Here’s a selection of our favourite typos that won’t be lived down anytime soon, and are also sure to have you proofing to high heaven from this day forth...
There’s nothing quite like spotting a typo after you’ve already hit publish. But while a misplaced letter might earn you a mildly embarrassing Slack message, a typo on a billboard, sign, newspaper or piece of branded merchandise can become a very public problem.
The trouble is that typos are surprisingly easy to miss. When you’ve read the same sentence, checked the same design and stared at the same logo for the hundredth time, your brain has a habit of filling in what it expects to see rather than what’s actually there.
And sometimes, the results are unintentionally hilarious.
From unfortunate headlines and questionable food labels to tattoos that really should have been proofread first, we’ve rounded up some of the funniest typos from around the world. They’re good for a laugh - and an even better reminder to always get a second (or third) pair of eyes on your work before it reaches the public.
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Read more: Epic Fails within Brand Marketing
When it comes to living down a typo, there’s none so hardy as the tattoo. As close to being permanent as can be, these people have a constant reminder of their silliness staring back in the mirror.
And there are those silly ones that aren’t likely to offend, but will evoke a little juvenile snigger.
Read more: What format do I need to provide my artwork in when ordering merchandise?
When it comes to food, typos can put a completely different slant on things, and turn that delicious concoction into the kind of cuisine that you’d really rather avoid.
An interesting combo...
Some typos like those we have chosen below are in a special league of their own. These are the typos you see and wonder if these people are simply in the wrong jobs.
Early in 2010, Gregorio Iniguez, managing director of the Chilean Mint, was sacked after he authorised the production of 1.5m 50-peso coins that spelled the country's name 'C-H-I-I-E'. By the time he was kicked out it was too late; the coins remain in circulation to this day.
Read more: 4 Mistakes to Avoid with your Promotional Products
What’s the moral of the story? Get another pair of eyes to look over it as well. And another. And another for good measure.
As you can see, when a business allows a typo to reach the public, then a lasting impression can certainly be made, but for all the wrong reasons. And you might just find yourself walking around the office with your tail between your legs, with a slap on the wrist from the Accountant. And your manager. And self.
So when choosing your promotional products from our range, be sure to check your logos and art requirements because these goodies will be reaching lots and lots of meticulous eyes!
When you’re familiar with a piece of text, your brain tends to read what it expects to see rather than every individual letter. A fresh pair of eyes can make errors much easier to spot.
A typo can change the meaning of your message, undermine professionalism and potentially damage your brand’s reputation — particularly when it appears on something highly visible.
Always proofread the final artwork before production and have someone else check the copy, spelling, logos and product details too.
Usually, no. Once products have been manufactured, correcting a printed error can mean reprinting or replacing the affected items — which is why checking artwork before production is so important.
There’s no magic number, but multiple checks by different people are better than relying on one person. A final proofread immediately before approval is also worthwhile.
Typos happen. Even the most eagle-eyed proofreader can miss a rogue letter when they’ve been looking at the same piece of copy for too long.
But these examples show just how dramatically a small spelling mistake can change a message — and why proofreading is particularly important when something is being printed at scale. Once hundreds or thousands of products have been produced, there’s no handy backspace button.
Before signing off your next piece of branded merchandise, take a final look at every word, number and logo. Better still, ask someone who hasn’t been involved in the project to check it with fresh eyes.
Because when it comes to promotional products, a little extra proofreading can save you from creating the next internet-famous typo.
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