Recently we're noticed that sometimes the best ways to market using promotional products is with a packaged set of something useful. Two ideas are gaining attention right now with both SMBs and major companies.

Tool Sets and Safety Kits

You don't have to be handyman or repair expert to know that sometimes having the right tool nearby can be a lifesaver.

Some years ago, smart specialty retailers like Sharper Image, Victorinox and even "rugged retailers" such as North Face and Patagonia got into the market of selling classy looking tools such as pocket wrenches and branded Swiss Army knives. There are travel kits and carabiner clips for the adventurous weekenders, the gear geeks and even urban professionals who like outdoor style. Some of these gadgets come in "high tech" versions, which are favorites as corporate gifts and trade show promos.

Yet, SMBs don't need to look specifically to luxury retailers to find great giveaways for customers. The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) published an article recently about the various new options available for companies that want to give their customers and prospects extremely useful items with their brand names featured.

ASI highlights a variety of new promo product kits including:

•    Road safety kits: a smart tagalong for anyone with a car
•    Cross country kits: ideal for the intrepid travelers or weekend adventurers
•    Multi-tools and home fix kits: ideal for minor repairs and quick fixes

Personal Care and Cosmetic Sets

The swag bag is a concept similar to the party favor bags we got as children when attending birthday parties. But the idea behind transitioning those beloved goodie bags from personal celebrations to business or industry events is a brilliant one. The reason is that, whether it's a work or social event, people love free stuff.

There's also been as swell in the gift bag craze because of its inclusion at highly-publicized events such as The Academy Awards and The Grammys. But tech and social media companies like TIBCO, Uber and Cloudwords have also begun to market with branded items in personal care packs more suited to professionals on business trips.

One major trend within the evolution of the swag bag is branded personal care items used as promotional products. Everything from lip balms to sample sized skin lotions and sunscreens couple very well with other must-haves like reusable sports water bottles and pens. Some of the more popular choices among companies and event planners include reusable items like hot/cold packs and massaging wraps.

Moreover, with the emergence of consumers' interest in sustainability and products made though environmentally responsible means, some personal care packs feature or are made up entirely of organic skincare and personal items. Often branded promotional packs are most impressive and most cost-effective when filled with sample sizes of popular premium products.

Good for Any (and Every) Customer

The best thing about promotional products kits is that they are versatile and can suit almost any consumers or customers. Certainly construction, real estate and architecture firms can connect with their audiences using tool kits. Meanwhile tech firms may gain more traction with professionals using branded travel or personal care kits. No matter what audiences your customers target, Idea Custom Solutions will help you convert or recreate their logos in vector artwork format for the decoration process. Don’t forget, we also provide award-winning embroidery digitizing, image editing, graphic design for marketing materials and more—24 hours a day.