Imagine this: your company’s big event is just around the corner, and you still haven’t picked out the promotional items that will represent your business at the event. If you’re like most people, you know what you want to accomplish. You want to impress and attract your target audience with promotional corporate swag that speaks to them, builds their anticipation for your brand, and helps your business achieve its short- and long-term goals. But as you scour the internet for ideas, you quickly become overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. We’ll help you sift through the noise to find the best promo items for your upcoming event and your business.
One of the best ways to get started is by looking at company branded swag trends for the current year. Giftpack’s company branded swag can help you find the best promotional items for your next event.
Why Do Promotional Items Matter?
Promo items have become more than just freebies—they're a powerful marketing tool with impressive stats to back them up. With over $20 billion in annual revenue, it's clear that these branded goodies are making a significant impact.
Why Are Promo Items So Effective?
Why are they so effective? For starters, 86% of consumers can recall the brand on a promotional product they've received within the last two years. That’s a pretty amazing number, showing how these items stick in people's minds long after they've been handed out. And it gets even better: 85% of consumers end up doing business with the advertiser after receiving a promo item. That’s not just a fleeting impression; it's turning into real business.
Promo Items Are Everywhere
From the humble promotional pen you use daily to the branded mug you sip your morning coffee from, these items are everywhere. In fact, 91% of consumers have at least one promotional product in their kitchen, making them a constant, subtle reminder of your brand.
So, these little trinkets are doing a lot of heavy lifting, whether it’s a stylish tote bag, a useful USB drive, or a handy keychain. They’re not just giveaways; they’re smart investments in keeping your brand front and center in the minds of your audience.
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6 Top Categories Of Promotional Items
1. Go Green with Eco-Friendly Promo Products
With growing environmental awareness, eco-friendly promotional products are becoming increasingly popular. Items should align your brand with sustainability and appeal to consumers who value environmental responsibility, such as:
- Reusable straws
- Bamboo utensils
- Recycled products
By offering eco-friendly items, you demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices, which can enhance your brand’s reputation and resonate with eco-conscious audiences.
2. Office Supplies: The Classic Corporate Promo Items
Office supplies are perennial favorites for promotional gifts. Items like pens, notebooks, calendars, and desk accessories are practical and enduring. They fit seamlessly into professional and personal settings, ensuring ongoing brand visibility.
These items are often shared or borrowed, which can extend your brand’s reach beyond the initial recipient, making them an intelligent choice for consistent brand presence.
3. Tech Gadgets: The Modern Promo Item for Corporate Gifting
Gadgets like USB drives, phone chargers, headphones, and Bluetooth speakers are highly sought-after promotional products. They reflect a modern, tech-savvy brand image and offer practical value that recipients appreciate. Tech gadgets are integrated into daily routines, providing frequent brand exposure and reinforcing your message whenever used.
4. Drinkware: The Everyday Use Corporate Gifts
Drinkware items like water bottles, coffee mugs, and tumblers are popular for their daily utility. They’re used frequently, providing numerous opportunities for your brand to make a lasting impression. Whether at the office or on the go, drinkware items act as mobile advertisements, keeping your brand visible to a wide audience throughout the day.
5. Apparel and Accessories: The Fashionable Promo Products
Apparel and accessories are classic promotional choices that offer high visibility. Think of branded t-shirts, hats, tote bags, and sunglasses. These items serve as walking billboards, spreading your brand's message wherever the recipient goes.
They’re versatile, appealing to a broad audience, and cost-effective for mass distribution. Plus, well-designed apparel and accessories can become favorite items people wear regularly, keeping your brand in their daily view.
6. Outdoor & Leisure Promo Items: The Perfect Corporate Gifts for the Outdoorsy Type
Many people resort to the outdoors to forget about the rest of the world and find peace, comfort, and tranquility, whether it’s camping, sports, or hiking. Properly advertised outdoor products will make traveling in the open air more peaceful and pleasurable.
