10 Branded Merchandise Ideas New Clients Will Love in 2025
When it comes to advertising and getting your business name out there, we’re spoilt for choice. social media, digital ads, billboards, email marketing – the list goes on and on! But, there’s one tried-and-true marketing technique that never goes out of style: branded merchandise!
Think about it. How many times have you picked up a free pen, tote bag or notebook and thought about the business you got it from? That’s the magic of promotional products. Over 75% of people recall the name of the business on the item, and over 55% of them keep and use the item for more than a year.
That means you’re putting your brand into people’s hands (literally). Unlike some digital ads that disappear with a scroll, a well-chosen promotional item creates a tangible link between your brand and your audience. It builds familiarity, trust, and even a little bit of loyalty.
Want that for your business? At the Branding Office, we know what works. In this post, we’ve got the Top 10 best-branded merchandise ideas for attracting new clients and key factors to consider when making your choice.
The Benefits Of Branded Merchandise For Your Business
More and more businesses are competing for attention in 2025. Customers are constantly bombarded with online ads, and it can be overwhelming for them to distinguish one brand from another. With all that digital noise, it's more important than ever for businesses like yours to get creative and find tangible ways to cut through the clutter and develop meaningful connections with your audience.
And the answer is branded products! Why? Over 52% of our customers have a more positive impression of a company after receiving a branded product, making them more likely to choose your business over a competitor.
Brand Recognition & Differentiation: Your brand needs to stand out. Branded products turn everyday items into walking advertisements, reinforcing your brand wherever they go. A well-designed product doesn’t just promote your business—it makes you unforgettable.
Cost-Effective Advertising That Keeps Giving: Unlike digital ads that disappear in seconds or social media posts that get lost in the scroll, branded merchandise has staying power. A single high-quality item can integrate into people’s daily lives, providing months or even years of brand exposure, without the recurring cost of ads. Here’s a golden rule: The more useful the item, the more powerful the impact.
Builds Customer Loyalty & Connection: People love free stuff. It’s a fact, but more importantly, they love brands that make them feel valued. Gifting a high-quality branded product creates a positive emotional connection, increasing the chances that customers will return to your business.
Elevates Perceived Value & Professionalism: High-quality branded merchandise enhances the way people perceive your brand too. A well-designed, high-quality item makes your business look polished, professional, and trustworthy. The result? A boost in your reputation, without them even seeing what you can actually provide.
Targets the Right Audience with Precision: The one thing about branded merchandise is that it isn’t one-size-fits-all. Fortunately, with so many to choose from, whether it is apparel, stationary or tech, you can choose products that align with your ideal customer’s interests and lifestyle.
Versatile Marketing Tool for Any Strategy: Branded merchandise can fit seamlessly into any marketing campaign. Whether you’re launching a new product or service, attending a trade show, or running a social media giveaway, promotional item adds to your efforts and amplifies your brand’s reach.
Top 10 Promotional Merchandise Ideas To Attract New Clients
The numbers speak for themselves. Branded merchandise offers unbeatable value compared to traditional advertising. In fact, the cost per impression for a branded item is an incredibly low $0.001—making it one of the most cost-effective ways to get your brand noticed. Here are the top 10 best promotional merchandise ideas to attract new clients:
1. Custom Apparel
Everyone loves a free shirt, and custom apparel is an incredible way to turn your clients into walking advertisements for your brand. Whether it's a casual tee, stylish hoodie, or even socks, it’s something your clients can wear proudly!
Benefits: High-quality apparel is worn often, ensuring your brand gets maximum exposure. What’s more, custom apparel is long-lasting. It doesn’t just stay with the original recipient. It can be passed down, shared, or even re-gifted, ensuring that your brand has the potential to reach even more people over time.
Customisation Ideas: Go bold with a graphic tee, a branded hoodie, or a high-quality embroidered cap. Be sure that it speaks to your brand and the message you are trying to communicate. For example, a law firm might opt for a sleek, professional polo where a more casual brand might go for a bold graphic tee with a fun slogan. Tailor the design and quality to your target audience to make sure it resonates.
Perfect For: Custom apparel makes for great client giveaways at events or trade shows, where attendees are likely to wear the items long after the event ends. Branded apparel is also a wonderful addition to employee uniforms.
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2. Eco-Friendly Promotional Products
Sustainability is a growing priority for many customers today. As consumers become more conscious of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, they’re increasingly drawn to businesses that align with their values. Opting for eco-friendly and high-quality promotional products is a fantastic way to showcase your brand’s commitment to the environment.
