Promotional Products.

Ad Specialties.

Premiums.

Giveaways.

Incentives.

Freebies.

Swag.

Whenever I tell people that I work for an online Promotional Products Distributor, the response is usually a blank stare. No one’s ever nodded and said, “Oh, right. I’ve heard of those!”

I generally follow up with, “You know. Promo Pens and Wholesale Coffee Mugs imprinted with your business name!” While that at least gives a basic idea of what a promotional product is, it doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s available or possible within our field. This will be the first installment in a two-part series designed to help clear some of the confusion and mystery regarding promotional products: what they are, how they’re used, and why they matter.

The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) defines a promotional product as a “useful or interesting article of merchandise usually carrying an imprinted advertising or promotional message.”  To put it more simply, promotional products are items that have been imprinted with a logo or text—and they aren’t just handouts designed to drum up new business (though that’s often a pleasant side effect). Sure, there are free pens at the bank. But where did the tellers get those Custom Oxford Shirts embroidered with their logo? Have you ever received a branded gift-with-purchase? How about a free calendar from a charity as a thank you gift for your donation? The champagne flute you took home as a favor from your cousin’s wedding, the magnet on the back of your car featuring the school mascot, the tiny bottles of shampoo when you stay in a hotel…the list goes on and on!

These are all Custom Promotional Products, and they are all a part of what we do here at InkHead!

Now that you have a broader concept of what can be classified as a promotional product, our next installment will focus on how promotional products are commonly used. Stay tuned!