Give a Unique Spin on Traditional Giveaways

Certain branded products, such as custom hats and mugs, feel almost ubiquitous in promotional marketing. They’re popular and effective ways to improve brand awareness, but so common you have to wonder if people sometimes use them automatically without noticing your logo. You can recapture your target audience’s attention by choosing traditional custom products that provide something new, be it an unusual color, a different material, or a helpful new feature. Here are a few interesting twists on traditional promotional products.

Eye-Catching Custom Hats 

Custom headwear typically comes in two varieties: trucker caps and beanies. Both are popular choices that never seem to go out of fashion, but you have other options. Bucket hats are in demand but less common than other custom hats. Take advantage of this with the Sportsman Tie-Dyed Bucket Cap, a brilliantly colored hat that works well for vibrant, playful brands. Eco-conscious brands might prefer Sustainable Bucket Hats by Atlantis Headwear, custom hats made with recycled polyester. 

The DRI-Duck Booney Cap is a stylish outdoor hat reminiscent of Australian bush hats and sure to be a hit among outdoor enthusiasts. The Booney is a great alternative to trucker hats, with a wide brim shielding the face and neck from the sun.

If you want to stick to traditional custom hats, the Max Outdoorsman Hat stands out from the crowd not because it’s different but because of its obvious high quality and workmanship. If you prefer a branded beanie, the POWERCAP 35/55 Compression Fleece LED Lighted Beanie by Panther Vision provides a bright light to improve the wearer’s vision.

Creative Custom Mugs and tumblers

Like custom hats, custom mugs serve a specific purpose that limits how far a mug can deviate from its fundamental design. This limitation does not mean you have to settle for the same old mug or tumbler, however. The following custom mugs all put a unique twist on traditional design:

•  The Swig® 22 oz. Blacksmith Tumbler uses hammered details and a satin black finish for an eye-catching appearance when combined with full-color digital printing.
• The Kaf II Two-Piece Coffee Tumbler Gift Set features four tumblers with an ergonomic twist that gives the tumblers’ exterior a swooping, wave-like look.
• The 18 oz. Ello Campy Vacuum Stainless Mug looks like a traditional camping mug with a growth spurt. These tall custom mugs have a comfortable handle with a cork inlay and keep coffee hot for five hours.
•  The Lotus Porcelain Tea Infuser Mug is a 15 oz. mug with a built-in tea infuser for loose-leaf or sachet tea. A thoughtful gift for someone who enjoys a hot beverage but doesn't like coffee.
•  The 17 oz. Recycled Coffee Grounds Eco-Friendly Mug looks like a typical reusable coffee mug but is made from a remarkable mix of 50/50 plastic and used coffee grounds for a sustainable gift. 

Unique Custom Water Bottles

Water bottles are mainstay custom products that benefit from a little added flare. One of our personal favorites is the 16 oz. Collapsible Swiggy Bottle from Hit Promo, a smart-looking bottle that collapses into a convenient size for transport or storage.

Playful brands can keep people entertained with the 14 oz. Iconic Pop Fidget Bottle with Drinking Spout and Straw by Elemental that includes a row of tempting “bubble pop” buttons down its durable handle. If you prefer a bottle that serves a more practical function, the 13 oz.z Bottle by Bindle Bottle provides a discrete, waterproof storage compartment where you can stash ID, keys, cash, and even a small snack. 

Looking for something more technical? The PÜL SmartCap with 24 oz. Bottle connects to a mobile app that tracks your hydration while providing real-time feedback and helpful reminders so you can meet your hydration goals. 

Custom Electronic Products and Accessories

Water bottles are hardly the only custom products to benefit from modern technology. Many seemingly ordinary items now come with app connectivity or electronic accessories. The following custom products may look traditional, but they’re very much on the cutting edge:

•  The Moleskine® Smart Writing Set looks like a traditional notebook but digitally copies everything you write and draw, uploading your work to the Notes App.
•  The Nomad Tech and Travel Backpack is made for the modern road warrior. In addition to laptop and tablet compartments, the Nomad features a built-in charging cable and external charging port.
•  The Fusion Power Bank and Wireless Speaker combines two travel essentials into a convenient product.
•  The iLuv® Personal Assistant / Bluetooth® Speaker V2 is a handy, click-to-activate Amazon Alexa-enabled personal assistant and  Bluetooth® speaker with a built-in mic for hands-free phone call capabilities.
•  The Jacob Wireless Charging Mouse Pad will keep your Qi-enabled devices charged by placing them anywhere on the pad’s large surface.