By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

New Yorkers aren’t rude—we’re just efficient. (If you were hoping for small talk, you should’ve flown to Ohio.) That’s the kind of unapologetic attitude that defines great branding and Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream gets it. This beloved NYC ice cream shop has never offered samples. Not once. Not ever. And they’re so proud of that stance, they printed it on a mug. No samples. No apologies. It’s bold. It’s on-brand. And it’s brilliant branded merch.

What This Has to Do with Your Merch Strategy

Here’s the truth: in the world of custom swag and branded merchandise, your quirks are your superpower. Morgenstern’s didn’t dilute their brand to please the masses. They doubled down on what makes them them. And that’s what makes their swag work.

Their custom mug doesn’t just sell ice cream it sells identity. It’s an inside joke for New Yorkers and a hilarious souvenir for tourists. It says something about the brand—and about the person who buys it.

Want Branded Merch That Works? Own Your Edge.

The best branded merch tells a story. It’s not about slapping a logo on a t-shirt and calling it a day. It’s about creating a memorable, emotional connection between your brand and your audience. Your strongest brand asset might not be your tagline.
It might be that weird rule, quirky policy, or iconic personality trait that makes people say: “Wait… what?” That’s your merch moment. Don’t water down your edges. Hone them. Print them. Sell them. Because the best brands don’t try to be for everyone. They turn their quirks into souvenirs—and into branded merch that people actually want to use and show off.

Be Bold. Be Memorable. Be Mug-Worthy.

So the next time you’re planning a swag drop, product launch, or employee gift, don’t ask “What will everyone like?” Ask: “What’s the most me thing I can put on a tote, shirt, or mug?” That’s where the merch magic happens.

Bonus question for the ice cream lovers: What’s the weirdest flavor you’ve ever tried—and did you wish you’d sampled it first? 🍦👇 Want help turning your brand’s quirks into unforgettable merch? Let’s chat.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Pope Leo bobbleheads. “God’s Team” tees. Sprinkle cookies with his face.
No, this isn’t your Sunday school gift shop—it’s a full-on merch movement.

Right now, Chicago is treating the Pope like the next great streetwear icon, and honestly? It’s working. What started as a religious visit has turned into a cultural moment, and the merchandising game is divine.

Great Merch Captures a Moment

This viral Pope drop isn’t just fun—it’s a masterclass in how to do branded merchandise right. Because this is what the best custom merch does:

• It captures a moment.
• It celebrates what’s new, what’s now, what matters.
• Most importantly? It builds connection.

That’s the real power of branded swag—not the logo, but the feeling it creates.

Your Brand Deserves More Than a Logo Slap

Here’s the truth: your customers, your team, your audience—they don’t just want to wear your logo. They want to wear something that means something. Something that’s fun. Something that feels like them.

The best branded merch isn’t about promotion—it’s about participation.
When your swag invites people into the story of your brand, it becomes more than apparel or accessories. It becomes culture.

Make It Fashion. Make It Meaningful.

The Pope merch trend is a perfect example of how to blend brand storytelling, pop culture, and emotional connection into something tangible—and totally wearable.

🙏 So yes—brands, take notes.

Your swag shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be a creative expression of your identity. A celebration of your values. A conversation starter.

Whether you’re launching new products, hosting events, or engaging employees, your branded merchandise should be as intentional as the rest of your marketing.

Ready to Bless Your Next Merch Drop?

Let’s make it unforgettable. Let’s make it… pope-ular. 😇

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

We’ve all been there. You attend a conference, onboard with a new company, or join a team retreat—and you’re handed a tote bag or t-shirt with the company logo splashed across it. You smile politely, but inside you’re thinking:

“I’m never wearing this.”

And that right there is the problem.

Branded Merchandise Should Be a Brand Experience

When corporate swag feels cheap, generic, or outdated, it’s not just a design fail. It’s a missed opportunity to connect with your audience in a long-term, meaningful way. Branded merchandise isn’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore—it’s a powerful tool for brand engagement, employee retention, and customer loyalty.

If your branded swag isn’t being worn, used, or shared on social media, you’re not just wasting budget—you’re leaving brand equity on the table.

Raise the Bar on Swag

The best branded merch doesn’t feel like a giveaway. It feels like a gift.
Think about it: your audience should be excited to use your merch. They should reach for your custom tumbler, zip up that soft hoodie, or carry that thoughtfully designed tote bag every week—maybe even every day.

🧢 That’s the bar.

When you stop thinking of swag as a giveaway and start thinking of it as a relationship builder, everything changes.

Swag That Gets Loved—Not Left Behind

Branded merch should be more than a logo on a t-shirt. It should reflect your brand’s values, style, and purpose. Whether you’re launching a new product, welcoming new employees, or thanking loyal clients, your swag should spark joy and foster connection.

