In a perfect world, every company that wanted to give away free merch at an event or gifts to their employees and customers would have a limitless budget to spend on luxurious sweaters and branded tech, but that’s not the world we live in.

Still, that doesn’t mean you have to downgrade yourself to giving out horrible plastic pens that barely work, or go without swag altogether. Take a little time to dig through the collections offered by companies like Fourthwall, Printify, or Vistaprint, and you’ll find quite a few low-cost options that actually look and feel far more premium than the price tag suggests.

If you’re feeling totally lost for where to start, I’ve got a handful of great cheap swag ideas worth checking out before you default to something boring.

Tips for Choosing Cheap Swag

I have a couple of quick points to make before we get into the suggestions, and the first one is that when you’re browsing through catalogs, look at the “from” price carefully. Just because an item starts at a certain price doesn’t mean it won’t cost more when you add custom designs, special finishes, specific printing requests, or other details.

Beyond that, my best advice is to avoid going for something exclusively because it’s cheap. If you can’t imagine the people you’re going to be giving these products to actually using them, then there’s no point paying for the swag. A team of CFOs won’t become more loyal to your company because you give them a sticker sheet. Always:

• Think of the value: Rather than concentrating solely on the price, think about the actual value the product will give to the recipient, if they can really use the gift for something, that’s going to have a much better impact on your brand’s reputation.
• Consider bulk: Sometimes it’s ideal to buy exactly the number of products you need one at a time, other times it makes sense to buy in bulk and take advantage of the discount.
• Check the branding: Keep the branding simple, nobody is going to want to wear a t-shirt with a huge logo from your company on it, even if it is good quality.
• Get samples: Whenever possible, order samples before you buy in bulk, so you have a good idea of the quality you’re dealing with.
• Mix things up: You don’t have to stick with buying 400 branded pencils. Try a couple of options out, or consider buying different gifts for different people. The VIPs at your event might get something different to a standard passer-by.

Best Cheap Swag Ideas for Low-Cost Giveaways

I’ve bundled a few options here into “groups” because they fall into the same category, although you could technically use them for different purposes. I’ll also say that while I’m recommending specific products from certain print on demand companies, it’s always worth doing your research and shopping around a little, even ordering samples, before you purchase a huge collection.

Decals, Stickers, and Sticker Sheets

Starting at: $1.21

We’ll start with stickers, because they’re generally the cheapest option of the bunch, and they’re a great low-effort option to add to your merch catalog, even if you decide to give them away alongside something a bit more substantial.

My favorite options come from Fourthwall, where you can choose from Kiss-Cut vinyl decals that start at $1.21 each. Those stickers are dishwasher-safe, and resistant to water, scratches, and UV exposure, so recipients can put them on anything from laptops to car windows. The regular kiss-cut stickers cost a little more at $2.29 but they ship across more regions worldwide, and they might make more sense for a crowd enthusiastic about arts and crafts.

Then there’s the Fourthwall kiss-cut holographic sticker sheet, which I think is a good option if you want your freebie to feel a bit more “collectible”. The sheets start at $4 each, and according to the reviews, the quality is brilliant.

Printify has its own custom stickers, which are also excellent, especially if you’re taking advantage of the Premium plan, that gives you up to 20% off product prices. On that plan, you’d end up paying around $0.97 per sticker, rather than the typical $1.21. You’ve also got quite a range on here, including sticker sheets, die-cut stickers, and both round and square designs.

On the other hand, if you want to buy in bulk for an event or because you’re planning on giving away some free extras in future packages, try Sticker Mule. You can get a pack of die-cut stickers for $60, so around $1.20 each, or you can get one hundred for $73, which is a great deal.

Unique Collectibles: Keychains, Magnets, and Buttons

Starting at: $2.61

Cheap products can still have a collectible appeal. My first pick in this category is the Fourthwall custom shape acrylic keychain, which I think is genuinely brilliant for events, because it’s practical, and it’s a little different to the kind of freebies most people expect to see.

The price starts at $2.61, but you do have to order a bundle of at least fifty, so make sure you know people like the design before you place an order. If the minimum order quantity bothers you, Fourthwall’s die-cut magnets are another great choice, and quite a step-up from the standard sticker.

The price starts at $3.32 depending on the size you want (3 inches to 6 inches), and uses a flexible vinyl with a matte finish and black magnetic backing. There’s no minimum, although fulfillment is only available in the US right now.

