Branded Promotional Products: How to Choose the Right Items for Your Business
Branded promotional products keep your company visible long after the ad is forgotten. Here is everything you need to know about choosing the right products, printing methods and supplier.
A good promotional product does not end up in a drawer. It gets used, noticed and remembered. A bad one goes straight in the bin the same day it was handed out, and your money with it.
The difference comes down to product selection, quality and relevance to the recipient. In this guide, we walk through how to choose promotional products that actually deliver a return for your business.
What are promotional products?
Promotional products are physical items branded with your company logo, colours or message. They are given to customers, employees, partners or visitors at trade shows and events. The purpose is simple: keep your brand visible in the daily life of the recipient.
Industry data shows that 90% of recipients remember the brand name on a promotional product they received. By comparison, only 28% of TV viewers recall who advertised. Promotional products deliver an average return of 6 times the investment compared to traditional advertising.
Popular product categories
Not all promotional products are equally effective. Here are the most popular categories with typical price ranges:
| Category | Examples | Price range (ex. VAT) | Usefulness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branded clothing | T-shirts, hoodies, jackets | NOK 80-500/pc | Very high |
| Drinkware | Water bottles, thermal mugs, cups | NOK 50-250/pc | High |
| Technology | Power banks, USB drives, chargers | NOK 80-400/pc | High |
| Bags | Tote bags, backpacks, pouches | NOK 40-350/pc | High |
| Writing instruments | Pens, notebooks | NOK 15-120/pc | Medium |
| Sustainable | Bamboo items, recycled materials | NOK 60-400/pc | High |
Prices vary with quantity, printing method and quality level. Larger orders bring the unit price down. Contact us for an exact quote on your order.
Branded clothing delivers the highest visibility
Clothing with your logo produces the highest brand recall: 85% of people remember the brand after receiving a garment. A hoodie with your company logo gets worn hundreds of times, exposing your brand to new people on every occasion.
T-shirts, polo shirts and jackets work equally well for internal team building and external marketing. Employees who wear branded clothing daily create a visible, professional identity for the company.
Drinkware is an everyday favourite
A quality thermal mug or water bottle with your logo follows the recipient everywhere: at the office, in the car, at the gym. Studies show that branded mugs are more effective than radio advertising for brand recall.
Technology products for modern audiences
Power banks, wireless chargers and USB drives are popular because they solve a real need. These products have a high perceived value and rarely get discarded.
Printing methods: Which suits your product?
The choice of printing method affects appearance, durability and price. Here are the most common options:
Screen printing is the standard for large quantities on textiles and hard surfaces. Colours are vivid, the print is durable, and the unit cost drops quickly with larger orders. Best for simple designs with 1-4 colours.
Embroidery gives an exclusive, tactile finish that elevates the perceived quality. Embroidered logos survive countless washes without fading. Ideal for jackets, shirts and caps. Costs more than printing, but signals quality.
Laser engraving is used on metal, wood and glass. The result is permanent and elegant. Perfect for pens, thermal mugs and premium corporate gifts.
Sublimation transfers colour directly into the material, producing photo-realistic designs that never fade or peel. Requires polyester or polymer-coated surfaces. Ideal for drinkware, full all-over prints and trade show materials.
UV printing works on almost any material and produces sharp, durable full-colour prints. Suitable for small runs and products with uneven surfaces.
Sustainable promotional products: The big trend
Sustainability is no longer a bonus; it is an expectation. 89% of consumers have shifted their purchasing habits towards more sustainable products, and the figure is even higher among younger demographics.
What does this mean in practice for promotional products?
- Recycled polyester from plastic bottles is used in everything from T-shirts to bags
- Organic cotton is grown without chemicals and has a lower environmental footprint
- Bamboo replaces plastic in pens, drinkware and office supplies
- Recycled paper for notebooks and packaging
Choose suppliers who can document environmental certifications and trace materials back to the source. At Show Off AS, we offer a wide range of sustainable promotional products with certified documentation.
A sustainable choice sends a clear signal: your company takes responsibility. It strengthens your reputation, and the product is more likely to be kept because the recipient feels good about using it.
How to maximise the impact
Promotional products work best with a considered strategy. Here are five principles that increase your return:
1. Know your audience. An IT consultant appreciates a power bank. A tradesperson needs a good work beanie. An office worker uses a notebook daily. Choose products the recipient will actually use.
2. Prioritise quality over quantity. 70% of consumers associate the quality of a promotional product with the quality of the company that gave it. A cheap pen that stops working after a week does more harm than good.
3. Keep the logo subtle and professional. Large, flashy logos feel intrusive. An elegant placement with recognisable brand colours is more effective. Think Apple, not a novelty pen from the 1990s.
4. Use promotional products strategically. Hand them out at trade shows and events, during client meetings, as onboarding kits for new employees, or as thank-you gifts after completed projects. Timing and context amplify the effect.
5. Order the right quantity. Do not order 5,000 of something you might need 500 of. Surplus ends up in storage, and trends change. We help you calculate the right quantity based on your planned use.
Promotional products at trade shows and events
Trade shows are the classic arena for giveaways and promotional products. The right selection draws visitors to your stand and gives them something physical to remember you by. 83% of consumers are more likely to do business with a company that gave them a promotional item.
For trade shows, we recommend a tiered approach:
- Low-cost items (pens, mints, sweets) for everyone who passes by
- Mid-tier (water bottles, tote bags) for visitors who stop and engage
- Premium (power bank, jacket, thermal bottle) for qualified leads
This approach gives the best return per krone spent.
How to order promotional products from Show Off AS
- Tell us about the purpose, target audience and budget
- We suggest products and printing methods that fit
- You receive a digital proof with logo and colours for approval
- We produce and quality-check everything
- Delivery to your address, or directly to your trade show stand
Standard delivery is 2-3 weeks. Rush orders can be handled faster for selected products.
Get in touch for a no-obligation quote, or browse our promotional products and merch. Planning corporate Christmas gifts? Read our complete guide to corporate Christmas gifts with gift ideas, tax rules and ordering deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order quantity for promotional products?
For most products, the minimum is 25-50 pieces. Some products with laser engraving or special printing may have higher minimums. We find solutions for most needs, including smaller runs.
How long does production take?
Standard delivery is 2-3 weeks from approved proof. For rush orders, we can deliver selected products within 5-7 working days. Planning promotional products for a trade show? Start the conversation at least 4 weeks ahead.
Can you match our brand colours (Pantone)?
Yes, we match Pantone colours for consistent branding. Send us your colour references and we ensure the logo looks correct across all products.
Are promotional products worth it compared to digital advertising?
Promotional products deliver an average return of 6 times the investment compared to traditional advertising. A promotional item used daily exposes your brand for months or years. A digital ad disappears the second the budget runs out. The two channels complement each other, but promotional products provide lasting, physical presence.
Do you offer sustainable promotional products?
Yes, we carry a wide range of eco-friendly products: organic cotton, recycled polyester, bamboo and other certified materials. We can also document the environmental impact of your order. See our sustainable options.