By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Key Takeaways The best branded merch doesn’t feel like an ad. It feels like a conversation starter. That’s the philosophy behind everything we create in our swag design lab—merch that sparks curiosity, builds community, and makes people proud to wear your message. A Vibe Check […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Key Takeaways Useful is fine, but memorable is better. Cheap giveaways like pens, stress balls, and keychains end up in the junk drawer, while merch designed with values, not just logos, earns a place in everyday life. Memorable branded merch is quality-driven, on-trend, aligned with […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Key Takeaways K-Pop Demon Hunters blew up because the fans did the heavy lifting. That’s not push marketing, it’s pure pull. The lesson for your swag strategy: let your merch feel like fan art, built around what your fans, customers, or employees already love. I […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Key Takeaways The best branded merch doesn’t feel like marketing. It turns a customer into a walking billboard—without it ever feeling like an ad. That’s the magic we aim for in our merch lab. And today’s spotlight? A tote that’s pure brand energy. Vibe Check: […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Key Takeaways If Clippy had thoughts on branded merch in 2025, he’d point straight to print-on-demand merchandise. It means no inventory, no waste, swag that ships directly to people anywhere in the world, and unlimited creativity. What Would Clippy Choose for Your 2025 Swag Strategy? […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Key Takeaways Everyone’s trying to stand out at trade shows with ring lights, wireless chargers, and tech gadgets. But let’s be honest: no one ever said, “I want to hire this company because of their USB splitter.” That’s because the job of branded merch isn’t […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Key Takeaways The new Krispy Kreme x Crocs, Inc. collab is donut-core perfection. 🍩 Think jelly-glazed clogs, frosting-drip detailing, and sprinkle Jibbitz that look good enough to eat. It’s fun. It’s wild. And it’s exactly what branded merch should be. Designed to delight. Why Does […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Key Takeaways Traditional company swag is a founder’s nightmare, plagued by forced bulk minimums, guessed sizes, and boring styles. By pivoting to a premium print-on-demand model, brands can eliminate inventory waste entirely and turn logistical headaches into a fun, flexible cultural win. How Did I […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Key Takeaways Some merch makes you cringe. Some merch gets tossed. And some merch—like Oscar Mayer’s Hot Dog Girl Summer hat—becomes instant cultural currency. 🌭✨ This bold, mustard-yellow drop is everything branded swag should be: It riffs off the viral “Hot Girl Summer” trend, but […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert 📣 Surprise fact about me: I was a full-on, pom-poms-in-hand, high-kick, sideline-shouting cheerleader in high school. Bigger surprise? I never really stopped. These days, the uniform’s different (a lot more black denim, a lot less glitter), but the hype energy is still going strong—just redirected […]