By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert
You get one second to say something with your merch.
That’s not dramatic — it’s reality.
Social feeds are a highway
Everything flies by at 60 miles an hour.
If your message doesn’t read at a glance, it’s gone. 💨
And here’s the thing: branded merchandise works the exact same way.
If it doesn’t hit fast, it disappears.
The “Glance Test” (and why your branded merch needs to pass it)
Your audience doesn’t study merch. They scan it.
Whether it’s a hoodie at the coffee shop, a tote at the airport, or a water bottle in a meeting — people process it in an instant. So the real question becomes:
✅ Can someone understand it in one second?
If not, the design might be beautiful… but it’s not doing its job.
Branded merch isn’t just decoration.
It’s communication.
Why most company swag gets ignored
Let’s be honest: most corporate swag tries to do too much.
- Too many words
- Too many colors
- Too many logos
- Too many “design ideas” fighting for attention
The result? Visual noise.
And noise doesn’t stick.
If someone can’t read it from six feet away, it becomes background.
What makes branded merchandise instantly gettable?
The best branded merchandise is built for the blink — clean, bold, instantly recognizable.
Here’s what that looks like:
1) Simple message, strong identity
Your merch should communicate one clear thing:
A belief, a vibe, a moment, or a brand statement.
Think:
- a short phrase
- a crisp icon
- a smart logo placement
- a design that feels intentional (not promotional)
2) High contrast design
Contrast is what makes your design pop in real life and in photos — and yes, photos matter because your merch will end up on social.
3) Fewer words, bigger impact
If you need a paragraph to explain the merch, it’s not merch anymore — it’s an FAQ.
Great swag says less and means more.
4) Wearability matters
Even the most clever design won’t work if the piece isn’t something people actually want to wear or use.
Branded apparel and promotional products succeed when they feel like lifestyle — not marketing.
Branded merch is a moving billboard — make it readable
This is why we design pieces that pass the glance test.
Because in the real world, your merch isn’t sitting on a table waiting to be admired. It’s walking through:
- conferences
- airports
- Zoom screens
- coffee shops
- client meetings
- team hangouts
- social media posts
Your design has to land instantly.
The takeaway: if your merch hits fast, people don’t scroll by
Merch is one of the rare marketing tools that people choose to carry, wear, and repeat.
But only if it’s built for speed.
If it’s not instantly clear, it disappears.
If it passes the glance test, people stop — and remember.
And when your merch gets remembered?
Your brand does too.
Want branded merch that passes the glance test?
If you’re ready for premium company swag, custom branded apparel, or promotional products people actually keep, we make merch designed to hit fast — and stick.
Because you get one second. Let’s make it count.