faq draft

Company swag is branded merchandise — physical products printed or embroidered with your logo, tagline, or brand colors — that companies give to employees, customers, prospects, or event attendees. Common swag includes apparel (hoodies, t-shirts, hats), drinkware (water bottles, mugs), tech accessories, bags, and stationery. Swag builds brand awareness, reinforces culture, and makes people feel appreciated.

What is corporate swag vs. promotional products?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference. Promotional products typically refers to lower-cost branded items given out at scale — think pens, keychains, or tote bags at a trade show. Corporate swag tends to connote higher-quality, more curated branded items used to build loyalty — premium hoodies, branded tech, or gift boxes for employees. SwagUp focuses on premium, curated swag rather than bulk promotional giveaways.

What is a swag bag?

A swag bag is a collection of branded items bundled together, usually in a bag, tote, or box, and given to a recipient all at once. Classic swag bag contents include a t-shirt, water bottle, notebook, stickers, and a branded pen. Swag bags are popular at conferences, corporate events, and onboarding programs. SwagUp calls these swag packs and lets you build them entirely online.

What is a swag pack?

A swag pack is SwagUp's term for a curated, packaged set of branded items shipped together — often in a custom-printed box. You pick the products, choose the packaging, add a branded insert card if you like, and SwagUp handles production and delivery. Swag packs can be shipped to a single address like your office or directly to individual recipients anywhere in the world.

What is branded merchandise?

Branded merchandise is any physical product customized with a company's logo, name, or visual identity. It includes everything from apparel and drinkware to tech accessories, office supplies, bags, and packaging. Branded merchandise serves marketing, gifting, and culture-building purposes — and SwagUp makes it easy to design, produce, store, and ship it all from one platform.

Ordering & Pricing

What do I need to place an order?

To place an order with SwagUp you will need a SwagUp account (free to create), your logo or brand artwork in a vector format (.AI, .EPS, or .SVG preferred), an idea of what products you want and how many, a shipping destination or fulfillment preference, and a payment method (credit card or ACH). If you are unsure where to start, our team can guide you through product selection and pack building.

What is the minimum order quantity?

Minimum order quantities vary by product type. Most items start at 25 units, though some premium or fully custom products require 50 or more. You will see exact minimums on each product page when building your pack. If your order falls below a product's minimum, our team can advise on alternatives.

How much does swag cost? What is a typical budget?

Swag pack costs vary widely depending on what is inside. As a rough guide: a simple starter pack with a t-shirt, sticker, and notebook runs approximately $20–35 per pack; a mid-tier onboarding kit with a hoodie, bottle, journal, and bag runs approximately $60–100 per pack; a premium executive gift box with branded tech, premium apparel, and a custom box runs $120–200 or more per pack. Pricing scales down as quantity increases. Shipping, storage, and fulfillment are quoted separately. You can get an instant estimate on the SwagUp platform after selecting your products.

Do you offer bulk discounts?

Yes. Volume pricing is built into every product — the per-unit cost decreases automatically as you increase quantity. For large enterprise orders (typically 500+ units or $50,000+ annually), contact our sales team for a custom quote with dedicated account support and preferred pricing.

Can I reorder swag I have ordered before?

Yes. All past orders are saved in your SwagUp account. You can reorder the same pack or individual items directly from your order history. Repeat orders are typically faster since artwork is already approved — no proof review is required unless you are making changes.

What payment methods do you accept?

SwagUp accepts all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), ACH bank transfers, and invoiced net-30 terms for qualifying enterprise accounts. Payment is typically collected before production begins.

Can I include items not from SwagUp's catalog in my pack?

In some cases, yes. If you already own branded items — for example a batch of custom-printed tumblers sourced elsewhere — SwagUp can receive those items into our warehouse and include them in your packs alongside SwagUp-sourced products. Contact our team to discuss kitting with third-party items, as additional handling fees may apply.

Customization

What file formats do you accept for logos and artwork?

