Custom promotional products are a powerful way to boost brand awareness, connect with customers and leave a lasting impression. A well-chosen item — whether a branded tote, pen or reusable water bottle — keeps your business top of mind, builds trust and turns everyday objects into effective marketing tools.
Yet for many small business owners and marketing professionals, ordering these products can get complicated quickly. From confusing customization options to hidden fees and long lead times, the process can be full of unexpected hurdles.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common challenges and share practical strategies to make buying custom promotional items easier, more cost-effective and ultimately more successful for your business.
The Challenges of Buying Custom Promotional Products
When you understand the biggest challenges that come with buying custom promotional products, you can sidestep common pitfalls and make smarter choices. That means your promotional items work harder for your brand and your process stays hassle-free. Common challenges include:
Too Many Product and Customization Options
- Overwhelming number of product choices
- Confusing imprint methods, materials and sizing
- Difficulty choosing the right item for their audience
Uncertain Quality
- Not knowing how the final product will look
- Fear of receiving low-quality items that reflect poorly on the brand
- Limited access to samples
Hidden Costs and Budget Surprises
- Setup fees, rush fees, color charges and shipping not clearly explained
- Minimum order quantities that exceed their needs
- Difficulty comparing total costs across vendors
Long or Unpredictable Lead Times
- Production delays that jeopardize event dates
- Shipping timelines that aren’t communicated clearly
- Lack of transparency around rush options
Design and File Challenges
- Not having print-ready artwork
- Confusion about file types, color formats and resolution
- Extra charges for design help
Vendor Reliability
- Concerns about whether the supplier will deliver on time
- Limited customer support or slow responses
- Hard-to-understand policies on returns, reprints or damaged items
Brand Consistency Concerns
- Colors not matching the brand palette
- Inconsistent imprint quality across different products
- Difficulty ensuring cohesive branding
Decision Fatigue
- Time-consuming research
- Pressure to choose items that will be used, not thrown away
- Worry about the return on investment
Lack of Strategy Guidance
- Not knowing which products align best with their goals
- Uncertainty about trends, audience preferences or what actually works
- Feeling like they’re guessing rather than making informed choices
Steps for Ordering Custom Promotional Products
Ordering custom promotional products doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow this guide to buy custom promotional products with confidence.
- Define Your Goals: Decide what you want to achieve before selecting products or quantities. Clear goals help guide product choice and messaging. Are you:
- Promoting your brand at an event?
- Thanking clients or employees?
- Driving engagement on social media?
- Know Your Audience: Consider who will receive or use the items. Practical, useful items generate repeated exposure. Examples include:
- Drinkware (tumblers, water bottles)
- Office supplies (pens, notebooks)
- Tech items (chargers, earbuds)
- Set Your Budget: When budgeting for custom promotional products, it’s important to look beyond just the unit price. Also factor in:
- Setup fees or plate charges
- Rush order fees
- Shipping or freight costs
- Select Products and Customization Options: Choose the product, material, color and method of customization (screen printing, embroidery, engraving, etc.). Provide your logo, brand colors and any text you want included.
- Request Proofs or Samples: Vendors typically provide a digital proof of your design, and for higher-cost or apparel items, it’s wise to request a physical sample to verify color, quality and fit. Verify spelling, colors, logo placement and material quality before approving the final order.
- Place Your Order: Confirm quantity, delivery timeline and shipping method. Once approved, the vendor begins production.
- Production and Quality Check: During production, the vendor applies your branding to the items. Most reliable vendors have quality checks, but it’s smart to inspect items upon delivery to make sure they match your approved proof.
- Delivery and Distribution: Decide whether you’ll:
- Ship items to multiple locations
- Store them for future use
- Include branded packaging or inserts for clients or events
- Follow-Up: Keep track of how the items are received and used. Feedback helps you improve your next order and identify which products are most effective.
Choosing the Right Vendor for Custom Promo Items
Choosing the right supplier is critical to ensuring your promotional products arrive on time, look professional and stay within budget. Here are key factors to consider.
- Find vendors who respond promptly and clearly to inquiries.
- Ask vendors about their production process, turnaround times and how they handle issues or delays.
- Check the minimum order quantities for each product — some items may require hundreds or even thousands of units.
- Ask about standard production and shipping timelines, and whether rush options are available.
- Some vendors provide design assistance or templates, which is helpful if you don’t have in-house designers.
- Clarify whether design services are included in the price or come with additional fees.
- Read customer reviews and testimonials to gauge quality and service reliability.
- Ask for examples of past projects, especially from businesses in your industry, to see how products and branding turned out.
- Don’t hesitate to request a detailed quote to avoid surprises later.
By carefully evaluating vendors across these areas, you can select a partner who not only delivers high-quality products but also provides a smooth, stress-free ordering experience.
Ready to Get Noticed?
If you are looking to expand your brand’s reach, buying custom promotional products is a great addition to your advertising strategy. Target Print & Mail can help you make the most of your advertising budget by putting the right products into the hands of your ideal customers. We guide you to the products that best align with your specific goals and create promotional items that are professional, polished and delivered on time.
Our promotional products website offers hundreds of items designed to help your company stand out at any event. Browse our online catalog to find products that will get you noticed, and create a virtual sample to see how your logo or company name looks on your chosen item. Not sure where to start? Contact our team to work with our promotional product experts — we’ll help you choose the best product for your budget and project.
About Target Print & Mail
Since opening our doors in 1982, Target Print & Mail has been dedicated to providing top-quality printing services to the Tallahassee community. Over the decades, we have grown into the region’s premier provider of commercial printing, signage, mailing services, promotional products and graphic design solutions. Our team of more than 20 experienced team members operates from our 9,100-square-foot production center. We are committed to supporting our community, providing excellent service and always going above and beyond to exceed our clients’ expectations.