While many people just throw a towel in the car and apply sunscreen, a variety of accessories may make your day in varied weather even more enjoyable. Each category has unique advantages, and selecting the right one depends on your brand’s goals, audience, and message.
AI-Powered Gifting Solutions
At Giftpack, our driving force is to simplify the corporate gifting process while maximizing the impact of each gift. Utilizing our custom AI algorithm, we create highly customized scenario swag box options for you. We deliver globally and have an extremely user-friendly platform. We curate the most fitting gifts from a vast catalog of over 3.5 million products worldwide (which is ever-increasing).
By carefully considering an individual's basic demographics, preferences, social media activity, and digital footprint, we tailor each gift selection process regardless if the recipient is an employee, a customer, a VIP client, a friend, or a family member. With a wide range of locally and globally sourced gifts, we ensure that personalized gifting is accessible and achievable on a large scale, delivering meaningful connections across the globe.
Try Giftpack's client gifting service for free today.
What To Consider When Selecting Promo Items For Your Brand
Know Your Audience to Pick the Best Promo Items
When selecting the best promotional items, your first step is understanding your target audience. Consider their age, gender, location, occupation, hobbies, and preferences. Tailor your promotional items to fit their interests and lifestyles to boost engagement and brand recall.
For instance, tech-savvy millennials might appreciate the latest gadgets, while health-conscious individuals prefer eco-friendly water bottles or fitness gear. By aligning your choices with your audience’s preferences, you make your promotional efforts more impactful and memorable.
Reflect Your Brand to Choose the Right Promo Items
Your promotional items should reflect your brand’s identity. Whether your brand is associated with sustainability, innovation, or creativity, your chosen items should embody these values. If your brand promotes eco-friendliness, consider items made from recycled materials.
Consistency between your promotional products and your brand’s messaging helps strengthen your brand identity and provides a cohesive experience for your audience.
Stick to Your Budget When Selecting Promo Items
Budgeting is crucial when selecting promotional items. Determine how much you’re willing to spend and analyze the cost-effectiveness of different options. Look at production costs, the quantity needed, and distribution expenses to ensure you stay within budget while achieving your campaign goals.
Balancing quality with affordability is key—choose items that offer good value without breaking the bank. This approach helps maximize your return on investment and ensures you get the most out of your promotional efforts.
Pick Practical Promo Items That Provide Value
Practicality plays a significant role in the effectiveness of promotional items. Opt for products your audience finds useful and relevant to their daily lives. Items like apparel, drinkware, or tech accessories often have high utility and visibility.
Practical items are more likely to be used frequently, which increases your brand’s exposure. By selecting items that add value to your audience’s lives, you enhance their experience and create a positive association with your brand.
Quality Matters When Choosing the Best Promo Items
The quality of your promotional items matters. 72% of customers believe the promo's quality equals the company's reputation. Investing in well-crafted, durable products ensures that your items withstand wear and tear, reflecting positively on your brand.
High-quality items are more likely to be used over time and convey a sense of value and care. Choosing durable items from premium materials to superior craftsmanship helps build a positive brand image and shows your commitment to providing value.
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61 Best Promotional Products Your Audience Will Actually Find Useful
1. Branded Pens: Always Write on Target
Pens are a universal necessity. Customizing them with your logo makes them a practical promotional tool. Whether they're used at the office, home, or during meetings, your brand is constantly in view. Pens are cost-effective and have a high perceived value, ensuring that your branding gets plenty of exposure.
2. Custom Notepads: Take Note of This
Notepads are essential for jotting down quick notes or reminders. Adding your logo to the top or bottom transforms a simple office supply into a powerful branding tool. They’re perfect for daily use and provide ample space for your logo, ensuring your brand stays in sight.
