Summer is one of the busiest times for outdoor events, brand activations, and community gatherings. People spend more time outside, travel more, and join group activities. This makes summer promotional products an effective way to keep your brand present in real moments.
At OTT, we support brands in choosing seasonal products built for real use. Below are key factors to guide your product selection for a strong and practical summer campaign.
Many campaigns miss the mark because the product looks exciting in a proposal, but ends up unused. During summer, usefulness matters most. People spend time at beaches, parks, weekend markets, and on road trips, so choose products that support these activities.
For example, picnic blankets, cooler bags, quick-dry towels, insulated drinkware, or picnic tools get frequent use and help your brand show up in shared spaces.
Pro tip:
Identify three clear situations in which your audience will use the product. If you cannot list three, revisit your choices.
Summer items face heavy use. Sand, sun, food spills, travel, and frequent handling can damage low-quality products. If something breaks after a few uses, it reflects poorly on your brand. Durability is both a quality check and a brand decision.
Products like stainless steel bottles, sturdy picnic blankets with waterproof backing, cooler bags with strong zippers, and heavy-duty totes tend to stay in rotation for a long time. The more time the item stays in use, the more brand exposure you gain.
Pro tip:
Ask for details about materials and construction rather than relying on appearance. For picnic blankets, look at the backing, stitching, and carry design. For bottles, ask about insulation and drop-test results.
Summer is a mobile season. People move between beaches, parks, festivals, and trips. In these, bulky and heavy stuff only brings inconvenience. That is why portability should influence your selection.
For instance, a picnic blanket that folds into a compact flap with a handle is more likely to be used than one that needs rolling or tying. Likewise, sunscreen kits with clips, cooler bags with adjustable straps, and drink bottles that fit in standard cup holders work well because they move easily across different settings.
Pro tip:
Place the product inside a standard tote or backpack as a test. If the weight or size feels inconvenient, find a more portable version.
Summer light is strong, and items often stay outside for long periods. Sun exposure, heat, and friction can damage logos or fade colors. When choosing promotional products, especially textiles like picnic blankets or outdoor accessories, focus on decoration methods that hold up outdoors.
Embroidery works well for picnic blankets. Laser engraving is effective for metal drinkware because it does not peel. Outdoor-grade screen printing works for umbrellas and cooler bags. Avoid colors that fade quickly or show marks after one use.
Pro tip:
Request decoration samples or ask for examples from previous outdoor projects. Match the branding method to the conditions the product will face.
Strong promotional products do more than carry a logo. They reinforce a clear idea or brand message. Summer naturally links to themes like leisure, fun, wellness, and sustainability, so select items that support those themes through function.
Examples:
Pro tip:
Write one sentence that explains how the product strengthens your campaign message. If the link feels unclear, refine your product list.
The perfect product can cause friction if it is difficult to pack, ship, or hand out. Think through logistics early. How will the product be displayed, transported, or mailed?
For event giveaways, choose products that pack tightly and stack neatly. For mailouts, aim for lightweight items that keep postage costs stable. Some picnic blankets, for example, take up surprising space, so choose compact designs if you need to ship them.
Pro tip:
Ask suppliers for carton measurements and weights ahead of time. Map your distribution steps before placing orders to avoid hidden costs or delays.
Summer brings people together. Families, friends, and co-workers spend time as groups in parks, on beaches, and at home. Products that multiple people can use at the same time create more visibility for your brand.
Picnic blankets are ideal for this. When someone lays one out at the beach or a picnic spot, everyone around them sees your branding. Outdoor games, umbrellas, and family-sized cooler bags also create large visibility zones.
Pro tip:
Favor items that attract group use. Each use increases brand impressions without increasing your spend.
Summer promotional products can place your brand in real experiences. When you choose items that are useful, durable, portable, and aligned with your message, your brand becomes part of everyday life.
OTT helps brands select seasonal products that people bring with them to the beach, the park, and the picnic table. If you want to plan a summer range that delivers lasting value, we can support you at each step.
Ready to build a summer range that people would love to use and remember? Get in touch with our team to explore curated product options tailored to your audience and campaign goals. Book a call with us!