You found our ultimate guide on corporate swag.
Corporate swag items are promotional gifts that companies give their employees or clients to increase brand awareness and promote their goods and services. Examples include coffee mugs, custom T-shirts, and mouse pads. The purpose of corporate swag is to increase brand awareness and recognition, boost employee engagement, and target new customers.
This list is similar to corporate gift bag ideas. You can buy budget swag to fill swag bags for conferences.
This article includes:
- What is corporate swag?
- Why corporate gifts are important
- Where does swag come from?
- What are the best swag companies?
- What are the types of swag?
- What are the best swag ideas?
Here we go!
What is corporate swag?
Corporate swag is promotional items companies give their customers or employees to showcase their brand.
These items serve purposes like:
- show appreciation to customers and employees
- create a sense of community
- reward loyalty and retain customers
- boost brand or message recollection
- promote events and trade shows
- create a sense of brand consistency and recognition
Organizations are consistently searching for creative and cost-effective ways to keep customers and employees connected to their brand, and company swag is a potent tool for achieving this objective. In this age of remote work and hybrid business models, companies must keep a physical and emotional link between their brand and stakeholders.
Great swag has the potential to delight, endear, and engage. However, gifting requires the right approach to be effective because company swag nobody wants is a massive waste of money.
Why corporate gifts are important
For a long time, businesses have utilized corporate gifts to interact and show appreciation to their employees, customers, partners, and prospective clients. Corporate gifting aims to increase brand awareness and engagement among potential customers, existing clients, and workers.
When done correctly, these gifts are a cost-effective way to connect with customers and employees while creating a sense of community around the brand. Good gifts help form a bond between the business and the gift recipient, boost sales, and reach new markets. These promotional items display a logo or company name, which can spark curiosity in a potential customer’s mind to know more about the company.
Thoughtful gifts also help to enhance brand reputation and show your recipients that you pay close attention to details. You can also demonstrate that your employees’ and clients’ likes and interests are your priority. Giving the right kinds of gifts makes recipients feel cared for and also portrays your company as being kind and caring.
This good reputation will result in repeat patronage as well as clients referring your business to new customers, leading to more sales. Likewise, gifting gifts to employees is a guaranteed way of making them feel valued and appreciated, and this will encourage them to speak well of your company. Awesome, creative gifts lead to good vibes, encourage teamwork, and increase employee motivation and engagement in the workplace.
Where does swag come from?
As an acronym, SWAG stands for ‘Stuff We All Get,’ which refers to promotional products for marketing and giveaway purposes. The origin of the word “swag” is somewhat unclear, although it is widely believed that the word has Scandinavian roots dating back to the 14th century when it referred to a bag. Later in the 16th century, the term was used to refer to a blustering person. Swag became recognized in the 18th century as a term used by criminals and thieves to reference stolen or illegal goods. This usage is likely derived from the word “swagman,” which describes a person who carried stolen goods.
In the early 20th century, companies began to use the term “swag” to refer to giveaways or promotional merchandise used by companies to promote their goods or services. Over time, the word has become a popular slang term used to refer to any promotional merchandise or freebies.
Today, the term is often used in the context of events, trade shows, and marketing campaigns, where companies will give away a variety of items to promote their brand or products. Also, swag has become even more popular with the rise of social media and influencer marketing. Many companies now work with social media influencers to give them free products or merchandise in exchange for promoting their brand on their social media channels.
What are the best swag companies?
Here is a list of some of the best corporate swag vendors.
1. Swag.org
Swag.org is a leading corporate swag vendor and one of the most popular promotional items companies. The shop sells branded versions of promotional products. Swag.org offers various options, including conventional swag items like T-shirts, pens, keychains, stickers, and drinkware.
This company is the go-to place for affordable swag that is creatively curated and custom-made to perfection. Swag.org is also the perfect pick to spice up swag ideas for company conferences and other corporate events. With such a wide array of options, swag.org is a great choice for organizations of all sizes, budgets, and tastes. This vendor also offers a streamlined customer buying experience, with easy steps to sign up and get going.
Check out Swag.org.
