A large part of OnFulfillment’s business is producing corporate-branded promotional products for our customers. Whether these products are high-volume, cost-effective merchandise used as event giveaways or high-end brand name items given as gifts to customers or employees, corporate branded materials play a key role in establishing a business’s identity and reputation.
But wanting branded corporate merchandise is one thing. Knowing where to get it is another. There are scores of vendors out there who claim they can handle all your material needs. The truth is they often provide access to only a small part of the potential market—say the low-end, high-volume portion—requiring you to go elsewhere for brand-name items. And as anyone knows, managing multiple vendors adds complexity to any project.
A successful branded merchandise strategy means understanding what you’re looking for today—and what you might need in the future—and then finding a vendor that can satisfy all those needs. This blog will help define the various benefits of corporate branded materials and provide a roadmap for finding just the right provider. 
Benefits of Company Promotional Products
Corporate-branded promotional products are a powerful tool for building brand recognition, improving customer relationships, and driving long-term business growth. Here are some of the benefits your organization may enjoy.
Brand Visibility
If your company is attending a trade show and you want attendees to remember you, useful promotional giveaways such as pens, mugs, or USB drives offer a cost-effective way to get your brand in front of hundreds, if not thousands, of prospective customers. If they take your branded item back to the office with them, they will get a daily reminder of your business. If they pass the item along to friends or co-workers, so much the better: they’re expanding your brand visibility, effectively doing your marketing for you.
Brand Recognition
The expanded visibility you enjoy at events leads to greater brand recognition down the road, long after the show is over. Consistent use of logos, colors, and messaging on your giveaways reinforce the brand and make it easier for prospective customers to recall your company when they’re in the market for whatever products or services you offer.
Budget-Friendly Marketing
Compared to other promotional media such as advertising, high-volume promotional items have a much lower cost per impression. With a single investment for a show or seminar, you can generate multiple exposures over a much longer time as recipients continue to use your product. It’s the ultimate way to stretch your budget dollars.
Customer Retention
Recognizing and thanking your installed base with thoughtful and well-designed branded gifts fosters a sense of goodwill and loyalty. After all, everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated. The fact that your gift features your logo serves as a regular reminder of your product and often leads to stronger brand affinity, which could translate into greater references.
Targeted Marketing
Branded promotional items can be tailored to specific audiences, allowing you to conduct more targeted marketing campaigns. This is particularly effective for events such as trade shows, seminars, or conferences, which are typically centered around a specific theme or technology. By appealing to the attendees’ sensibilities, you can significantly enhance your organization’s reputation.
Measurable ROI
A lot of gifts and giveaways these days use QR codes or include special offers that make it possible to track conversions and measure the return on investment of a specific campaign.
Projecting Professionalism
Likewise, producing high-quality branded merchandise can also improve your company’s image, or even make you appear more established and trustworthy. The credibility this approach exudes can make prospects more comfortable—indeed, more enthusiastic—about doing business with you.
Customer Engagement
When people use your branded merchandise, whether it’s a pen or a coffee mug, they are actively engaging with your brand and creating a subliminal bond with your company. This connection may result in word-of-mouth referrals or recommendations—and you didn’t have to do a thing.
Employee Morale
Last but not least, giving high-end branded merchandise—or specifically branded apparel—to employees can foster a sense of loyalty, belonging, and unity within a company. Not only does that contribute to a better mood within the organization, but employees who wear company-branded products outside of work essentially become walking billboards.
Finding the Right Branded Promotional Items Provider
Choosing the right vendor for your branded promotional items is a critical decision. There are plenty of them available, but many of them are limited in the level of services they provide and the breadth and quality of the items they offer. Companies that are serious about finding a good partner must consider several key factors to ensure they get the products, reliable service, and return on investments they deserve.
What attributes should they be looking for? Here are a few:
Quality
Since the quality of your branded merchandise will be a direct reflection of your company, you want a vendor who has access to well-constructed items that will last. Cheap or poorly made products that feature your logo can negatively affect your brand’s image. The products should also align with your corporate values; for instance, eco-friendly companies should opt for sustainable options.