We recommend vector files for the sharpest results: .AI (Adobe Illustrator), .EPS, or .SVG. High-resolution .PDF files at 300 DPI or higher also work well. High-resolution .PNG files are acceptable for some products. Avoid .JPG for logos — compression artifacts affect print quality. If you only have a low-resolution file, our design team can often vectorize it for a small fee.

What is a vector file and why do I need one?

A vector file stores artwork as mathematical paths rather than pixels, so it scales to any size without losing quality. This matters because your logo needs to look equally crisp on a 1-inch pen clip and a 12-inch tote bag. Common vector formats are .AI, .EPS, and .SVG. If you are not sure whether your file is a vector, your designer or brand team will know — or send it to us and we will check.

Will I see a proof before production starts?

Yes, always. SwagUp sends a digital mockup showing exact logo placement, colors, and sizing for every item before production begins. Nothing goes to print until you have approved the proof. For rush orders, how quickly you approve the proof directly affects your delivery timeline.

Where can logos be placed on t-shirts and apparel?

Standard placement options include left chest (the most common and subtle placement, typically 3–4 inches wide), full front (a large, bold print across the full chest area), full back (great for event shirts or high-visibility branding), sleeve (left or right sleeve for a premium understated look), and neck/back yoke (secondary branding placed below the collar). Each product listing shows the available placement zones, and your mockup will confirm the exact position before approval.

How many logo colors are supported?

It depends on the decoration method. Screen printing typically supports 1–4 spot colors. Embroidery supports up to 15 thread colors on most products. Digital or full-color printing supports unlimited colors and is ideal for complex logos. Laser engraving is single-tone, etched into the surface. Each product page specifies which decoration methods are available for that item.

Can different items in the same pack have different logos or branding?

Yes. Each item in a pack can be independently customized with different logos, placements, colors, or decoration styles. This is useful for co-branded campaigns, department-specific packs, or packs that mix a company logo with an event logo.

Can SwagUp help with design or artwork?

Our in-house design team can help with logo vectorization, artwork cleanup, color separation for print, and pack presentation design. Full logo creation from scratch is not a standard service, but most customers come with brand guidelines and we handle the rest. Reach out to our team if you need design support and we will let you know what is possible.

Swag Packs & Bags

What items can go into a swag pack?

Our catalog covers most major swag categories including apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, quarter-zips, hats, socks), drinkware (water bottles, tumblers, mugs, travel cups), tech accessories (wireless chargers, cables, earbuds, power banks), bags (totes, backpacks, cinch bags), stationery (notebooks, journals, pens), lifestyle items (candles, snacks, blankets, sunglasses), and all packaging materials (branded boxes, mailers, tissue paper, crinkle fill, insert cards).

What packaging options are available?

Options range from simple to premium. Custom printed boxes feature your logo or artwork on the exterior and are great for unboxing moments. Stock mailer boxes are solid-color and more cost-effective. Poly mailers are lightweight and suited for smaller or softer items. Premium magnetic closure boxes create a luxury feel for executive gifting. Interior elements such as tissue paper, crinkle fill, foam inserts, and sticker seals are also available. All packaging can include a branded insert card with a custom message.

Can each pack include a personalized note or insert?

Yes. SwagUp supports personalized printed insert cards. You can upload a list of recipient names and we will customize each card with the person's name — for example, "Welcome to the team, Sarah!" Full handwritten notes are not available at scale, but printed cards with personalized names and messages are. This is especially popular for new hire onboarding kits and holiday gifts.

What is a good swag pack for new employee onboarding?

The most popular onboarding packs tend to include a premium branded hoodie or quarter-zip (with size selected per recipient), a logo water bottle or tumbler, a quality notebook and pen, stickers or a branded tote, and a personalized welcome card. Budget typically runs $60–120 per pack depending on item quality and quantity ordered. The goal is items the employee will use daily, which builds brand affinity over time.

