Freshers Week is an exciting time for new students to settle in and make connections. For student societies, faculties, and unions, it’s a golden opportunity to engage with them.
What better way to make a lasting impression than with branded merchandise?
In this blog, we’ll reveal the best items to give away, ensuring your brand stands out while students feel welcome and connected to your university community.
What’s the best merch for Freshers Week to engage new students?
Customised t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and water bottles are great choices. These practical, fun items help build excitement, create lasting memories, and foster school spirit throughout the week.
Key Takeaways:
- Freshers Week merch should be practical, fun, and memorable to engage new students.
- Branded apparel, eco-friendly items, and event-specific products make great merch choices.
- Thoughtfully designed Freshers Week merch helps students feel welcome and connected to their new university community.
Branded Apparel: A Must-Have for Freshers Week
T-Shirts, Hoodies, and Sweaters
When it comes to Freshers Week merch, branded clothing is a must. T-shirts, hoodies, and sweaters with your university’s logo, society name, or event branding are always popular.
They serve as both a practical item that students can wear daily and a walking advertisement for your society or university.
Why Apparel Works:
Visibility: Every time students wear their branded apparel, your university or society’s logo is displayed, providing long-term exposure.
Unity: Matching t-shirts or hoodies help new students feel like they’re part of something bigger, whether it’s their course, society, or university as a whole.
Memorable: Branded clothing creates lasting memories and becomes a keepsake of their first days at university.
For Freshers Week, consider creating custom designs that reflect your university’s culture or the theme of the event.
Beanies and Caps
In addition to t-shirts and hoodies, hats like beanies or caps can be great additions to your merch selection.
These items are not only practical, especially for colder weather, but they’re also an easy way to create more visibility for your brand.
Eco-Friendly Merch: Sustainable Options for Freshers Week
Reusable Water Bottles
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to students, and reusable water bottles make an excellent promotional product.
By offering branded water bottles made from eco-friendly materials, you can demonstrate your commitment to reducing plastic waste, while also giving students a practical and useful gift.
Why Water Bottles Work:
Practicality: Students will use these bottles every day, ensuring your logo is consistently visible.
Eco-Conscious Appeal: Eco-friendly products resonate with students who care about the environment, helping to create a positive brand association.
Tote Bags and Reusable Coffee Cups
In addition to water bottles, reusable tote bags and coffee cups are popular and sustainable items for Freshers Week.
These products are not only eco-friendly but also highly practical for daily use. Tote bags can be used for carrying books or groceries, while reusable coffee cups are great for those always on the go.
For students hitting the gym or heading to sports practice, customised gym bags offer a convenient way to carry essentials, while promotional cooler bags are perfect for keeping drinks and snacks fresh throughout the day.
Why Tote Bags and Coffee Cups Work:
Visibility: These items have a large surface area for your logo and are used often, providing maximum brand exposure.
Convenience: Students will appreciate the practicality of these items during their university life, making them more likely to keep and use them long after Freshers Week is over.
Tech Accessories: Helpful and Trendy Merchandise
Custom Phone Cases
Tech accessories are an excellent way to appeal to students, who rely heavily on their devices for communication, studying, and entertainment.
Custom phone cases are an affordable and effective way to offer a practical item with your branding.
Why Phone Cases Work:
Daily Use: Students carry their phones everywhere, meaning your brand will get continuous exposure.
Customisation: You can personalise phone cases with university logos, course names, or Freshers Week-themed designs.
Power Banks and Earbuds
Power banks and branded earbuds are just a few tech accessories that students will love. A customised laptop bag is another useful addition, offering convenience for carrying essentials like chargers and notebooks.
During Freshers Week, when students are constantly on the go—whether exploring campus, attending events, or meeting new people—having practical accessories, including innovative phone holder designs, can make their daily routine much easier.
Why Power Banks and Earbuds Work:
Practical and Valuable: These items are highly practical, ensuring your brand stays visible every day.
Tech-Savvy Appeal: Offering tech-related merch shows that you understand students’ needs, making your university or society feel more in tune with their lifestyle.
If you have a group of automotive fans, you can gift tech products to them as well.
Recommended Post: What Are the Best Gifts for Car Dealerships
Fun Event-Specific Gifts: Creating Buzz During Freshers Week
Event Wristbands
Wristbands are one of the easiest ways to create a buzz at your Freshers Week events.
Whether they are used to gain entry into a party or as part of a welcome pack, branded wristbands are inexpensive yet highly effective in promoting your event and keeping your brand visible throughout the week.
Why Wristbands Work:
Affordable: Wristbands are low-cost but can be sold to raise funds or given away as part of a promotion.
Highly Visible: They are easy to wear, making them perfect for creating group cohesion during events.
Branded Keychains and Lanyards
Keychains and lanyards are another fun and practical way to engage students.
Branded lanyards, especially, are useful for holding student IDs or event passes, making them a practical accessory that students will continue to use throughout the year.
Why Keychains and Lanyards Work:
Daily Use: Keychains and lanyards serve a practical purpose, ensuring that students carry your branding with them.
Event-Specific: Lanyards and keychains can be specifically designed for Freshers Week events, giving them a special place in students' memories.
Custom Stationery: Practical Gifts for New Students
Branded Notebooks and Pens
Stationery items like notebooks and pens are always in demand, especially at the start of university.
Students need supplies for lectures, seminars, and study sessions, making these items perfect for Freshers Week giveaways.
Why Stationery Works:
Practical: Students will use branded notebooks and pens regularly, ensuring continuous brand visibility.
Affordable: Stationery is a budget-friendly option for your Freshers Week merch.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best types of merchandise for Freshers Week?
The best types of merchandise include branded t-shirts, hoodies, eco-friendly water bottles, event wristbands, and custom stationery. Choose items that are practical and relevant to students' everyday needs.
2. How can I distribute Freshers Week merch effectively?
Distribute merch at Freshers Fairs, campus events, and online promotions. Offering items in exchange for sign-ups or participation is a great way to engage students and increase visibility.
3. Why should I offer eco-friendly merchandise during Freshers Week?
Eco-friendly products appeal to environmentally-conscious students, making your university or society stand out as sustainable and responsible. Reusable items like water bottles and tote bags are practical and have lasting value.
Conclusion
Freshers Week is an opportunity to make a lasting first impression on new students.
Offering thoughtful, practical, and stylish merchandise is a great way to engage students, promote your university’s identity, and create a sense of community.
Whether you opt for branded apparel, eco-friendly products, or fun event-specific gifts, the right merch can help you create an unforgettable experience for Freshers and boost your brand visibility on campus.
