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What are Promotional Products?
Last Updated: 27 July 2025
Promotional products are custom-branded items businesses hand out to promote their name, services, or message. Picture a pen with a logo, a tote bag you’d grab for shopping, or a polished executive gift—these are marketing tools that weave a company’s identity into everyday life. Unlike digital ads that flicker and fade, promotional merchandise hangs around, boosting brand recognition, drawing in customers, and sparking engagement. In Australia, where events and campaigns happen every day, they’re practical and a cost-effective way to stand out.
Also called branded merchandise, swag, or marketing giveaways, these products are physical items marked with a company’s logo, slogan, or contact details. They matter because they last, with studies showing 89% of people remember the brand behind a promo item they’ve had in the last two years. Businesses use them for trade shows, staff rewards, customer perks, and more. They work because people hold onto useful stuff—each time it’s used, your brand gets a quiet nod.
What Is the History of Promotional Products?
It all started in 1789 when George Washington’s team gave out buttons for his inauguration—a simple move that sparked something big. By 1886, an American printer, Jasper Meek, upped the game, branding burlap bags for a shoe store and turning carriers into ads. The 1940s saw pens and calendars flood offices, making promo gear a business staple.
In Australia, the 1980s brought a surge, with trade shows and corporate gifts like stubby holders taking off. Tech pushed it further—screen printing added flair, and digital printing and sustainable materials keep it current. In 2024, the promotional products industry is estimated to be USD 26.5 Billion worldwide (according to Cognitive Market Research).
How Promotional Products Boost Brand Awareness
Promotional products put your brand where people can’t miss it. A logoed mug on a desk or a tote at the shops racks up views—around 3,000 per item, according to PPAI stats. It’s not just exposure; it’s memory—76% of people recall the brand on a promo product they’ve owned, outdoing TV ads by a mile.
Think of Qantas with their luggage tags, linking their name to every trip or marathon, handing out caps to participants—suddenly, their logo is everywhere. From trade shows to retail counters, they strengthen ties with customers and stretch your marketing reach without breaking the bank.
Promotional Products Examples
Virtually any consumer product has the potential to become a promotional product by having a logo branded onto it. For that reason, there are tens of thousands of examples. The top 10 most popular categories of promo merch used by businesses in Australia (based on our sales data) are:
Check out this video featuring examples of our promotional products: