The U.S. promotional products industry reached an impressive $26.6 billion in 2024, according to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI). It’s clear that promotional products are more than just giveaways, they’re strategic tools for brand visibility. And in many ways, they are a natural extension of the branded uniform industry.
Both industries share a common goal: brand consistency and recognition. Just like a uniform unifies a workforce and visually represents a brand, a promotional product reinforces that identity outside the workplace. Whether it’s a branded backpack, water bottle, or tech item, the goal is the same; keep the brand top of mind.
The roots of the promotional product industry trace back to the late 1800s. Jasper Meek, a journalist in Ohio, began printing advertising on burlap book bags for a local shoe store. His innovation helped launch a whole new way of thinking about everyday items as mobile marketing tools. Over 100 years later, bags are still one of the most popular promotional categories, especially in the uniform world where branded totes and backpacks are commonly offered alongside apparel.
In 1904, the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) was founded to support this growing industry. By the 1920s through the 1940s, products like branded pencils, calendars, and matchbooks offered a cost-effective way for businesses to extend their reach and foster customer loyalty; goals that align directly with how many organizations approach uniform programs today.
Following World War II, the promotional space exploded. Plastic manufacturing made items like pens and keychains affordable and customizable. Just as uniforms were becoming more specialized by role or department, promo items became more targeted by audience.
By the 1980s and 1990s, promotional products became central to marketing campaigns, used at trade shows, as corporate gifts, and for internal employee recognition. Around the same time, uniform suppliers began expanding beyond just shirts and pants, offering a growing assortment of branded accessories and gear. Computerized embroidery and printing technologies enhanced customization across both industries.
The digital era from the 2000s onward brought major shifts, online ordering platforms, overseas production, and a wave of tech-forward promo products like USB drives and phone accessories. Uniform companies have followed suit, modernized their supply chains and offered everything from branded water bottles to wireless chargers alongside garments.
Today, major brands like Coca-Cola, FedEx, and PepsiCo rely on both branded uniforms and promotional products to keep their image strong and their teams aligned. For uniform companies, expanding into promo items is a natural evolution, keeping marketing dollars in one place and offering a complete brand solution.
