Key Trends in Summer Promotional Products

Summer is in full swing. Are you making the most of it when it comes to promoting your business? Promotional products are an excellent tool for boosting brand awareness, but especially so in the summer!

Summer promotional items offer a unique kind of value because they become part of people’s seasonal routines. Think branded water bottles to help people stay hydrated during workouts or long days in the sun, custom sunglasses for outdoor festivals, or logo-emblazoned tote bags for carrying beach essentials. These items are functional while also creating positive brand associations and providing genuine utility. If you choose your products wisely, you’ll find recipients use your items repeatedly, creating multiple brand impressions that traditional advertising simply can’t match.

We’re looking at three of the top trends in promotional products and why incorporating them into your marketing this summer makes good business sense.

Also, this doesn’t only apply to businesses. Schools can get in on the fun as well with promotional school swag that screams school spirit!

Modern Utility Clothing

Promotional clothing built with contemporary style, comfort, and utility in mind are always great for promo items, especially during summer, when t-shirts, tank tops, baseball hats, sunglasses, and flip flops are a fundamental part of any summer wardrobe. Plus, with promotional clothing, you get the added benefit of people becoming walking billboards for your brand!

Summer temperatures mean breathable, easy-to-wash materials are ideal. Bonus points if they wick away moisture and dry quickly. Golf tees, activewear, sun-protective clothing, moisture-wicking clothing…all of these make excellent choices when it comes to considering which summer promotional products to offer.

Some of our favorites include:

• Gildan® Ultra Cotton® 100% US Cotton T-Shirt
• UltraClub 4 oz. 100% Micro-Polyester Cool & Dry Performance T-Shirts
• Unisex 170 GSM Sunproof SPF 50+ Sublimation Short Sleeve Fishing T-Shirt
• 100% Polyester Quick Drying 6 Panel Baseball Caps w/ Buckle
• Women’s 160 GSM Birdseye Mesh Sleeveless Breathable Tank Top

Social Sports

With so much of our lives inundated with sedentary indoor online activity, more and more people are looking for a shared connection, a growing need for community, and a desire to step away from a screen to get outside and play. It’s no surprise, then, that recreational social sports like pickleball have become so incredibly popular. This is especially true in summer, when people can capitalize on beautiful weather and get outside.

The reality is, despite the ‘social’ in social media, people want meaningful real-life experiences with others. You can help them achieve that with promotional items that foster group fun! Think about products like flying discs, camping kits, paddleball and pickleball sets, beach accessories, hiking gear, and other items aimed at getting out into the great outdoors.

While you’re at it, don’t forget other necessary items for being outdoors, like sunscreen, lip balm, and bug repellent. After all, helping people avoid sunburn and mosquito bites will always win your brand points for positive association. Here are some of our faves:

• Flexible 10″ Diameter Nylon Flying Disc w/ Matching Pouch
• PIKKL® Sport Pickleball Paddle With Custom Skins
• Frigitowel Xtra Cool Cooling Towel
• E-Z Freezy Personal Fan
• Beach Necessities Kit – Tin
• Outdoor Necessities Kit – Bag
• SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion
• EventGuard Clear Stadium Backpack
• Camper Kit w/Backpack and Water Bottle

Lasting Luxury

Fueled by an increasing desire by many to live more sustainably, a continued growing trend in promotional products is in the realm of lasting luxury. So, what does that mean, exactly? Lasting luxury refers to products that offer lasting value in addition to high quality (and many are also made with more environmentally friendly materials). These are not the one-and-done products that only get one, maybe two uses out of them before they are thrown away. Quite the opposite. Many of these products are items that will be used again and again.

Think insulated reusable water bottles, tote bags made from recycled or sustainable materials, leather travel kits, etc. These are some ideas we love:

• Summer Fun On-the-Go Kit
• Urban Peak® Summer Lounger Picnic Kit
• Deluxe Summer Fun Beach Kit
• Gatsby Recycled Frame Sunglasses Rpet Microfiber Sunglass Pouch
• Turkish Signature™ Midweight Colored Beach Towel
• Hydrapeak® Stainless Steel Insulated Oasis Water Bottle
• BBQ Kit
• Spice Rub Gift Box – Grill Master Seasoning

Also, if you want to incorporate more sustainability into your promotional product choices year-round, check out our blog on sustainability trends for promo products.

Ready to kick up your promotional product game!