Company swag or merch has been a tradition for corporations for over a hundred years. Spreading your brand through free stuff is a relatively low-cost, high-impact strategy—and a popular one, with the promotional product industry’s revenue reaching $26 billion in 2023.
However, in recent years, employee expectations have evolved. People aren’t satisfied with a branded mug or jacket anymore, which makes company swag difficult to get right.
Thoughtfully chosen company swag can create moments of appreciation that foster a sense of belonging, boost morale, and strengthen workplace culture. When integrated into a broader strategy of meaningful recognition, swag becomes more than just “stuff”—it becomes a way to show genuine care, strengthen connections, and reinforce company values.
So if you want to give the best swag to your employees, you need to know not just what to give but how to give it. Follow along as we discuss the value of company swag, strategies to pursue, and 23 company swag ideas your employees will find memorable and valuable.
Company Swag as a Part of a Bigger Recognition Strategy
Company swag can be a great addition to a comprehensive rewards program. For example, when you use Awardco’s swag platform, you can leverage merch for company recognition initiatives, such as points-based rewards, incentive plans, and peer-to-peer recognition.
We even offer Amazon-integrated options so employees can pick and choose the swag they want. This removes the guesswork (and several admin headaches) on your end—instead, you can enjoy the ease and advantages your quality recognition strategy brings.
The Benefits of Company Merch
So, what do those advantages actually look like?
Consider the following:
- Employees receiving branded company swag tend to stay at the company 1.5 years longer than those who don’t.
- 73% of employees say getting promotional products from their employer boosts their sense of pride and belonging at work.
- 69% of employees say they regularly use company-branded items even when they’re off the clock. This means employees help promote your brand outside of work.
The value of employee swag is twofold: First, you show your employees that you care about them and appreciate them by giving them free stuff. Second, you get free advertising as your employees take your brand and logo out into the wider world.
Whether you use it for onboarding, celebrating anniversary milestones, or recognizing hard work, good corporate swag is a win-win situation that benefits both the giver and the receiver.
Best Practices for Employee Merch
Get the best return for your efforts when giving swag by following these best practices:
- Give employees the power of choice. One of the best things you can do to make your corporate swag more meaningful is to not give every employee the exact same thing. Instead, offer a catalog of options, such as clothing, accessories, and office supplies, and let each employee choose what will be most useful for them. Want to create a custom swag catalog with different logo options, colors, and items? We can help you!
- Keep it tasteful. No matter how boisterous your brand may be, most employees aren’t going to wear a super bright shirt with a massive company logo splashed over it. Instead, offer stylish, modern items with tasteful branding that doesn’t overdo it.
- Integrate company values. Reinforce and strengthen your culture with swag that’s branded with your core values. For example, if one of your values is optimism, offer drinking glasses with graphics showing how the glass is half full, not half empty.
- Offer eco-friendly options. Making swag eco-friendly and sustainable shows your commitment to the environment—for employees who value this (69% of professionals say they want their employers to invest in sustainability initiatives), seeing their company share that value will strengthen their attachment to the culture.
- Offer flexibility for remote and hybrid teams: Today’s workforce isn’t always in the office—and your recognition efforts should reflect that. Consider company merch ideas like branded care packages delivered directly to your employees’ homes, work anniversary celebration boxes, or tech swag like headphones or ergonomic laptop stands.
The best company swag is stuff that employees appreciate, resonate with, and will actually use. Following these simple practices will help your swag check those boxes.
23 of the Best Company Swag Ideas for Employees
Here are some of the best employee swag ideas to consider implementing as part of your recognition strategy. We’ve broken them down into six categories:
- Practical swag
- Health and wellness-focused swag
- Tech swag
- Eco-friendly swag
- Remote swag
- Event-specific swag
Practical Swag
1. Custom Mouse Pad
Whether employees work at home or in the office, a mouse pad is something everyone who uses a computer could use. Make it high-quality and cover it with fun, company-centric artwork.
2. Blue Light Glasses
For employees who stare at screens all day, blue light glasses could be a lifesaver. These block out irritating blue light from screens and can reduce eye strain.
3. Premium Clothing
Any swag clothing you offer needs to be of the highest quality and needs to fit perfectly—otherwise, no one will wear it. Whether you offer shirts, sweaters, hats, jackets, or pants, make sure they’re comfortable and stylish.
4. Sunglasses
Perfect for outdoor team-building events, summer picnics, or company-sponsored sports days, branded sunglasses not only offer UV protection but also add a fun and stylish touch to an event swag bag.
5. Planner or Journal
Let employees choose either a planner for the year or a journal, depending on their preference. Offer ones with high-quality paper, and include a branded pen as an added bonus.
6. Quality, Eco-Friendly Reusable Water Bottle
Most people could probably drink more water, right? Offer nice, insulated water bottles that employees can use at work, the gym, school, or wherever they want.
