Resources
Guides, checklists and reference for planning merchandise programs.
Featured guides
Gifting and occasions
Corporate holiday gift deadlines for 2026
When to order corporate holiday gifts in 2026, with approval dates for bulk office delivery and individual shipping.
Updated October 22, 2026
Planning and buying
How to write an RFP for promotional products and branded merchandise
What to include in a promotional products RFP: scope, pricing format, lead times, insurance, sourcing, references and scoring.
Updated October 16, 2026
Reference
Promotional products statistics for 2026
Sourced promotional products statistics: U.S. industry size, cost per impression, advertiser recall, and recognition and hiring data.
Updated October 22, 2026
Planning and buying
How to choose a branded merchandise vendor for a company-wide program
How to compare branded merchandise vendors for large or national programs, with ten questions to ask before you sign.
Updated October 15, 2026
Gifting and occasions
Holiday gifts for employees 2026: ideas by budget
Holiday gift ideas for employees at every budget, what people keep, how gift cards are taxed and the 2026 order dates for gifts before mid December.
Updated October 26, 2026
Planning tools
Order deadline planner
Enter your in-hands date and see when to send your brief, approve the proof and ship.
Open the plannerSize mix calculator
Turn a headcount into an exact quantity per size, with spares.
Open the calculatorRFP builder
Build a merchandise RFP with requirements, vendor questions, pricing table and timeline, then score vendors side by side.
Open the builder
Browse by topic
Planning and buying
Write the brief, compare vendors and get a shortlist approved.
6 guidesApparel and sizing
Plan company apparel, choose decoration and get sizes right.
10 guidesGifting and occasions
Order dates and gift ideas for holidays and recognition days.
34 guidesOnboarding and recognition
Welcome kits and recognition items for new and current employees.
3 guidesCompany stores and fulfillment
Set up and run a company store, with kitting and shipping.
1 guideEvents and trade shows
Plan what to bring to events and how much to order.
4 guidesLarge orders
Timelines, pricing and packing for orders of several thousand pieces.
14 guidesReference
Definitions of the terms used on quotes, proofs and plans.
3 guides
All resources
67 guides, newest updated first.
Mental Health Awareness Month ideas for employers
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Ideas for workplace awareness campaigns, wellness items that people use, and how to point employees to support.
Gifting and occasions · Updated October 26, 2026
National Doctors' Day gift ideas
National Doctors' Day is March 30. Gift ideas for physicians by budget, delivery across departments and shifts, and the gift limit for referring physicians.
Gifting and occasions · Updated October 26, 2026
National Hospital Week gift ideas
National Hospital Week is May 9 to 15, 2027. Gift ideas for every hospital employee, budgets for thousands of staff and packing by department.
Gifting and occasions · Updated October 26, 2026
National Intern Day gifts and intern kits
National Intern Day is July 29, 2027. Gift and welcome kit ideas for summer interns by budget, and how to make interns want to come back as full time hires.
Gifting and occasions · Updated October 26, 2026
National Pharmacy Week gift ideas
National Pharmacy Week is October 17 to 23, 2027. Gift ideas for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians by budget, for hospitals and pharmacy chains.
Gifting and occasions · Updated October 26, 2026
National Police Week recognition ideas
National Police Week is May 9 to 15, 2027. Respectful ways for departments, cities and businesses to recognize officers, and the gift rules to check first.
Gifting and occasions · Updated October 26, 2026
National Safety Month ideas for employers
June is National Safety Month. Ideas for workplace safety campaigns, items that support each week's theme and recognition that encourages reporting.
Gifting and occasions · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom hats and caps in bulk
How to order custom hats in bulk: cap styles, embroidery, patches and printing, sizing with adjustable backs, and timelines.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom hoodies and sweatshirts in bulk
How to order custom hoodies and crewnecks in bulk: fabric weights, embroidery or print, sizes, timelines and packing by location.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom lanyards in bulk
How to order custom lanyards in bulk: printed or woven, widths, attachments, breakaway clasps and badge holders.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom notepads and notebooks in bulk
How to order custom notepads, sticky notes and notebooks in bulk: sizes, sheet counts, full color printing, journals and timelines.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom pens in bulk
How to order custom printed pens in bulk: pen styles, imprint area and colors, full color printing and the cost per impression.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom polo shirts in bulk for uniforms
How to order embroidered polo shirts in bulk for staff uniforms: fabrics, men's and women's fits, logo placement and reorders.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom safety vests and hi-vis apparel in bulk
How to order custom safety vests and hi-vis shirts in bulk: ANSI/ISEA 107 types and classes, logo rules, crew sizes and job site delivery.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom socks in bulk
How to order custom socks in bulk: knit-in or printed designs, sizes, packaging for gifts and events, and the longer lead time.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom t-shirts in bulk
How to order custom t-shirts in bulk, from 1,000 to 10,000 and more: the shirt, print method, size breakdown, timelines and packing.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom tote bags in bulk
How to order custom tote bags in bulk: non-woven, cotton canvas or recycled materials, print areas, conference bags and packing.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Ordering custom water bottles and tumblers in bulk
How to order custom water bottles and tumblers in bulk: stainless or plastic, laser engraving or print, sizes, packing and timelines.
Large orders · Updated October 26, 2026
Promotional products people actually keep
Which promotional products people keep longest, with the impressions and cost per impression of each from ASI's 2026 study.
Reference · Updated October 26, 2026
Safety awards for employees: ideas and the rules
Safety award ideas for crews and job sites, how to reward safe work without discouraging injury reporting, and IRS limits for tax free awards.
Onboarding and recognition · Updated October 26, 2026
Teacher Appreciation Week gift ideas
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3 to 7, 2027. Gift ideas for teachers and school staff by budget, for districts, PTAs and businesses thanking local schools.
Gifting and occasions · Updated October 26, 2026
Thanksgiving gifts for clients and employees
Thanksgiving gift ideas for clients and employees by budget. Thanksgiving is November 26, 2026 and November 25, 2027; order dates and why it beats December.
Gifting and occasions · Updated October 26, 2026
Trade show giveaway ideas for 2026
Trade show giveaway ideas in three tiers: low cost walk-by items, conversation pieces and premium gifts, plus what attendees keep.
Events and trade shows · Updated October 26, 2026
Truck Driver Appreciation Week gift ideas
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 12 to 18, 2027. Gift ideas for drivers on the road, and how to reach drivers across terminals and routes.
Gifting and occasions · Updated October 26, 2026
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