2. Gemnote
Gemnote offers an amazing alternative to common mass-produced swag items. Rather, this swag vendor creatively creates employee and customer swag that fits the company’s needs, tastes, and budgets. Gemnote enjoys a satisfaction rating of 98 percent and takes pride in its high-profile client list, some of which include Reddit, Google, Netflix, Meta, and Slack.
Gemnote aims to provoke joy and delight when recipients open their gifts. The company accomplishes this goal by using hands-on, extremely personalized methods in curating and customizing high-quality items. This approach makes swag feel more like a thoughtful gift than a promotional item. Some unique offerings include pocket-print T-shirts, slippers, gourmet chocolates, aprons, curated gift boxes, and The North Face duffles. Also, Gemnote provides multiple options for adding company logos or names to swag items, ranging from screen print, embroidery, digital print, glass etch, imprint, and leather embossing. This vendor is simply an all-in-one solution for bespoke gift items, with a swag portal, software integrations, bulk shipping, and quality assurance.
Check out Gemnote.
3. SwagUp
SwagUp stands out as a top branded merchandise company, specializing in full packs with multiple items inside. The company’s easy-to-use online platform makes it simple to add company names, logos, and designs to items like socks, headphones, bottles, and bags. SwagUp provides a simple approach to automating company swag, allowing ordering companies to choose preferred packaging, mailing bag, box filler, and handwritten card style. The company also allows clients to select branded gifts for each swag pack and the delivery destination. This vendor offers both preset packages and build-your-own box options.
The company’s unique products include:
- clothing lines, like sweatshirts and outerwear
- high-quality canvas tote bags and backpacks
- travel power kits
- AirCharge mouse pads
- laptop stickers
- ring lights
- wireless car chargers
- coffee mugs
- water bottles
SwagUp also eliminates risks by allowing clients to request free sample packs on their website while promising a next-business-day delivery for national customers. With such a quick turnaround, companies can see products beforehand and decide if the packaging and quality meet their swag needs.
Check out SwagUp.
4. Printfection
Printfection is one of the most viable swag vendors, helping companies reengage prospects and carry out corporate events with ease. This vendor also provides a range of dedicated services, like creating and distributing customer rewards and incentives, dropshipping, warehousing, printing, giveaways, and order fulfillment. Their website provides an analytics dashboard that allows users to track order progress and merch program performance while managing logistics. Printfection offers creative conference swag ideas and the best wearable swag for corporate events. In a few clicks, customers can dropship prepackaged branded items straight to offices, employees, customers, and event spaces, in any location worldwide. This vendor offers an impressive swag catalog with several top brands and products, from wellness and home goods to apparel, tech, and novelties. Some of their top offerings include self-cleaning insulated bottles, a mini video conference lighting kit, a bamboo lap desk, and a desk cleaner robot.
You can check out Printfection.
5. BrandVia
BrandVia is a leading promotional merchandise company, priding itself on having the capacity to source almost any kind of swag product a customer may need. Top brands like eBay, Paypal, and Marriott trust the brand. BrandVia curates unique gift items sourced from sustainable manufacturers while supporting small businesses and investing in product innovations that help to bring unique products into the market. With over 50,000 products on its website and counting, Brandvia offers diverse services like swag and merchandise, virtual event engagement, gifting experiences, and product development.
This vendor allows partners to set up microsites and merchandising programs both online and in the physical world. BrandVia also offers access to an amazing collection of BIPOC-owned businesses, sustainable and locally sourced products, and female-owned businesses.
Some of the unique products include:
- work-from-home sets
- silicone jar spatulas
- Dylan’s Candy Bar chocolates
- cocktail-inspired candy garnishes
- tac night gift sets
- photo frames with wireless charging pads
Check out BrandVia.
6. 4Imprint
A worldwide branded promotional items provider since 1987, 4Imprint boasts of an inventory of over a million products, giving companies an extensive list of unique options. This company aims to provide quick, straightforward, and affordable swag delivery. 4Imprint offers amazing benefits like a 24-hour rush shipping option, a 100 percent guarantee on every purchase, lots of daily and weekly “hot” deals, and sustainable product lines. Besides the extensive catalog, 4Imprint also offers customized design services to help companies curate the perfect products that suit their campaign needs. Beyond classic gift items like notepads, T-shirts, and pens, 4Imprint offers unique products like embroidered picnic blankets, vacuum wine tumblers or camp mugs, Bluetooth speakers, and tech kits. There is also a team of experts on standby to help with the curation process, from choosing the right product to shipping.