What swag works best for events and conferences?

For events the priority is items that are practical, portable, and visually striking since attendees carry or wear them throughout the day. Top performers include tote bags (functional, visible, and budget-friendly), branded water bottles (used all day with high impression counts), t-shirts or caps (wearable brand exposure during and after the event), stickers and lanyards (low cost, high personalization), and portable chargers (a premium gift that is memorable and genuinely useful). For event swag, plan for bulk delivery to a single address and order at least four weeks before your event date.

Swag Stores

What is a company swag store?

A company swag store is a branded online storefront where your employees, customers, or partners can browse and redeem your branded merchandise. Instead of pre-packing boxes and guessing sizes, recipients visit your store link, choose what they want and what size, and SwagUp handles production and shipping automatically. It eliminates waste from size mismatches and gives recipients a sense of ownership over their swag.

How does a SwagUp swag store work?

You configure a branded store on the SwagUp platform by choosing products, setting a per-recipient budget if applicable, and customizing the storefront with your brand. You then share a redemption link with your recipients — employees, clients, or event attendees. Each person visits the link, selects their items and preferences, and enters their shipping address. SwagUp produces and ships the order directly to them. You see a dashboard showing who has redeemed and what has shipped. Budget limits and item availability are managed entirely by you.

Can employees choose their own size or color through the store?

Yes — this is one of the main advantages of the swag store model. Recipients can pick their own apparel size, choose their preferred color if multiple options are available, and in some cases select between different items up to a set budget. This dramatically reduces waste from incorrect sizes and improves how recipients feel about receiving their swag.

What is the difference between a swag store and a swag pack?

A swag pack is pre-curated and pre-produced — you decide what goes in it and it ships in bulk or to a defined list of addresses. A swag store is on-demand — recipients choose what they want within the options you have set, and orders are produced or pulled from inventory as they are placed. Packs are best for structured programs like onboarding or events. Stores are better for ongoing programs where personalization and recipient choice matter.

Shipping & Fulfillment

How long does production and shipping take?

Standard production is 10–15 business days after proof approval, plus shipping transit time. Rush production at 7 business days is available on most products for an additional fee. We recommend placing orders at least 3–4 weeks before your deadline to allow buffer for proof revisions and transit. For events with firm dates, 5–6 weeks is a safer target.

What can I do to fast-track my swag order?

To get your swag as quickly as possible: have your logo in vector format ready before you start, know your product selections and quantities upfront, approve your digital proof immediately (same day if possible), select rush production at checkout, and choose expedited shipping. The single biggest source of delay in most orders is proof approval time — the faster you review and approve, the sooner production can begin.

Can SwagUp ship directly to employees or recipients?

Yes — direct-to-recipient fulfillment is one of SwagUp's core capabilities. Once your swag is in our warehouse, you can trigger individual shipments to any address through the platform, via API, or through integrations with HR tools. This is ideal for remote employee onboarding, client gifting, and ongoing rewards programs where recipients are spread across many locations.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. SwagUp ships to most countries worldwide. International orders may be subject to customs duties and import fees, which are the responsibility of the recipient. Transit times vary by destination. If you are running a global swag program, our team can help you understand the most efficient approach for reaching recipients across different regions.

How do I track my order?

Tracking is available in your SwagUp dashboard under Order History. Once a shipment is dispatched you will receive an email with a tracking number. For fulfillment orders shipped from the warehouse to individual recipients, each shipment generates its own tracking link visible in the platform dashboard.

What happens if my order arrives damaged or incorrect?

Contact our support team within 14 days of delivery and include photos of the issue. SwagUp stands behind every order. Damaged items, significant print defects, or quantity discrepancies are resolved with a replacement or credit. Minor color variation within standard print tolerance is not typically eligible for replacement. We will always work with you to make it right.

Inventory & Storage

Can SwagUp store my swag for me?

