The wait is over! Our 2025 Trend Report is here, packed with the year’s most exciting trends in branded merchandise. After hitting the PPAI Expo in Vegas, sifting through thousands of products, and hitting a personal high on our step-count, we’ve identified the four biggest trends shaping the industry this year. These aren’t just passing fads—these are the products people actually want. So, if you’re looking to keep your brand relevant (and out of the corporate swag graveyard), here’s what you need to know.
Elevated Essentials
The best promotional products don’t just sit on a desk—they’re used daily. Elevated Essentials takes the practical must-haves people already love and gives them a modern refresh. Think streamlined designs, warm neutral tones, and smart functionality that makes life easier. High-quality materials and thoughtful details make these products stand out, ensuring they don’t just get used—they get noticed.
Premium drinkware, sleek backpacks, and refined home goods are all examples of Elevated Essentials that blend form and function. A premium tumbler with a soft-touch finish or an ultra-lightweight commuter backpack isn’t just another giveaway—it becomes part of the recipient’s daily routine. When you put your brand on something well-designed and useful, it won’t just be seen—it will be shown off.
Joyful Balance
In a world that moves too fast, this trend is here to help everyone take a deep breath (no meditation app required). Thoughtful, feel-good products spark joy and encourage a little more balance in the daily grind. Your brand can tap into this movement with wellness-focused promotional items that encourage mindfulness, comfort, and happiness.
Cozy self-care gifts like weighted blankets, aromatherapy kits, and the trending sunrise alarm clock offer a sense of relaxation. Desk accessories with calming aesthetics, playful stress relievers, or hydration-focused gifts also fit seamlessly into this trend. By choosing products that promote joyful balance, you’re not just creating branded merchandise—you’re creating good vibes that last long after the unboxing.
Active Connections
Recreational sports are having a moment, and we’re here for it. Pickleball, tennis, and backyard games are bringing people together, and branded merchandise is following suit. Active Connections focuses on sporty designs and products that inspire movement, fun, and connection. Whether it’s gear for the court, stylish athleisure, or accessories designed for an active lifestyle, these are products meant to be in motion.
Branded apparel like a custom sublimated polo or a performance hoodie help people transition from the office to the outdoors. Custom pickleball paddles, yoga mats, and cooling towels align with the active lifestyle trend while keeping your brand in the action. Whether your audience is hitting the gym, the court, or the trails, these products ensure your brand moves with them.
Retro Revival
Nostalgia is powerful, and retro-inspired designs are making a major comeback. From ‘90s aesthetics to vintage designs, Retro Revival is all about embracing the classics. This trend isn’t just about decoration techniques—it’s about fully leaning into the throwback vibe with products that feel like they came straight from the past.
Vintage inspired varsity apparel and color-blocked bags channel old-school cool, while retro tech like a bluetooth speakers that looks like a cassete tape add a fun, nostalgic twist. By embracing bold color palettes and distinctive vintage aesthetics, brands can create promotional merchandise that resonates across generations.
Let’s Make It Happen!
Branded merchandise isn’t just stuff—it’s a statement. It should connect, impress, and (most importantly) actually get used. These trends give you the perfect opportunity to invest in merch that people will love and brands will be remembered for. And the best part? These trends aren’t isolated—there’s plenty of crossover. A retro-inspired design on a pickleball paddle? Perfect. A cozy weighted blanket in a warm neutral like Pantone’s Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse? Yes, please.
Ready to bring the trends to life? Check out our 2025 Trend Shop and reach out to your INM team to create something people won’t stop talking about.