Want your branded merchandise to actually be worn and shared?

Focus on quality, intentional design, and relevance. It’s time to think beyond pens and mugs and start investing in pieces your people are proud to show off.

Let’s Be Honest…

What’s the worst piece of company merch you’ve ever gotten? I’ll go first: a neon green race shirt made of cotton that felt like it could exfoliate your skin. We can do better. And your brand deserves better.

Ready to upgrade your swag strategy?
Let’s create branded merchandise people actually want to wear, use, and keep.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

In the fluorescent glow of a long-forgotten supply closet…
Stacks of stiff hoodies sit untouched, tagged, and totally unloved.

Welcome to the branded merch graveyard.

Inspired by Goodnight Moon, this cautionary merch tale hits a little too close to home for companies still clinging to outdated corporate swag strategies.

In the dull grey office with the flickering light,
Lay a pile of hoodies, folded just right.
Goodnight box, goodnight tags,
Goodnight budget blown on swag.

Goodnight sizes we had to guess,
Goodnight closet of merch regrets.
Goodnight hoodie, stiff and thick,
Goodnight logo no one picked.

Goodnight waste, goodnight chore,
Hello merch they’ll ask you for.

Stop Wasting Money on Corporate Swag That No One Wants

The old model of branded merchandise—buying in bulk, guessing sizes, printing huge logos, and praying people wear it—is over.

If your swag ends up in a drawer (or the donation pile), it’s not doing its job. Your custom promotional products should:

• Reflect your brand’s voice and values
• Be high-quality and wearable in the real world
• Build loyalty, start conversations, and increase visibility

It’s Time to Say Goodnight to the Wrong Swag—and Hello to Smart Merch

Say goodbye to:
❌ Scratchy, stiff hoodies
❌ Giant logos nobody wants to wear
❌ Boxes of leftover sizes
❌ Budget waste and guesswork

Say hello to:
✅ On-demand merch your team and customers actually want
✅ Intentional design that aligns with your current campaigns
✅ Wearable, stylish branded apparel people are excited to rep

Your brand deserves better than the merch graveyard. You can do it. We can help. Sleep tight knowing your branded merch strategy is finally working for your business—not against it. ✨ Ready to wake up your swag game? Let’s chat.

Okay, which classic tale should we remix next? Because every good merch story deserves a happy ending. 😴👕

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Let’s be honest: Your business isn’t where it was in 2022. So why does your branded merch still look like it is? Your company has grown, pivoted, launched new services, expanded into new markets—yet your swag strategy is stuck in the past. It’s time for your custom merchandise to evolve with you. Because great swag isn’t static. It’s dynamic. It moves with your business goals—and fuels your growth in the process.

The Kind of Branded Merch That Builds Your Business

Smart promotional products aren’t about stockpiling stuff. They’re about creating intentional, timely moments that reflect your current brand voice, momentum, and marketing direction. Here’s what flexible swag strategy looks like:

🆕 Launching Something New?

Drop a fresh design that celebrates the moment and rewards your early supporters. Custom swag builds hype and gives your audience something to rally behind.

📉 Something Didn’t Land?

No worries—retire it. With on-demand printing, there’s no leftover inventory to manage. No clinging to what didn’t work.

🎯 Planning a Strategic Push?

Use a limited-edition tee or hoodie to drive urgency and engagement. People love exclusivity—and love showing off gear tied to a specific launch or campaign.

Agile Merch for a Fast-Moving Brand

If your business is always growing, your swag collection should never stay stagnant. Think:

• New initiative? ➡️ New merch.
• New campaign? ➡️ New merch.
• New goal? You guessed it—new merch.

With the right print-on-demand merch strategy, your swag can evolve as quickly as your brand does—without the upfront costs or commitment of traditional bulk orders.

Swag That Works With Your Brand, Not Against It

Your promotional merchandise should:

• Align with your current marketing message
• Excite your team and community
• Help your brand show up in relevant, visible ways

If it’s been a while since you refreshed your branded gear, now’s the time.

So tell me—what’s changed in your business this year? New team? New direction? New goals? 👇 I want to hear what’s new (and help you turn it into next-level merch).

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

When it comes to branded merch, intention is everything. If you’re ordering swag without a clear goal in mind, you’re not building brand equity—you’re just building a closet full of regrets (and a landfill of leftover tees no one wanted). It’s time to shift how you think about promotional merchandise. Because merch isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s a marketing tool. A community builder. A brand flex.

