Trend Alert: Best Promotional Items, Giveaways and Swag for 2017
Recently, our staff from ePromos attended the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Expo in Las Vegas. We had our eyes peeled for emerging trends and innovations in custom logo merchandise. This includes identifying the best-of-the-best products, and new decoration methods to help our customers’ brand look amazing and be effective with their marketing spend. ePromos helped you find the best promotional items in 2016 – now check out our top ten trends in promotional products for 2017 below!
1. Retail Appeal – Products Plucked from the Store Shelf
It’s referred to as the “retail effect”: the products you see on the shelves when you go shopping are now available as promotional products. Not only will you find popular brand names at ePromos, you’ll also find lower priced retail lookalikes that may better fit your budget. To garner more brand awareness, look to this latest trend. Retail-related products have a high perceived value and quality — and the quality of your product has never been more important. Even better, you can add to your logo to put your personal, unique touch on it. Take it one step further with retail packaging, which is a practical way to get more eyes on your logo! Aesthetically pleasing packaging will increase the perceived value of the gift you are giving.
2. Refined Look of Copper
One of the biggest trends right now is copper. Try promotional products made entirely out of copper, or with copper accents and lining that adds to the performance of products. Copper used in drinkware adds insulation for extended thermal retention, keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for longer. Brand names to look for using the insulation qualities of copper are Grizzly®, and Pelican®. For the tasteful look of copper, check out our Copper Moscow Mule Mug, Copper-Insulated Tumbler to enhance the aesthetic of your at-home bar. Your customers will love Copper-Colored Water Bottles, which are a stylish piece to tote around the gym or town on a hot summer day. These trends are likely to remain for their fabulous look, their ability to fit any budget and their functionality.
3. Matte Finish Credibility
Not all that glitters is gold! Look for products that have this aesthetic — sometimes called powder coated. It’s an elegant, soft matte look that everyone is loving! This look is a new trend in promotional products, and an original idea that will help you successfully promote your brand. A powder finish absorbs light rather than reflecting it, so this finish reduces highlights and you can see more of the branding. Customers with discerning taste will appreciate these items because with a powder polish, you get the appeal of a different texture. Many hot promotional items are getting a makeover with this trendy appearance.
4. Bluetooth Earbuds Make Great Corporate Gifts
Today everyone is connected and dependent on gadgets, continually upgrading to current technology. That’s why useful technology products remain on our Top 10 list, especially Bluetooth-enabled products. Wireless earbuds allow the recipient to listen to their favorite music, book or podcast with cord-free convenience. Some features our collection of Bluetooth earbuds include: hours of playback time, volume control, built-in microphone, power switch, charging cable and earbuds easily pair with another device. Some of the best corporate gifts are ones that recipients can use both inside and outside of the office. New gear and gadgets are a valuable product that recipients will appreciate for a long time, keeping your brand on hand every day.
5. Outdoor Inspired Promos
Some of the best giveaways are when you keep your client, customer or employee’s personal interests in mind. For nature lovers and adventurers that often head outdoors, gift promo products that fit well into a rugged environment. Even products that simply remind one of the great outdoors are slated to be extremely popular in 2017, as they were showcased at the Expo. If your customers and employees lean more toward the rugged side of recreation, you can effectively advertise to those enjoying activities and relaxation that are a bit more robust. Fishing excursions, field days, team building expeditions, camping and boat shows, sporting games and more are perfect events to reach those individuals with a passion for the outdoors. Forget your run-of-the-mill standard promo items – outdoor gear are unique corporate gifts that will be sure to impress. Gear up the people you most appreciate with binoculars, coolers, survival products, chairs, picnic blankets and more.
