SWAG / DRINKWARE
Customized Drinkware
Few swag items get used as much as drinkware. From morning coffee to evening cocktails, stylish and reusable items keep your brand front and center. Drinkware can also reduce single use plastics, an important bonus as we move to more sustainable swag.
PRODUCTS > DRINKWARE
Drink it up
Few swag items get used as much as drinkware. From the morning coffee to the evening cocktail, stylish and reusable items keep your brand front and center. Plus, drinkware can reduce or eliminate single use plastics, an important bonus as we move to more sustainable swag.
2nd
largest swag
category
88%
of US consumers own a
promo drinkware item
3,100+
impressions generated
over it’s lifespan
Why Drinkware?
In terms of delighting the highest amount of people possible you should look towards custom drinkware. Second only to t-shirts, almost every American owns a promotional drinkware item, making them a perfect branding opportunity. With an average lifespan of over a year, reusable bottles and mugs have become a favorite accessory for young adults and this trend continues to grow.
ECO TIP – Disposable water bottles take 2,000 times the energy to produce compared to drinking tap water with a reusable bottle. We love reusable drinkware because its impact can be felt almost instantly.
Why Drinkware?
In terms of delighting the highest amount of people possible you should look towards custom drinkware. Second only to t-shirts, almost every American owns a promotional drinkware item, making them a perfect branding opportunity. With an average lifespan of over a year, reusable bottles and mugs have become a favorite accessory for young adults and this trend continues to grow.
ECO TIP – Disposable water bottles take 2,000 times the energy to produce compared to drinking tap water with a reusable bottle. We love reusable drinkware because its impact can be felt almost instantly.
Material Options
Stainless Steel $$$
Stainless Steel drinkware lasts for an exceptionally long time and is fully recyclable. It’s great for maintaining beverage temps, making it perfect for your next hike. The bottles can be a bit heavier than others, but we think it’s worth the trade off.
Glass $$$
Glass bottles preserve taste and are better for the environment and your health. Glass containers are free from contaminants, are easy to clean and hold a steady temperature. Glass is timeless in its ability to be recycled, in turn keeping it in use and out of landfills.
Plastic $$$
Choosing reusable plastic drinkware is great for staying hydrated and eliminating single-use plastics from the environment. By using a reusable water bottle, you could save an average of 156 plastic bottles from going in the landfill annually. Reusable plastic drinkware is durable, lightweight and tends to be less expensive.
Aluminum $$$
Aluminum drinkware is not only safe to use, but also versatile. Aluminum is lightweight and shatter resistant, so they are easy to take on any outdoor adventure. Aluminum tends to be the cheapest of the drinkware options but can also last a long time.
Ceramic $$$
Ceramic is one of the most common materials used in drinkware manufacturing these days. It’s ideal for hot beverages such as coffee and tea. Ceramic helps maintain temperature, keeping hot drinks hot for a longer period. Ceramic is also a sustainable material.
Insulation Options
Copper Vacuum $$$
No air between inner and outer walls + copper-plated inner wall. The copper lining between the inner and outer wall of drinkware provides the best insulation performance. The copper lining helps distribute the hot or cold evenly across the entire inner surface allowing the beverage to hold its temperature.
HOT – 6 hours
COLD – 12 hours
Vacuum $$$
No air between inner and outer walls. Vacuum Insulation is the most efficient form of insulation for drinkware. By removing the air between the inner and outer walls, transmission of heat/chill becomes ineffective, therefor the heat/chill can only radiate between the walls of the drinkware.
HOT – 6 hours
COLD – 12 hours
Foam $$$
Foam between inner and outer walls. Foam insulation slows down the transfer of hot or cold from the inner wall to the outer wall. Like how a classic beer koozie helps insulate a can or bottle, foam insulation helps regulate the temperature inside drinkware. This type of insulation is popular in travel coffee mugs and will keep your cup of joe hot for the commute.
HOT – 3 hours
COLD – 6 hours
Air $$$
Air between inner and outer walls. This type of insulation insulates the beverage inside by forcing hot or cold to transfer through a layer of air, therefore it takes longer for the heat or chill to escape, so your drink stays at the desired temperature for longer. This type of insulation is most found in double walled plastic tumbler glasses.
HOT – 2 hours
COLD – 4 hours
Lid Options
Straw
Drinkware with straws are perfect for those who would rather sip than gulp. For some this may mean more frequent hydration!
Flip
For those that need the extra spill protection, the flip lid is the way to go. Not to mention it helps keep the drinking spout clean when it’s closed.