If you’re willing to spend a little more, and you really want to make an impression, you could also consider the Fourthwall set of four pin buttons. This is definitely the best collectible pack here for $8.25, and it’s great for creators who want to build a set around characters or inside jokes. You could even consider splitting them up and giving them out separately, if you want to save a little extra.

Practical Gifts: Pens, Mugs, and Can Coolers

Starting at: Cents per unit, depending on bulk purchase

I complained a bit about pens before, but they’re still a practical option for a freebie, provided you make sure they actually work. Vistaprint does a fantastic deal on bulk pens, and you can choose from all kinds of different designs, including plastic, metal, bamboo, gel, stylus, and even engraved options.

There are also different printing options, like pad printing for simple bulk orders, inkjet for artwork, or laser engraving, for those engraved pens. About five of the pen types on Vistaprint can be ordered as single units, but you’ll get the best deal if you’re buying in bulk, which can take the cost per pen down to pennies.

If pens seem too dull, the next best option is a branded mug, since plenty of people seem to collect those anyway. Fourthwall’s white glossy mug costs $5.95 with no minimum order requirements and three size options, and buyers say the print quality is fantastic, especially on lighter colored mugs.

A mug could make a lot of sense if you’re giving presents away to staff members who can use them every day in the office, or specific customers, just be careful if you’re going to be using them at an event that people have to travel to get to, as they can be a bit challenging to get home.

The final recommendation in this category is the Fourthwall Coozie can cooler, which is the one I’d choose first if I wanted a freebie to make a real impact. It starts at just $3.42 per unit, and it’s made of neoprene, so it’s good for keeping drinks cold, and it’s waterproof.

A big advantage with the coozie is that it gives you a lot of space to print on, and if you’re hosting or presenting something at an event with a bar, your guests might start using it there and then, which means extra eyes on your brand.

Affordable Accessories: Wristbands and Lanyards

Starting at: About $0.65

You don’t need to be spending $20 per unit on a t-shirt to give away apparel at an event. If you’re looking for a really cheap and practical wearable, start with a lanyard. 4imprint lets companies buy these in bulk, with huge discounts that can take the price down to around $0.65 a piece.

The great thing about lanyards is that people will start wearing them at the event immediately, so you can instantly pull attention to your company. You could even dish them out to staff members and employees before you start the day.

A printed silicone wristband from 4imprint is the other very inexpensive option, costing around $1.65 each when you buy 100, or $0.94 if you buy more than 10,000. They might seem small and a little simple, but they’ve got enough room to print a logo and maybe even a slogan on them, and they can be produced in as little as three days if you’re in a rush.

I’d probably go for the wristband if guests can use it for something, like access to a specific part of an event, or if it has collectable value for someone in your community. A YouTube content creator or musician for instance could use it to show a memorable quote.

Cheap Wearables: Hats and Bulk T-Shirts

Starting at: $11.45

If you do want to branch into actual apparel, the hat is the cheapest option to start with, and Fourthwall has a brilliant Otto Foam trucker hat starting at just $11.45, with no minimum. It’s a little more expensive if you want the embroidered option at $12.95, but you could always reserve that style for more important recipients, like partners at your next event.

Hats are brilliant as freebies because you don’t have to worry too much about getting sizes that cover everyone, and just about anyone can benefit from a good hat. Plus, if you add your logo, you’re getting a product that people can promote you with wherever they go.

For t-shirts, if you’re limited in budget, the best option is to go with bulk. Customink offers bundled packages of screen-printed t-shirts starting at $10-$16 each for 12-24 pieces, but the more you buy, the more you save. By the time you get to 100 t-shirts, you’ll only be paying around $4-$8 per shirt, and if you go over $250, the illustrative range only costs $3-$6 per shirt.

It is a good idea to be a little more cautious with bulk tees, though, since you can never be quite sure about the quality you can expect at first. If it’s possible, order a sample before you agree to a larger bulk purchase.

The Best Cheap Swag Ideas for Memorable Events

Cheap swag can still be good swag, if you go into the process of actually choosing what you’re going to give away with a bit of care. Don’t rush in with the idea that you’re going to buy anything that costs less than $1 a unit and end up throwing stickers at people that won’t ever use them.

Think about what the people receiving the freebies will actually want to take with them and use later on, the more practical and unique the item is, the better it’ll be for your brand’s reputation in the long term.

If you can’t afford to give everyone a branded trucker hat, split the catalog into groups. You might have a handful of hats for your biggest supporters, a selection of mugs and t-shirts to give away to the main group, and some practical gifts or stickers to share with everyone else.