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Everybody’s got one: a faded custom t-shirt, a half-empty company pen, a branded work-from-home hoodie with the elbows worn out, or some other promo product from a publicity event or trade show that you just can’t seem to part ways with.
Whether it’s apparel, office supply, tech gear, or a kitchen gadget, a promo product is a time-tested marketing tactic that’s more effective than ever. If you’re looking for the perfect option for your next conference booth, employee welcome kit, or work event, you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a lasting impression.
To get your wheels turning, here are 11 budget promo products that deliver real value — most of which come in well under $5 per unit.
Why Budget-Friendly Promo Items Work
The biggest benefit of custom promo products is that, like an army of brand ambassador ants, they carry multiple times their weight in value because the potential return on a modest product can massively outweigh its cost. Plus, per-unit costs decrease as your quantity increases, allowing you to maintain the ideal product quality for your budget even as you scale your swag.
Think of it this way: a useful $2 pen handed out to 100 people generates more impressions than a $20 item given to only 10, accounting for not just the 100 people who get the pen, but the others who may see those pens when they’re being used later. And if the lifetime value of a single customer is potentially hundreds or even thousands of dollars, that $200 investment can bring exponential returns.
To maximize your potential return on your promo product, look for these features:
- Usefulness: This goes without saying, but genuine usefulness ensures the item becomes a part of the recipient's daily life, leading to repeated exposure for our brand.
- Visibility: The item should also show your company logo. The more often the item is seen, the more brand awareness it generates.
- Portability: The ability to be taken on the go extends the reach of your brand as the item travels with the recipient, exposing it to a wider audience.
- Brand alignment: The item should resonate with your brand's values and the interests of your target audience to create a positive, lasting association.
11 Best Budget Promo Products
Ready to choose your promotional product? These 11 ideas balance affordability and utility, checking all the boxes in the section above while spanning a wide range of product categories.
1. 22 oz. Copper Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle (1625-85)
Price Range: $12.52–$25.89 per unit
Why It Works: If there’s one thing everybody needs, it’s water — and this vacuum insulated custom water bottle delivers it cold for hours on end while showing off your brand. Every time the recipient takes a sip, they display your company logo for the whole office, gym, or public space of choice to see, spreading brand awareness en masse.
Best For: Trade shows, new client kits, internal events, onboarding kits
Customization Options: 9 color choices, laser etching
Pro Tip: Consider supplementing your logo — or even replacing it — with a QR code to turn your bottle into a dynamic passive marketing tool
2. Cotton Rally Towel (SM-7655)
Price Range: $2.54–$3.18
Why It Works: Whether recipients are waving them in the stands or keeping them handy to dry up a mess, the large decorating area of a custom rally towel ensures your branding is easily seen, even from a distance. It also suggests your dependable brand will be right there on-hand when it’s needed.
Best For: Corporate events, promotional giveaways, golf swag
Customization Options: 4 color choices, screen printing, embroidery
Pro Tip: To maximize impact, use as much of the broad printing area as you can.
3. Collapsible Foam Can Cooler (SM-6890)
Price Range: $0.91–$1.40
Why It Works: We all drink from cans and deal with the same fundamental problems: messy condensation and gradual return to room temperature. A universally useful custom can cooler features a large decorating area with ample space for branding.
Best For: Corporate events, promotional giveaways, summer campaigns
Customization Options: 5 color options, screen printing
Pro Tip: Take advantage of the free second-side imprint (with the same color) by displaying a call to action (like a website address or social media handle) on one side and your logo on the other.
4. Nash Ballpoint Pen ( SM-4101)
Price Range: $0.49–$0.72
Why It Works: There are few office items more universally used than the humble pen. A custom pen — especially one like this with a comfortable soft grip and smooth 1.0mm writing tip — keeps your company logo visible every time it's used for notes, signatures, or everyday tasks in the office or at home.
Best For: Trade shows, new client kits, internal events, conferences, educational institutions, onboarding kits
Customization Options: 9 color options, screen printing
Pro Tip: For a more impactful giveaway, pair the pen with a branded notepad or journal
5. Lanyard with Lobster Clip (SM-2425)
Price Range: $1.53–$1.93
Why It Works: To minimize costs but increase impact, consider a hyper-practical customized lanyard. The lobster clip provides a secure attachment, and the breakaway neck clip enhances safety. Since they’re worn throughout events like conferences or trade shows and can also see daily use for work badges or IDs, they offer consistent brand visibility to a wide audience.
Best For: Trade shows, conferences, corporate events, promotional giveaways
Customization Options: 7 color options, screen printing on both sides of the lanyard
Pro Tip: Mind the limited printing area and keep your messaging concise.
6. Slim Silicone Card Wallet (SM-2557)
Price Range: $1.29–$1.50
Why It Works: Slim silicone card wallets are popular (and effective) because they offer a way for more minimalist-minded people to consolidate their accessories. With your custom design on the back, it shows off your logo or branded graphic every time the recipient’s phone is used, making this a low-cost and potentially high-impact option.