Benefits: Eco-friendly products resonate strongly with clients who prioritize sustainability. By offering products that minimize environmental impact, your brand demonstrates social responsibility and shows that you care. These products can also create a sense of trust and loyalty among your customers, making them more likely to engage with your brand in the long term.
Customisation Ideas: Reusable tote bags are one of the most popular options, offering a practical and environmentally-conscious alternative to single-use plastic bags. You could also customize bamboo cutlery sets or straws that can be used in place of disposable alternatives.
Perfect For: Businesses with an eco-conscious focus or those that want to appeal to clients who value sustainability, like outdoor retailers, health and wellness brands, and environmentally-focused companies.
3. Tech Gadgets
Many customers today are tech-savvy in some way or another. Tech gadgets are a surefire way to catch the attention of your audience. From custom phone chargers to branded USB drives, tech products offer high perceived value and are likely to be used often.
Benefits: Tech gadgets are highly practical and constantly used. Clients are less likely to buy a tech accessory if they already have a branded one. Since they serve a function that your audience needs, they also generate goodwill by being useful.
Customisation Ideas: There are countless ways to customise tech gadgets with your brand’s logo. Consider adding your branding to wireless chargers or powerbanks, which are a must-have for anyone on the go, or Bluetooth speakers, perfect for music lovers and professionals alike. Smartphone holders are another great option, especially for those who frequently use their phones for video calls or navigation.
Perfect For: These tech gadgets are perfect for tech-savvy clients, corporate giveaways, and for use at events and conferences.
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4. Office and Work-from-Home Essentials
Whether your clients are working from home or in the office, work (and school) essentials like notebooks, pens, and desk organisers are always appreciated. They’re functional and keep your brand visible every time your client sits down to work.
Benefits: Office essentials are everyday items that people use frequently, offering consistent exposure to your brand. Whether it’s jotting down notes in a notebook, using a pen to sign documents, or organising their desk with a custom organizer, these items become a part of your client's daily routine.
Customisation Ideas: Custom notebooks, stationery, planner sets, or desk organisers are perfect for adding your logo. You can even go a step further by including an inspirational message or fun quote!
Perfect For: Most clients can benefit from these work essentials, but they’re especially useful for school and college students, professionals, remote workers, and corporate clients.
5. Personalised Drinkware
Whether it’s a coffee mug, a travel tumbler, or a water bottle, custom drinkware is a practical, everyday item that keeps your brand front and centre. It is especially beneficial if it is transportable. Not only are they likely to be used more often, but your business gets more exposure!
Benefits: Drinkware is something people use repeatedly, whether at home, in the office, or on the go.
Customisation Ideas: Opt for insulated tumblers, custom mugs, or reusable water bottles with your logo or a catchy slogan. Personalise it further with different colour, styles and designs. For example, a fitness brand might go with sleek, stainless steel water bottles or sports drink tumblers, while a coffee shop could offer branded ceramic mugs or eco-friendly reusable cups.
Perfect For: Most clients will appreciate the practicality of drinkware.
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6. Health and Wellness Products
Depending on your brand and the message you are looking to communicate, branded health and wellness products can be an effective advertising tool. Yoga mats, towels, candles or even bundles are a great way to position your brand as one that values both personal and professional growth.
Benefits: Health and wellness products create a positive emotional connection with your brand, showing that you care about your clients’ physical and mental well-being building trust and brand loyalty.
Customisation Ideas: Create branded yoga mats, fitness bands, or stress-relief kits that speak to your brand’s personality and values. You could even bundle a set of calming candles, aromatherapy oils, and motivational water bottles to encourage relaxation and self-care.
Perfect For: Wellness brands, fitness studios, gyms, health coaches, beauty businesses, or any brand aiming to promote a healthy lifestyle and a balanced approach to life.
7. Car and Travel Accessories
For clients on the move, travel and car accessories are a smart choice. Not only are they practical, but also provide visibility for your brand as they accompany your clients on their journeys.
Benefits: Travel items are often used and shared, providing multiple touchpoints for your brand. When clients use your branded merchandise during their travels, it's likely to be seen by others, extending your reach to new potential customers.
Customisation Ideas: Consider car chargers, luggage tags, or travel pillows that can be customized with your logo. You could also think of adding items like travel-sized toiletry kits, portable water bottles, or collapsible travel bags. Personalised keychains or wallet-sized organisers are also great options that can serve as everyday reminders of your business.
Perfect For: Frequent travellers, hospitality businesses, or clients who are always on the go. Travel-related products are ideal for industries like airlines, hotels, rental companies, or any business catering to people who spend a lot of time on the move.
