Business swag isn’t something that people generally look forward to receiving. We’ve all left a conference or event drowning in useless branded trinkets like fidget spinners or keychains, or things we already have too many of, like pens and cheap water bottles. But it doesn’t have to be something that your prospects, clients, and employees will throw in the junk drawer and never see again. When done right, merch can be fun, clever, and meaningful — making it the perfect choice for a gift. If you’re looking for business swag ideas that will be appreciated and drive brand affinity this holiday season, keep reading.
What Makes for Great Business Swag?
Before we dive into specific business swag ideas, let’s go over a few basic principles. Swag should always be:
Useful: Is anyone really going to use a mini frisbee or cheapo sunglasses more than one or two times? Probably not. Novelties like toys get old fast, and if you’re going to wear sunglasses, you’ll probably want to choose your own style. When considering swag options, try to choose something that people can use over and over.
Thoughtful: You don’t want your swag to come across as a last-minute afterthought. Think of how you can tailor it specifically to your company. If you’re creating a gift for employees, for example, you could incorporate some inside jokes or references into the design. You could also choose an item that relates to your company in some way. A company like Airbnb, for example, might consider giving out a luggage tag that doubles as a phone charger for their travel escapades (during non-COVID times, of course).
Quality: Your swag doesn't need to be made out of luxury materials, but it should be well-made: no loose threads, tears, jagged plastic seams, etc. Asking for a sample from the manufacturer and testing it out can help you avoid this. Once, when I was helping a client send out customized candles, I received a sample from a manufacturer that left a smoke mark on my wall — needless to say, we didn’t move forward with them.
Subtle: I’ve been gifted some swag over the years that would have been great… if it didn’t have a gigantic logo plastered on it. As much as you want to emphasize your brand, people are often hesitant to wear clothing or use an item that’s so conspicuously branded — nobody wants to feel like a walking advertisement. If you can, try to use the minimum size requirement of your logo. Remember, less is more.
Business Swag Ideas
Easy Logo Solutions
If you want to create something a little less design-intensive, the following items can be easily branded — just add your logo. Make sure to choose things that make the most sense for your industry, though. Webcam covers and thumb drives, for example, are best suited for tech companies.
Webcam covers for laptops
Mints
Door opener: I recently got a branded tool that you can use to open push, pull, or turnstile doors without having to touch them. It’s such a clever idea, and so useful in pandemic times.
Hand sanitizer
Thumbdrives
Water Bottles: Only do a water bottle if it’s a keeper, like this — people usually have more than enough flimsy plastic or metallic-tasting water bottles at home.
Portable chargers
Pencils/pens
Reusable straw: I love the collapsible ones that you can fit into a keychain to carry around with you.
Blanket
Picnic blanket
Jackets/sweaters/hoodies: Again, these are only worth making if they’re high-quality — I’ve seen some nice quarter zips before.
Notebook
Car phone mount
Tile Mates: These are small trackers you can attach to your wallet, key ring, laptop, etc. and locate with your smartphone.
Creative Solutions
If you’re game for some more design-intensive business swag ideas, these items are perfect for helping you creatively express your brand.
Art prints
Tote bags: Choose a cool illustration or playful typography to make a tote bag that stands out from the rest.
Pop socket: These can be really cool if you choose the right design — maybe something eccentric or fun like a donut or an inside reference to your company culture.
Stickers: Do a whole sheet of stickers with different designs to show off the playful side of your brand — here are a few we designed for our client Hot&Heavy.
Shot glasses: One of the more memorable pieces of swag I got in recent years was a shot glass along with a two-page brochure of cocktail recipes. If you go this route, make sure to include a few virgin drinks/mocktails on there so those who don’t drink feel included too.
Custom socks: As a kid, getting a pair of socks for a gift was a let-down — but as an adult, it rocks. With how often people lose socks, everyone can always use some more. Plus, you can make them a little more funky and out there since they’re mostly covered up throughout the day. Try playing with fun patterns and colors!
Pins: Pins are another item that, if executed well, can be super fun. I worked with one of my clients to do a whole set of pins to be given out on employee anniversaries. We went with a varsity theme since they would greet new employees with “Welcome to Varsity.” We included some other insider references, too, like the high five design — a nod to how their CEO gave out high fives at every all hands meeting.
Kids’ merch: Getting clothes for employees can be tricky because everybody has their own personal taste, but kids tend to be less picky. Plus, they’ll look cute in just about any merch you design.
Matches or lighters: These won’t be a good fit for every company, but they’re perfect for restaurants, bars, and hotels.
Branded wrapping paper: To go the extra mile, you can wrap your gifts in branded tissue paper or wrapping paper — swag on swag!
Kits
For big moments or events, combining a few items together in a kit can feel extra special.
Welcome kit: Some businesses like to show their appreciation for new employees or clients by putting together a bundle that helps them get to know the company better. When I joined the Wing’s co-working space, I got a flight-themed welcome kit with a flight manual (information packet), passport ticket (guide to the neighborhood), coupons, welcome letter, and notepad. It was a really nice touch that made me excited to be a member there.
Conference kits: Swag bags are a must-have at conferences today. There’s a vendor I love that offers a customizable swag-in-a-box package — you can choose from things like mints, hand sanitizer, pens, notebooks, water bottles, bags, and more.
Travel kits: One of my favorite kits I’ve worked on was for a hotel chain called StayCity back in 2015. They offered a whole travel kit with branded eye masks, door tags, snacks, and coffee cups, each with a slogan like “stay rested,” “stay fed,” “stay awake,” etc. It was so unique and handy.
Working With Vendors
Once you’ve decided what kind of business swag you want to give out, it’ll be time to choose a vendor that can deliver the goods. Here are a few tips for finding the right one:
Go local: I try to choose a local vendor whenever I can for a few different reasons: it’s more eco-friendly, you’ll get responses within your own time zone, and you can see a proof first to make sure it’s what you wanted. This is especially important if you have a rarer brand color or specialized design request. Some vendors will mail you a sample if you don’t live nearby, but it takes longer than stopping by in person. If there aren’t any vendors near you, though, just use the information below to find a reputable place.
What to look for: I always look for vendors that have good branding themselves in terms of their logo, website, marketing materials, etc. It shows that they’re passionate about design and that they pay attention to detail. It’s always reassuring to work with an established vendor, so look up how long they’ve been around and what their customers say.
Logistics: Make sure to send the vendors a file with print versions of your logo. Ask if they can do a Pantone match to find the exact brand color — CMYK outcomes can vary widely in quality. Don’t hesitate to ask their opinion, either. They might be able to spot potential issues that you wouldn’t.
SF Bay Area Recommendations: If you’re located in the San Francisco Bay Area, a few vendors that I’ve had a great experience with are Camputee Press, Free Gold Watch, and Colpa Press.
Substandard materials, unimaginative designs, and gaudy logos have given branded merchandise a bad rap over the years. But a lot of vendors have stepped their game up since then, and if you’re willing to put in the time, effort, and resources, you can definitely create gift-worthy products. Whether you go with one of the business swag ideas we listed above or one of your own, a little thoughtfulness and creativity will go a long way toward making the holidays extra memorable for your prospects, clients, and employees.
Anastasia Salazar Ltd. is an independent design studio for tailored branding and digital designs. Reach out to learn how we can help you fuel growth and maximize your brand’s impact.