Top 10 Back-to-School Promotional Products for Schools and Universities for 2024
As schools and universities gear up for the return of students, the emphasis on sustainability has never been more critical.
The start of a new academic year is the perfect opportunity for educational institutions to align their values with their actions by choosing eco-friendly school promotional items.
School swag is a useful tool for students and staff and reinforces a commitment to environmental stewardship.
We will explore the top 10 back-to-school supplies that combine practicality and sustainability.
1. Durable T-Shirts Built for Everyday Adventures
Comfort isn't just about how students feel; it's about how they live and move throughout their day.
A reliable, high-quality T-shirt is essential for those who value a classic style and ultimate comfort.
Our recommendations:
Garment Dyed Ringspun Cotton Shortsleeve Ultra Soft T-Shirt | 5.5 oz.
Unisex Crew Short-Sleeve T-Shirt Customizable | Recycled
Our Garment Dyed Ringspun Cotton Shortsleeve Ultra Soft T-Shirt is crafted from 5.5 oz. of ultra-soft, ethically sourced ringspun cotton. It provides a smooth and comfortable experience that can withstand daily wear and washing.
Note also that $0.10 per shirt will be donated to a school of your choice with this school swag purchase!
The Unisex Crew Short-Sleeve T-Shirt is made from 100% recycled, never re-dyed fabrics
Customize your school swag with the school’s logo to enhance school spirit during athletic events, school club initiatives, community outreach, alumni spirit, faculty appreciation, and more. Ensure each student, parent, and faculty member gets a comfortable fit they are proud to show off.
2. A Super-Cool, Customizable Rubik's Cube
Engaging the mind and wellness are crucial when considering school swag for student campaigns.
A puzzle or game made from recycled or sustainable materials offers a unique combination of intellectual challenge, mental stimulation, and environmental responsibility.
Our recommendation:
Custom Recycled Rubik's® Cube | 9 Panel
Our Custom Recycled Rubik's® Cube 9 Panel is made entirely from recycled plastics. Each turn and twist is smooth, allowing for a satisfying puzzle-solving experience.
This classic puzzle cube features a 9-panel per-face design, providing ample space for customization. Personalize each panel with your school’s logo or colorful graphics that resonate with your brand identity.
Rubik’s Cubes as school promotional products can become a tool for:
- Building teamwork: Puzzles and games often require collaboration and critical thinking. This collaborative spirit translates into a more positive school culture where students feel comfortable working together, boosting overall school spirit.
- Promoting school spirit: Games can foster friendly competition that directly contributes to school spirit. Students competing with classmates in a game themed around the school can spark healthy rivalry and motivate them to learn and improve their skills.
- Fostering a fun culture: Students might even use these puzzles or games during downtime with classmates, further strengthening bonds and promoting school spirit.
The cube's durability and timeless appeal make it an ideal promotional item for all ages and demographics, perfect for educational events, trade shows, school orientation and student life events, or as a memorable corporate gift.
3. Reusable Lunch Sets for School
A lunch box set that’s sustainably made is perfect for students and teachers dedicated to maintaining their wellness goals.
Our recommendation:
Wheat Straw Bento Lunch Box Set | Reusable
This lunch box is made from about 30% wheat straw which reduces the amount of plastic required to manufacture. Featuring multiple compartments, our lunch box allows you to portion meals perfectly according to your dietary needs.
The compact and stackable design makes it easy to carry in a lunch bag or backpack, ideal for work, school, or picnics.
Long-lasting, reusable lunch boxes that include your school’s logo or a unique design to enhance the brand visibility of your campus. This bento box reminds students of your commitment to health and the environment.
4. Cozy, Eco-Friendly Sweatshirts
Comfort and sustainability can go hand in hand, and a good sweatshirt can be proof of that.
Sweatshirts are school promotional products that combine eco-friendly fashion with everyday functionality. They are perfect for those chilly mornings or cozy evenings.
Our recommendations:
Unisex Recycled Fleece Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt | 7.6 oz
Recycled Unisex Eco Fleece Crew Neck Sweatshirt
Customize these sustainable school promotional products with your school’s logo, school colors, and designs to create a promotional item.
