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10 Branded Promo Items That Don’t Suck

Let’s be real: most branded promo swag ends up in the junk drawer (or worse, the trash). Nobody’s excited about another flimsy pen or scratchy lanyard. The good news? Branded products don’t have to be boring. When done right, promo items can become daily essentials, conversation starters, and even style pieces.

At Hardboiled Inc., we help businesses, bands, and brands in Toronto create promo items people actually want to keep. Here are 10 ideas that don’t suck and will make your next giveaway or campaign unforgettable.

1. Tote Bags People Actually Use

Toronto is a tote bag city. From grocery runs to weekend markets, everyone needs a sturdy, well-designed tote. Print bold graphics, add your logo with a twist, and suddenly it’s not just a bag, it’s an accessory.

Pro tip: Go for thicker canvas with long handles for a tote that will last.

high quality custom cotton tote bag

Best Selling Tote Bags:

B9206 - Classic  heavy cotton standard size tote with long handles and gusset. Perfect for those last minute errands.

B9213 - Same heavyweight cotton canvas but larger size. Perfect for those big grocery hauls.

E3000 - Zippered heavy cotton two-tone tote bag wiht contrast straps for a little flair.

2. Premium Water Bottles

Nobody’s tossing a good water bottle. Sleek stainless steel bottles or BPA-free reusable ones are both eco-friendly and practical. Your brand literally stays in people’s hands all day.

Pro Tip: A matte black bottle with clean, minimal branding gives streetwear vibes instead of corporate swag.

custom stainless steel water bottle

Popular high quality waterbottles:

WB9118 - Large size BPA free waterbottle

WB9734 - 25oz Stainless Steel Bottle with push button lid. Great for hot and cold liquids

WB7075 - Wide Mouth 17oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle. Lightweight, perfect to clip to your bag

3. Toques and Caps

Headwear is one of the easiest ways to get your brand worn outside. Embroidered beanies in the winter, snapbacks or dad caps in the summer. These are timeless, wearable pieces.

Pro tip: Keep the embroidery small and stylish. If it feels like merch from a cool boutique, people will actually wear it.

custom embroidered toque

Best Selling Toques and Caps:

Beaniiez Accent - Made in Canada toque with a slightly chunky look

AC1010 - Classic folded need toque

1003 - Nissi Pigment Dye Unstructured Cap for that vintage worn look

FP477 - Classic Dad Hat available in tons of colours

 

4. Enamel Pins

Small but mighty. Pins are collectible, easy to trade, and perfect for adding a little flair to jackets and bags. They’re also a low-cost option that still feels high-quality.

Example: A clever design or inside joke related to your brand will make people want multiples.

enamel pins perfect for promo

Popular Pin styles:

Soft Enamel - metal with colour fill

Die Struck Metal - Classic Vintage Look

5. Custom Socks

Yes, socks. They’ve become a surprising hit in the promo world. Your design knit right in to socks is a sure way to impress clients or promote your brand.

Pro tip: Keep it simple, bold designs will knit best.

custom classic knit sock

Best Selling socks:

Classic Knit - best for more detailed designs

Sport socks - on trend and sure to impress

6. Phone Grips and Tech Accessories

Everyone’s glued to their phone, so why not brand something they actually touch every day? Phone holder rings, charging cables, and even sleek wireless chargers are practical and appreciated.

Example: A branded wireless charger on someone’s desk = your logo in their face every single day.

custom wall charger

Best Selling Tech Accessories:

Wall Charger - USB-A and C, powerful 2.5 AMP output and compact, keeping you powered up

Tracker Tag - The Ultimate Bluetooth Finder

Custom Shape Phone Grip - Popular phone ring

Wireless Bamboo Charger - Laser engrave your logo into this eco friendly wireless charger

 

 

7. Hoodies & Tees That Don’t Feel Cheap

Sure, everyone does t-shirts — but not everyone does them well. Choose soft, high-quality garments and strong prints, and people will wear them over and over. A well-designed hoodie? That’s walking advertising that actually gets used.

Pro tip: Skip giant corporate logos. Make the design cool first, branded second.

high quality custom heavyweight t-shirt

Tees and Hoodies People Want to Wear:

3010 - Drop Shoulder Heavyweight tee, soft ringspun tee with that high quality feel

SHMHSS - Classic heavyweight style, effortlessly cool

L00550 - Basic but high quality at a good print

1567 - Vintage style, relaxed fit

 

8. Notebooks That Aren’t an Afterthought

Moleskine-style notebooks or recycled kraft journals are perfect for creatives, students, and professionals. Pair it with clean branding and you’ve just made someone’s new everyday notebook.

Example: Instead of a colourful logo, try debossing for a high end look.

custom notebook with debossing

Notebooks people will use:

Hard Cover Journal - Ivory lined paper, pen included

Neoskin Journal - Best-selling hard-cover journal with a gusseted interior pocket, store your business cards or other small documents.

Eco Notebook - Made of recycled materials, this eco notebook makes a statement.

 

9. Drinkware Beyond the Coffee Mug

Coffee mugs are standard — but what about pint glasses, travel tumblers, or even branded cocktail shakers? Unexpected drinkware has way more staying power than a dusty office mug.

Pro tip: Think seasonal. Cold brew tumblers in the summer, campfire mugs in the fall.

custom enamel camping mug

Best Selling Tech Accessories:

Enamel Mugs: Lightweight and large capacity, this enamel mug is super popular.

Tumblers: Stainless Steel and Double walled with vacuum insulation to keep your drink hot or cold longer.

Pint Glass: Glass tall boy perfect for brands that want to be unique.

Tumbler with Straw: Large size Stanley-like tumbler .

 

10. Stickers (Yes, Stickers)

Never underestimate a well-designed sticker pack. Stickers end up on laptops, water bottles, skateboards, and phone cases. They’re cheap to produce but have high visibility and street-style credibility.

Example: Make them feel like art, not just ads. Think bold illustrations, minimal logos, or collab designs.

custom stickers toronto

Best Selling Stickers:

Circle Stickers - Classic vinyl stickers

Die Cut Stickers - Vinyl stikers in a custom shape to match your design

Holographic Stickers - Adds a retro vibe to your design

 

Final Thought: Make It Wearable, Useful, or Collectible

The key to promo products that don’t suck? They’re either wearable, useful, or collectible — sometimes all three. If it looks cool, solves a problem, or sparks conversation, people keep it.

At Hardboiled Inc., we can help you design, source, and customize promo items that your audience actually wants. Forget the boring pens — let’s make something worth keeping.

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