Branded Merch Should Move the Needle—Not Just Sit on a Shelf

Before you order anything with your logo on it, ask yourself: 💬 What are my current marketing goals—and how can custom swag help amplify them? Here’s how to make your merchandise actually work for your business:

🛠 Launching a New Service or Product?

Use branded merch to reward early adopters and turn them into brand ambassadors. Limited-edition swag creates buzz, boosts referrals, and strengthens emotional connection.

🤝 Want to Strengthen Your Community?

Don’t just give them something to wear—give them something they’re proud to wear. High-quality, on-brand custom merch turns your audience into walking billboards (the cool kind).

🌍 Need to Grow Brand Visibility?

Strategic swag puts your logo in places that matter—coffee shops, airports, Instagram feeds. Let your merch do the talking organically.

Smart Swag Builds Momentum

When done right, custom merchandise does more than sit on a shelf. It:

• Sparks conversation
• Drives loyalty
• Extends your brand presence beyond the screen
• Turns customers into superfans

Branded swag isn’t about stuff. It’s about strategy.

Every item should have a purpose and a story that connects back to your mission. So next time you think about ordering merch, don’t ask: “How many t-shirts should we print?”

Ask: “What impact do I want this swag to create?” Because the best merch doesn’t just exist. It moves your brand forward.

Real Talk: Ever made a custom shirt for a family reunion, team outing, or bachelorette party? Tell me what it said and who flat-out refused to wear it. 👇

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Most branded merch strategies start—and end—with slapping a logo on a mug, tote, or pen. But let’s be real: That’s not strategy. That’s clutter.

Too many businesses are still stuck in the outdated swag cycle:

• Order bulk promo items
• Hope people like them
• Watch them collect dust (or end up in the trash)

Here’s the truth: If your branded merchandise doesn’t reflect your brand’s vibe and values, you’re missing a major opportunity.

The Future of Branded Merch Isn’t About Inventory. It’s About Intention.

Smart swag isn’t just a giveaway—it’s a relationship-builder. It should:

✅ Strengthen your brand identity
✅ Deepen your connection with your audience
✅ Be something people actually want to use and wear
✅ Spark conversations and visibility for your brand

This is where intentional, well-designed branded merch comes in. When your swag is meaningful, on-trend, and aligned with your brand story, it turns every tee, tumbler, or tote into a touchpoint—one that boosts loyalty and brand recall.

Why Thoughtful Swag Strategy Matters

Your branded merchandise should make people feel something—seen, inspired, part of something bigger. Here’s how to level up your branded merch:

• Ditch the bulk-buy mindset. Print-on-demand lets you stay flexible and relevant.
• Design for your ideal audience. Not everyone wants another stress ball—but a thoughtfully designed hoodie? Game changer.
• Use merch as marketing fuel. The right pieces spark social shares, create brand ambassadors, and amplify your message.

Merch That’s More Than Just Stuff

Don’t waste your marketing budget on junk. The best branded swag:

• Adds value to your customer’s life
• Reflects your mission and personality
• Creates community and conversation

If your current merch strategy starts with “How many mugs should we order?”—we need to talk.

Want help turning your merch into a powerful marketing tool? I’m Amanda Hofman, and I help brands design intentional, on-trend, on-message branded merchandise that actually works. Let’s create swag that people love—and that grows your business.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Let’s talk about an old-school swag habit that needs to be officially retired: 📞 Printing your phone number on promotional items. We get it—it used to make sense. But in today’s digital world, it’s basically the equivalent of slapping a fax number on a hoodie.

Nobody Is Calling You From a Toothbrush

Let’s be real: Nobody is dialing your number off a branded toothbrush or squinting at your tiny print on a stress ball. That’s just wasted prime real estate—especially when you have the chance to say something that actually sticks.

Old-School Swag:

• A phone number they’ll just Google
• A URL no one wants to type manually

Modern, Memorable Swag:

• 💬 A clever message that sparks curiosity or delight
• 🎯 A vibe that represents your brand’s personality
• 👕 Something people actually want to wear or use

When you invest in custom swag, you’re not just handing out items—you’re telling a story. So use that merch real estate to build brand affinity, not just drop contact info.

Your Branded Merchandise Should Start Conversations

Today’s most effective promotional products are designed to do more than inform. They should:

• ❇️ Spark emotion
• 🗣️ Encourage conversation
• 📸 Be Instagram-worthy

Whether it’s a T-shirt with a bold statement, a tote bag with a witty phrase, or a mug that makes people laugh in the breakroom—great swag creates moments, not just impressions.

Rethinking Everyday Swag: The Dentist Office Test

Think about the classic goodie bag from your dentist. You probably get a toothbrush, floss, and maybe a sticker. It’s expected—and forgettable.

But what if it wasn’t?

