Starting a new business comes with a long list of priorities. Between developing your product, setting up your brand, and figuring out marketing, it’s easy to overlook one vital piece of the puzzle merchandise. Branded merch isn’t just for big companies or influencers. It’s a powerful tool for building brand recognition, boosting customer loyalty, and creating a cohesive identity.
Whether you’re launching a coffee shop, boutique, tech startup, or dog-walking service, custom-printed items can make your brand feel polished, trustworthy, and memorable right from day one. Let’s break down the essential print items that should be in every new business’s merch starter kit.
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Start with Custom T-shirts
T-shirts are the bread and butter of branded merchandise. They’re easy to produce, relatively affordable, and people love wearing them. A great tee can turn your team into walking billboards, boost brand exposure at events, or even become a profitable product line.
For startups, custom tees work double-duty. Your team can wear them during soft launches, trade shows, or pop-ups to create a unified, professional look. Customers wearing your shirt? That’s even better organic marketing at its best.
Choose breathable, quality cotton. Don’t skimp on design clean, clever graphics go a long way. And while screen printing is standard, embroidery adds a premium touch to staff shirts or higher-end merchandise.
Business Cards: Still Relevant in a Digital Age
Don’t underestimate the power of a well-designed business card. In a world full of digital noise, physical cards still stand out. They offer a tactile way to leave a lasting impression. Your card should reflect your brand colors, fonts, tone, and message. Include the basics (name, title, phone number, email, website), but don’t be afraid to be creative. Square cards, textured paper, or spot UV coating can make yours pop. Keep a stack in your wallet, at your point of sale, and in every employee’s bag. They’re cheap, portable, and versatile.
Stickers Stick Around
Stickers are one of the most underrated merch tools for new businesses. They’re low-cost, easy to distribute, and crazy effective at spreading brand awareness. Think laptop lids, water bottles, notebooks, or even street signs your brand can travel far.
Design multiple styles logo-based, slogan-based, or just fun designs related to your niche. High-quality vinyl stickers with a weatherproof finish are worth the small extra cost.
They work great as giveaways, packaging inserts, or even part of loyalty rewards. People love collecting cool stickers, especially when they’re visually appealing.
Print Promo Flyers with Purpose
Flyers aren’t dead just poorly used. When done right, they can pack a punch in local marketing or event promotion. Unlike online ads, flyers offer something physical to hold, read, and keep.
Use them to promote your grand opening, new menu, special deal, or event. Be strategic about where you place them: coffee shops, community boards, apartment lobbies, or co-working spaces.
Keep messaging clear and design clean. Bold headlines, QR codes for easy access to your website, and high-quality print paper are all musts.
Tote Bags Are Functional and Fashionable
Tote bags aren’t just eco-friendly; they’re trendy, practical, and excellent brand ambassadors. Whether you’re a bakery, a yoga studio, or a tech brand, a custom tote gives your logo visibility and adds value for customers. Because they’re reusable, people tend to carry them everywhere grocery stores, parks, and libraries turning them into mobile advertisements for your business. Opt for thick, durable cotton or canvas material and make your design visually striking. A clever quote, minimal logo, or bold color blocking goes a long way. They’re also ideal for bundling giveaways at events or launching limited-edition merch.
Branded Stationery for an Elevated Experience
Think notepads, thank-you cards, or even branded envelopes. These smaller print items often go unnoticed but add a sense of care and sophistication to your customer interactions.
Including a handwritten thank-you card in an order or using branded letterhead when mailing a contract shows professionalism. For service-based businesses, printed invoices or work orders with branding build legitimacy.
It may seem like a small touch, but thoughtful stationery can strengthen your brand identity and make your business feel established.
Signage That Speaks Loud and Clear
Physical signage is often overlooked, especially by e-commerce startups. But whether you have a retail space or attend pop-ups, your signage should be doing the heavy lifting.
Invest in a bold banner for markets or trade shows, a sidewalk sign for storefronts, or window decals for visual appeal. Quality signage can drive foot traffic and improve customer experience by clearly communicating your brand and offerings. For temporary events or rotating messages, consider printing foam boards or retractable signs that are easy to move and reuse.
Custom Embroidered Apparel for a Polished Look
Looking for custom embroidered apparel? Oak and Twine delivers polished results for businesses and events alike. Embroidery adds texture, dimension, and longevity to your brand visuals. Polo shirts, hats, jackets, and aprons with embroidery lend a premium feel that printed items sometimes lack.
These are great for staff uniforms, gift-with-purchase campaigns, or high-end merch drops. Embroidery holds up better over time, especially on heavier garments, which means longer-lasting impressions for your brand.
Packaging Inserts That Make a Statement
When customers open their orders, what’s inside should feel thoughtful. Printed packaging inserts like thank-you cards, discount offers, or product info sheets enhance the unboxing experience and increase repeat business.
Use this opportunity to reinforce your brand voice. A clever message or exclusive discount can turn a one-time buyer into a loyal customer.
Printed inserts also encourage social sharing. Include a tag request or hashtag to boost user-generated content on platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
Think Long-Term, Start Small
You don’t need to print everything at once. Start with the essentials like t-shirts, stickers, business cards, and a small run of packaging inserts, and scale up as you go. The key is consistency. When your visuals align across all printed materials, your brand feels more cohesive and trustworthy.
Try a local printer or work with an online partner that understands your needs. Start small, test what works, and refine your merch strategy based on customer feedback and business growth.
Make Your Brand Memorable with Thoughtful Merch
Branded merch isn’t just about slapping your logo on stuff, it’s about creating touchpoints where people connect with your business. When done right, it can make your new brand feel real, memorable, and exciting from the first interaction. So, start building your merch starter kit. A smart mix of essentials now sets the tone for your brand’s identity tomorrow.