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It may still feel like summer, but back-to-school season is already creeping up! Now’s a great time to start planning branded merch for students, teachers, and campus events.

We can help with:

Spirit wear (tees, hoodies, and team apparel)

Eco-friendly water bottles

Lanyards and badge accessories

Drawstring backpacks

Charging cables and tech kits

Staff & student recognition gifts

Even if your business isn’t in education, these items are still perfect for onboarding, client giveaways, or community events. Back-to-school season is all about connection, so let’s create something that makes your brand stand out and stick around.

Let us know what you’re thinking, and we’ll pull together ideas that fit your goals and budget.

Custom School Uniforms and Swag: How to Order Branded Gear for Students, Staff, and Events

Back-to-school season comes around every year, and smart planning ensures your school has custom school swag that’s impactful and memorable. The best time to plan branded merchandise for students, staff, and campus events is right at the end of spring—before everyone disappears for summer break. But we still have time! 

From school spirit wear to practical promotional giveaways, we have favorite strategies to make your school year kickoff a success. For example, custom hats are still one of the top-requested items. But the standard embroidered hat just doesn’t cut it anymore. Schools that order fully custom, color-matched hats instantly create buzz—parents at rival schools notice and start asking why their kids don’t have cooler school spirit gear.

If you have high school students, start the year with football-related gear—it’s one of those quintessential pieces of the American high school experience. And don’t forget teacher appreciation gifts. These need to be useful inside and outside the classroom. Don’t go cheap—teachers look forward to these every year, and they are evaluating the thought behind them. Consider tech gadgets, wellness items, or even branded self-care products.

The key takeaway? Whether for students, staff, or supporters, the most effective items are school promotional products that are actually useful—not just pens, stickers, or temporary tattoos. Think outside the box and your school swag will have a lasting impact.

Why Branded Gear Builds School Spirit

School can be challenging—between assignments, social dynamics, and peer pressure. Building school spirit through branded gear helps unify students and staff.

While individuality matters, shared school swag helps everyone feel like part of something bigger. When all students wear the same hoodie or lanyard, barriers drop and connections build. Even small items—like silicone wristbands or ID lanyards—create common ground.

School spirit wear is more than just clothing—it’s a culture-builder. It says: This is who we are. This is what we stand for.

Top Promotional Items for Students, Staff, and Supporters

When choosing school promotional products, consider three factors: guilt, loyalty, and usability.

Parents will buy something out of guilt because their child goes there, but loyalty and usefulness determine whether they’ll keep buying—and at higher price points. Usability is key. The more practical the item, the easier it is to get parents, students, and even alumni to support fundraising efforts.

Schools with a strong brand identity and loyal parent-teacher communities can sell school swag at premium prices. Keep trends in mind, adjust your handouts, and your school spirit wear will feel fresh all year long.

Uniform Add-Ons That Make a Statement (and Keep You in Dress Code)

Most schools don’t require a strict, head-to-toe uniform anymore, but almost every school has some level of dress code. That doesn’t mean school spirit can’t shine.

Small add-ons make a big impact:

• Custom lapel pins for lanyards

• Branded patches for backpacks

• Logo keychains

If your school has a firm dress code, consider scheduling “casual days” where students can wear a school t-shirt or hoodie—it gives them something to look forward to and reinforces school pride.

Ordering Made Easy: Tips for Schools and Parent Committees

There are several ways schools distribute promotional products and school swag:

• Bulk ordering: PTAs or PTOs buy items in bulk, store them, and sell them at back-to-school nights, conferences, and other events. It’s simple and profitable, especially for inexpensive items like stickers and t-shirts.

• Batch ordering: Schools collect order forms for hoodies, hats, or school spirit wear, then submit them to a company like Be Branded for fulfillment.

• School spirit stores: Be Branded can even provide an online storefront so parents and students can order directly. Schools just choose the items, and we handle the logistics.

Each method has its benefits, but the key is to choose a system that keeps school swag moving and builds excitement—not dust in a closet.

Customization Options That Showcase Your School’s Identity

Every school should have spirit staples—core products that always sell and always spark pride:

• Hoodies: Students wear them year-round, and parents will buy them for younger siblings, too.

• T-shirts: A must-have, especially if you refresh the design a few times each year. Go beyond just the school logo—try clever slogans, limited-edition “drops,” or event-specific designs.

Even if your business isn’t a school, these promotional product strategies work for onboarding, client gifts, and community events. But for schools, they’re invaluable for building school spirit and giving students and staff items they’ll actually use.

Back-to-school season is all about connection. The right school swag makes your brand stand out—and stick around.

Need ideas for useful, everyday branded items? We can help with workplace essentials that are perfect for employee welcome kits, client gifts, or event giveaways.

Here are some of our go-to picks:

Mousepads

Blue Light Glasses

Corkboards

Mugs & Tumblers

Notebooks & Journals

Branded Pens & Writing Sets

If you are outfitting the office or sending a little something to a remote team, these items are practical, appreciated, and always in style!

Let us know what you’d like to explore, we’re happy to send options!

What if your next project came with a bonus? We never got the chance to work together last time, but we have created a little “welcome back” offer to make sure your first order with Be Branded feels like a win from the start!

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From now through the end of the year, when you place your first order with Be Branded, you will receive:

A Free Portable Charger – our gift to you

15% Off Your Order

Your Choice of 3 Free Samples from BEL Promo’s product lineup

Let’s make your first Be Branded order simple, fun, and cost-effective!

Offer valid through December 31, 2025.

Need simple, budget-friendly merch that still makes an impact? These classic promo items are low cost, high visibility, and always in demand. Perfect for events, staff kits, or customer giveaways. These are easy products to help keep your brand top of mind!

Top 10 Simple Go-To Giveaways:

Koozies - CLICK HERE

Stadium Cups - CLICK HERE

Lanyards - CLICK HERE

Mousepads - CLICK HERE

Sticky Notes - CLICK HERE

Silicone Wristbands - CLICK HERE

Lip Balm/Chapstick -CLICK HERE

Stickers - CLICK HERE

Pens - CLICK HERE

Magnets - CLICK HERE

We can help with product suggestions, mockups, and pricing that works for your budget.

Let us know what you’re looking for, and we can get ideas going!

The holiday season is closer than you think. We are just 4 months away from Christmas! Now is the perfect time to plan your holiday gifts, employee appreciation, and client giveaways.

We can help with:

Cozy blankets and knit socks

Winter beanies and jackets 

Blankets and throws

Custom tumblers and mugs

Cast iron skillets and wood cutting boards

Branded lunchboxes and desk accessories

Kits and boxes

Food treats

Pickleball sets and sports gear

Custom signage and event gear for your holiday party

Let us know what kind of gifts you’re thinking about and we will send over some creative, custom options to fit your brand and budget.