What if you walked out with a clever “Floss Boss” tote or a minty-fresh lip balm branded with something funny instead of just another reminder to call the office?

That’s the difference between functional and shareable swag.

Use Branded Swag to Leave an Impression, Not Just Information

Let’s move beyond contact details and toward connection. The next time you’re designing your company merch or planning event giveaways, ask yourself:

• Does this item make someone smile?
• Would they keep it—or toss it?
• Does it say something about my brand, not just from it?

If you want your branded merch to stand out in a sea of generic giveaways, ditch the digits. Give people something they’ll love, laugh at, or wear proudly.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

At exactly 11:59 AM, I was emotionally prepared to become someone who wears a solid gold macaroni necklace. By 12:01 PM, it was sold out. And yes—I’m still thinking about it. 😭 Why? Because it was more than just a necklace. It was a masterclass in bold, joy-filled brand storytelling—and a shining example of how custom branded merch can create deep emotional connections.

The Power of Irresistible Swag

Let’s be honest: branded swag doesn’t usually sell out in three minutes.

But Kraft Heinz isn’t just selling pasta—they’re selling nostalgia, love, and humor. That limited-edition gold macaroni necklace was genuinely chic and culturally iconic. It turned a beloved brand into something people could wear, gift, and talk about.

That’s the secret sauce right there:

Make your brand tangible.

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Why This Works (And How You Can Do It Too)

Kraft took the emotional connection customers already had—and transformed it into premium branded merchandise that was unexpected, delightful, and meaningful.

You might not have a globally iconic noodle in your logo, but you can create memorable, personalized swag that inspires loyalty and sparks conversation.

Here’s how to apply this strategy to your own corporate swag program:

🎯 1. Tap Into Emotion

Create branded merch that reflects your brand’s values and story. Think beyond logos—focus on what your audience feels when they interact with you.

✨ 2. Be Bold and Playful

The gold macaroni worked because it was unexpected. Unique, fun, and just a little ridiculous—in the best way. Let your custom swag have a personality.

👕 3. Make It Wearable and Shareable

People want to wear what makes them look good and feel connected. Great branded apparel and accessories turn customers into brand ambassadors voluntarily.

🔄 4. Think Beyond Giveaways

This wasn’t just promo merch—it was limited-edition, high-quality, and worth buying. Consider print-on-demand swag stores and premium custom products as part of your brand strategy.

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Swag That Sparks Brand Love

This kind of campaign shows what’s possible when you treat branded merchandise as more than a checkbox for events or conferences. It becomes a vehicle for joy, storytelling, and connection. And if your merch gets people excited, laughing, or reminiscing—you’re doing it right. You don’t have to be Kraft. You just have to be you—in a way that people are proud to put on, share, and celebrate.

So, tell me: Would you wear the golden noodle? What would your brand’s version of this be? 👇

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Let’s talk about that box. You know the one—tucked in the corner of your office or storage closet. Overflowing with branded merch that no one asked for, no one wants, and no one knows what to do with. You guessed sizes. You ordered in bulk. Now all the mediums are gone. Some are… beige? (Nobody ever asked for beige.) And half of it is still there, quietly collecting dust. 🫠

Traditional Branded Merchandise Is Broken

Managing inventory for corporate swag can be a nightmare. You either order too many or not enough. You hope people want what you picked. Spoiler alert: they often don’t. The result? Cluttered shelves, wasted money, and zero brand impact.

Enter: Print-on-Demand Swag

If you’ve ever been burned by bulk ordering, it’s time to rethink your branded merchandise strategy. Print-on-demand corporate swag solves nearly every problem that traditional merch creates.

Here’s why print-on-demand is the future of branded merch:

• 🧠 No more guessing sizes – Let employees, clients, or event attendees pick what fits them best.
• 🛍️ No bulk orders gone wrong – Stop ordering 300 of the wrong item and hoping someone takes them.
• 🎯 Stay brand-flexible – Update designs, logos, and product lines anytime without tossing old stock.
• 🙌 People choose what they actually want – Which means they’re more likely to wear it, use it, and rep your brand proudly.

The Benefits of On-Demand Swag Go Beyond Convenience

• 🚫 No waste – Sustainable corporate gifting made easy.
• 🧹 No clutter – Say goodbye to those sad office boxes.
• 😬 No awkward “Do you have this in literally anything else?” moments.

Branded Merch People Actually Keep

The best branded swag is the kind people want to keep. It’s personalized, stylish, and functional. With on-demand corporate merchandise, your team or audience gets to choose the item that speaks to them.

So, What’s the Oldest Piece of Branded Swag You Still Own?

We all have one. Mine’s a summer camp T-shirt from 7th grade—faded but still in the drawer. 👕👇 What’s yours?