How to design merch your customers will keep

We have 3 rules when designing merch / swag / promotional gifts:

1. Sustainable

We don’t need any more plastic or non-recyclable things in our world. If you’ve made the decision to produce something new, think about its effect on our environment. Forget single use plastic. By all means, consider a water bottle or keep cup – but we think most people have them already and don’t need more. Paper-based products are a go-to for us – at least they can be easily recycled after use.

2. Usable

This one’s simple. Make it something 99% of people will use and the 1% will gift it.
– Notebooks
– Tea towels
– Calendars
– Pencils

Nothing fancy, just items we use in day-to-day life.

3. Quality

Quality always outshines quantity. Produce a quality item and customers will associate that with your brand. We once had a client say “I knew when I opened the pack of gift cards that the matching envelopes would be quality, because they’re from you”.

Designer tips and tricks

Quantities

Short-run items are usually anything under a quantity of 250. If you only need to produce 50 items, consider going direct to a supplier, where they might be able to produce in small quantities, or think about what you can do with left-overs.

Think creatively

– Branded gift wrap can be re-cycled as origami paper at a company off-site
– Generic business cards can be re-used as gift tags – just punch a hole in the short edge

Getting bang for your $$$

– Avoid including a date and you’ll be able to use it at another event
– Small stickers can be used on a multitude of items, it’s worth printing more than you need

One last thing — don’t over-brand

When it comes to your branding, have fun. This is a time to get a little loose. Try patterns. Use colour. Ask your niece and nephew to draw your logo.

People keep things they like. Ask yourself, “would I wear / use this?”