Emphasizing greater appeal in gifts, crafts
Riding the trend for products with enriched aesthetic appeal, suppliers in China and India will launch gifts and crafts in various materials and forms in 2008.

Handicrafts for release in the year ahead will feature exteriors made from a combination of paper, metal, polished wood and plastic, and alternative materials such as cardboard, pewter and K9 crystal. In addition, a diverse assortment of trimmings will be incorporated to keep the line fresh.

Companies will also focus on shape innovation and intricate detailing. This is primarily to combat rampant design copying.

Suppliers of gift and trinket boxes will be fusing more materials with different embellishments in their models. Special coatings and finishes will also be employed to spark interest in the line.

While metal, wood, silk, PU and PVC will remain the key housing materials, upcoming designs will have lace and flocked fabric as add-ons. The use of beads, sequins, and synthetic and semiprecious stones will also be more popular.

In India, makers will be paying increased attention to handwork for yielding intricate details. This includes carrying out sewing, carving, lacquer application and polishing manually.

Suppliers of novelty radios in China will be employing alternative materials and special components to distinguish models in terms of aesthetics and features.

The coming year will see more products in soft plush toy designs. Stuffed with polyester filling and covered in brightly colored cotton velour, such releases will specifically target the youth market. Water-resistant and solar-powered units will likewise be given more attention.

New models will also feature enhancements such as LEDs, alarms, time, date and temperature display, and even MP3 playback.

To stay competitive, companies will be offering more products that comply with several international safety standards, including the EU's RoHS directive.

Photo frames
Under efforts to thwart design copying, suppliers of photo frames in China and India will be offering models featuring varied shapes and durable surfaces.

The line will include asymmetrical, and sports- and cartoon-themed photo frames in metal, wood and plastic. To increase distinctiveness further, makers will be employing electroplating, oxidation and lead-free lacquering. Releases boasting multicolor and holographic effects are also expected to join the trend for diversity.

Embellishments such as dried flower petals, rhinestones, beads and marble chips will play a role in enhancing product appearance. Companies will source such components overseas for better quality.

India's metal craft suppliers will continue to focus on intricately designed models. They plan to achieve this through the frequent use of semiautomated metalworking techniques, and the application of better treatments, plating and ornamentation.

Traditional metalworking methods, however, will continue to dominate production in 2008, as they are more suitable for yielding fine details. Polishing, carving and sanding will still be done by hand, although grinders will occasionally be employed for large pieces.

Besides natural and antique finishes, and brass, chrome, silver and gold plating, suppliers are expected to utilize food-grade and nickel-free coating to ensure that models are nontoxic.