We've all left a conference or event drowning in useless corporate swag like fidget spinners or keychains, or things we already have too many of, like pens and cheap water bottles.
But business swag doesn't have to be something your prospects, clients, and employees throw in the junk drawer and never look at again.
When done right, merch can be fun, clever, and meaningful — making it the perfect choice for a gift and a fantastic way for prospective clients to remember your business.
If you're not sure which branded merch to go for, we've put together a guide to the best business swag ideas. From tote bags to temporary tattoos, you'll be spoilt for choice!
What makes 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 a pair of cheap sunglasses more than once? 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.
A well-thought-out piece of merch shows clients and employees that you have their best interests at heart.
Think of how you can tailor your business swag 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 can also choose an item that relates to your company in some way. For example, if you work in the travel sector, you could opt for a luggage tag that doubles as a phone charger for when people go on vacation.
If you work in IT, USB drives and webcam covers are functional options everyone can use.
Seasonal
Certain merch ideas work best at different times of the year.
For example, an ice scraper may go down well in the cold and chilly winter months but won't be as well-received in the summer.
Specific events can also inspire merchandise ideas. During the Olympics, sports-related business swag like beachballs and fitness towels were popular options!
I always recommend planning ahead for the best results — identify when you need your business swag and know what your recipients want to see.
High-quality
Your corporate swag doesn't need to be made of luxury materials, but it should be well-made: no loose threads, tears or jagged plastic seams.
Most manufacturers will be happy to send you a sample so you can check the quality before you commit.
Once, I was helping a client send out customized candles, and 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 showcase 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.
Less is more when it comes to business swag — keep your logo small and focus on the placement.
Business swag ideas your clients will love
When it comes to business swag, there's something for every business, every customer, and every budget. It's just a case of knowing what to choose!
If you're stuck for inspiration, here are some great ideas.
Easy logo solutions
If you want something affordable and easy to create, these branded merch ideas are great starting points. Just add your logo, pick your brand colors, and you're ready to go!
(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.)
Webcam covers for laptops
Mints
Door opener: These let you open push, pull, or turnstile doors without touching them. They exploded in popularity during the pandemic and are still popular today!
Hand sanitizer
Thumbdrives/USB flash drives
Water Bottles: Only offer 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
Blanket
Picnic blanket
Jackets/sweaters/hoodies: Again, these are only worth making if they're high-quality — A quarter zip is always a good choice
Notebook
Car phone mount
Tile Mates: These are small trackers you can attach to your wallet, key ring or laptop 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 are cool if you choose the right design — maybe something eccentric or fun like a donut or an inside reference to your company culture
Iron-on patches
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
Temporary tattoos: These are especially fun for events!
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 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! Plus, you can make them a little more funky and out there since they're mostly covered up throughout the day. Try experimenting with fun patterns and colors!
Pins: I worked with one of my clients to do a whole set of pins to give 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!
Environmentally-friendly ideas
Some brands refuse to offer business swag because they don't want it going to landfill.
The great news is that there are now lots of fantastic options that are long-lasting, eco-friendly, and show your sustainable credentials.
Reusable straw: I love the collapsible ones that you can fit into a keychain to carry around with you
Desktop garden kits: Plant the seeds in the pot, water them, and wait for them to grow. These are great for bringing a pop of greenery into the office
Beeswax wraps: A sustainable alternative to plastic wrap, these are reusable and fully compostable
Corporate swag bags
For big moments or events, combining a few items together in a kit can make your customers and employees feel like VIPs.
Welcome kit: Some businesses 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
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… just choose your elements, and they'll put a pack together
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”. It was so unique and valuable
How to choose the perfect vendor
Once you’ve decided what kind of business swag you want to give out, it’s 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 you’re 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.
Check their own branding
I always look for vendors that have good branding in terms of their logo, website and marketing materials. This shows that they’re passionate about design and 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.
Ask questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good vendor will be happy to answer them.
Also don’t hesitate to ask for their opinion. Your vendor of choice may offer recommendations you might not have considered, or be able to spot potential issues you might not have thought of.
Substandard materials, unimaginative designs, and gaudy logos have given business swag a bad rap over the years.
However, 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 above or one of your own, a little thoughtfulness and creativity will go a long way towards providing an exceptional experience 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.