4 Creative and Cost-Effective Custom Merchandise Ideas for Small Businesses to Boost Branding in 2025

Custom merchandise is important because it acts as cost effective advertising as custom merchandise increases brand visibility as it keeps brand logos and names exposed. Therefore fewer resources need to be put into other forms of paid advertising. However, this is only effective if you have created useful merchandise. Customers who use your custom merchandise can act as a brand advocate. Even if the users don’t encourage others to make a purchase, it still enhances brand credibility, as people are more likely to trust a company that they recognise and know others shop from. Increased brand recognition and recall from custom merchandise makes users more likely to remember your brand when purchasing, due to constant exposure and reminders of your company’s existence. It also helps the merchandise user connect to the brand as they may be a daily user of your merchandise product. 

Custom merchandise ideas

Eco friendly merchandise 

If your company values the environment, using eco-friendly merchandise communicates your brand values. Customising your merchandise to be eco-friendly positions your brand as ethical and if your company holds these values, it can increase the authenticity. If your brand values the environment but uses a lot of standard plastic merchandise, this inauthenticity undermines your advertised values. Using natural materials and informing your customers ensures cost-effective communication of your values. You could add a note to the merchandise showcasing the materials used in the product and packaging, and informing customers of the merchandise’s origin. Explore our eco friendly merchandise options by looking at our website or getting in contact with our marketing experts to talk through different options. 

Custom stickers

Using custom sticks can be a cost effective method to enhance your packaging. Packaging is the first point between a customer and your company. Whether customers are receiving the product in the post of receiving it at an event, packaging can influence the customer’s perception of the product. Custom stickers can communicate to the customer that you have thought deeper into the product than just the product itself. If your company sells a range of products that are not produced by your brand, it can enhance your brand presence.

For example, if you sell refurbished items, your logo is not on the item. Adding stickers can reinforce your branding and it reminds the customer when the product was bought from. Even if the customer does not use the stickers, it still increases the likelihood that poeple will recognise and recall the brand. Therefore it can produce sales at a further date. Ready to design your custom stickers? Click here to send your logo to our merch experts and they can create digital mock ups so you can visualise it. 

Calendars and Planners

Calendars are great to ensure your product is in front of your customers for the entire year. People tend to keep calendars in a visible area of their home. If your calendar is customised with information about your company this can act as a cost effective form of marketing. A creative way to differentiate your calendar is to include pictures of your product throughout the calendar. Additionally adding your company milestones like company anniversaries can create a connection with the user. It can also remind the user where the calendar is from further enhancing your brand presence. Click this link to discover our calendar options. 

Customised lanyards

Customised lanyards work well for events. Customers can wear the lanyard at events which increase your brand’s visibility as others at the event will see it. The user who wears the lanyard will be more likely to remember your brand whilst at the event and also is more likely to remember your brand after. They are likely to take the lanyard off once they have arrived home which furthers the connection between customers at an event.

Without a tangible item that users can can take home it decreases the likelihood that they will remember your brand. If customers like the services you offer, the lanyard can act as a reminder for where to look once they get home. They can can conduct an information search or make a purchase. Users may also use the lanyard after the event for other events too, further brand visibility and recognition. Ensuring the lanyard is easy to swap the information card will enable longevity in the product. Our website has many options for reusable cost effective lanyards, check it out.

FAQs

I’m unsure where to start with merchandise for my brand? No worries, we provide Complimentary Marketing Consultations with Every Order ensuring you receive merchandise that fits your audience and brand mission. Get in touch today if you want to create customised merchandise.