The company swag employees actually use is the stuff they would have bought anyway: a good hoodie, a tumbler that keeps coffee hot, a bag that fits a laptop. Build your kit around three or four of those everyday items, choose quality over quantity, and keep the logo small. Do that and your swag gets worn on weekends instead of pushed to the back of a closet.
Why does most company swag end up in a drawer?
Because it was picked for the company, not for the person receiving it. A stress ball, a lanyard and a cheap pen tucked into a polyester drawstring bag cost very little, but nobody keeps them. The money is wasted even if the per-unit price looked great on the quote.
The other common mistake is the logo. A huge print across the chest turns a hoodie into a uniform. Most people won't wear that to the grocery store. A small embroidered logo on the chest or sleeve looks like something they chose, and that's the version that leaves the office.
Fit matters too. Unisex sizing that runs boxy, or a single size of toque for everyone, guarantees a chunk of your order goes unworn.
What should go in a branded swag kit?
Start with things people use every day, then add one item that feels a little special. For most Canadian teams, these are the safest picks:
- Something to wear. Hoodies, quarter zips and crewnecks get the most wear, especially from October to April. Our custom hoodies cover everything from basic fleece to heavier premium fabrics.
- Something to drink from. An insulated tumbler or bottle goes everywhere: desk, car, gym, kids' hockey practice. See the insulated bottles and tumblers collection.
- Something to carry. A tote for in-office days or a backpack for commuters. Our laptop backpacks are the upgrade people notice.
- Something for the desk. A notebook and a decent pen still get used, even by people who take notes on a laptop. Browse the notebooks if you want a hard cover or Moleskine option.
Seasonal items are worth adding. A toque in a November kit makes more sense than sunglasses, and it's a cheap way to make the box feel generous.
How much does a company swag kit cost in Canada?
It depends on how many items you include and how they're decorated, but most kits fall somewhere between $25 and $150 per person. Here are three sample kits we'd put together.
Starter kit, around $25 to $40 per person. A cotton T-shirt, a printed tote bag and a notebook with a pen. Our logo cotton T-shirts start at $6 and basic non-woven totes start under $2, so most of the budget can go to the notebook and decoration. Good for large events, interns or a welcome bag for a big hiring class.
Mid-range kit, around $50 to $85 per person. An embroidered hoodie or crewneck, an insulated tumbler and an embroidered toque. This is the kit most companies settle on for new hires and team events, and it's the one people tend to keep using.
Premium kit, $100 and up per person. A heavier hoodie or soft-shell jacket, a laptop backpack, an insulated bottle and a tech kit with a charger and cables. This works for leadership, milestone anniversaries or a small team you really want to thank.
Keep in mind that listed prices usually don't include decoration. A setup charge for embroidery or screen printing gets spread across your quantity, so 30 kits cost more per person than 300. Ask for a quote with decoration included before you commit to a budget.
How do you build an onboarding kit for new hires?
Onboarding is where swag does the most work. A new hire who gets a box on day one feels like they've joined something, and it gives them something to talk about in their first team meeting.
A few things make onboarding kits easier to manage:
- Pick a core kit that doesn't change, so you can order in bulk two or three times a year instead of every time someone is hired.
- Store the extras in-house, or ask your supplier whether they can hold stock for you.
- Leave apparel out of the pre-packed box and send a sizing form the week before the start date. It cuts waste a lot.
- Add a handwritten note from the manager. It costs nothing and people remember it longer than the hoodie.
How do you send swag to remote employees across Canada?
Ship each kit directly to the person's home instead of shipping everything to head office and repacking it. That saves a step and gets the box there faster.
Collect addresses with a simple form and ask people to confirm their postal code. Wrong codes are the most common reason a box comes back. Budget extra days for rural addresses and for the territories, and pay for tracking on every package. If you have staff in Québec, include French on any card or insert. Your supplier can help with bilingual printing.
Timing matters as well. Ordering swag for a December team event in late November is risky, since production and carriers are at their busiest. Plan at least four to six weeks ahead for embroidered apparel and kitted boxes. Rush options exist for simpler items like printed pens.
How do you choose company swag your team will like?
Ask them. A two-question poll in Slack or Teams ("hoodie or quarter zip?" and "tumbler or water bottle?") takes five minutes and saves you from guessing. People also feel more ownership over something they had a say in.
Beyond that, a few rules hold up well:
- Choose colours people actually wear. Black, navy, heather grey and forest green outsell bright brand colours every time.
- Go tone on tone for the logo on apparel. It looks expensive and gets worn outside of work.
- Spend more on fewer items. Three good pieces beat eight forgettable ones.
- Check sustainability claims. Recycled materials are great, but a well-made item that lasts five years is better for the planet than a cheap "eco" one tossed after a month.
For more on picking merch people keep, read our post on choosing corporate merch that people actually love. If you're also buying for clients, our guide to choosing corporate gifts in Canada covers that side.
Is company swag a taxable benefit in Canada?
Usually not. The CRA lets employers give non-cash gifts worth up to $500 a year per employee tax free, and items of small or trivial value, such as a mug or T-shirt with the company logo, don't count toward that limit at all. Gift cards are treated as near cash and become a taxable benefit. Confirm the details with your accountant if your kits are on the expensive side.
Ready to build your swag kit?
Tell us how many people you're outfitting, your budget per person and when you need it all delivered. We'll put together a few kit options, send free virtual proofs with your logo, and give you a ship date before you place the order. Contact Concept Plus to get started.
