12 DIY Promotional Items to Make for Your Small Business

Turn everyday products into branded giveaways

As a small business owner, I always appreciate easy or clever ways to turn everyday products into DIY promotional items just by adding a logo, message, or design. I’ve definitely received promo items definitely helped me remember a business after conference, comic convention, or local market event. Any time you can get people to remember you without requiring a large order of professionally produced merchandise, that’s a win.

For my own small business, stickers are my go-to promo item because they’re easy to bring to events draw people to my booth. But stickers are just one option. Printable labels, tags, cards, and fabric transfers give you plenty of ways to customize everyday products. You can use them to brand everything from tote bags and notebooks to travel accessories. Below, you’ll find 12 easy ideas to make for your small business, along with tools, tips, and free templates to help you get started.

12 easy DIY promotional item ideas

You don’t need a huge budget or large order to create promo items for your business. Many of the ideas for DIY promotional items below start with everyday products you can customize. For example, using printable labels, stickers, tags, or fabric transfers and Avery Design & Print Online (our free software) to brand everyday items.

1) Make a DIY branded tote bag

Branded tote bags are useful DIY promo items for conferences, trade shows, and markets because they give people an easy way to carry everything they pick up. Start with a plain cotton or canvas tote, then add your logo or event design with printable fabric transfer paper.

2) Turn product samples into DIY promo items

If you sell products that people can sample, smaller sizes give potential customers an easy way to try them. Add a branded label with a QR Code^® that takes them to the full-size product, your online shop, or more information about your business.

3) Use raffle tickets for a promotional giveaway

A raffle can help a few higher-value promo items go further while also generating email leads. Collect contact information to notify the winner, and clearly tell entrants if they’re also joining your marketing list. Any follow-up marketing emails should include an easy way to opt out. I’ve contributed to many raffles at smaller craft fairs and markets where each vendor donated one product each to create a larger prize basket.

4) Make branded T-shirts with fabric transfers

Branded T-shirts can be useful DIY promotional items for event staff, client giveaways, or raffle prizes. They work best when you know which sizes you need or can offer recipients a choice.

5) Turn your logo into custom die-cut stickers

Custom die-cut logo stickers are one of the easiest promo items to order (and my personal favorite). In fact, it’s one of my vendor booth secrets for increasing sales. I’ve even timed it—more than once. If your logo file is ready, the process of ordering custom die-cut stickers on Avery.com really does take just a few minutes.

6) Pair complementary products for a giveaway

Pair one of your products with a related item, or partner with another small business to create a giveaway together. For example, I make fantasy headpieces that people often wear at outdoor festivals, so a folding fan from another maker would be both useful and on-theme. Each business can contribute an item and share the giveaway with its own audience.

7) Create DIY promotional items with coffee and mugs

Coffee is easy to turn into a DIY promo item for almost any budget. Add a branded tag to an individual coffee packet for a simple giveaway, or pair a bag of coffee with a mug for a larger prize. The same idea also works with tea or hot cocoa.

8) Make DIY promotional items for relaxing

Branded candles and self-care products can make appealing promo items when they fit your audience and brand. For a broad group, consider mild or unscented options, and make sure any original ingredient or safety information remains visible.

9) Quickly turn gift cards into promotional items

Gift cards are a quick and easy DIY promo item because people already want them and you can choose one that fits almost any audience. Slip one into a small envelope, add a branded wraparound label, and you’re done. If you’d rather offer credit toward your own products or services, you can also make your own custom gift cards.

10) Make practical promo items with notebooks and pens

Notebooks, pens, and other writing supplies make practical promo items for conferences, workshops, and training sessions. People can use them during the event and continue using them afterward.

11) Customize travel-size hand sanitizer

Travel-size hand sanitizer is a compact, useful promo item for trade shows, markets, and other busy events. Place your branding where it won’t cover the product name, Drug Facts, directions, warnings, or other information on the original packaging.

12) Choose more sustainable DIY promotional items

Promo items for eco-friendly brands work best when sustainability is built into the item, not just the message. Consider reusable products, items made with recycled materials, or small plants in compostable pots. For events, make sure the item is also practical to carry and care for. Explore Avery sustainability goals and product options for more information.

Tips for making effective DIY promotional items

The best DIY promo items don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. And you don’t have to make every idea that comes across your path. It’s better that the ones you choose make sense for your business, fit the setting, and give people a reason to remember you. For me, that’s stickers, for you it might be totes, gift cards, complementary items, or a combination of items. Before choosing what to make, consider where you’ll distribute it, how easily people can carry it, and what you want them to do next.

Group small items into a themed kit

Several inexpensive items can feel more useful and substantial when you group them around one purpose. Try combining travel essentials, desk supplies, self-care products, or items related to what your business sells.

Use coordinated labels, tags, or outer packaging to tie everything together. You don’t necessarily need a different branded label for every item. One cohesive design on the bag, box, or card can make the entire kit feel complete.

Choose items that fit the event

For trade shows and conferences, prioritize DIY promo items that are compact, broadly useful, and easy to distribute. Stickers, notebooks, gift cards, and other lightweight items are easier for attendees to carry throughout the day. At markets or community events, you may have more flexibility to offer product samples, themed kits, or raffle prizes. Avoid items that are fragile, difficult to transport, or dependent on knowing someone’s size unless they’re intended for a specific recipient.

Give people a clear next step

A logo can help people recognize your business, but it doesn’t always tell them what to do next. Add a website, social handle, short message, or QR Code that leads to your shop, product information, event offer, or email signup. Keep the next step relevant to the item and easy to understand.

What to know about making fabric DIY promo items

Printable fabric transfers let you add full-color designs to tote bags, T-shirts, pouches, and other fabric items. Although the sheets are 8½” × 11″, your design doesn’t have to fill the entire page. You can arrange several smaller designs on one sheet and cut out the shapes you need.

The most important thing to know is that fabric transfers require more preparation than labels or stickers. The instructions vary depending on the transfer product and fabric color. For example, some designs must be reversed before printing because the transfer is applied face down. Always follow the instructions for the specific product you’re using.

Pro tip: Visit our fabric-transfer resource center for product options, video tutorials, instructions, and more. It’s a great place to get started if you want to make promotional items like T-shirts, totes, or pouches.

Is it cheaper to make your own promotional items?

The short answer is: sometimes. Making your own promo items is often cheaper when you only need a small quantity and can buy the unbranded items at a good price. For example, if a supplier requires you to order 20 custom T-shirts but you only need five, buying five blank shirts and applying your own fabric transfers may cost less.

Quantity can change the math. At higher quantities, ordering finished mugs, T-shirts, notebooks, or other custom merchandise may cost less per item and save you assembly time. Compare the total cost of getting the quantity you actually need—not just the advertised price per item. Remember to include the unbranded products, branding materials, shipping, printing supplies, and your time.

Stickers are a good example of how that decision can shift. I could print stickers at home for giveaways, but I don’t want to keep the equipment or spend the time making them. Sometimes I take 2,000 stickers to an event. At that quantity, ordering custom-printed stickers and keeping it moving makes much more sense for my business (and sanity).

When you’re using labels, stickers, or tags to customize another product, you still have a choice between printing them yourself and ordering them custom printed. Compare printing at home and custom printing to decide which option makes sense for that part of your project.

Build promo items into your event marketing plan

DIY promotional items can help people remember your business, start conversations, and give event visitors a reason to reconnect afterward. The strongest choice depends on your audience, budget, event, and what you want the giveaway to accomplish.

Explore more event marketing ideas for planning your booth, building interest before the event, connecting with visitors, and following up afterward.