3. Reusable Water Bottles: A Sustainable Choice
With a growing focus on sustainability, reusable water bottles are a great way to promote your brand while being eco-friendly. These bottles are practical for daily hydration, whether at work, the gym, or on the go. Customizing them with your logo promotes your brand and aligns it with environmental responsibility.
4. Logo Stickers: Stick with It
Stickers are versatile and fun, offering a low-cost way to spread your brand. People can stick them on their laptops, water bottles, notebooks, or any surface they choose. They’re easy to distribute and constantly remind you of your brand wherever they go.
5. Keychains: The Key to Success
Keychains are small, practical, and always in use. Customizing keychains with your logo ensures that your brand is constantly visible. They’re a useful item that helps people keep track of their keys while promoting your brand subtly yet effectively.
6. Coffee Mugs: A Hot Choice
Coffee mugs are a classic choice for promotional items. They’re used daily in homes and offices, providing a large surface for your logo. Custom mugs are ideal for coffee or tea drinkers and offer practical use while keeping your brand in front of customers.
7. Tote Bags: Carry Your Brand
Tote bags are a versatile and eco-friendly branding option. They’re perfect for carrying groceries, books, or daily essentials. Custom tote bags provide a large area for your logo and are a great way to promote your brand while offering a practical, reusable item.
8. Mouse Pads: Get a Grip on Your Branding
Custom mouse pads are ideal for office settings. They provide a comfortable surface for computer mice and a great space for your logo. Every time someone uses their computer, your brand is right before them, making it a subtle yet consistent reminder of your business.
9. Phone Wallets: Stick with It
Phone wallets attach to the back of smartphones and hold cards, making them a practical item for daily use. Customizing them with your logo ensures that your brand is always in view, and they’re handy for people who want to streamline their essentials.
10. USB Drives: Flash Your Brand
USB drives are handy for storing and transferring files. By customizing them with your logo, you provide a useful tech accessory that people will appreciate. USB drives are practical for work or personal use, making them a valuable swag item that keeps your brand top of mind.
11. Magnets: Stick Your Brand Anywhere
Fridge magnets are a small but effective way to keep your brand visible. They’re easy to distribute and can be placed on any metal surface, like fridges or filing cabinets. Custom magnets offer a subtle yet constant reminder of your brand.
12. Travel Mugs: On the Move with Your Brand
Travel mugs are perfect for people who are always on the go. They keep beverages hot or cold and are ideal for commutes or travel. Customizing them with your logo ensures your brand travels with people wherever they go.
13. Sunglasses: A Stylish Choice
Custom sunglasses are a fun and practical promotional item. They’re perfect for outdoor events or sunny days and offer a stylish way to showcase your brand. People appreciate useful swag, and sunglasses are a great way to keep your brand visible in a fashionable manner.
14. Lanyards: A Smart Choice
Lanyards are useful for holding ID badges, keys, or other small items. Custom lanyards keep your brand visible at events or in office settings. They’re practical and ensure that your logo is always on display.
15. Notebooks: Write On
Notebooks are great for meetings, personal notes, or journaling. They offer a good-sized area for your logo and provide a useful tool that people will appreciate. Custom notebooks help keep your brand in sight during daily activities.
16. Portable Chargers: Power Up Your Promotions
Portable chargers are essential for keeping devices powered up, especially when traveling. Customizing them with your logo makes them a valuable swag item that ensures your brand is visible when people need a charge.
17. Hand Sanitizers: Promote Health and Hygiene
Small and practical hand sanitizers are thoughtful swag items promoting cleanliness. They’re helpful in everyday life and constantly remind you of your brand, making them a practical and appreciated promotional item.
18. Stress Balls: Relieve Tension with Your Brand
Stress balls are a fun and stress-relieving promotional item. They’re great for reducing tension and provide a quirky way to keep your brand visible. People appreciate a useful and entertaining item like a stress ball.
19. Lip Balms: Smooth Branding
Compact and practical, lip balms are useful personal care items. They’re small, budget-friendly, and keep your brand within reach. Custom lip balms are a thoughtful swag item that people will use regularly.
