At Steel City, we select measuring and utility tools with one key question in mind: would you use this yourself? To make the cut, they have to be accurate, durable, and ready to work as hard as the recipient does in their day-to-day.
Our choices focus on quality and longevity, ensuring that your branded merchandise doesn’t just land well, but stays in use for the long term – avoiding the issues that come with lower-quality alternatives.
- True-read tape blades: We choose EC Class 2 calibrated tape measures with imperial and metric scales so the blade reads accurately. Whether you’re setting out or checking cuts, we want to ensure it’s a tool they can rely on, rather than a “close enough” tape that doesn’t do the job.
- Branding that stays put: We prefer engraving on metal tools and high-quality domed or label branding on tape housings. These methods handle the day-to-day wear of pockets and gloves much better than basic prints, ensuring your brand exposure lasts as long as the tool does.
- Proof-first sign-off: We always provide a proof before production – nothing goes to print without your approval. This ensures we catch any potential issues with logo placement or colour before we proceed, giving you peace of mind that the final product will look exactly right.
- Dates you can plan around: We know lead times are important, so ours start from artwork approval. We also offer express options on selected lines, so if you are working towards a specific event or campaign date, we can usually make something work for you.
- Carryable tool formats: Our range includes compact keyring measures, belt-clip tapes, and useful everyday kit like knives, torches, and levels. We know that tools only get used if they are easy to keep close to hand – whether that’s in a pocket, on keys, or in the glovebox.
- Clear-origin UK options: We keep UK-made lines available for when traceability is key. If you need a clear origin story or want to reduce carbon miles, we can help you make a choice that aligns with your sustainability goals.
These products are the starting point we use as our benchmarks. If your lead time and volumes allow, our team can also take a consultative approach to source bespoke tools to match the exact format, spec, or branding method you need.