The Design Lab | Promotional Products & Apparel

Case Study: Calendar Puns are Week

Oct 3

Objective: A real estate agent wanted a useful promotional item to boost her personal branding and promote her services while staying top of mind all year round. Product: Desk Calendar with 4-Co...

Case Study: The Write Stuff

Sep 18

Description: Rumba Pen Industry: Automotive What it was purchased for: An automotive supplier wanted to make their name visible in automotive stores around the country. How it was distributed: P...

Case Study: The Big Picture

Aug 12

Description: Coupon Photo Folder Industry: Hospitality What it was purchased for: A restaurant was looking for a unique way to deliver custom printed coupons to their guests to attract more repea...

Case Study: Celebrate Milestones

May 1

A bank wanted to promote 110 years of serving individuals and businesses in Pennsylvania through an "Open House" celebration at their branches. Among the many products selected to commemorate this ...

Case Study: Raise Your Glass!

Mar 10

Objective A local brewery wanted an eye-catching promotional item to place on tables that would boost their alcohol sales and highlight their weekly specials while encouraging enrollment for their...

Case Study: Computer Repair At Your Fuzzy Fingertips

Jan 25

A computer repair store attended a local home show and wanted something useful but unique to attract attendees to their booth. They also wanted something that would keep their name top of mind when...

Case Study: Spec-Tacular Promotions

Dec 27, 2025

Description: CUSTOM Malibu Sunglasses Industry: Food Beverage What it was purchased for: The end user wanted to give something away at this year's Spring Break in Jamaica for an MTV event th...

Case Study: It's in the Bag

Dec 12, 2025

Description Non-Woven Shopper Tote Bag Industry Bookstore What it was purchased for A large Metropolitan Community College Bookstore wanted to feature a reusable shopping bag to the students w...

Case Study: Rock out on the Run

Dec 4, 2025

Description: Earbuds With a Wristband Industry: Marathon What it was purchased for: A sponsor was looking for an item or items that runners/walkers could be given at the race that they could use ...

Case Study: Safety First

Oct 6, 2025

Product: Auto Safety Kit Industry: Banking What it was purchased for: As a gift to anyone who opened a new bank account for over $1,000.00. How it was distributed: The bank was looking for a bra...

Case Study: Inking Impressions

Sep 21, 2025

Portability and permanence are among the desirable traits sought in an effective promotional product. A company was looking for a unique self-promotion that incorporated these elements and decided ...

Case Study: Piece of Cake

Aug 29, 2025

Objective: A bakery owner had built solid connections with other service providers within their local event industry, but they were looking to grow their business within the wedding market. Produc...

Case Study: A Spoon-taneous Promotion

Aug 22, 2025

Description: Spoon Mug Industry: Advertising What it was purchased for: A major coupon distributor was looking for a thank you to give out to advertisers. How it was distributed: The spoon mug...

Case Study: Don't Run from this Promo!

Aug 7, 2025

Description: Running Belt Fanny Pack Industry: Sports / Fitness What it was purchased for: A nationwide gym chain was looking for an item to give away with the purchase of yearly memberships....

Case Study: It Takes a Village

Jun 25, 2025

Objective: A village needed an easy way to let residents know when there were issues with their water meters. They wanted a faster method of communication than mailing letters, and something more...

What's The Deal With These Products?!

Jun 3, 2025

The tradition of using promotional products dates back to the 1700s, when campaign buttons were first created for President George Washington. These pins were a groundbreaking success-they were aff...

Case Study: Attract New Customers

May 13, 2025

As part of their new corporate wellness program, the company wanted to stress the importance of healthy nutrition to its employees. Along with literature, discount memberships at a local health clu...

Case Study: Pull Up a Chair and Stay Awhile

Apr 29, 2025

Description: Foldable Chair Industry: Education/Sports What it was purchased for: A high school wanted to purchase an item they could resell to the parents in the spirit shop for fundraising doll...

Case Study: Put That on Your Calendar!

Apr 1, 2025

Objective: A local insurance agent wanted a way to connect with her customers and capture new leads with a useful promotional item that would also boost her personal branding and promote her serv...

Case Study: Snap a Pic!

Mar 11, 2025

Objective: A large photography studio wanted a better welcome kit for their wedding clients than just a few loose flyers. Product: Mini Horizontal Pocket Folder Personalization: The photography s...

Case Study: A New Way to Do Cross-Promotions

Feb 25, 2025

Clever Meets Subtle: A New Way to Do Cross-Promotions Organization: Department Store Product Featured: Lanyard with Vinyl Pouch Goal of Promotion: Promoting Store Sales Description of Case ...

Case Study: Brighten Their Day

Jan 27, 2025

A realtor wanted to give a thank-you gift to those who purchased a new home with them. They chose the LED Carbon Fiber Aluminum Flashlight. They printed their logo along with the tagline, "We will ...

Case Study: Travel Industry

Jan 13, 2025

The travel industry is packed full of niche places to introduce promotional products. From places to stay to things to do, if you're part of this industry, there are so many opportunities for brand...

Case Study: Keeping it All Together

Dec 30, 2024

Objective: An insurance company wanted to send new customers home with a special gift and a way to keep their new insurance policy documentation organized. Product: Insurance Document Pouch Ful...

Case Study: A Comforting Friend

Dec 23, 2024

This ambulance service is very active in its local community. They use this plush Saint Bernard for children faced with the trauma of when an ambulance is needed. They consider their Saint Bernard ...

Case Study: Make a Spectacle

Dec 15, 2024

Description: Rubberized Sunglasses Industry: Broadcast Media / Telecommunication What it was purchased for: A vampire-based television show hosted blood drives at outdoor events. These were given...

Case Study: Bringing Back the Fanny Pack

Aug 29, 2024

Market: Entertainment Product Use: Gift With Purchase Promotion: A major theme park chose the Safeguard Security Waist Belt as a gift with purchase for customers who bought season passes. The w...

Case Study: Shop 'til You Drop

Jun 18, 2024

A shopping mall was holding a late-winter promotion to increase traffic during typically slower months. Visitors to the complex received a "passport" to take to different stores within the mall for...

Case Study: Good Deeds for Kids in Need

Jun 10, 2024

Item: Landscape Mesh Tote Purpose: Fundraising Gala gift bag Audience: Kids in Need Foundation supporters The Kids in Need Foundation Gala is one of the organization's largest fundraising eve...

Case Study: This Event Needs More Cowbell

May 27, 2024

Description: Cow Bell Industry: Trade Show / Convention / Events What it was purchased for: A charity marathon coordinator wanted a giveaway that spectators could use to cheer on their runner...

Case Study: These Calendars Aren't Week

Apr 28, 2024

Objective: A local bank wanted a way to thank their new customers with a promotional gift item that would have a high-perceived value. Product: Beach Trifold Calendar Personalization: The bank ...

Case Study: I've Got You Covered

Mar 1, 2024

Description: Chenille Blanket Industry: Health Care / Pharmaceutical What it was purchased for: A local hospital needed blankets to hand out to children who were currently patients that they coul...

Case Study: Wave Hello to Recognition

Feb 23, 2024

Item: JAFFA® Wave Award Purpose: Welcome gift for incentive winners Audience: Software company sales representatives A software company held a sales incentive contest for reps to win a trip t...