20. Shopping Bags: A Smart Choice
Reusable shopping bags are practical and eco-friendly. They offer a large branding area and are used repeatedly, making them a great way to promote your brand. Custom shopping bags are ideal for everyday use and help reduce plastic waste.
21. Coasters: Protect Surfaces with Your Branding
Custom coasters protect surfaces from drink stains and are useful in home and office settings. They offer practical use while keeping your brand visible during meals or coffee breaks. Coasters provide a subtle yet effective way to promote your brand.
22. Mini Flashlights: Shine a Light on Your Brand
Mini flashlights are practical promotional items handy for emergencies or low-light situations. They ensure your brand is visible when people need a light source, making them useful and appreciated swag items.
- Bookmarks: Mark Your Spot with Custom Branding
Ideal for avid readers, custom bookmarks help keep their place in books while promoting your brand. They’re a thoughtful swag item that’s both practical and appreciated by book lovers.
24. Calendars: Promote Your Brand All Year Long
Custom calendars are useful for staying organized throughout the year. They offer a year-round reminder of your brand and are prominently displayed in offices or homes, ensuring continuous visibility.
25. Button Badges: A Fun Way to Promote Your Brand
Button badges are easy to wear and showcase your brand in a fun way. They’re great for events or everyday wear, making them a visible part of people’s attire and helping promote your brand.
26. Face Masks: Stay Safe with Custom Branding
Custom face masks are practical and on-trend. They promote safety while keeping your brand visible. They’re a relevant swag item today and provide a useful way to showcase your brand.
27. Key Covers: A Unique Way to Promote Your Brand
Fun and practical, key covers help keep track of keys and offer a unique way to promote your brand. They add a personal touch to a commonly used item and make your brand visible.
28. Fridge Magnets: A Classic Choice
Small but effective fridge magnets are a great way to keep your brand visible in a frequently visited spot. They’re practical and provide constant exposure for your brand.
29. Notebook Covers: A Sophisticated Choice
Notebook covers are stylish and practical. They protect notebooks and add a branded touch. They offer a sophisticated way to promote your brand while keeping notebooks in good condition.
30. Pocket Mirrors: A Handy Branding Option
Pocket mirrors are handy for quick checks and a small but useful swag item. They keep your brand in view while providing a practical tool for personal grooming.
31. Phone Stands: A Practical Promotional Item
Phone stands are great for hands-free viewing and practical for everyday use. They help users keep their phones in view while showcasing your brand in a useful and functional way.
32. Earbuds: Tune Into Your Custom Branding
Custom earbuds are a tech-friendly swag item that music lovers appreciate. They keep your brand connected to their favorite tunes and provide a useful accessory for daily life.
33. Bottled Water: A Refreshing Option
Custom labels on bottled water offer a refreshing way to promote your brand. They’re ideal for events or daily use, keeping your logo in sight while people stay hydrated.
34. Koozies: A Cool Promotion
Koozies are fun and practical swag items for parties or outdoor events. They keep drinks cool and ensure your brand is visible while people enjoy their beverages.
35. Wall Clocks: Time to Promote Your Brand*
Wall clocks are useful and visible in any office or home, providing continuous brand exposure. They’re a practical swag item that keeps your brand front and center in any space.
36. Travel Accessories: Luggage Tags or Passport Holders
Custom luggage tags and passport holders are perfect for frequent travelers. They help keep bags and passports identifiable and secure. By branding these items, your company’s logo travels with your clients wherever they go, making it a functional and stylish promotional tool.
37. Bandanas: A Versatile Swag Item
Bandanas are versatile and can be worn in various ways—around the neck, wrist, or even as a headband. Customizing them with your logo makes them a fun, practical accessory that can be used daily or during outdoor activities, keeping your brand visible in casual and sporty settings.
