Promotional swag and branded merchandise remain effective and affordable ways for businesses to get their name out there. The right customized items not only spread brand awareness, but also provide value to recipients. Items like tech accessories, drinkware, apparel and more can deliver your logo and message straight into your target audience's hands.
In this article, we'll explore the top 10 picks for customizable swag and promotional products to add to your marketing mix. We'll cover creative options across different price points to suit a range of budgets. Whether looking for giveaways for events and conferences or gifts for employees and loyal customers, you'll discover innovative ideas to promote your brand in style.
Tech Accessories
Handing out functional tech tools plastered with your branding is a smart way to gain visibility. Useful gadgets like power banks, earbuds, and phone accessories often get used daily, turning them into moving billboards for your brand.
Popular choices include:
Slim power banks - These portable chargers come in compact designs at affordable costs. Opt for slim models that easily fit in pockets or bags. Add a logo or message.
- Earbuds - Both wired and wireless earbuds make handy customized giveaways. Choose a bright color and add branding to the buds or case.
- Phone wallets - These adhesive sleeves stick onto the back of phones to hold cards and cash. Brand the exterior with your logo.
- Pop sockets - These handy phone grips attach to the back of phones or cases. Customize with brand colors and logos. Easy to hand out.
Pros: Useful products that recipients will use frequently, displaying your branding. Offer a wide range of affordable options.
Cons: Tech changes quickly so may need replenishing swag. Be sure to get durable, quality items.
Cost: $5 - $25 per item
Drinkware
Keep your audience hydrated with branded drinkware! Water bottles, tumblers, mugs and more present excellent spaces for bold, colorful logos. Useful for both everyday sippers and take-home conference swag.
Top picks include:
- Stainless steel water bottles - Durable and eco-friendly. Choose sleek, modern designs with space for logos.
- Plastic sports bottles - Lightweight and budget-friendly for big events. Pick bright colors and add logos/messages.
- Insulated tumblers - Great for hot or cold drinks. Brand with company colors and slogans.
- Ceramic mugs - Affordable and customizable with plastering or sublimation techniques.
- Reusable straws - Eco alternative to plastic straws. Brand paper or metal versions.
Pros: Products frequently used with high visibility. Eco-friendly options available.
Cons: Limit lower quality plastic bottles which break easily.
Cost: $2 - $25 per item
Bags
Make sure your audience travels in style with branded bags, totes and luggage tags. Versatile options allow creativity with logos, slogans and colors. Give these at conferences, trade shows and corporate events.
Top options include:
- Tote bags - Popular giveaway item. Choose durable canvas, cotton or recycled materials.
- Drawstring bags - Low-cost option suitable for gyms, concerts etc. Brand with logos.
- Backpacks - Bold branding opportunity on these useful bags. Target students or travelers.
- Luggage tags - Visible way to brand at airports/travel events. Include logo and social channels.
- Laptop bags - Practical and professional. Allow space for large logos.
Pros: High perceived value and usage. Allow prominent logo display.
Cons: Higher end bags cost more per unit.
Cost: $3 - $30 per item
Apparel
Apparel makes highly visible and useful swag. T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts and more serve as wearable billboards for your branding. Popular for all industries and demographics.
Recommended options include:
- T-shirts - Cotton tees customize easily with screen printing or dye sublimation.
- Polos - Look professional with embroidery or printed logos.
- Hats - Versatile branding on caps, beanies, trucker hats and more.
- Sweatshirts - Comfortable blank hoodies and crewnecks perfect for big, bold logos.
- Jackets - Windbreakers allow prominent logo display for outdoor events.
Pros: High perceived value items. Recipients likely to use frequently.
Cons: Sizing can be tricky, order a size range. Limit lower quality materials.
Cost: $5 - $50 per item
Office Supplies
Keep your branding front of mind in workplaces with custom office supplies. Notepads, pens and desktop accessories provide constant visibility.
Creative options include:
- Notepads - Versatile and inexpensive. Customize shape/size and add logo to each sheet.
- Pens - Useful and inexpensive. Print or engrave barrels with logo and taglines.
- Sticky notes - Fun for shapes and colors. Print slogans and logos on each note.
