Why Custom Merch Is the New Handshake in Business
Published by: Siobhan Ingram
Date: 08-07-2025
First impressions matter—and today, a strong piece of merch can be just as important as a handshake.
When someone receives a high-quality branded hoodie, tote, or hat, it sends a clear message:
This brand cares. This brand invests in relationships.
Custom merch builds emotional connections that emails and ads simply can’t replicate.
It turns customers into loyalists.
It makes partners feel valued.
It helps employees feel proud.
In-person interactions, networking events, client meetings—all these moments are amplified when a tangible, wearable piece of your brand comes along for the ride.
One creative agency gifted clients ultra-soft crewnecks embroidered with a minimalist logo.
Clients loved them so much they started posting about them unprompted—turning simple gifts into organic marketing.
Merch is no longer just swag.
It’s a handshake you can wear—and a relationship you can build on.