must be the product found inside the gift bags.
All gifters should include their business cards including social media contacts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.) INSIDE your gift packaging.
This gifting opportunity does NOT include the possibility of a press member posing for a professional photo holding your product.

Deadlines

As professionals, we expect you to meet all deadlines for deliverables.
Please submit a direct link to the product you intend to gift the press ASAP for approval. Do not begin production on your gifts until you have received this approval.
The deadline for us to receive a final high-resolution photograph of the product you will be gifting the press is no later than JUNE 1, 2019. This product must be the same product you were approved to gift. Instructions on how to photograph your product will follow as we get closer to this deadline.
The deadline for us to receive your products is no later than JUNE 15, 2019.
If we do not receive your deliverables by their respective deadlines above, we will have to move forward in our preparations
without your products, and your participation fee will not be refunded.

Gift Restrictions

Your gift must fit into a gift bag with many other gifts, so only small gifts can be accepted (see below for size restrictions).
No glass products, i.e., candle holders, glass bottles, glass frames, etc. Small glass jewelry components, and small perfume bottles and bottles of nail polish are OK.
No adult clothing, i.e., jackets, tops, pants, skirts, coats, etc. Graphic design tees and scarves are OK, as long as they are rolled up and
packaged compactly.
No gift certificates or gift cards in lieu of gifts. You’re welcome to include a coupon or discount code in your marketing materials alongside your gift, but you must provide an actual tangible product if you are gifting the celebrities or members of the press.
No ACEO prints or postcards in plastic sleeves.
No magnets or other mass-produced trinkets.
Gifts cannot contain any nudity, profanity, or any religious or political themes.

Packaging and Size Restrictions

Your product should be packaged as a gift, or in the professional manner in which you ship your products to your own customers.
Do not use squared boxes (i.e., 4” x 4” x 4”).
Do not use pillow boxes.
Do not use paper gift bags.
Do not use plastic sleeves as your primary packaging.
Do not use ziploc or any other plastic bags as your primary packaging.
Do not use shipping envelopes, or any other regular envelopes.
Do not use packaging with glitter that can rub off on other gifts in the bag.
Do not use delicate embellishments, such as raffia or feathers on the outside of your packaging; as it could become damaged in transit.
Keep it simple. Your packaging doesn’t need to be over the top. You can convey an elegant image, and also stay within our guidelines.
Choose packaging that is just a bit bigger than the gift itself. It’s not necessary to package small items in big, elaborate packaging. Less is more.
Be sure everything you are gifting fits inside your packaging. This includes your business card. We don’t want anything to become separated from your gift in the bag.
If you are using a drawstring pouch or bag, the bag MUST cinch closed completely — no open or un-cinched bags can be accepted.
All bags and pouches must close completely.
- JEWELRY: Most jewelry can be packaged in a nice organza bag or pouch (maximum size 5”x 7”), but if your jewelry is exceptionally fragile, and you absolutely must use a box, your box cannot exceed 3-1/2” x 3-1/2” x 1”. These boxes are big enough for your jewelry, and can also hold your business card. Be sure you tie a ribbon around the box or in some way secure the box so the contents don’t fall out. Jewelry participants can also gift their product in a small box and then inside a bag or pouch if necessary.
- BATH/BODY/SPA PRODUCTS: Bath, body, and spa artisans may gift ONE product (not a whole collection of large products), i.e., one jar of sugar scrub, one bottle of lotion, or one bar of soap, etc., to be gifted in small bags or pouches, not to exceed 5” x 7”.
  CANDLES: Candles should not be a “full-size” candle or made of glass, as the glass can break in the bag, and expose TAG to potential lawsuits (candles have actually broken in our gift bags in the past). The “travel-size” tins are the best fit for our giftings.
  COSMETICS: Cosmetic artisans gifting eye shadows, nail polishes, lip glosses, etc., may gift 2-3 of these products in packaging not
  to exceed 4”x 6”.
  STATIONERY/PAPER GOODS: If you are gifting stationery sets, A6-sized cards are a good fit. You can package your stationery sets in 4-7/8″ x 1/2″ x 6-5/8″ boxes, but no larger. If you’d like to dress up your packaging, you can slide your clear boxes of stationery sets into 6.75″ x 12″ organza bags.’
- PHOTOGRAPHY/ILLUSTRATIONS: The size limit on prints from our photographer or illustrator members is not to exceed 5″ x 7″ (finished size) since your gift is flat. We prefer that you mat your prints whenever possible. If you mat your prints, you’ll want to send 4×6″ prints matted to a 5×7″ finished size. You can also package your photography prints in 4-7/8″ x 1/2″ x 6-5/8″ boxes, but no larger. Please do not package your prints in shipping envelopes. We prefer prints be packaged in a professional manner using portrait cases, similar to what is offered at Rice Studio Supply.
- SEWN PRODUCTS: Sewn products should be tucked inside a bag or pouch with your business card, not to exceed 5” x 7”.
- PURSES/CLUTCHES/WRISTLETS/CASES: The size limit for small purses or clutches, sewn wristlets, or makeup cases is not to exceed 5” x 7”. The actual product can be your packaging. Tuck your business card inside and zip it or close it up. No further packaging is necessary.
- HAIR ACCESSORIES: If you are gifting hair accessories, please package your product in small bags or pouches, not to exceed 5” x 7”.

