How Much Do Branded Products Cost?
Promotional merchandise can cost anything from under £1 per item for simple pens or keyrings to £10–£20+ for premium drinkware, branded clothing, technology accessories or executive gifts.
For most local businesses, everyday promotional items tend to sit somewhere between £2 and £8 per unit once branding is included. The exact cost depends on the item you choose, how many you need, your logo, the printing method and whether there are any setup or delivery charges.
At Image Box Design, we offer a wide choice of branded promotional merchandise for businesses in Reading, Berkshire and across the UK.
From eco-friendly products and practical event giveaways to premium corporate gifts, the best option is not always the cheapest one. It is the item your audience will actually use, keep and associate with your business.
What Affects the Cost of Promotional Merchandise?
The price of promotional merchandise is usually shaped by five main factors.
1. Quantity
Quantity has one of the biggest effects on the final price.
Most promotional products become more cost-effective when ordered in larger quantities. This is because setup costs, such as preparing artwork for print or creating embroidery files, can be spread across more items.
For example, ordering 500 branded pens may bring the unit cost down compared with ordering 100. However, that does not automatically mean you should order the largest possible quantity. There is little value in buying 1,000 mugs if you only have a realistic use for 200.
The right quantity depends on where and how you plan to use the products. Think about the number of people attending an event, the size of your customer database, your staff numbers or how long you want the stock to last.
2. The Type of Product
Promotional merchandise covers far more than pens and mugs.
At Image Box Design, we offer a wide range of products and categories, including:
- Eco-friendly products
- Pens, pencils and highlighters
- Desk accessories
- Executive gifts
- Bags and shoppers
- Travel and leisure products
- Sports and outdoor items
- Technology products
- Mugs and drinkware
- Headwear and clothing
- Food and drink products
- Tools and torches
- Promotional gifts
Different product types naturally come with different costs.
A simple pen, pencil or keyring may be suitable for a large event where you need high volumes at a lower cost. A reusable bottle, tote bag, notebook or mug may cost more, but it may also be used regularly and keep your branding visible for much longer.
Premium items such as quality clothing, technology accessories, executive gifts and gift sets are often better suited to smaller, more targeted campaigns. These might be used for key clients, long-service awards, employee rewards or high-value prospects.
3. The Branding Method
How your logo is applied will affect both the appearance and price of the item.
Common branding methods include:
- Screen printing
- Pad printing
- Digital printing
- Embroidery
- Laser engraving
- Debossing or embossing
Screen printing can work well for larger orders of bags, clothing and other flat surfaces. Pad printing is often used for pens and smaller items. Embroidery is a popular option for clothing and headwear, while laser engraving can create a premium, long-lasting finish on metal pens, drinkware and technology accessories.
The most suitable method depends on the material, shape and size of the product, as well as the design itself.
4. Your Logo and Number of Colours
A simple one-colour logo is usually more affordable to print than a detailed multi-colour design.
This is especially true for methods such as screen printing and pad printing, where each colour may require additional preparation and production time. A logo with gradients, fine details or several colours may need a different printing method, which can increase the cost.
That does not mean you should compromise your branding. In many cases, a simplified version of your logo can work very well on smaller items. A clean one-colour mark can be more legible on a pen or keyring than a full-colour design with small details.
A good supplier or designer should be able to advise whether your existing logo will work well on the product you have chosen.
5. Setup Costs and Extras
Some promotional products include one-off setup costs.
These may cover artwork preparation, creating screens for printing, producing printing plates or digitising a logo for embroidery. The cost is often charged per design, per colour or per print location.
Other factors that may affect the total include:
- Printing on more than one side
- Adding an extra logo location
- Pantone colour matching
- Individual packaging
- Gift boxes or presentation packaging
- Rush production
- Delivery costs
It is always worth asking for a full quote that clearly shows what is included. This helps you compare products properly and avoid unexpected charges later.
What Can You Get for Your Budget?
Promotional merchandise is available at many different price points. The best choice depends on who you are trying to reach and how you want them to use the product.
Lower-Cost Promotional Items
Lower-cost options can include:
- Pens, pencils and highlighters
- Basic keyrings
- Stickers
- Lanyards
- Simple stationery
- Small promotional gifts
These products are useful for larger events, exhibitions, open days and community activities. They can help you reach a high number of people without using a large proportion of your marketing budget.
They are also useful when you need something practical to include in a welcome pack, handout or information folder.
Writing instruments are a particularly practical option for high-volume campaigns. The ASI study found that 64% of consumers use promotional writing instruments daily, while 65% keep them for at least a year. This makes a branded pen more than just a low-cost giveaway when it is well made and genuinely useful.
Mid-Range Promotional Items
Mid-range merchandise may include:
- Notebooks
- Desk accessories
- Mugs
- Reusable cups
- Water bottles
- Tote bags and shoppers
- Umbrellas
- Travel accessories
- Basic clothing and headwear
- Sports and outdoor products
These are often the strongest choice for businesses looking for a balance between affordability and long-term visibility.
A branded tote bag can be reused on shopping trips. A notebook may sit on someone’s desk for months. A mug or water bottle can become part of someone’s daily routine. In each case, your logo has a chance to be seen repeatedly rather than just once.
The ASI 2026 Global Advertising Impressions Study found that promotional bags generate around 4,900 impressions over their lifetime. It also found that 84% of consumers would keep a promotional bag for at least a year, and 92% would use one at least once a month.
Drinkware also has staying power. According to the same research, 80% of consumers keep promotional drinkware for more than a year, while 77% use it at least once a week.
Notebooks are another practical choice: 75% of recipients use promotional notebooks at least weekly.