6. Go for Full-Color Full-Wrap Printing for One of the Best Promotional Giveaways
Endless printing will spice up your marketing efforts. To wonderfully represent your brand, try the newest way to create stunning full-color images that wrap 365 degrees around your product. The illusion created is that the image has no beginning and no end. ePromos offers this unique option, so you can design your promotional products with artwork that wraps around the entire cylinder-shape of tumblers, bottles, glasses and more. Full-wrap printing creates an opportunity to expand on your overall marketing communication by using imagery that is seen no matter which way the product is turned. You can tell more of your story both visually and with text using this exciting new decoration method of printing. This seamless and continuous 360-degree design will change the way people are looking at your logo.
7. Smart Technology
Considering how everyone today is connected and dependent on gadgets, the trend of giving away Technology items is here to stay. In 2017, technology is still strong trend and “smart tech” is the favorite for B2B marketing. Technology that comes in handy when people least expect it reflects well on your brand. For useful items at work, home, play and information, look to the favorites: Power Banks, Bluetooth Earbuds, USB Drives, Stylus Pens and Bluetooth Speakers. You can plan on the tech trend to remain a trend because they are becoming more cost effective and “smarter” by the day. You can guarantee your brand will be seen because these products have the potential to be used on a daily basis. Virtual Reality is still hot for a smart tech gift. Hand out these goggles and you’ll transport your customers to anywhere in the world. You can speak to one of our Brand Consultants about making your very own VR application featuring your brand! If you’re looking for one of the best trade show giveaways, look no further. Attendees will flock to your booth for quality smart tech gadgets.
8. Soft-Sided Special
The next big trend that is sure to build a stronger relationship with customers and show your appreciation to employees is a soft-sided backpack. One of the best in the world is Engel…a legend in reliability®! These rugged 23-quart personal carrying coolers can be a backpack or a tote and they have an endless amount of quality features. First, this cooler keeps anything cooler longer with one-inch thick foam insulation. Its interior radiant barrier liner reflects the sun’s long-wave heat radiation to further enhance the backpack cooler’s cooling capabilities. Under typical conditions, the backpack cooler will hold ice for up to three days. In addition, the liner is removable so you can get food easier and clean the bag. Made of 500D tear-resistant polyester, these totes can carry almost anything you want to keep cold. Plus, the waterproof TPE coating easily cleans up after any adventure. The reinforced bottom is flat with non-skid feet. These backpacks are unique gifts for employees, and a thoughtful way to remind them you care about easing their commute and making their lunch breaks more convenient. These backpacks are available in white or Realtree Camouflage for an additional fee. You also get to co-brand with a brand of excellence — Engle® is printed on the front pocket.
9. A Neon Touch
We love electric bright colors and we’re happy to see that neon-colored promotional products are still a hot trend. No matter what product you want to promote your business, there are options that feature this neon trend and style to make your company stand out it a crowd. We encourage you to jump on the trend with bright fluorescent-colored pens, ceramic mugs, sunglasses, markers, drinkware, t-shirts, caps and other apparel. Brighten up your employee’s or client’s day with any one of these stand-out items.
10. Trendy Cork Elements
If you’re looking for cool giveaways and swag ideas, there was a ton of buzz at the show for Cork. Cork is the emerging trend of the year and one that is likely to remain in high demand in 2017. The great attributes of cork make it appropriate for promotional products. Cork is eco-friendly, durable, anti-microbial, doesn’t absorb moisture, and the shades of cork display beautifully. If you’re dying for an upscale look, check out our dyed cork custom merchandise. Uncork your imagination because your logo could be on drinkware, journals, USB drives, pouches and more. We offer a variety of cork-accented products at different price points, so this trend fits into any marketing budget.
Take a tour of our promotional products to see all the products taking off in 2017. Choose any of these trendy products, and it’ll be a unique trade show giveaway that will certainly attract people to your booth. Whether you’re looking for a memorable, unique client gift, or want to get your brand name out there with personalized promotional products — you’ll find affordable, unique, colorful and universal ideas for your customers at ePromos. Shop our selection of 2017’s hottest, trendiest products today!
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