Variety
To minimize your stable of vendors, look for a partner that offers a diverse selection of products that align with your various campaign goals, target audiences, and industry. Extensive customization options such as colors, materials, and printing techniques add to that variety, providing you with virtually unlimited options.
Printing and Branding Capabilities
High-resolution printing and/or engraving capabilities ensure that your logo and other branding elements, including corporate color, are clean, crisp, and professional. Don’t be afraid to ask for work samples or proofing options to perform the necessary quality assurance operations. A responsible vendor will encourage you to review their work prior to production to ensure colors, logos, and other branding elements meet your standards.
Sustainability
Many companies today have sustainability standards they must meet. For those companies, finding a vendor who uses environmentally friendly materials or ethically sourced products that align with their corporate initiatives is a priority. Insist on working with vendors who have earned sustainability certifications from groups such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or International Standards Organization (ISO), and who practice ethical sourcing.
Consistency
Look for a vendor with a history of delivering high-quality products on time. This sort of consistency will ensure you get what you need when you need it, which is critical for keeping campaigns on schedule. Do the necessary research and look for reviews, testimonials, and case studies to determine the vendor’s reliability. Don’t hesitate to ask the vendor for references.
Customer Service
Good customer service is a must, and there’s an easy way to test it: make a call or submit a query online. A vendor with good customer service will respond to your outreach promptly and will be proactive about addressing your specific concerns or questions. At the initial meeting, ask the vendor how they handle issues such as defective items, late deliveries, or incorrect orders. A clear return policy and reliable support team speak volumes about the integrity of the company.
Minimum Order Policies
Beware: some vendors impose large minimum order requirements, which might explode your budget. If possible, choose a vendor that offers some flexibility in order quantities, especially if you are testing new products. Vendors who can accommodate smaller or one-off batches will be especially useful for niche campaigns or events.
Turnaround Times
In a perfect world, you’ll always build plenty of time into the schedule for producing your branded merchandise. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world. That’s why it’s important to find a vendor who can deliver your orders on time, especially for time-sensitive events. Ask if they offer expedited production or shipping options for rush services, and what the additional costs might be.
Pricing
Find a vendor who provides clear pricing upfront and that they include any “hidden” costs such as customization, setup fees, and shipping. You don’t want any unexpected charges at checkout. Many vendors also offer discounts for large orders, so be sure to inquire about volume pricing.
Samples
Some vendors offer free samples of the physical or digital products you’re purchasing before the order is placed so you can assess quality, customization options, and printing accuracy. Others may charge a nominal fee. Check the vendor’s sample policy before committing to anything to make sure it fits within your budget.
Fulfillment and Distribution
Do you need help with distribution? Some vendors offer complete fulfillment services, including packaging and shipping merchandise directly to your recipients or event locations. If your promotional items need to be distributed globally, make sure the vendor offers international shipping and understands import/export regulations.
Technology and Tracking
If you would like to monitor your orders, find a vendor who offers real-time tracking so you can see production and shipping status. A user-friendly online platform that lets you place orders, approve proofs, and manage your account is a huge plus.
Long-Term Relationship
As mentioned earlier, you’re not just looking for a vendor, you want a partner—someone who takes the time to understand your brand and offer creative suggestions for your promotional efforts. If you can find someone who codifies the relationship with a formal loyalty or incentive program that offers discounts or rewards for repeat business, so much the better.
OnFulfillment Fits the Branded Merchandise Bill
OnFulfillment fits the bill for companies seeking a vendor who offers quality products, excellent customer service, reliable fulfillment, and strong branding capabilities that align with their budget and campaign goals.
As a member of Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the International Network of the Promotional Products Industry (PSI), Sageworld, and the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), the premier professional organizations for branded promotional gifts, OnFulfillment offers access to the widest range of products.
Expertise in printing and shipping ensures we can get your products produced and distributed anywhere in the world, quickly and efficiently. Our corporate software portal allows customers to manage their accounts, order branded products, schedule shipping, and coordinate events from the comfort of their desktops. Dedicated customer service representatives ensure customers always have access to help when they need it.