38. Umbrellas: A Smart Choice
Umbrellas are essential during rainy days, making them a practical and appreciated swag item. Customizing umbrellas with your company’s logo ensures that your brand is seen by a wide audience, even on gloomy days, providing a large surface for effective branding.
39. Sweatbands: A Practical Choice for Athletes
Ideal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, custom sweatbands are practical for workouts and sports activities. They help absorb sweat and keep the user comfortable, all while promoting your brand during physical activities.
40. Cooling Towels: Stay Cool While Promoting Your Brand
Cooling towels are perfect for hot weather and outdoor events. They are designed to provide relief from heat. Customizing these with your logo offers a refreshing and practical swag item that helps people stay cool while keeping your brand in mind.
41. PopSockets: A Trendy Choice
PopSockets enhance the grip and functionality of smartphones. They serve as a stand for hands-free viewing and can be customized with your company’s logo, making them a practical and trendy promotional item that users will appreciate.
42. Hand Warmers: A Thoughtful Swag Item
Hand warmers are useful for colder climates. They provide instant warmth during chilly weather. Custom hand warmers are thoughtful swag items that can keep your brand visible while offering comfort in cold conditions.
43. Book Bags: A Smart Choice for Students
Custom book bags are perfect for students or professionals carrying books, laptops, or other essentials. They’re practical, durable, and offer ample space for your branding, making them useful for daily use.
44. Mouse Cords: A Unique Office Item
Custom mouse cords help keep computer setups organized and prevent tangling. They’re a practical addition to any office and provide a subtle but effective way to showcase your brand.
45. Desk Organizers: A Useful Promotional Item
Desk organizers help keep workspaces tidy and efficient. Customizing these with your logo offers a useful item that promotes productivity and keeps your brand visible in office settings.
46. Food Containers: Promote Eco-Friendly Practices
Reusable food containers are great for meals and snacks on the go. Custom containers offer practicality and remind you daily of your brand while supporting eco-friendly practices.
47. Reusable Straws: A Sustainable Choice
Eco-friendly and trendy, reusable straws reduce waste and are a popular choice for environmentally conscious consumers. Customizing them with your logo provides a practical and sustainable way to promote your brand.
48. Portable Fans: A Cool Promotion
Custom portable fans are ideal for warm weather and outdoor events. They provide a cool breeze and offer a branding opportunity that is appreciated during hot days, helping your brand stay top-of-mind.
49. Cleaning Cloths: Keep Your Brand Visible and Clean
Custom cleaning cloths are helpful for screens, glasses, and other surfaces. They keep devices clean while prominently displaying your brand, making them a practical and appreciated swag item.
50. Socks: A Fun Way to Promote Your Brand
Fun and functional, custom socks are a unique way to showcase your brand. They’re practical for everyday use and can be a quirky, memorable item that keeps your company’s logo visible.
51. Sticky Notes: A Practical Office Item
Custom sticky notes are a practical office item. They’re handy for jotting down quick reminders and are used frequently, ensuring your brand remains visible during daily tasks.
52. Earphone Holders: An Organized Approach
Custom earphone holders keep cords organized and tangle-free. They’re a practical item for tech enthusiasts and offer a way to keep your brand visible in a tech-savvy environment.
53. Travel Pillows: A Comfortable Promotional Item
Comfortable and practical for frequent travelers, custom travel pillows offer support and comfort during journeys. They provide a branding opportunity seen during travel, making them a thoughtful promotional item.
54. Sports Bottles: A Durable Choice
Durable and reusable, sports bottles are perfect for hydration during workouts or outdoor activities. Customizing them with your logo ensures your brand is visible while people stay hydrated.
55. Puzzles: A Unique Swag Item
Custom puzzles are fun and engaging for all ages. They’re a unique swag item that provides a hands-on activity and keeps your brand visible during downtime.