Best For: Trade shows, promotional giveaways, events where carrying a traditional wallet is inconvenient
Customization Options: 4 color options, screen printing
Pro Tip: Keep your artwork tasteful yet recognizable, focusing on your logo.
7. 16 oz. Plastic Stadium Cup (SM-6012)
Price Range: $0.62–$1.12
Why It Works: A good custom cup is always useful, and stadium cups like this are no exception. Offering a reusable alternative to single-use cups, they readily display your custom art with a large surface area, presenting your brand in a park, in the stands, or at a desk with every sip.
Best For: Outdoor events, promotional giveaways, trade shows, conferences, onboarding kits
Customization Options: 6 color options, screen printing
Pro Tip: Use high-contrast color options to maximize visibility
8. Medium Cotton Canvas Contention Tote Bag (SM-5821)
Price Range: $2.44–$3.08
Why It Works: In a world crowded by countless tote bags, this custom tote bag stands out with its distinctive silver accents. Choose this option if you’re looking for a can’t-miss, budget-friendly swag option for an event like a conference so recipients can start repping your brand to everyone they walk past while they hide your competitors’ swag away inside.
Best For: Corporate events, trade shows, conventions
Customization Options: Screen printing
Pro Tip: Use bold design to complement the accents and make your branding stand out.
9. Round Stress Reliever (SM-3345)
Price Range: $1.72–$2.36
Why It Works: Custom stress balls are a classic promo giveaway item designed to give people a tactile item they can squeeze to release tension. Made from soft yet firm foam, they also offer solid marketing opportunities since people tend to leave them out on desks — and associate them with positive feelings.
Best For: Trade shows, expos, conferences, onboarding kits
Customization Options: 6 color options, pad printing
Pro Tip: Consider using bright colors that match your brand to make the stress ball more eye-catching when not in use.
10. Eco Spiral Notebook With Pen (SM-3468)
Price Range: $2.80–$4.14
Why It Works: These eco-friendly notebooks are made from recycled materials and include a matching pen, making them the whole note-taking package. With a tastefully modest logo placement, these attractive, portable customized notebooks show your brand is committed to reducing impact and promoting utility.
Best For: Trade shows, conferences, new client kits, conferences, onboarding kits
Customization Options: 4 color options, screen printing
Pro Tip: Consider pairing the notebook with other eco-friendly items, such as a recycled pen or a reusable bag, to reinforce your brand's commitment to sustainability.
11. RushOrderTees Classic Tee (RT2000)
Price Range: $6.49–$27.69
Why It Works: There’s never a bad occasion for a custom t-shirt, and since the RushOrderTees Classic Tee is always in stock, there’s never a bad time to order this one. Made from 100% cotton, this comfortable garment is the perfect gift or giveaway option and can be delivered virtually whenever you need it.
Best For: Company events, uniforms, corporate giveaways, onboarding kits
Customization Options: 78 color options, front and back printing, screen printing, HD digital printing
Pro Tip: Try including a creative graphic on one side and a logo on the other to help increase brand visibility.
Tips for Choosing the Right Budget Promo Products
Remember, choosing a budget promo product isn’t just about picking the lowest-cost product possible and calling it a day — it’s about finding affordable options that resonate with your brand and audience.
Here are some tips for ensuring you do just that.
- Define Your Target Audience: Understanding your audience's demographics, interests, and needs is crucial for ensuring they actually want what you offer. This should help you whittle down potential options to find budget-friendly opportunities.
- Don’t Skimp on Longevity: Low cost doesn’t mean low utility. The more useful a promotional product is, the longer it's likely to be kept and used, leading to more brand impressions, so it’s worth spending a little more for something people will continue using.
- Explore Different Product Categories within Your Budget: Think you’re limited to standard office supplies? You might be surprised at the options available in other categories for similar price points, from tech to apparel to household items.
- Be Mindful of Quantities: Budget items aren’t just about the total cost — they’re about the per-unit cost. Maximize your reach by keeping per-unit costs low by buying the highest quantities you can.
Find Budget Promo Products That Get Results with RushOrderTees
Promotional impact and expense don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. You can still drive impressive results even with low-cost items if you pick the products strategically, distribute them effectively, and design them compellingly.
You can ensure all three of those boxes are checked when you shop promo products with RushOrderTees. Browse our extensive catalog of promotional items that fit any price range, and when you’re ready to boost your brand on a budget, get a quote or start customizing your order today.
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About the Author
Based in New Mexico, Bryce Emley is a seasoned content writer and expert in the realms of custom apparel and eCommerce. Holding an MFA in Creative Writing, he seamlessly blends his passions, specializing in insightful content that bridges the gap between innovative apparel solutions and digital commerce trends. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bryce is an avid creator, channeling his creativity into poetry, screenplays, and creative nonfiction. In his leisure time, he has a penchant for collecting unique, vintage anime t-shirts, showcasing his love for both rare finds and the artistry of apparel design.