Most of us have a drawer full of freebies we never asked for. Promotional products only earn their keep when someone picks them up again next week, and the week after. The good news is that the ones people actually keep are usually simple: a pen that writes well, a mug that suits the office, a bottle that goes to the gym.
This guide covers what makes a promo gift worth giving, which pens suit which job, and how to match a gift to the people you are giving it to.
What makes promotional products worth the money?
A branded item is only advertising while it is being used. The ones that last have four things in common:
They are useful every day. Pens, mugs and drink bottles get picked up daily. Novelty items get a laugh and then a drawer.
They suit the person. A tradie, a client and a volunteer at a field day want different things.
They feel well made. A scratchy pen or a flimsy bag reflects on your business, not the manufacturer.
The branding is restrained. A neat logo and a web address is enough. People keep things that look good on their desk.
We go deeper on quality in what makes printed merch feel good, not cheap.
Why branded pens still work
Pens travel. They get borrowed at the counter, left in cars, dropped into bags and passed across kitchen benches. Every time, your name goes with them. They are also one of the few promotional products that almost everyone will take without a second thought.
Our pen range covers a few different jobs:
Full colour wrap pens. The full colour wrap ballpoint pen carries your artwork right around the barrel, with room for a logo, a message and your contact details.
Engraved pens. An engraved ballpoint pen has your name or logo engraved on a white barrel, and can be ordered as a single gift or for the whole office.
Stylus pens. The Bowie stylus pen writes on paper and has a tip for phones and tablets, which suits anyone who signs on a screen.
Metal and matte finishes. The California engraved pen comes in gunmetal or burgundy with a laser engraved logo, a considered gift for clients and speakers.
Full colour wrap or engraved: which pen suits you?
If your logo relies on colour, or you want a message and a phone number on the pen, go for a full colour wrap. It is bright, detailed and good for promotions and events where the pen is doing some selling.
If the pen is a gift, choose engraving. It is quieter, it looks more personal and it suits a name as well as a logo. Engraving is a single tone, so it works best with a simple logo or clean lettering.
Quick tip: a pen barrel is small. Your logo plus one line, usually a web address or phone number, is plenty. Anything more gets too small to read.
Promo gifts that earn a place on the desk
Beyond pens, a few items consistently get used:
Mugs. Logo mugs are used every morning in someone else's office. They come in ten colours with a logo on both sides or artwork right around the mug.
Drink bottles. Custom drink bottles are double-walled stainless steel with your logo laser engraved, so the branding will not peel or rub off. They go to the gym, the site and the car.
Notebooks. Branded notebooks with your logo on the cover suit meetings, new staff packs and client welcome kits.
Giveaways for events, clubs and field days
At an event you are giving to strangers, so the item needs to be affordable enough to hand out freely and useful enough to be kept. Stubby holders are made for sporting clubs, Cup days and summer events. Lanyards and keyrings suit conferences and member packs. A printed tote bag, made on an AS Colour cotton canvas blank, gets reused for shopping long after the event.
If you are planning a stand, our trade show and field day checklist covers the display side too.
How to match the gift to the person
Think about who will receive it before you think about what it looks like:
Walk-in customers: a full colour wrap pen at the counter.
Clients you want to thank: an engraved metal pen or a mug.
Your own team: drink bottles and notebooks they will use at work.
Event crowds: stubby holders, totes and pens in a bowl on the table.
How many should you order?
Less than you think, to start with. Several of our pens, mugs and bottles can be ordered from a single unit, so you can test a product before committing to a box of them. Other items are made in bulk runs, and each product page shows its minimum and live pricing. Our guide to printing merchandise without ordering hundreds explains how to start small.
Good to know: order one sample of the item you are unsure about. Holding it in your hand is the fastest way to decide whether it feels like your business.
Common questions
What are the best promotional products for a small business?
The ones people use daily: pens, mugs and drink bottles. Choose the one that suits your customers and do it well, rather than spreading your budget across many cheap items.
Can I order just one branded pen?
Yes. The full colour wrap pen and the engraved pen can both be ordered from one, which suits personal gifts and samples.
What should go on a branded pen?
Your logo and one way to reach you, usually a web address or phone number. Keep it short so it stays readable.
Can you set up the artwork for us?
Yes. Send your logo and our team will set it up for the product and send a proof before anything is made.
See the full range, with live pricing on every item, on our promotional products page.