56. Lip Balm Holders: Keep Your Brand Handy
Custom lip balm holders keep lip balm handy and accessible. They’re practical personal care items and offer a subtle way to promote your brand.
57. Rulers: A Smart Choice for Students and Offices
Custom rulers are practical for students and professionals. They're useful for measuring and drawing and are a functional item that keeps your brand visible in educational and office settings.
58. Personalized T-Shirts: A Casual Way to Promote Your Brand
Great for team building or casual wear, custom t-shirts showcase your brand in a stylish and wearable way. They’re perfect for events or everyday use and provide a prominent branding opportunity.
59. Notepad Sets: A Versatile Swag Item
Combining notepads and sticky notes, custom notepad sets offer a versatile and practical swag item. They’re helpful for note-taking and keeping your brand visible in office or home environments.
60. Hand Creams: A Useful Personal Care Item
Custom hand creams are thoughtful swag items that provide daily hand care. They’re practical and help keep your brand visible in personal care routines.
61. Mini-Calendars: A Small Yet Practical Item
Small but practical mini calendars help people stay organized while keeping your brand visible throughout the year. They offer a useful way to promote your brand daily.
Current Promo Items Trends
What's Hot? Current Trends in Promotional Products
Promotional products are a powerful marketing tool for building brand awareness. Recent trends show that people genuinely enjoy receiving such items and, even more importantly, use them daily. 61% of people agree that promotional products help build brand awareness, demonstrating that such items effectively create brand recognition.
58% of people genuinely enjoy receiving promotional items, showing a positive reception to free giveaways. 54% use these products regularly in their daily routines, indicating that they find them useful and valuable. 44% prefer receiving products from small businesses or lesser-known brands, suggesting that personalized or local brands can make a stronger impact with their promotional efforts.
What Do People Want? Preference for Product Type
Consumers prioritize practicality when it comes to promotional products. 53% of consumers favor everyday items like pens, T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags. These items are appreciated for their utility. After practicality, 42% of people are interested in unique or distinctive promotional products, such as branded lip balm or creatively designed items. This indicates that adding a touch of creativity can enhance the appeal of promotional giveaways.
Brand Perception Matters: The Impact of Promotional Products on Brand Perception
Promotional products impact how consumers perceive a brand. 66% of respondents are more likely to have a favorable view of a brand after receiving promotional items, highlighting how giveaways can improve brand perception.
49% are more likely to remember the brand that gave them promotional swag, demonstrating the memorability of well-chosen items. 43% are more likely to recommend the brand to others, showing that effective promotional products can drive word-of-mouth referrals.
Stand Out: Design Trends in Promotional Products
Not all promotional products are created equal, and consumers notice. 49% of people prefer promotional products with eye-catching designs. A standout design helps to capture attention and make the product more memorable. Additionally, 47% are drawn to unique or unusual designs, such as custom illustrations or graphics. This suggests that creativity and originality in design can make promotional items more appealing.
Build A Meaningful Employee Recognition Program With Ease with Giftpack's Client Gifting Service
Giftpack is changing the game of corporate gifting. The company's driving force is to simplify the corporate gifting process while maximizing the impact of each gift. Utilizing Giftpack's custom AI algorithm, the platform creates highly customized scenario swag box options for you. Giftpack is transforming how businesses tackle gifting by delivering globally and having an extremely user-friendly platform.
Personalized Gift Selection
The company curates the most fitting gifts from a vast catalog of over 3.5 million products worldwide (which is ever-increasing). By carefully considering an individual's basic demographics, preferences, social media activity, and digital footprint, Giftpack tailors each gift selection process regardless of whether the recipient is an employee, a customer, a VIP client, a friend, or a family member.
Global Reach, Local Touch
With a wide range of locally and globally sourced gifts, Giftpackensures that personalized gifting is accessible and achievable on a large scale, delivering meaningful connections across the globe.
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Make your gifting efficient and improve employee attrition rates with Giftpack AI
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