- Mouse pads - Easy branding opportunity on an old school desktop staple.
- Desk accessories - Branded clips, holders, calendars etc.
- Pros: Affordable options. Useful/visible for daily office use.
Cons: Consumable products may need frequent replenishing.
Cost: $0.25 - $5 per item
Self-Care Items
Promote health-consciousness with custom self-care swag. Useful items like lip balm, hand sanitizer and sunscreen double as shareable brand exposure.
Smart choices include:
- Lip balm - Add logo and brand colors to these frequently used balms.
- Hand sanitizer - Helpful giveaway with logos printed on bottles or wraps.
- Sunscreen - Promote wellness with your logo on SPF lip balm, mist or lotions.
- First aid kits - Include your logo on these handy kits.
- Lounge wear - Comfy slippers, socks or sleep masks customize easily.
Pros: Unexpected items perceived as thoughtful gifts. Useful products.
Cons: Consumable/disposable products may need frequent replenishing.
Cost: $1 - $10 per item
Tools & Outdoor Gear
Durable, practical tools and travel gear make great branded swag. Target recipients who will use items regularly and expose your brand.
Top picks include:
- Flashlights - Affordable and handy. Print or engrave with logo.
- Multi-tools - Versatile and useful. Engrave handles with branding.
- Blankets - Cozy, bold branding opportunity on fleece or wool.
- Sunglasses - Promotional shades are a smart summer giveaway.
- Umbrellas - Useful gift showing off your logo when it rains.
- Pros: Valuable items that also provide high brand visibility.
Cons: Higher price point for quality durable items.
Cost: $5 - $40 per item
Food Gifts
Delicious and memorable edible gifts can uniquely showcase your brand. Handing out snacks makes a positive impression.
Tasty ideas include:
- Snack packages - Create branded snack packs with treats like cookies, nuts, jerky or candy.
- Gift baskets - Fill baskets with goodies and include your logo on packaging.
- Coffee kits - Design ready-to-brew pouches or gift sets pairing coffee with mugs.
- Catering or restaurant gift cards - Treat recipients to meals! Brand gift cards for bonus promotion.
Pros: Memorable and sharable gifts. Promotes positive brand associations.
Cons: Consumable gifts don't have lasting brand exposure.
Cost: $5 - $100 per item
Home Items
Custom home gifts provide functional keepsakes recipients will associate with your brand. Offer useful products for kitchens, barware and decor.
Top options:
- Kitchen utensils - Spatulas, tongs etc customize well with logos.
- Oven mitts - Practical and brandable kitchen staple.
- Bottle openers - Fun designs make memorable barware swag.
- Coasters - Soak up brand visibility on these frequent-use items.
- Magnets - Affordable item for fridges and offices. Add logo.
Pros: Gifts useful for daily home use. High perceived value.
Cons: Limit lower quality items that break easily.
Cost: $2 - $10 per item
Pet Accessories
Pet parents make a large swag target audience. Branded leashes, toys and bandanas make affordable and memorable pet gifts.
Smart choices include:
- Pet bandanas - Allow prominent logo display. Popular giveaway item.
- Pet toys - Fun shapes and textures available with custom branding.
- Pet waste bag holders - Practical freebie with logo.
- Pet bowls - Add logo to basic plastic or upgraded stainless versions.
- Pet leashes/collars - Brand the handles or tags.
Pros: Unexpected gift that stands out. Pet items tend to get used regularly.
Cons: Ensure non-toxic materials if branding on toys or bowls.
Cost: $2 - $10 per item
Conclusion
Promotional swag and branded merchandise provide versatile, cost-effective ways to expand brand visibility and connections. The right customized items lend value for recipients while displaying your logo and messaging. Tech accessories, drinkware, apparel and other creative options covered in this top 10 list offer impactful alternatives to plain old logo slapping.
Whether creating swag for conferences, company gifts, or boosting brand awareness, make sure to offer useful items tailored to your audience. Avoid landfill-clogging junk and instead opt for memorable branded merchandise they’ll proudly use. With so many options, you can boost impressions while delighting recipients. Explore adding some creative promotional products to your next marketing campaign and watch your branding soar!