Simple, Heartfelt Brand Gifts Designers Can Send to Their Clients: A Resource Roundup
Updated September 24, 2024
Who doesn’t love getting GIFTS? Gifts are actually my love language (right there next to words of affirmation) and I gotta say, choosing a gift to me is just as fun as receiving a gift. I knew that client gifts were going to be an essential part of my brand and I couldn’t be more excited about all of these options.
I’ve personally received or sent most of these items! I would never recommend something that is hard to order, hard to receive, or doesn’t feel aligned with my mission of sustainability. This gift list is personalized and heartfelt - no pens or plain white coffee mugs here.
Tips for Choosing Client Gifts as a Designer
Add getting your client’s mailing address into your project flow! They will often put a business address in the contract, but I always ask for a mailing address under the guise of “adding you to my Christmas card list.” While this is absolutely true, it’s also so I can send a special surprise.
How large was the project cost? Send gifts appropriate to the package. If it was your largest, most high-end package with all the add-ons, a curated gift box does well. If it was a design day or small mini package, perhaps a thoughtful card or a pack of stickers.
Be conscious of your client’s brand values and interests. Are they sustainable, Vegan, passionate about women-owned or BIPOC businesses? Do they have a dog? Do they like candles? Check that the gift you’re sending aligns with what they support. (In a gift box, stationary and pens are always a good idea!)
In my opinion, it’s hard to send food or skincare. It’s hard to tell if someone will love a chocolate bar, or if they’ll worry about the sugar or potential gluten. There’s nothing worse than not being able to actually use a gift! It’s the same with skincare. I personally have very sensitive skin, so while I love face masks or even a lotion, I’d be cautious about gifting things that not everyone would like.
PSSST - I’m not a lawyer or financial expert and this is not legal or financial advice, but my own teams have told me client gifts can be written off up to $20 or they need to have your branding as advertising. I give these gifts anyway because I just love gifts and don’t care if they’re not expensed, so you do you!
Build Custom Gift Boxes per Client Using BoxFox*
This is my first go-to because BoxFox lets you choose things by COLOR! This way, I can choose things that match my client’s brands so they can start to use their brand colors in fun ways. It’s so easy to pull together a kit that looks great, is somewhat branded, and really tailored to your client’s needs.
BoxFox is also a bit more stationary-focused, which I find makes a better client gift than, say, chocolate. They DO have tons of chocolate and consumables, but if you read my note above, I always feel it’s a bit safer to find things like stationary, candles, or a neutral gift so you’re not assuming someone’s dietary preferences.
BoxFox has a rewards program and once I send about 10 boxes, I can actually send a free one to myself!
You can also look at Happy Box for another brand!
Gift box too big? Try a smaller Greetabl for a simpler gift that is also art!
Greetabl is a cute little company that sends out these small boxes with usually a singular gift. The cool thing is, the actual box they come in folds out and can have custom messaging and artwork.
The only caveat is this is the only gift box that’s gotten lost in the mail for me. The boxes are somewhat small. It only happened once, but make sure you’re sending to a client who you know is checking their mail often!
An Envelope of my own brand stickers + A Handwritten Letter + Blank Postcard with My Branding
I got a beautiful pack of gold embossed postcards from Moo.com. I also got a blank pack of notecards from Vistaprint. I write on the blank notecards, and I give them a fresh postcard to send if they want!
Then I FILL that with branded stickers and bookmarks and my business card! People love this and absolutely love getting things in the mail. I tend to batch these about once a month and have a checklist item in my task flow.
Customize a Hydro Flask from Top to Bottom AND Engrave Their Logo
My senior designer Claire gave me this as a birthday gift this year and I lost my mind. It’s absolutely one of my favorite gifts of all time! The logo is engraved in silver so note that, but you can build the rest of the tumbler with your client’s colors as well!
Personalize a Notebook With Their Logo
I’m never mad about receiving a notebook. Find a favorite maker and get their logo customized! Now, I’d try to find a local maker, someone on etsy, or look for a quality Notebook. I love notebooks but I really don’t like cheap flimsy notebooks. I find that having a notebook that is very specific to me makes for an amazing gift.
Send Your Client Their Own Logo as a Sticker Pack
Send your clients stickers of their own logo! It’s extremely easy to upload a client logo you just designed as a die-cut sticker and then send it straight to them! Nothing is more exciting than getting to hold your logo in your hands for the first time.
I recommend these brands for stickers:
Sticker App ( I find them the cheapest right now for 50 stickers!)
Don’t discount Canva or Vistaprint!
Look at these stickers! My favorite!
Send a Plant as a Gift to a Client
There are tons of online shops where you can send a plant as a gift! There’s no branding associated with this option, but it’s so unique and joyful.
Custom Apparel from Printful*
Taking it a notch above stickers, you can also get your client’s branding on an item of apparel you think they’d love. I use Printful (which you can see in my shop) and I absolutely love it. They’re good quality and have an eco-friendly line. Though it’s hard for your gift to be a “surprise” if you ask for their sizing, it’s an awesome gift especially if they hadn’t thought about it themselves.
Here are a few apparel ideas that DON’T involve having to ask for a size:
Scrunchies with your brand pattern (a massive fave of mine!)
Embroidered caps
Tote bags
Aprons
Beanies
Ultimately, client gifts are not required, but they are a nice token of appreciation. Whether it’s sending a simple card, some branded stickers, or going all-out with a gift box, these recommendations are exactly what Let’s Go Studio uses to show client appreciation!