Spout
Spout lids are meant for maximum drinkability. Easily the favorite for the gym and while playing sports.
Handle
Pick a water bottle with a carrying handle to give it the usefulness and performance you want in your travel bottle
Slider Lid
Great for coffee mugs and tumblers. Keep your beverage from spilling while you are on the go.
Decoration Options
Full Color
Digital Four-Color Process – applies ink directly to the item, followed by a clear coat. The result is a raised texture that adds dimension to your print. Available for 1 side, 2 side, or full wrap.
Heat Transfer Four Color Process – this is when ink is sprayed onto transfer film, then applied to an item. Available for 1 side, or full wrap w/ gap in back.
Foil Imprint
Foil imprint is an exceptional way to make your logo stand out. Foil imprinting is the process in which artwork is transferred from a metal plate onto the finished product. See your logo shine in a whole new light!
Mirror Imprint
Mirror Imprint is available only on clear products, as the imprint method allows your logo/decoration to be seen from the inside out. The reflective imprint shows through a clear item to give it a mirror effect.
Laser Etching
Laser engraving is a process where a laser beam physically removes the surface of the material to a cavity that reveals an image at eye level. Laser engraving is a terrific way to make your logo standout among the rest, as laser engraving is likely to withstand more wear and tear. You can be sure that your logo will stand the test of time.
Pad Print
Pad printing is a process which involves transferring ink from a silicone pad onto the item being printed. This process is one of the most common and best used when less than 3 colors are included in the design.
Fully Custom
Need even more flexibility or want to build your product from scratch? Turn to fully custom. Our product consultants and overseas sourcing teams can help build any product to your specifications. With lower than expected minimums plus a wide range of product options, we help brands of all sizes build retail-ready merch that’s sure to delight.
Pairs well with everything…
Create the ultimate unboxing experience with a custom drinkware item: the perfect centerpiece for any kit. Whether you want to build a new hire kit, outdoor pack, or Wine Wednesday happy hour gift set, a reusable vessel will be appreciated. Here’s some more inspo for your next kit:
New Offer Kit
Zillow new offer kit with custom socks and
Miir Travel Tumbler
Adventure Kit
Miir Camp & S’mores Gift Set with 12-ounce insulated steel cup, gift bag, s’mores kit and cocoa packet
Welcome Kit
Trusted Health Welcome Kit with The North Face Backpack and Thor Copper Vacuum Insulated Bottle
Appreciation Kit
ServiceTitan WFH Appreciation Kit with indoor herb garden kit and Yeti 10oz Rambler
New Hire Kit
New Hire Kit with handwritten note and Camper Mug
Wellness/Fitness Kit
Google Cloud Security reVIVE Wellness Kit with candle and single wall glass water bottle
DESIGN TIPS
Take advantage of the wrap
A full wrap print gives you more design real estate and makes your piece look more pro/retail. Sometimes it costs a bit more to have it be seamless, but we think it’s worth it. If you can’t get away from having a small gap in the art, then design with that in mind and create a pattern than still works well (usually a looser pattern without hard edges). We also like to use the item color throughout the design to help make the graphic flow with the piece.
Will your design stand the test of time?
Mugs and bottles (especially high-end ones) last, so consider designs and words that have longevity and will still look great a few years from now (see next tip).
Play up your values (and downplay your logo)
Not many swag items are this close to your face, daily. Consider using that proximity and print area to encourage your people with your values or uplifting phrases. Then let your logo be secondary or expressed with colors and patterns instead.
Our Favorite Products
Bottles
h2go journey
$13 – $15
MiiR Vacuum Insulated Wide Mouth Bottle
$31 – $47
Corkcicle Canteen
$32 – $49
h2go Rincon
$16 – $20
Mugs
Tumblers
Petal Tumbler
$13 – $17
S’well Tumbler with Lid
$31- $37
MiiR Vacuum Insulated Travel Tumbler
$29 – $44
CamelBak Tumbler
$22 – $28
CASE STORY
Drinkware for a Cause:
At Kotis, we’re here to promote your purpose, which is why we’re always delighted to work with clients like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). We believe in the power of swag to convey a message that transcends the physical product. With great products and thoughtful design, each piece of branded merchandise can tell a story.
In the case for this AFSP project, drinkware was chosen to be the vehicle for their story. AFSP sold these elegantly designed water bottles during Mental Health Awareness month in May. By raising funds and spreading positive messages, AFSP was able to further their cause with custom drinkware. If you want to show that you’re tending to your own mental health garden through self-care, you can buy a bottle of your own on the AFSP store.
Ready to sip? Let’s create custom drinkware.