Breaking Into Branded Merch: A Beginner’s Guide to the Promo Industry

When you see a promo pen, t-shirt, or coffee mug, it’s possible you don’t think much of it besides the company’s branding. Most people don’t.

Rightfully so, because the part where a company distributes “swag” to consumers or employees is the only customer-facing part of the process. But behind the scenes are multiple other key players who ensure branded items deliver the right messaging.

What started in the 18th century with commemorative election buttons is now an over $25 billion power industry. Its popularity never ceased to grow, and its effectiveness never stopped showing in marketing.  

This guide explores what the promotional products industry is and how it works, players in the supply chain, and reasons to consider a promo marketing career at Boundless.  

What Is the Promotional Products Industry?

Promotional products are, often free, customized goods that have an advertising message. This could be a logo, tagline, or imagery that people associate with a brand. The goal is to promote a company’s products or services by getting them seen by as many people as possible.

Every product can be a promotional item as long as it has a brand’s advertising message imprinted. Common examples of promotional products used in branding include: 

• Journals and pens
• Calendars
• Mugs 
• Water bottles 
• Umbrellas 
• Clothing and apparel 
• Bags 
• Speakers
• Power banks 
• Hats
• Key chains 

Promotional products are an effective marketing strategy because of their longevity. A 2023 study by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) reported that 61% of consumers can keep outerwear promo items for over two years, generating more than 7,000 impressions per item. The sensory experience of using a promotional product, especially if it comes with a carefully crafted gifting experience, further adds meaning and impact. Consumers and employees are likely to reciprocate this with brand loyalty.        

How the Promo Industry Works

The promotional products industry is made up of various parties that connect businesses and other end users to branded products:

• Manufacturers: Companies that manufacture or import promo goods.  
• Decorators: They customize, print, engrave, or decorate promotional products per distributors’ instructions.
• Distributors: Companies, such as Boundless, that consult with and supply businesses with promotional products and experiences. 
• Buyers: Business professionals—often in Marketing, Sales, or HR roles—who buy promotional products for their marketing or awarding strategies.
• End users: The audience, made up of customers, employees, influencers, and other individuals, that receive promotional products from businesses.

Distributors take an organization's promo product needs and translate them into purposeful and impactful promotional experiences. This consultative role takes some part of the creative burden off of companies and marketing managers, as well as having to deal directly with manufacturers and decorators.

Why Consider a Career in Promo?

According to the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), promo industry sales grew by 2.63% in 2024, with the same upward trajectory expected in the coming years. 

The promo industry is here to stay as long as new businesses are opening up. And they are, every single day. 

If you’re considering starting a branded merchandise career, here are a few advantages of working in the promo industry:

• Flexibility: From part-time positions to remote work and beyond-commissions compensation models, the promo industry offers sales careers with flexibility perks. This autonomy allows you to be the boss of your own time while still getting unrelenting support from your distributor. 80% of distributors in a PPAI study stated that workplace flexibility is one of their top investments. 
• Creative problem solving: A career in the promotional products industry goes beyond securing clients and delivering orders. You also get to exercise your creative muscles through innovative and unique promo solutions that deliver results.
• Own your business or grow within an established structure: The former allows more freedom and autonomy, higher revenue, and opportunities to scale. Growing within an established structure, on the other hand, comes with business mentorship, back-office support, minimal startup risk, and existing vendor relationships.
• Variety of industry verticals: From tech to healthcare to hospitality, the promotional products industry serves companies of all shapes, sizes, and industry verticals. This implies a likelihood of consistent sales as different businesses make different uses of promotional products.
  

What Makes Boundless Different

Thinking about starting your promo products career at Boundless? You’re in the right place! Here’s what makes us different:

Strategic Partners, Not Order-Takers

Tired of feeling like just a number in a sea of sales consultants? You put in the work, but don’t feel like you’re making a difference? 

At Boundless, our Brand Consultants don’t just take and fulfill orders. They’re also creative partners who work together with businesses to craft strategic promotional products. As a Boundless corporate or affiliate team member, you make up the company, and in return, we invest in your growth and success.

Tools, Tech, and Support to Build a Sustainable Business

Efficient delivery in the promotional products industry involves other not-so-fun activities, such as invoicing, tracking orders, creating reports, promoting your services, and accounting.

All these can be too much and sometimes hinder you from delivering the best results to your clients. Boundless has a team to assist you with admin tasks, such as accounting, order management, and marketing, so you can focus on what matters most: Creating meaningful connections.

Purpose-Driven, Creative, and Meaningful Branding Solutions

A lot goes into creating promotional products and branding solutions. Besides taking an order and delivering the results, you must also consider the experience, purpose, and message the promo item carries. 

This is what we are all about at Boundless. 

Our emphasis is on creating unique and impactful branding solutions that reflect your client’s core values and foster long-lasting connections.

Culture of Collaboration, Mentorship, and Long-Term Growth

Imagine working with a team that doesn’t compete or gatekeep what works for them. A team that’s as invested in your growth as you are in theirs, celebrates your wins, and offers peer-to-peer support when you need it.

At Boundless, we've cultivated a culture of collaboration among our sales members through idea sharing, monthly sales connection calls, and social groups.

We also invest in your long-term growth through training, proposal support to win clients, and business development strategy sessions.

Start a Promo Industry Career at Boundless

If you’re looking for a career that merges your sales, strategy, and creativity skills without stifling the other, you’ll fit right in the promotional products industry. Opportunities are everywhere, and you don’t need prior experience in sales—just a sense of drive and curiosity.

Looking to learn more about promo products and what’s possible at Boundless? Join us to discover your Boundless potential.