7. Thick Throw Blanket
For areas that get cold, a thick, warm blanket is almost always welcome. Just make sure the blanket isn’t a thin, flimsy thing that doesn’t do much.
8. Duffel Bag, Backpack, or Luggage
Quality bags are always nice. Based on your employees, offer a bag that will make their lives easier. If you have a lot of students, a backpack could be useful. If your employees travel a lot, nice luggage is a great idea.
Health and Wellness-Focused Swag
9. Fitness Watch
Encourage employee wellness with a fitness watch and company-branded band.
10. Yoga Mat
For something more budget-friendly, a yoga mat is a great swag option. Plus, it’s a large canvas to really get creative with your branding.
11. Branded Pot or Planter
The vast majority of employees enjoy having plants and greenery around—empower their green thumbs with a set of succulents or other desk-friendly plants.
12. Massage Item
Foot massagers, massage guns, neck wraps, or face rollers are all great ways to unwind and destress. Based on your budget, offer a massage item that employees will love.
13. Plush Robes
A branded robe is a great way to empower the relaxation of your employees. Give them something comfortable to lounge around their homes in while feeling high-class.
Tech Swag
14. Custom Headphones
Headphones and earbuds are great gifts for nearly everyone. Many brands are inexpensive while still offering quality sound.
15. Phone Charger or Power Bank
Everyone uses a phone, so make it easier than ever to keep employees’ phones charged and ready to go with company-branded gear.
16. Bluetooth Speaker
For music lovers, this is a no-brainer. Offer speakers that allow for fun branding and let employees show off their company each time they show off their tunes.
17. Phone Wallet
Minimize clutter by giving employees a way to keep their cards and phone together in one place.
Eco-Friendly Swag
18. Reusable Straws
Offer a set of metal straws that completely eliminate the need for paper or plastic straws.
19. Organic Tote Bag
Totes are extremely useful for everyone, and they’re great at cutting down on plastic usage.
20. Bamboo Cutting Board
Cut down on plastic and provide a useful kitchen item at the same time! Anyone who enjoys cooking will love an item like this.
Remote Swag
21. Tasty Food Swag Box
Send your remote employees a box full of unique snacks and treats to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
22. Self-Care Swag Box
Send items like scented candles, bath salts, lotion, sleep masks, and a mug with some tea in it to help remote employees enjoy a peaceful home.
23. Custom Swag Box
Let employees choose the items that go into their box—that’s the best way to make sure they love it.
Tips for Choosing Company Merchandise
Choosing the right company swag hinges on five key principles:
- Know your audience: Consider what your employees like or what they would actually use. It might be helpful to have everyone fill out a short survey to understand their preferences and needs. Be sure to circulate this survey at least once a year to keep your swag options fresh and relevant.
- Choose quality over quantity: An item made from quality materials will last longer—plus, quality merchandise reflects better on your brand. A high-quality hoodie or well-crafted notebook leaves a more lasting impression than several cheaper items that quickly wear out or break.
- Align swag with your brand: Make sure your merchandise reflects your company’s culture and personality, whether that’s modern, eco-friendly, playful, or professional. Color schemes, typography, and logo placement should be consistent with your visual identity. A turnkey swag solution makes this easy.
- Align with your recognition strategy: Whether you’re recognizing good performance, a work anniversary, or hitting a sales milestone, let your recognition initiatives guide you in determining an appropriate company-branded item. Different achievements may warrant different types of swag—from everyday items to more premium gifts.
- Set up a budget: Define a clear budget for your merchandise program upfront. This helps you stay within limits while still sourcing quality items. Be sure to factor in not just the item cost but also customization, shipping, and packaging. Having a well-planned budget ensures your swag initiative is sustainable over time. Discover the ROI of a quality recognition program.
Real-World Success: Swag in Action
One of our clients, ARUP Laboratories, enhanced its employee experience by integrating merch into its recognition program.
Using Awardco, the company created a seamless process for employees to redeem personalized items as part of their rewards—leading to an 18% increase in employee satisfaction and a 363% boost in employee recognition.
“Awardco has given us incredible power and flexibility with our recognition programs because of the millions of options to choose from, and the ability for employees to choose their own rewards has been a game changer. We know what we’re getting, we know we’re getting the best price, and our employees couldn’t be happier.”
—Cheryl Vincent, Talent Development Manager
Awardco Can Help with Your Swag Needs
We know a thing or two about employee gifts, and the best corporate swag is no different. Offer swag that employees actually want, and you’ll build your culture, increase their engagement, and spread the word about your business.
Ready to take your recognition efforts to the next level? Whether it’s through personalized swag or a points-based rewards program, Awardco makes it easy to build a culture of appreciation. Request a demo today!
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