4imprint, LLC

| Updated: February 15, 2023

Editor’s Note: This blog post was originally published in January 2017 and has been updated to incorporate the latest research on promotional drinkware.

3 tips for choosing the best promotional drinkware

  1. Match the drinkware with your audience or event
  2. Use popular drinkware features to stand out from the crowd
  3. Choose custom coffee mugs, tumblers, and water bottles that align with your brand

Promotional drinkware items—coffee cups and travel mugs, water bottles, tumblers, and wine or pint glasses—are the giveaways people can’t take their hands off of. Whether you need a practical client gift or a memorable event giveaway, these must-have drinkware products hit the spot! In fact, drinkware is one of the most effective promotional products you can offer. Not only do 78% of consumers own promotional drinkware (PDF), but they hold onto it for an average of 12 months. Imagine how many impressions your brand will get over the course of a year.

A graphic featuring different types of promotional drinkware

 

Now that you know how popular and useful these products are, it’s time to find your perfect match. Try these tips when picking out promotional drinkware in sizes, colors and materials your customers will crave.

1. Match the drinkware with your audience or event

When choosing must-have promotional drinkware, consider your audience.

If you’re searching for a gift, consider the recipient. If your employees reach for a cup of joe every morning or your customers enjoy a local coffee shop, chances are they will appreciate promotional travel mugs. But, if you’re looking for the perfect match for your organization’s run/walk, custom water bottles are the easy choice.

If you’re unsure of your recipients’ tastes, water bottles, tumblers or pint glasses are always popular choices.

 

2. Use trendy drinkware features to stand out from the crowd

When choosing must-have promotional drinkware, look to stand out.

As we mentioned, branded drinkware is among the most popular promotional products. To stand out from the crowd and make sure your promo drinkware is the most likely to be nabbed, choose those that offer both style and substance.

Custom coffee mugs in a unique shape or color scheme (that matches your brand!) will have users enjoying the cup as much as the beverage inside. Some mugs come with accessories, like this Hearth Coffee Mug with Wood Lid Coaster or this Spooner Mug that comes with a stirring spoon built right in.

Or, if a stemless wine glass is your drinkware of choice, consider the Florence Stemless Wine Glass with its trendy metallic, textured bottom.

If you’re opting for a water bottle giveaway, consider the quality of stainless steel, like this h2go Solus Stainless Sport Bottle. Or, if your audience appreciates eco-friendly products, consider bottles made from recycled materials, like this Recycled Breaker Bottle with Flip Straw Lid.

For an added touch, consider imprinting a few words of inspiration on your promotional drinkware. A mug may sport a saying that gets people on track for success each day, whereas a water bottle could offer motivation to stay healthy.

 

3. Choose custom mugs, tumblers and water bottles that align with your brand

When choosing must-have promotional drinkware, align colors to your brand.

Not only should the color you choose match or complement your brand, so should the quality. Be sure to review the product to ensure it speaks well of your brand. After all, when drinkware is used at the office, at home or on the go, you’ll want everyone who sees it—and uses it—to think highly of your organization.

 

Using Promotional Drinkware to Promote Your Business

Once you’ve chosen the right piece of drinkware, make use of the space inside to tuck brand materials, coupons, recipes, and more to promote your business.

Custom promotional drinkware offers a great mix of function and style, making it a perfect fit to promote your business. Choose tumblers, water bottles and mugs with audience needs in mind, in unique shapes and colors and of a quality that aligns with your brand. By doing so, you’ll be sure to select the perfect drinkware your customers or team members will reach for again and again.