By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

And yes… I said what I said.

When someone tells me they’re “in promotional products,” I instantly picture the stuff that ends up in the bottom of a junk drawer two days later.

You know exactly what I mean:

• t-shirt guns
• flashlights
• wireless charging pads
• koozies
• random swag that’s ordered by the thousands and handed out like candy

That’s why I hate when people assume I work in “promotional products.” 🙈😭👎

Because I don’t.

I work in branded merchandise—and that is a completely different game.

“Promotional Products” Feels Like Cheap Giveaways

To me, promotional products is synonymous with low-cost, logo’d items that are given out en masse for free—whether people actually want them or not.

It’s the stuff that gets tossed, donated, or re-gifted almost immediately.
And honestly? It’s wasteful.

It’s also the fastest way for a brand to accidentally say:
“We care more about slapping our logo on something than creating something people genuinely want.”

Branded Merchandise Is What People Choose to Own

Here’s what branded merch is to me:

✅ High-quality items you actually want to own
✅ Items you choose to own (not thrust upon you)
✅ Designs that reflect a brand’s values
✅ Trendy, fashion-forward pieces that feel exciting and cool

Branded merchandise should feel like something you’d buy even if the logo wasn’t there—because the design is that good.

It’s not “free stuff.”
It’s brand identity you can wear, use, and flex.

Promo Items vs. Branded Merch (And Why It Matters)

Let’s call it what it is:

Promo items are the things people don’t want.
They’re the cheap branded giveaways that end up as clutter.

Branded merchandise is the stuff people are banging down your door to own.

It’s the difference between:

• “Here’s something free”
  and
• “Where can I buy that?!”

And if you’re a brand trying to build loyalty, community, culture, or even just real awareness… you want the second one.

Because good branded merchandise doesn’t just advertise your brand—
it creates belonging.

The Best Branded Merch Doesn’t Feel Like Marketing

Here’s the secret: when your branded merch is done right, it doesn’t feel like a walking billboard.

It feels like:

• a favorite hoodie
• your go-to hat
• the tote you carry everywhere
• the crewneck someone compliments every time you wear it

The kind of custom branded merchandise people wear because it’s cute and comfortable, not because they were guilted into it at an event.

That’s the standard. That’s the goal.

Confession Time: What’s a “Promo Item” You Want to Hate… But Actually Love?

I’ll go first:

SHORTS. 🩳

If you give me shorts? I will keep them forever.
I will wear them until they have holes in them.
I will become emotionally attached.

Do I want to admit it? No.
Will I still do it? Absolutely.

Your Turn 👇

What’s a promo item you want to hate… but actually love?

Drop your answer—and if it’s koozies, I won’t judge you (out loud). 😅