Premium Promotional Items
Premium options can include:
- Executive gifts
- Premium drinkware
- Technology products
- Branded tools and torches
- High-quality clothing
- Gift sets
- Travel and leisure products
- Higher-value promotional gifts
These are often more suitable for key clients, employee rewards, corporate events or campaigns where you want to make a stronger impression.
For example, a branded charging accessory may be more suitable for a technology company attending a business event than a standard pen. A construction company may get better use from branded workwear, tools or torches. A hospitality business may prefer reusable cups, tote bags or quality drinkware.
The product should make sense for the people receiving it. That is what makes promotional merchandise feel useful rather than disposable.
For more targeted campaigns, higher-value products can be worth considering. The study found that 85% of consumers would keep a promotional power bank for at least a year, with 77% using one at least weekly.
Branded fleece or jackets generated the highest number of impressions of any product category, at around 9,000 impressions over their lifetime.
How to Get Better Value from Promotional Merchandise
Choose Something People Will Use
The best promotional product is usually one that earns its place in someone’s day-to-day life.
There is a good reason to focus on usefulness. ASI’s research found that 78% of consumers keep promotional products because they are useful. Usefulness was the most important reason people gave for holding onto branded items.
Before choosing an item, ask yourself:
- Would my customers genuinely use this?
- Where are they likely to keep it?
- Will my branding be visible when they use it?
- Does it suit my industry and audience?
- Does it reflect the quality of my business?
A cheap giveaway can be a false economy if it is thrown away or forgotten. A more useful item may cost slightly more, but it can create repeated brand exposure over a much longer period.
Keep the Branding Clear
Promotional products often have limited print areas. A full logo, tagline, website, phone number and list of services may not all fit clearly onto a small item.
For smaller products, focus on the essentials. Your logo and website may be all you need. For larger products, such as bags or clothing, you may have more space to include a slogan or campaign message.
Clear branding is more effective than trying to squeeze too much information into a small space.
Plan Ahead
The best products are not always available at short notice. Planning ahead gives you more choice, helps avoid rush charges and gives you time to approve artwork and samples where required.
If you are ordering for a conference, trade show, staff event or seasonal campaign, aim to start the conversation several weeks in advance. This makes the process easier and gives you more flexibility around products, colours and delivery.
Match the Product to the Occasion
A promotional item should suit the setting.
Pens and tote bags may work well for exhibitions. Notebooks and drinkware can be useful for staff welcome packs. Branded clothing may work well for teams, events and outdoor activities. Premium gifts may be more appropriate for long-standing clients or key business partners.
The research supports this more selective approach. T-shirts were the product consumers were most excited to receive, followed by fleece or jackets, food gifts, blankets and bags.
This is a useful reminder that the most popular item with recipients is not always the lowest-cost product or the one most commonly ordered by businesses.
This is where a little planning makes a difference. Instead of choosing the same generic product for every campaign, choose something that feels relevant to the occasion and the people receiving it.
Is Promotional Merchandise Worth It?
Promotional merchandise can be a worthwhile investment when it is chosen with a clear purpose. Promotional merchandise is not a guarantee of a sale, but it can help create a positive and memorable connection.
In ASI’s 2026 research, 78% of consumers said they would have a more favourable view of an advertiser after receiving a promotional item, while 76% said they would be more likely to do business with that advertiser.
Promotional products also received the highest positive rating among the advertising formats assessed in the study, with 75% of consumers reporting a positive opinion of them.
It is especially useful if you are:
- Attending a trade show, exhibition or networking event.
- Running an open day or community event.
- Launching a new product, service or location.
- Creating staff welcome packs.
- Rewarding clients, employees or business partners.
- Supporting a local marketing campaign.
- Looking for a practical way to reinforce your branding.
The aim is not simply to hand out free products. It is to give people something useful that creates a positive association with your business.
Get in Touch with Image Box Design
If you are looking for branded promotional merchandise, Image Box Design can help you choose products that fit your audience, budget and campaign.
Based in Reading, Berkshire, we work with businesses across the UK and offer a wide range of promotional merchandise, including eco-friendly products, bags, drinkware, technology accessories, clothing, executive gifts and more.
You can view our promotional merchandise catalogue for ideas, or get in touch with Image Box Design to discuss your requirements and request a quote.
FAQs
Promotional merchandise can cost under £1 per item for simple products such as pens, pencils and basic keyrings. More substantial everyday items, including tote bags, notebooks, mugs and water bottles, will usually cost more. Premium products such as branded clothing, technology accessories and executive gifts can cost £10–£20 or more per item.
The final price depends on the quantity, product quality, branding method and print specification.
Pens, pencils, highlighters, stickers, basic keyrings and some lanyards are usually among the most cost-effective promotional items. These are often suitable for high-volume giveaways at events and exhibitions.
Many products have setup costs for branding, such as printing screens or embroidery files. When you order more items, these costs are spread across the full quantity. Suppliers may also offer lower per-unit prices at higher order quantities.
In many cases, yes. However, the available branding options depend on the product and printing method. A full-colour logo may be suitable for digital printing, while a one-colour version may be more cost-effective for screen printing or pad printing.
Pens, notebooks, tote bags, drinkware, lanyards and practical technology accessories can work well at exhibitions. The best item will depend on your audience, the type of event and your budget.
Lead times vary depending on the item, order quantity, branding method and supplier availability. Planning several weeks ahead is always recommended, particularly for events, seasonal campaigns or larger orders.
Related Guides:
- What is Promotional Merchandise?
- 10 Best Promotional Products
- Why are Promotional Products Important?
- Why Printed Marketing Materials Still Matter for Local Businesses
