WHAT'S INSIDE
01 The Brand Asset Test
Six questions to ask before committing to any product
02 The Four Merch Categories
Not all merch serves the same purpose, here's how to tell the difference
03 The Budget Allocation Guide
How much to spend per person, and why the number matters less than you think
04 The Decision Matrix
Find your occasion, cross-reference your audience, start with a shortlist
05 The Brief Template
The single biggest driver of a great merch outcome is a clear brief
06 Working With a Merch Partner
What to expect from a supplier who actually acts like a partner
WHY THIS GUIDE EXISTS
Most merch budgets deliver
less than they should.
Not because the products are bad, but because the decisions behind
them lack a framework. This guide changes that.
01
A repeatable decision process
Stop starting from scratch with every brief. The Decision Matrix covers the most common occasion-and-audience combinations so every order begins with clarity.
02
A framework for evaluating any product
The Brand Asset Test gives you six questions to ask before committing to any product. A fast, reliable filter between a smart spend and a wasted one.
03
A brief template that actually works
The most common cause of a disappointing merch order is a vague brief. Fill in the template once and every supplier conversation starts on solid ground.
04
Mistakes worth knowing before the order
Five decisions that consistently separate great merch outcomes from average ones, including the ones most marketing managers only discover after a disappointing order.
ABOUT PROMOTIONAL STUDIO
Built for brands that
take merch seriously.
Branded merchandise, done well, does something most marketing channels can't. It shows up in someone's daily life - on their desk, in their bag, on their way to work. Every time it does, your brand is quietly present.
We built Promotional Studio because we believe that outcome is achievable for every business, not just the ones with the biggest budgets or the most experienced teams. This guide is part of how we make it happen.
Instant PDF quotes
Virtual mockups on every quote
Dedicated account manager
24/7 order dashboard
The Merch Decision Framework
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