It's an excellent choice for university merchandise or a back-to-school campaign promoting a sustainable lifestyle.
Offering these sweatshirts to students highlights your commitment to environmental responsibility.
Moreover, it provides end-users with a product they can feel good about wearing. They’re stylish, practical, high quality, and thoughtful ways to showcase your brand's dedication to sustainability.
Plus, they provide brand visibility for your campus or educational institutions.
5. Travel Sewing Kits that Promote Self-Reliance
A travel sewing kit is an ideal product for school swag because it combines practicality with a focus on sustainability.
Perfect for minor repairs, it helps students maintain their clothes and accessories, fostering self-reliance and teaching valuable life skills.
Its compact and reusable design makes it a convenient addition to any student’s backpack or dorm, ensuring they are always prepared.
By branding these kits, institutions can enhance their brand visibility while promoting a message of sustainability and preparedness.
Offering a refillable travel sewing kit as a promotional item not only meets an immediate need but also reinforces the school’s commitment to practical, eco-friendly solutions.
Our recommendation:
Mini Emergency Travel Sewing Kit | Reusable
This compact sewing kit is designed with convenience and portability in mind. It will easily fit into the students' purse, backpack, or luggage.
Each kit is 48 pieces and includes hook and eye closures (5), sewing needles (4), metal snap buttons (5), buttons (12), safety pins (10) thimble, needle threaders (2), folding scissors, and assorted thread colors (7).
6. Sustainable Battery Charger Banks for Academic Success
As students prepare to return to school, integrating sustainable solutions into everyday essentials is increasingly important.
A battery charger bank made of eco-friendly materials perfectly meets this need, offering utility and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
A battery charger bank constructed from materials like recycled plastics or bamboo provides a reliable power source for students' electronic devices while promoting green practices.
Our recommendation:
Portable Bamboo Battery Charger Bank | Custom Packaging
The Portable Bamboo Battery Charger Bank is an excellent addition to your school swag list. It supports academic success but also aligns with the values of eco-conscious students and institutions.
This sleek and compact charger bank features a 4,000 mAh battery that can quickly charge smartphones, tablets, and other USB-powered devices.
It’s making it perfect for college students and teachers. They can use it when commuting and for everyday use. Students can access valuable information and reading materials anytime and teachers can facilitate learning.
The natural bamboo casing provides a unique look that stands out from typical tech accessories.
Enhance the appeal of this charger bank with custom packaging that can be tailored to feature your school’s logo, design, or promotional message.
7. Branded Cutlery Sets for Students
As college students prepare to return to school, making eco-friendly choices is more crucial than ever.
The beginning of the school year is an ideal time to instill sustainable habits through school promotional products that can last a lifetime.
Choose an eco-friendly cutlery set as a promotional item for back-to-school campaigns and send a powerful message about the importance of sustainability.
It provides students and teachers with a budget-friendly, sustainably-minded practical tool that they will use every day, reminding them of the positive impact they can have on the environment through mindful choices.
Our recommendation:
Plant Fiber Cutlery Set in Travel Case | Full Color
Each set is housed in a customizable travel case and very easy to wash and keep clean. The full-color branding options allow schools, educational programs, or eco-friendly businesses to add the school’s logos, making each cutlery set a unique and memorable part of any back-to-school kit.
It's an excellent choice for school giveaways, universities, and companies aiming to enhance their environmental initiatives while providing practical, stylish tools that students and parents will appreciate and use throughout the academic year.
8. Classic Hats for Everyday Wear
Providing school giveaways that combine practicality with customization options is a strategic move.
Customized school ethical swag meets the functional needs of college students and teachers. It offers a personal touch that can make the product more appealing and memorable.
A hat is an excellent choice, providing both style and function for students and teachers. It shields them from the sun during outdoor activities and adds a personal touch to their school attire.
On the other hand, parents can rest knowing that their children are protected.
Our recommendation:
5-Panel Unstructured Trucker Hat | Organic | RPET
This sustainable logoed hat combines the classic, laid-back look of a trucker cap with the environmentally conscious use of organic and recycled materials.
