Aesthetic appeal: Cool promo products that put an unexpected spin on popular items

By Stephanie Lamie

When receiving promotional products, 62% of customers opens in new window say quality is more important than quantity. Quality can be conveyed in several ways, including look and feel. From sturdy materials to sleek designs to on-trend styles, a well-executed promotional product strategy can make a lasting impression. Your logo on a striking background or texture is one way to capture attention. These cool promo products—each featuring a stylish twist on a popular item—can help your brand pass the quality test with flying colors.

Ombre effect

Ombre, a color effect where tones fade into each other from light to dark (or vice versa), is a seemingly timeless trend opens in new window in fashion, art, interior design and more. For promotional products in soft tones—like light yellow, orange and baby blue—the gradient effect can spark feelings of summer joy. Darker choices—like emerald green and cardinal red—can convey boldness and luxury.

Give customers ombre water bottles or sportpacks to stand out from the crowd. Or provide team members with ombre lunch coolers as an incentive or reward. If you’re looking to make a statement, consider ombre performance polos to set your team apart.

Iridescent or metallic shine

When it comes to attention-grabbing colors and designs, iridescence stands above. The visual feature with a rainbow-like array of colors is visible because of the refraction of light. Its presence can turn something ordinary into something stunning. Communicate just how dynamic, colorful and multifaceted your brand is by giving event attendees an iridescent ceramic mug. Or provide customers an iridescent tote bag and catch the eyes of onlookers time and again.

In art and design, metal is said to evoke strength and precision. Reflect those qualities in your brand by including tumblers topped with shiny metallic lids in your gift shop or company store. Or include metallic shine lip balm in a welcome kit to associate your brand’s strength and precision with stunning iridescence. Reflective promotional products can help your brand shine bright!

Matte finish

The opposite of shiny, reflective and dynamic doesn’t need to be dull. In fact, while matte textures can bring calm and understated vibes, they can also amplify the emotional qualities opens in new window in your color palette. That’s right—a matte finish can bring out the best in your brand’s colors and visual identity. A nonprofit might give matte coffee mugs to thank its supporters or matte water bottles to community partners.

A matte journal is a stylish and professional gift to include in an employee onboarding package, while a stemless tumbler, with your laser-engraved logo on a matte exterior, can be the finishing touch to a stakeholder gift basket.

Soft textures

Comfort. Coziness. Security. These are all terms associated with softness. Soft-touch items, featuring a smooth, rubberized finish, will keep them holding on to your brand. Offer new customers a stainless bottle or provide trade show attendees with rubberized flashlights. The feel and quality will stand out among a sea of familiar designs and textures.

Go next-level and combine cozy feels with other appealing aesthetics. For instance, clients can sign on the dotted line with a soft-touch pen complete with an ombre design to communicate your business’ on-trend and forward-thinking nature. Or celebrate a successful collaboration by giving rubberized tumblers featuring shiny, metallic lids. Whether gold, silver or rose gold, they act as conversation starters wherever they go.

All the looks, all the feels

These cool promo products put a stylish spin on water bottles, tumblers, pens and more. Whether it’s ombre, shine, matte or softness, these aesthetics convey quality, not just for your gifts and giveaways, but your brand overall.

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