1. T-Shirts
Branded T-shirts are one of the most popular promotional merch items due to their universal appeal, low cost per unit and wearable nature. By encouraging customers and supporters to wear a T-shirt with your company branding, you can utilise the “Walking Billboard” effect, whereby those who wear your company shirt act as walking advertisements for your brand when they are out in public, boosting your company’s visibility.
2. Hoodies
Well designed custom hoodies have a similar effect and can spark conversations and organically spread awareness of your company for only a small cost per unit when bought in bulk. In addition to this, good quality promotional hoodies can be worn and enjoyed for many years, offering continuous, long-term brand awareness.
3. Beanies
Beanies are another great promotional merch idea as they are positioned on the head and therefore provide eye-level advertising that can be easily noticed by others. The folded cuff on beanies also provides the perfect, structured area for embroidered logos (which are more durable than printed alternatives).
4. Caps
While perfect for summer, promotional caps are used as fashion accessories year-round and therefore offer continuous brand exposure and maximum return on investment. Plus, practical promotional items like hats and caps are far less likely to be discarded, leading to long-term brand exposure and a lasting, positive association with your brand.
5. Tote Bags
Tote bags also make excellent promotional items because they combine high, long-lasting visibility with practical utility and sustainability, once again serving as a “walking billboard” for your brand. The main advantage of tote bags as a promotional tool is their versatility as they are used daily for shopping, work and the gym etc, ensuring consistent brand exposure.
6. Backpacks
Similarly, the practical and versatile nature of backpacks makes them great promotional items for a wide range of companies. In addition to this, they have a large surface area for logos, slogans or branding, providing high visibility in public places like trains, buses and shopping centres, helping your company reach a wide audience. Recipients also often see branded backpacks as high-quality, useful gifts, which boosts positive brand perception.
7. Water Bottles
Water bottles make great promotional items because they are used in daily routines, providing repeated, passive exposure for your brand without recurring costs. Distributing reusable water bottles can also reflect positively on your brand’s image by encouraging sustainability and environmentally responsible shopping choices.
8. Umbrellas
Custom umbrellas can also act like a walking billboard in public spaces, helping to build brand value and make a lasting impression to potential customers. They also appeal universally to a range of different demographics and offer a large, often 360-degree branding surface that is hard to ignore when you’re out in public!
9. Teddy Bears
Teddy bears are also considered excellent promotional items as they combine high, long-lasting visibility with strong emotional appeal, making them memorable, treasured and effective at building brand loyalty. They transcend demographics, appealing to children and adults alike and offer versatile branding opportunities that can be tailored to various industries and events.
10. Key Rings
Custom keychains and key rings also make great promotional items because they provide constant brand visibility and incredibly low production costs, offering a high return on investment. People rarely leave home without their keys, so branded key clips can provide daily, repeat exposure for your brand both for the recipient, and the other people who may catch a glimpse of their keys.