Yes. SwagUp operates its own fulfillment warehouses where you can store branded inventory long-term. Monthly storage fees apply based on volume. Storing swag with SwagUp means you can send individual packs on-demand without waiting for production, which is ideal for ongoing onboarding or gifting programs.

How do I manage inventory levels on the platform?

Your dashboard provides real-time inventory visibility including current stock counts per item and size, low-stock alerts, and reorder thresholds you can configure. When inventory hits your threshold you will receive an alert so you can place a replenishment order before running out. Inventory reports are exportable for procurement and finance teams.

What happens to my swag if I want to end my storage contract?

You have several options. SwagUp can ship remaining inventory to your office or a location of your choice (outbound shipping costs apply), you can continue fulfilling from existing stock until it is depleted, or you can donate excess inventory — SwagUp partners with nonprofits for branded merchandise donations. There is no penalty for ending storage and we will work with you on the right wind-down plan.

Can I automate fulfillment — for example, send a pack whenever a new hire starts?

Yes. SwagUp's platform supports automated triggers through integrations with HR systems (BambooHR, Workday, Greenhouse), CRMs (Salesforce), and communication tools (Slack). A common setup is configuring the platform so that when a new hire is added to your HRIS, a swag pack is automatically triggered and shipped to their home address with no manual steps required after the initial setup.

Sustainability

Does SwagUp offer eco-friendly or sustainable swag?

Yes. SwagUp's catalog includes eco-conscious product options made from recycled materials, organic cotton, bamboo, and other sustainable inputs. Sustainable packaging options including recycled cardboard, soy-based inks, and plastic-free mailers are also available. If sustainability is a priority for your program, let our team know and we can filter our product recommendations accordingly.

How can I reduce waste in my swag program?

The biggest source of waste in swag programs is sizing — ordering too many of one size and not enough of another. SwagUp's swag store model solves this directly by letting recipients choose their own size before production begins. Other ways to reduce waste include storing inventory with SwagUp and fulfilling on-demand rather than ordering speculatively in bulk, using redemption links so only confirmed recipients trigger an order, and donating excess inventory rather than discarding it (we can help facilitate this).

Does SwagUp vet suppliers for ethical labor practices?

SwagUp works with established suppliers and recognized brand-name manufacturers — such as Bella+Canvas, Next Level, and Moleskine — that maintain their own supplier codes of conduct. For enterprise customers with specific ESG or procurement requirements around labor standards, reach out to our team. We can provide supplier documentation and discuss certified options where available.

Account & Platform

What integrations does SwagUp support?

SwagUp integrates with popular HR, CRM, and operations tools including BambooHR, Workday, Greenhouse, Salesforce, and Slack. A REST API is also available for custom integrations. Common automation use cases include triggering onboarding kits when a new hire is added in your HRIS, or sending anniversary and milestone packs based on date fields in your CRM.

Can multiple team members manage our SwagUp account?

Yes. SwagUp supports multi-user accounts with role-based permissions. Administrators, managers, and fulfillers each have appropriate access levels. This is useful for distributed HR or office teams who need to trigger shipments without having full account or billing access.

Is recipient address data secure?

Yes. Recipient addresses are encrypted and never shared with third parties beyond the logistics carriers required to complete delivery. SwagUp follows SOC 2-aligned security practices. For enterprise procurement reviews requiring a full security overview or a data processing agreement, contact our team directly.

Does SwagUp offer partnerships or a reseller program?

Yes. SwagUp has a partnership program for agencies, HR consultants, event planners, and other professionals who source swag on behalf of their clients. Partners receive dedicated support, preferred pricing, and co-selling resources. Contact us at partnerships@swagup.com or visit our partnerships page to learn more.

How do I contact SwagUp support?

You can reach us through live chat on swagup.com (available Monday through Friday, 9am–6pm ET), by email at support@swagup.com, or through the help center at support.swagup.com which has articles, guides, and video walkthroughs for self-service answers. Enterprise plan customers also have a dedicated account manager.