Why Gen Z Responds to Custom Merch (with Real Examples)
College students walking across campus using custom merch—hoodie, water bottle, and tote bag—highlighting how Gen Z responds to branded swag in everyday life.
If you’re recruiting or marketing to Gen Z, you’ve probably realized quickly: the same swag items that worked for Millennials and Gen X don’t always hit the mark. Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2012, has grown up surrounded by technology, advertising, mobile devices, and branded gear. They’re savvy, skeptical, and selective. For more information on promotional items, check our promotional products.
The good news? Custom merchandise, when done right, can break through. Gen Z responds strongly to branded products that align with their values, lifestyle, and sense of identity. Whether you’re at a career fair, job fair, recruiting event, or campus trade show, merch can become the bridge between your company brand and the next generation of employees.
Let’s explore why Gen Z responds to promotional merchandise, the trends driving their preferences, and real examples of custom swag that creates brand loyalty.
Gen Z Values in Swag: What Makes Them Different
Unlike previous generations, Gen Z approaches brands with a heightened awareness of sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. Their response to custom merch is tied directly to these factors:
Environmentally Friendly Choices: Gen Z worries about plastic pollution, carbon impact, and sustainability. They value cotton tote bags, bamboo gear, stainless steel water bottles with straws, and eco packaging over disposable plastics.
Identity and Pride: Custom merch that feels fashionable—like embroidered hoodies, branded sweatshirts, or stylish sunglasses—becomes part of their daily fashion. It’s not just a giveaway; it’s a way to express organization pride.
Technology Integration: Having grown up with smartphones, Gen Z loves USB flash drives, Popsockets, wireless Bluetooth earbuds, webcam covers, and power banks. Branded tech is practical and desirable.
Utility Over Clutter: Students won’t carry random plastic pens, stickers, or keychains unless they feel useful. But give them a Moleskine notebook, microfiber blanket, or branded backpack, and you’ll see long-term use.
Design and Aesthetic: From custom ink screen printing to laser engraving on steel drinkware, Gen Z notices design quality. They’re drawn to creative swag that feels premium, not budget filler.
Why Custom Merch Works for Gen Z
Gen Z is immune to traditional advertising but highly receptive to promotional merchandise when it’s aligned with their values. Here’s why:
Tangible Experiences: A branded hoodie, stainless steel bottle, or drawstring bag provides real-world utility, unlike a digital ad.
Daily Brand Awareness: Items like notebooks, tote bags, backpacks, and mugs become part of daily student life, turning swag into long-term advertising.
Recruitment & Employment Perception: At a career fair or job fair, giving out meaningful swag communicates your company logo, culture, and employee value proposition. It shows you invest in people from the start.
Motivation & Engagement: Custom swag builds motivation by making students feel included, whether they’re interviewing, onboarding, or attending recruiting events.
Real Examples of Custom Merch That Gen Z Loves
Here are specific swag categories that resonate with Gen Z, all available through HighVolve’s curated promotional product catalog.
1. Tote Bags & Backpacks
Why Gen Z Loves It: Combines sustainability with utility. A cotton tote bag with a custom logo or a polyester Samsonite backpack is perfect for carrying notebooks, laptops, and gear across campus.
Example Products:
Recycled Cotton Tote Bag
Samsonite Foldable Backpack
Bellroy Via Work Bag
2. Reusable Drinkware
Why Gen Z Loves It: They’re serious about hydration and sustainability. Reusable stainless steel water bottles with lids and straws replace single-use plastics.
Example Products:
CamelBak Eddy+ Water Bottle
Stanley Quencher
Hydro Flask Standard Mouth
3. Fashion-Forward Apparel
Why Gen Z Loves It: A screen printed or embroidered hoodie, sweatshirt, or cotton shirt doubles as both swag and wardrobe staple.
Example Products:
Next Level Cotton Hoodie
Comfort Colors Sweatshirt
Richardson 112R Trucker Cap
4. Tech Gear & Accessories
Why Gen Z Loves It: Tech is central to productivity and lifestyle. Items like wireless power banks, Popsockets, USB drives, and Bluetooth speakers provide high perceived value.
Example Products:
Mophie Wireless Power Bank
Popsockets® PopGrip
USB Flash Drive with Laser Engraving
5. Wellness & Lifestyle Swag
Why Gen Z Loves It: Health, relaxation, and comfort matter. Swag like lip balm, hand sanitizer, microfiber yoga towels, and blankets shows genuine care.
Example Products:
Lip Balm & Hand Sanitizer Set
Cozy Branded Blanket
Bamboo Desk Plant
How Custom Merch Influences Recruiting Strategy
If you’re building a recruiting strategy that targets Gen Z, swag isn’t optional, it’s strategic. At career fairs, recruiting events, and onboarding sessions, custom merch does more than fill tables:
Attracts traffic: Students flock to booths with popular recruiting swag like water bottles, tote bags, and tech.
Drives conversations: Giving away a stylish hoodie or stainless steel bottle opener sparks interactions and opens the door for meaningful communication.
Creates memory anchors: Students remember companies with branded gear more than they remember business cards.
Supports company culture: Custom merch during the recruiting process highlights your service, resources, and innovation.
Tips for Designing Gen Z-Friendly Custom Merch
Think Green: Choose eco-friendly materials like bamboo, stainless steel, polypropylene, or recycled cotton.
Use Color Psychology: Bright purple, orange, yellow, and lime stand out at events compared to dull neutrals.
Prioritize Packaging: Present merch in branded drawstring bags or boxes for a polished, premium feel.
Integrate Tech: Add QR codes, NFC tags, or links to your website and apps on merch items for easy contact and follow-up requests.
Balance Budget & Impact: Mix budget-friendly items like pens, pencils, and stickers with higher-value items like backpacks or wireless chargers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does Gen Z prefer custom merch over digital ads?
Gen Z values tangible swag items that serve daily functions - backpacks, bottles, notebooks, and apparel. Unlike ads, they keep these promotional products for months or years.
2. What recruiting event giveaways work best for students?
Top performers include tote bags, stainless steel water bottles, embroidered hoodies, Popsockets, and tech gear. These are considered top promotional products for career fairs and job fair swag.
3. Is custom merch worth the budget for recruiting?
Yes. While custom printed apparel and branded tech require investment, they deliver ROI by creating brand awareness, motivation, and loyalty. Balance these with lower-cost items like lanyards, pens, magnets, or keychains.
4. How do design choices affect Gen Z perception?
Custom designs with screen printing, embroidery, or laser engraving elevate perception. Gen Z compares cheap ink giveaways to premium metal gear, stainless steel mugs, and custom swag and chooses the latter.
5. What role does sustainability play in recruiting giveaways?
Sustainability is critical. Eco-friendly bags, bamboo straws, glass mugs, and polyester drawstring bags demonstrate your company is serious about green innovation and reducing plastic waste.
Stand Out With Custom Merch That Resonates With Gen Z
Reaching Gen Z requires more than flyers or business cards it requires swag items that reflect fashion, health, technology, and sustainability. Custom merch like backpacks, stainless steel water bottles, hoodies, and Popsockets makes your company swag memorable at career fairs, recruiting events, and onboarding.
At HighVolve, we help companies design branded gear that works whether it’s eco-friendly promotional products, wireless tech, or fashion-forward apparel. With thoughtful designs, colors, and packaging, we’ll help your organization create custom swag ideas that Gen Z actually wants.