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8. Seasonal and Holiday-Themed Merch
Nothing brings out the fun and excitement quite like seasonal and holiday-themed merchandise. While these can be more niche, they do have a unique ability to evoke strong emotions, creating memorable experiences tied to your brand.
Benefits: Seasonal merchandise helps build an emotional connection with your audience by tying your brand to the positive feelings associated with the holidays. It’s a great addition to seasonal marketing and promotional efforts as it drives urgency and action, as customers are more likely to act on the chance to get something exclusive.
Customisation Ideas: For Christmas, consider branded Christmas ornaments, which can be used year after year, reminding your clients of your brand with every holiday season. For summer, beach towels or picnic blankets with your logo are fun and practical. Other seasons to consider are Easter, Valentine's day or even New Year's.
Perfect For: Seasonal and holiday-themed merchandise is perfect for every type of customer during holiday giveaways and events.
9. Promotional Food and Beverage Items
Branded food and beverage items are a memorable way to connect with your clients. They can be enjoyed right away, making them a great conversation starter at events or trade shows.
Benefits: The appeal of food and beverages lies in their ability to be shared and enjoyed. A branded snack or drink is a fun and playful way to make an impression. Memory is also tied to the senses, so a memorable experience can lead to a stronger brand recall too!
Customisation Ideas: The possibilities are endless! For a sweet touch, consider custom chocolates or branded candy bags. These can be personalized with your logo or even a custom message. For beverages, branded water bottles or alcoholic beverages can be effective, depending on the audience.
Perfect For: Trade shows are an ideal setting for food and beverage giveaways. Visitors will appreciate the refreshing treat after walking around booths all day, and you’ll stand out from other vendors.
10. Outdoor and Sports Merchandise
For clients who thrive on adventure and staying active, outdoor and sports gear is the ultimate way to showcase your brand. These include branded backpacks, water bottles, hats, apparel and accessories.
Benefits: Branded outdoor and sports merchandise are functional, making them items your clients will use repeatedly, ensuring continuous exposure for your brand.
Customisation Ideas: Consider branded backpacks or totes with your logo or slogan. You could also create personalised yoga mats, fitness bands, or sports towels—each fully customizable with your logo, brand colours, or even a motivational slogan.
Perfect For: Fitness-focused brands, personal trainers, and wellness businesses will hit the mark with merchandise that supports their clients’ health goals. This merchandise is also perfect for corporate giveaways at events dedicated to health and fitness, or for businesses that want to demonstrate they genuinely care about their clients’ well-being.
Tips For Choosing The Right Merch
Choosing the right branded merchandise isn’t just about picking a pen and calling it a day. There’s an art to choosing the right product to ensure that you are sending the right message. What works for one brand may not necessarily work for yours, so it’s important to approach the process strategically.
Define Clear Objectives: Before you pick out that branded pen or t-shirt, consider what you want to achieve or the purpose of the item is. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, or reward loyal customers? Understanding your objectives will help guide your decision-making process and ensure that the merchandise aligns with your larger marketing strategy.
Consider Your Audience: Your merchandise needs to speak your audience’s language. Think about what your customers value and what they’ll actually use. If you’re targeting corporate clients, sleek, professional items like high-quality notebooks or custom tech gadgets could be a win. On the other hand, if you’re reaching out to younger, trend-conscious customers, fun, trendy items like branded apparel or eco-friendly tote bags might be more meaningful.
Understand Your Message: Your merchandise is an extension of your brand, so it’s important that it aligns with the message you want to convey. Are you a fun, laid-back brand? Consider something casual like a hoodie or water bottle. Is your brand more corporate and professional? High-end branded items like leather wallets or quality stationery might be more appropriate.
Consider Quality Over Quantity: While it might be tempting to buy a massive quantity of cheap products, quality always trumps quantity. High-quality items not only reflect well on your brand but are more likely to be used and kept by your audience. Think about it: would you prefer a cheap, flimsy pen or a sleek, durable notebook that lasts for months? Investing in high-quality items over a bunch of low-cost ones makes a much stronger impact.
Make Your Brand Unforgettable In 2025
Branded merchandise is a marketing powerhouse. It generates buzz, fuels word-of-mouth and boosts your brand visibility. When you choose quality promotional products, you’re building lasting relationships, creating memorable experiences, and driving genuine connections with your audience.
But, don’t settle for anything less than the best! When it comes to showcasing your brand, high-quality products are the way to go. With The Branding Office’s vast selection of high-quality, affordable products, you can find the perfect fit for your audience, ensuring you make a lasting impression.
Ready to elevate your brand? Need help picking the perfect merch? We’ve got your back! Reach out to us today, and let’s make your brand unforgettable with the best-branded merchandise out there!