Top 2021 Promotional Product Trends
As we begin the new year, there are always new opportunities and trends, particularly when it comes to promotional products. While 2020 taught us it is impossible to know for sure what 2021 will hold, there are popular trends that will continue to grow in the new year. As you plan our your 2021 marketing strategy, be sure to keep these top promotional trends in mind.
Swag Boxes
Swag boxes are a fantastic way to show appreciation for your employees. Especially since so many people are working remotely at this time. These boxes are usually themed and provide value by including several products. A great example of a swag box that staff members will love is the Batch & Bodega Cookies & Crumbs Swag Box. This box features a variety of cookie flavors created by some of the top companies in the country and is perfect for anyone who enjoys indulging in a sweet treat every once in a while. The flavors include:
- Lemon sugar
- Chocolate chip
- Wild West animal
- Surprise party cracker
- Chocolate, apple, and granola treats
This swag box also comes with a Crumbee desktop vacuum that’s great for easy cleaning. Those who love to snack at work will find this miniature cleaning tool practical and easy to use. Plus, one of the best parts about this swag box is that you can customize it by printing your company logo on the top! Include a personalized note to make this employee gift even more unique. Plus, with a minimum order of 10, you don’t have to have a large staff directory for your employees to enjoy this gift! Swag boxes provide so much value — it’s no surprise that they’re looking to be one of the top promotional product trends in 2021.
Cozy Blankets
Cozy Custom Blankets will never go out of style and are always popular during the winter months when employees want to stay cozy and warm at home. For the ultimate comfort, try getting your employees a Mink Sherpa Blanket – Plaid. These blankets are made out of faux micro-mink material and faux-micro lambs wool, making them plush and soft. Its classic plaid design comes in three color options — Black/Grey, Black/Blue, and Grey Buffalo Plaid. Additionally, this blanket can easily be customized by sewing your company logo into the fabric. The production time for this employee gift is typically around 10 business days. 2021 is bound to have some days when people will need to snuggle up and stay warm, so blankets are likely to be a noteworthy trend.
Mugs And Drinkware
Custom Mugs and drinkware is another type of employee gift that is sure to stand the test of time. Whether it’s a reusable water bottle, a regular coffee mug, or something a little fancier, employees will appreciate being able to enjoy their favorite beverages with ease. The Rover Copper Vacuum Insulated Camp Mug (14oz) is a fantastic choice when it comes to drinkware because it keeps employees’ coffee, tea, or hot chocolate warm and allows them to enjoy it on-the-go. The double-wall stainless steel vacuum construction features copper insulation, allowing beverages to remain hot for at least 6 hours. Plus the design prevents condensation on the exterior of the mug and the lid makes it easy to have coffee on the go without spilling. Rush service is available for this product, and the front of the mug can be customized by imprinting your company logo using a precision printing press.
Smart Notebook Technology
All employees love having the latest technological gadgets to help improve their workflow and productivity, and with technology only becoming more advanced, 2021 is sure to be a year full of great tech gifts. The Rocketbook Everlast Executive is a perfect example of a piece of technology that will make your employees’ lives easier. It provides the appearance and experience of a regular notebook and pen but with all of the technological advantages of connecting to Cloud services.
The Rocketbook Everlast is reusable and uses a Pilot Frixion pen (included) to write. After you’ve finished writing, simply scan the page, save it, and use the included Rocketbook towel to wipe it clean!
This tablet is available in five different colors and can be customized with your company logo. It has 36 pages and the standard production time is 10 days.
Backpacks
Custom Backpacks are a trending promotional product right now because they are portable and multi-functional, meaning they can get a high number of impressions in different locations and situations. With your logo printed directly on the back pocket, your company’s brand will be impossible to miss, and look great as well! When your employees have a customized backpack, everyone on their daily commute will see your company’s logo. Plus backpacks are a practical and comfortable way to transport various items.
The Merchant & Craft Ashton 15 is a great customizable backpack that is ideal for transporting personal computers. It features a laptop sleeve in the main compartment as well as side pockets and a zippered top pocket. Padded shoulder straps create added comfort and a grab handle makes it easy for employees to remain on-the-go. This stylish, trendy bag comes in Navy and Graphite color options and is perfect for staff members who need to transport various items to and from work each day. Rush service is available. 2021 will probably be a busy year with many workers on-the-go, meaning that backpacks are sure to remain a popular promotional product.
Multi-Functional
Employees love gifts that are multipurpose because they are practical and functional. This means that these gifts are likely to be used more frequently which will result in a greater number of people being exposed to the customized company logo on the product.
This wireless charging mouse pad is a fantastic example of a multi-functional product that will likely be popular in 2021. This product functions as a mouse pad and a charging pad for compatible wireless devices. It also features a USB port for charging compatible non-wireless devices and a four-pen holder that can be used for styluses or regular pens. A mobile/tablet stand allows the pad to hold mobile devices, and a USB to Micro USB cord is also included.
This mouse pad clearly has many useful functions and is helpful for keeping employees organized and productive. It may help to save desk space by eliminating the need for multiple chargers and cables. It can be customized by screen printing a company logo directly onto the mouse pad. These days, multitasking is becoming an essential part of most employee’s daily routines, which means that multi-functional items are only going to become more popular in 2021.
Athleisure Apparel
Clothing is always a popular gift item and a popular promotional product. After all, clothing is one of the most mobile promotional items out there because it goes wherever your employees go! The key when it comes to promotional clothing is being sure to choose clothing items that your staff members will want to wear frequently. A promotional product doesn’t benefit anyone if it spends most of its time sitting in a drawer. The more it’s worn, the more it will be seen and the more employees will appreciate it.
Athleisure apparel is one of the most popular promotional clothing products for this reason. Most people who have customized clothing like the M-CRANE Knit Half Zip wear them very frequently. This is because athleisure apparel exists at the intersection of comfort and style. For example, the M-CRANE Half Zip is made from 100% polyester and features thumb exits for added comfort. It also has a stylish dropped back hem and comes in a maroon heather color.
One of the best things about athleisure apparel is that it can be worn anytime. The moisture-wicking fabric makes it ideal for any kind of physical activity including running or biking, but it’s also stylish enough to be worn on a daily basis. Additionally, the half zipper makes it easy to wear layers of clothing underneath the sweater. Employees who can’t get enough of the M-CRANE Knit Half Zip will want to wear it constantly, which will benefit the wearer and your company. 2021 is sure to see lots more gifts like this one.
Overall, it is impossible to say for certain what surprises 2021 may bring. However, it is easy to predict what the trends will look like in promotional products because there are some types of gifts that simply never go out of style.
Swag boxes are a great way to provide added value to your employees and give gifts that are themed. Blankets and drinkware are always practical and cozy, helping to keep staff members warm and comfortable during the workdays or while relaxing at home. Smart technology and multi-functional items can boost productivity in the workplace as well as increasing brand recognition in the community, and backpacks are also an extremely practical option. Athleisure apparel is comfortable, durable, and stylish, making it a great choice for clothing gifts because it will be seen by a greater number of people. If you see something you like or have questions, simply reach out to iPromo today. We’re excited to make 2021 a memorable one for your brand!