Promotional products for businesses

The promotional item that gets kept is the one that advertises

A promotional gift only works if it lasts beyond the following week: if the pen writes, the bottle gets used and the bag goes back out onto the street. Every time that happens, your brand appears in front of someone without you paying again. A promotional item that gets thrown away the same day may cost little, but it advertises nothing.

That is why it makes sense to choose in this order: first the use case (who receives it, where and what for), then the item, and finally the branding method. With those three decisions, the cost per unit almost explains itself. The table below helps with the first one.

Which promotional gift to choose by use

Volume and cost per unit: where the price comes from

For almost any promotional product, the price per unit has two parts: the item itself and the branding. The item changes little with quantity; the branding changes a lot, because setting it up costs the same for a few units as for thousands. The screen for screen printing, the embroidery digitisation or the pad printing plate is spread across every item in the order.

That is why a short run is not a problem if you choose the right technique. Laser engraving, digital print and sublimation have no setup cost, so the difference between ordering the minimum and ordering a few hundred is much smaller. With screen printing or embroidery in several colours, on the other hand, it pays to group volumes together: one design across more units is better than several designs across small quantities.

The minimum order is 10 units per item and €100.00 per quote, and each product page shows how the price comes down as quantity goes up.

How the price per unit changes with quantity

Each catalogue page shows tiered pricing by quantity, with one-colour branding in the standard position included. More colours or a different technique are adjusted in the quote.

Branding techniques for promotional products

• Laser engraving on metal, bamboo and wood: pens, flasks and keyrings. It does not wear off and matches the tone of the material.
• Screen printing on textiles, bags and umbrellas: solid colours and large logos, the usual option for medium and large runs.
• Embroidery on polo shirts, sweatshirts and caps: it stands up better to washing and gives a more premium finish for client gifts.
• Pad printing on plastic and curved surfaces: pens and small items, with fine detail in one or two colours.
• Digital print, transfer and sublimation: full-colour logos or gradients, with no setup cost.

What to ask a promotional products supplier for

Before you confirm an order for promotional products, ask for four things: the price with branding already included, a mock-up of your logo on the item, a timeline worked back from the campaign date and a clear commitment if the branding goes wrong.

Here is how it works with us: a quote within 24 working hours with a free mock-up, payment when you approve the mock-up and, usually, two to three weeks for production. If the branding is faulty or does not match what was approved, it is repeated at no cost. If you are still unsure what to give, you have merchandise ideas for businesses sorted by occasion; and for trade shows and conferences, all the event merchandise.