They are crafted without any animal fibers and are certified as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)-approved Vegan.
This hat can also boost school spirit. Imagine students and teachers proudly wearing eco-friendly hats customized with the school's logo or mascot during sports competitions.
This personalized touch fosters a sense of belonging, adding to the excitement and energy of the event.
By incorporating school promotional products that are sustainable, you promote a message of responsible fashion.
9. Hand Sanitizer
As health and safety continue to be top priorities, having reliable hand sanitizer is essential for college students, faculty, and staff.
The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to promote good hygiene habits through practical and essential school promotional products.
Our recommendation:
Promotional Hand Sanitizer | USA Made | 2 oz.
Choose a USA-made promotional hand sanitizer for back-to-school campaigns to send a clear message about the importance of health and wellness.
This 2 oz. hand sanitizer offers a budget-friendly, practical tool that students and teachers will use every day, reminding them of the significance of maintaining cleanliness to prevent the spread of germs.
Each bottle is easy to carry and use, making it convenient for students to keep their hands clean throughout the day. The customizable label options allow schools, educational programs, or health-conscious businesses to add logos and messages, making each hand sanitizer bottle a unique and essential part of any back-to-school kit.
10. Silicone Wristbands
The beginning of the school year is an ideal time to promote unity and pride through school promotional products that make a lasting impact.
Choose custom silicone wristbands as a promotional item for back-to-school campaigns to convey a message of togetherness and school pride.
These wristbands provide students and teachers with a budget-friendly, stylish accessory that they will wear every day, serving as a constant reminder of their belonging and commitment to the school community.
Our recommendation:
Custom Silicone Wristbands
Each wristband is made from durable silicone and can be customized with the school’s colors, logos, and messages. The variety of design options allows schools, educational programs, or businesses to create unique wristbands that resonate with students, making them a memorable and cherished part of any back-to-school kit.
These wristbands are perfect for school giveaways, pep rallies, and events, helping to boost school spirit and foster a sense of unity among students and staff.
They are an excellent choice for promoting school identity while providing a fun and practical accessory that students will love to wear throughout the academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are eco-friendly promotional products important for educational institutions?
Eco-friendly school swag demonstrates an institution’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Imagine a school handing out reusable lunchbox sets made from recycled materials, eliminating the need for single-use items, during their open house or orientation. This sends a clear message to prospective students and parents about the school's environmental values.
Eco-friendly school promotional products are often designed for reusability, reducing waste, and encouraging responsible consumption habits.
For instance, a branded portable battery charger bank made from bamboo or recycled plastic can be a valuable gift for students.
2. What role do custom school supplies play in outdoor school activities?
Well-designed school promotional products can transform outdoor activities into engaging learning experiences.
School swag like hats and T-shirts provide comfort and protection during outdoor activities, enhancing student participation and enjoyment while promoting school spirit.
Picture a group of students on a camping trip, community volunteerism, or Earth Day event, all sporting matching custom T-shirts and backpacks branded with the school logo.
3. How do school promotional items contribute to a positive school culture?
School promotional items, especially environmentally and socially responsible products, can be powerful tools for building a strong and positive school culture in several ways:
- Boosting school spirit: Branded items like ethically made t-shirts, hats, and water bottles become outward expressions of school pride. When students and teachers wear or use these items, it creates a visual representation of unity and belonging.
These items become conversation starters, fostering a sense of community and promoting brand visibility.
- Promoting shared values: Institutions can use custom school supplies to highlight their core values.
For example, a school that prioritizes environmental responsibility could give out reusable water bottles with a slogan like "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."
By using these brand items in everyday life, students become walking ambassadors for the school's values and boost school spirit.
- Encouraging positive recognition: School giveaways can be a fun and visible way to acknowledge and celebrate achievements. Educational institutions can distribute items like branded school t-shirts to members of the sports team.
Seeing their peers receive recognition with these environmentally responsible school promotional products can inspire others to participate in student activities, engagement events, and athletic events.