The Ultimate Guide to Company Swag
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying it: company swag is one of the most effective ways to build brand awareness and show off your company culture.
But it’s no secret that sometimes swag and promotional products can feel a little… blah. Whether it’s an outdated mousepad or a cheap, flimsy pen that barely has any ink, it’s easy to see why “swag” has sometimes gotten a bad rap in the past.
But come on folks, it's 2023! There are so many ways to take your brand to the next level. And here at Teak & Twine, we’re alllll about making brands look their best, especially with custom swag boxes! Your company swag should be as awesome as the people who work there and the amazing work they do every day.
That’s why we created The Ultimate Guide to Company Swag — get ready to say goodbye to boring and HELLO to swag of the future! In this post, we’re sharing the best company swag ideas for 2023, plus giving a full run-down on what company swag is, the benefits of giving employee swag, and our top tips for giving cool company swag your team will actually want!
What is Company Swag?
Company swag simply refers to promotional products and branded merchandise that almost always feature the company logo, symbol, or slogan. Typically, companies give swag items as employee gifts, but in some cases, companies may give swag to customers, event attendees, or even the general public. Oh, and get this — swag is actually an acronym that stands for “Stuff We All Get” — who knew!?
In terms of what products specifically constitute as company swag — the limit does not exist! But some typical types of swag include: t-shirts, hats, water bottles, pens, stickers, keychains, coffee mugs, tote bags… the list goes on!
Company swag is often used as part of the onboarding process for new hires, but can also be given out to all employees as a reward for a job well done, and even to celebrate company milestones, employee anniversaries, and events. The idea behind employee swag is to create a sense of pride and belonging among teams and to help reinforce the company culture and values.
With companies spending thousands of dollars every year on employee swag, it's important to get it right! Put that swag budget to good use with swag your employees will want to keep. Here are our top tips for getting company swag right:
The Best Company Swag Ideas for 2023
Swag for Onboarding New Employees
Welcome new hires in style! A tastefully branded and practical gift is always a good idea for making a good first impression. Think stylish office essentials like a branded notebook and insulated coffee mug, plus snacks, a candle, and a box of matches for good measure!
Whether they're working from home or in the office, this gift is tasteful and useful, and will make them feel a part of the team from day one!
Employee Swag for Special Events
Planning a special event for your team? Whether it's a company retreat, an offsite event, or an employee incentive trip — take it to the next level with an on-theme custom swag box! Surprise employees as they arrive or send swag ahead of time to create hype around the big event!
Take this swag kit we designed for Legal & General as an example! These bright, beachy swag kits were for an employee incentive trip to Puerto Rico. We included allll the beachy essentials: sunscreen, a branded hat, a branded speaker, plantain chips & pineapple candies for snacking, a margarita mixer, and an aloe face mask.
Luxury Company Swag
Who said swag can't be luxurious?! Luxury corporate gifts are our thing, and luxury swag gifts are no different! Treat employees to a WOW-worthy swag surprise with high-quality products featuring your company logo. A branded Away suitcase, a premium insulated water bottle, and a gorgeous leather luggage tag — sounds like the perfect way to thank your employees for traveling all over on behalf of your company!
Plus, it doesn't hurt they'll be strolling through the airport with the company logo on their carry-on for everyone to see.
Team Swag for a Company Offsite
Taking your employees on a teambuilding trip? Or a company wellness retreat in the great outdoors? Whatever the occasion, swag is a must! Opt for items your team can actually use on the trip (and afterward, too!). For Guild Education's trip to the mountains, we created an employee swag bag filled with outdoor essentials like a branded water bottle, bug spray, a wireless charger, trail mix, a citronella candle, and a branded hat!
Pack up all the items in a branded tote bag, and voila! A simple yet effective way to use swag to show off company culture and enhance the overall experience for employees.
Why You Should Be Using Company Swag in 2023
The corporate swag industry generates over $25 billion in annual sales (yep, you read that right!) It's no surprise, really, when you consider all the benefits of giving company swag:
- Enhance company culture: Swag can really set the tone for the overall vibe of the company, both in the office and for remote workers. Giving custom swag boxes and kits to employees can help promote and strengthen a distinct company culture. Never underestimate the power of a well-placed message on branded merch!
- Increase employee engagement: Giving high-quality company swag to your team is an opportunity to express appreciation and gratitude to your employees. Did you know that 64% of employees reported they would stay at their company longer if leaders showed more appreciation? Just sayin!
- Boost camaraderie: The relationships between coworkers are super important for building a strong company culture. Company swag can boost camaraderie by giving employees something to bond over, get excited about together, and even share on social media! This is especially true when onboarding new hires.
- Increase brand awareness: Company swag is very effective in creating brand awareness. The more swag your team is sporting, the more likely your company logo will be seen by new eyeballs — making it much more likely to stick in their memories!
And the list goes on!
Company swag is one of the best things you can do for your employees AND your company. So what are you waiting for?! If you like what you saw in this post, there's plenty more where that came from!
Get Custom Swag with Teak & Twine
Ready to get your swag on? We'd love to help!
We specialize in custom swag that looks and feels like a true reflection of your brand.