Affordable Promotional Items for Startup Businesses

By their very nature, startups will be building their niche with their consumers so budgets will be closely monitored but one of the best uses of a marketing budget is to distribute affordable promotional items as customer response to giveaways is usually positive and quick. This can help massively in getting your target audience to engage with a newly formed company with new ideas.

It's only human to enjoy receiving a gift, so reaching out with a well-chosen giveaway will certainly endear a company to its clientele. The longevity of such giveaways depends on the item of course but they can last years if you hit on the right item. Just think how much that sort of advertising and brand recall would cost in print or online!

It is not always necessary to allocate a large budget to your promotional items. Here at TM, we have thousands of low-cost giveaways, ideal for mass distribution.

In order to choose the best giveaway for your business to consider your target audience and think creatively. While our bestsellers are items like mugs, ice scrapers, pens etc. they may not be the best giveaway for your particular startup.

Also, consider the usefulness of the item. The more useful, the longer it will stay with the customer and the happier the customer will be to have it. Encouraging a positive association with your company is vital.

Essentially you want to buy promotional products that are inexpensive, useful but impactful. You could even take the initiative to ask your audience about the promotional products they would like to have and get some social participation going.

So with all that said, here are 10 of the most affordable promotional items that we know are popular on our website for business startups:

Challenger 1 Mini Pen

A best selling promotional pen especially suitable for large promotions and high volume mailshots. These printed pens have rounded white barrels have contrasting ends in 4 colour choices, All White, Red, Blue and Black.

Cotton Tote Bags

These long handled shopping bags are made from 5oz natural cotton and offer an eco-friendly alternative to plastic carrier bags. Our printed cotton bags can be branded to one or both sides and will travel with your message or logo far and wide.

Low Cost Stress Balls

Available in a choice of colours and at a great low price to suit any campaign, manufactured from squeezy PU foam to help relieve tension and stress - all while advertising your brand at the same time

Mini Lightning USB Adaptors

Miniature Lightning USB cables with magnetic closure that open up to connect your iPhone/iPad (with lightning connection) to a USB port for data transfer or charging.

Phone and Tablet Stands

Slimline media holders are suitable for most handheld devices, designed to support them on your desktop or table. Ideal for watching movies, picture viewing or gaming etc. Available in a choice of colours.

30ml Oval Hand Sanitisers

Encased within coloured silicone with coloured loop closures, these personalised hand sanitisers are ideal for health events and organisations, sure to keep hands clean and safe.

Cambridge Promotional Mugs

Printed with your logo or brand at an exceptionally low price! Perfect for even the tightest of budgets, guaranteed to flaunt your company message with every sip you take. 

Rock Sweets

Bite-sized classics with your message printed all the way through. The most popular flavours are mint or mixed fruit but there are 24 flavours available

A6 Note Pads

Each containing 50 sheets of white 80gsm paper glued securely to a board back at the top of the notepad. A great cost-effective promotional paper item that is guaranteed to get maximum use whilst drawing attention to your branding simultaneously.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the affordable promotional items available on our website but we hope they'll at least prove a beginning to getting your business startup out there for all to see.

Written by

Adam Carter | Head of Products

Adam has been leading the Product team for over 18 years, during which time he's built up an enviable reputation as one of the industry's most trusted authorities on promotional merchandise. As well as supplier relations, product sourcing and pricing, Adam is also responsible for ensuring our promotional merchandise is presented on the website in the most effective manner. His expertise makes him the go-to person on the team for spotting merchandise trends and he's highly experienced in identifying the best branded products to meet our customers' needs. When he's not working, Adam enjoys travel, electronic music and all forms of cinema.

Connect with Adam Carter on LinkedIn Connect with Adam Carter on LinkedIn

Revealed: The Best-Selling Promotional Products Of 2023

Revealed: The Best-Selling Promotional Products Of 2023

It's safe to say that 2023 has been quite the year for Total Merchandise. Over the last 12 months, we've hit some major milestones, grown our team, hosted our fi

Why Promotional Products Work: The Value Of Merch For Your Brand

Why Promotional Products Work: The Value Of Merch For Your Brand

Okay, we might be biased but there really is no denying it: promotional products are an incredibly powerful tool for any UK business. Whether you're a start-up looki

How To Use Promotional Products Effectively To Boost Your Business

How To Use Promotional Products Effectively To Boost Your Business

If you've never ordered promotional products before, it can feel a little overwhelming. After all, there are countless product options out there and it can be hard t

The Power Of Promotional Paper Coffee Cup Sleeves

The Power Of Promotional Paper Coffee Cup Sleeves

Whilst a hot cup of coffee is a daily saviour for people across the UK, singed fingertips are a decidedly less desirable side-effect of the morning caffeine fix.  W

Must-Have Merch for Your Brands Spring/Summer Marketing

Must-Have Merch for Your Brands Spring/Summer Marketing

Warmer and longer days are officially coming! So now is the perfect time to consider how your business is going to generate positive brand awareness throughout the spring and su

10 Branded Metal Bottles To Consider For Your Next Campaign

10 Branded Metal Bottles To Consider For Your Next Campaign

With research revealing 85% of the UK public are worried about the impact of plastic pollution on the planet, there's never been a better time to consider a branded met

In Honour of Plastic Free July: Ideas To Help Your Brand Cut Plastic

In Honour of Plastic Free July: Ideas To Help Your Brand Cut Plastic

Plastic Free July is an inspiring worldwide movement that encourages people around the globe to swap single-use plastics in favour of other options.  From disposabl

11 Easy Ways To Make Your Brand Stand Out This Summer

11 Easy Ways To Make Your Brand Stand Out This Summer

Keen to do something a little bit different with your promotional marketing plans throughout summer 2024? Whether you're looking for fun awareness events you can lin

The Best Promotional Merchandise & Freebies For Freshers' Fairs

The Best Promotional Merchandise & Freebies For Freshers' Fairs

For the uninitiated, a freshers' fair is one of the most important events in the student calendar. As well as giving new students the chance to discover campus-