You can check out 4Imprint.
What are the types of swag?
Some common types of swag include:
- Promotional items: Companies or organizations give promotional items away to advertise heir brand or products. Examples include T-shirts, pens, mugs, and keychains.
- Event swag: Companies give these swag items out at events, conferences, or trade shows. Examples include tote bags, lanyards, and badge holders.
- Product samples: These are small versions of products businesses give away to consumers as tryouts before they buy. Examples include beauty samples, perfume samples, food samples, and software demos.
- Digital swag: Customers can access these digital items by downloading or checking online. Examples include e-books, wallpapers, and discount codes.
What are the best swag ideas?
Some of the best swag ideas include:
- Customized backpacks & tote bags: Practical and versatile, receivers can use these bags for traveling, carrying groceries, or holding workplace essentials.
- Self-care swag: You can curate essential gift items for your employees and clients for self-pampering. Examples include spa kits, hand sanitizers, manicure sets, custom sleep masks, skin care products, extra-thick blankets, gym equipment, summer BBQ kits, and wine gift baskets.
- Work-from-home accessories: These accessories help organize the work from-home-experience. These include cable organizers, notepads, custom mouse pads, and rechargeable ring lights.
- Wellness and fitness swag: Wellness swag gifts help communicate your commitment to wellness and also show that you care about the well-being of your employees and clients. Examples include custom yoga mats, Fitbit watches, and first-aid kits.
- Customized water bottles: Water bottles are great for promoting a healthy lifestyle and staying hydrated. They are also a great way to promote your brand on the go.
- Branded power banks or phone chargers: Power banks are useful items that employees and customers will appreciate. They are particularly helpful for receivers who are always on the move.
- Customized mugs or cups: A mug or cup is a great way to promote your brand, and clients and employees can use them daily.
- Customized USB drives: Flash drives are practical and useful items for clients and employees. Recipients can use USB drives to store and transfer important files.
- Branded T-shirts or hoodies: Branded clothing items are great for promoting your brand and creating a sense of unity among employees.
- Customized earbuds or headphones: Headphones are useful items for employees and clients. These listening devices are also a great way to promote your brand.
- Branded face masks: Face masks are a necessary item in today’s world and can be used to promote your brand and keep employees and clients safe.
- Customized phone cases or tablet cases: Since recipients carry their phones constantly, phone cases are a great way to promote your brand and protect expensive devices.
Conclusion
Well-curated swag is undoubtedly a worthy investment for any company and a great resource for brand promotion. Company swag can be a fun, effective, and budget-friendly way to get more recognition for the brand. To adequately leverage this highly effective marketing tool, it is essential to choose high-quality items that adequately reflect your brand personality and that the recipients will find useful and appealing.
Next, check out our list of the best gift box companies and corporate swag vendors.
FAQ: Corporate swag
Here are frequently asked questions about corporate swag.
What is corporate swag?
Corporate swag is promotional items companies use as marketing tools to promote their brand, boost engagement, and drive sales. Companies also give these items to potential clients and returning customers to win them over or show appreciation for patronage.
What is the purpose of corporate swag?
The main purpose of corporate swag is to increase brand awareness and promote the company. These items can serve as a reminder of the company and its products or services, lead to repeat business, or encourage positive word-of-mouth advertising.
What are the best corporate swag ideas?
Some of the best corporate swag ideas include:
- branded T-shirts
- sweatshirts and hoodies
- customized tote bags
- self-care packages
- branded power banks
- rechargeable mouse pads
- customized earbuds
- headphones
How do you find good corporate swag?
To find good corporate swag, it is important to understand your audience and choose items that will appeal to them. Items should also reflect company culture and serve the intended purpose. One of the important steps to take is to research different suppliers, compare prices and quality, and choose a supplier with a range of products and a good reputation.
Choosing high-quality swag items says a lot about your brand. Asking for feedback from employees or focus groups can also help to get an idea of the type of items they would appreciate and find useful. We advise being creative with the design and customization of the items to make them stand out. Also, remember to analyze the cost-benefit to ensure that swag is a worthy investment that will yield good returns.