Shipping Your Package

You will receive the shipping address to send your package to and the shipping instructions about a month before the deadline. The shipping window of time for us to receive your package will also be provided to you as we get closer to the event. Your package MUST arrive during this time period in order to be included.
DO NOT WAIT until the last minute to prepare your gifts or ship your package. Plan accordingly, and prepare for unforeseen circumstances that may be out of your control, such as weather, missed deliveries or lost shipments.
Please do not drop off your package to the Organizer if you are local. Respect the Organizer’s privacy, and plan ahead so you leave plenty of time for your package to be shipped and delivered to their private residences.
Be sure you include your first and last name on the return address of your package, not just your shoppe name.
The Artisan Group is not responsible for lost or late shipments, or tracking lost packages. It is your responsibility to plan ahead and ensure your package meets the deadline.
You are free to use whatever carrier you’d like to ship your package, but based on past experiences, we do not recommend you use the USPS to ship your package. FedEx or UPS have proven to be much more reliable, and there have been less issues using these two carriers. I’ve lost count of how many TAG members did not heed this advice, and lost out on great opportunities altogether. Trust me, you don’t want to risk it and trust the post office for such an important shipment.
International shippers, please pay your own customs/tariffs/tax charges. If The Artisan Group is billed for these charges, we will expect you to reimburse us immediately.
Always select the Package Tracking option when shipping your package in case your shipment gets lost.
Please do not e-mail the Organizers your tracking information as you ship your packages. We only need to receive your package, not track it.
Please avoid shipping peanuts and shredded paper. If you must use these materials, please use ziplock bags to encase these packaging materials.
If your package does not arrive by the deadline, you run the risk of not being included in future gifting opportunities, and your participation fee will not be refunded.

Artisan Contact List

All TAG members who are gifting products in the press gift bags will be included in our Artisan Contact List which will be included in all gift bags. Required information includes name, business name, business link, product type, and a square-sized photo of product being gifted.

Marketing Your Participation

You MAY use phrases such as “Gifted to XYZ PRESS OUTLET”, or “Gifted to XYZ PRESS OUTLET in association with The Artisan Group”,
accompanying your product photo, AFTER all gift bags have been confirmed delivered and enough time has passed for each recipient to review the entire collection of products.
You MAY disclose those press members who have been gifted to your fan bases AFTER all gift bags have been confirmed delivered and enough time has passed for the press attendees to review all the products gifted. We will give you the heads up when it’s safe to begin promoting.

Miscellaneous

Please be advised that as with all gifting opportunities, there is never any guarantee that you will receive a ‘thank-you’, or a public or private acknowledgment for the gift you provide to celebrities.
All participation fees are non-refundable, so be certain you can commit to participating. If you drop out, you do run the risk of not being eligible for future TAG opportunities. We take commitments very seriously.
Your gift should come from a smoke-free, pet odor-free environment. If you smoke, live in a home with someone who smokes, or have pets, be sure your gift and/or packaging will not come in contact with smoke odor or pets. If your gift arrives to the Organizers, and smells of cigarette smoke, or pet odor, it will be returned to you at your cost, and your participation fee
will not be refunded.