The Benefits Of Creating Merchandise For University Students

When freshers’ week arrives at universities around the UK, there is always one guarantee; there will be university merchandise everywhere - and it doesn’t end there.

From the moment they arrive and throughout their years at university, students will be spoilt for choice when it comes to branded bottle openers, printed clothing and promotional notepads and printed pens.

But why is merchandise for students such a great idea as an investment for universities and a popular marketing tactic for businesses?

University merchandise is more than just a promotional or marketing opportunity.

It is a chance for the university to share important information with their students, such as contact details, safety advice, support numbers and more.

You’ll often find that these things are printed on promotional memo pads, custom printed coasters and promotional fridge magnets - items that are used or displayed publicly and have a large enough surface area for that much content to be printed on. This acts as a constant reminder of key details that students may need from time to time.

Amongst all forms of marketing, promotional items are possibly the quickest and most successful method of spreading important messages within the student market. Many promotional products can be a conversation-starter and a visible representation of whatever message or service it is that you want to share. 

Student retail shops are also popular on campuses. They are often run by students themselves as a part-time job and they mainly sell custom clothing and accessories, such as custom bags, university branded hoodies and printed t-shirts, with the university crest printed on them. 

Before we consider its benefits, we need to explore what is meant by university merchandise.

In essence, it refers to the gifted or purchased products that are custom-printed with the university crest, badge or name. Students receive or buy these items whilst studying at university whether it is for a functional purpose or as a piece of memorabilia. 

It is one of the key categories within the promotional products industry as students are an important, and large, demographic who actually seek out and regularly use promotional merchandise.

In fact, merchandise has become such a part of university culture in the UK that it is expected to be found at certain university events, especially freshers’ fair. 

University custom clothing for lasting memories

University students seek out university branded apparel because owning and wearing these items gives them a sense of community, belonging and pride. Don’t forget that earning a place at a university is a privilege and a huge achievement, so students will always want to celebrate that in any way they can, and university branded merchandise is an easy way to do so.

With that being said, these printed products are also a piece of memorabilia that can be used and kept to commemorate the university experience. Students often hold onto university merchandise for many years after they have graduated as a keepsake from that period of their life. This means that promotional products can hold their value beyond what they are primarily built for because, even when the item may no longer work or be of any use, it can still carry important memories that encourage the student to keep it.

Printed merchandise also provides universities with the opportunity to increase exposure and awareness outside of campus, particularly for products that are likely to be used in other settings.

Uni branded stationary 

One such example would be a custom printed pen that has the university logo or name emblazoned on it. This pen will be used in many scenarios that do not include university which means that it will be seen by people other than fellow students. It may even end up being passed onto someone else as items like this often do. 

This has the potential to increase university recognition and attract future students and staff over the years in which it is being used. 

Promotional merchandise for businesses looking to attract students

Furthermore, custom-printed promotional products for students go far beyond just university branded items. Since university students are the target audience for most local businesses, such as bars, clubs, salons and fast food restaurants, it is essential that they market to them in the most effective ways possible. 

They are all competing for the attention of each and every student living in that area because this demographic makes up the majority of the local market. Hence, what better way to grab their attention than with gifted promotional products that they can use in their day to day student life. From branded umbrellas and custom-printed pens to logos printed on promotional keyrings and engraved bottle openers, there are many practical items that businesses can utilise as a marketing tool - and students will never say no to a free gift.

As a result of these many options when it comes to the type of merchandise you can create that will appeal to a university student, you can get really creative and provide them with something that is useful, impactful and aligns with your branding and services.

Even if you are on a tight budget, it is easy to find affordable university merchandise that still gets the job done.

Need some university merchandise ideas?

University merchandise requires large volumes to accommodate the sheer size of the audience that you are supplying to, especially if your product is in high demand where students may want or need more than one for themselves. This means that cost-effective options are important.

Promotional University Bags

One of the most common and affordable yet highly effective promotional products for university students are printed bags. 

Promotional bags are always in high demand amongst students as they travel quite a lot and will need something durable and stylish in which to carry their belongings. Whether they require a custom sustainable shopper for their groceries or a promotional eco-friendly tote bag to transport their books to lectures, branded reusable bags are the perfect solution. 

They are extremely practical for businesses too as they are affordable when ordered in bulk, they are easy to store and they are multifunctional. For example, printed cotton tote bags can be distributed at events, such as freshers’ fair, and filled with flyers and other branded goodies. 

They also have the added benefit of promoting sustainable living which is hugely important amongst this demographic. This will position you in a positive light as a business/university that supports and encourages green practices.

Branded University Apparel

If you are interested in running a student shop, then making a profit from selling merchandise is all about tapping into the bestsellers - something we know a lot about. 

Branded apparel is always popular amongst students, from university branded rucksacks and printed hoodies to custom-printed t-shirts and promotional caps. They are a staple on campuses and are guaranteed to fly off of the shelves.

You can even go as far as to create custom clothing that matches your brand colours and aligns with your message to make a product that is even more engaging to the customer.

Promotional Kitchenware

Custom printed kitchen accessories are another key category for university merchandise. 

For the majority of students, they are living outside of their family home for the first time and will be overwhelmed by the list of items they need to purchase in preparation. Consequently, they are likely to forget a thing or two. 

By providing them with gifted promotional kitchenware, you are helping them stock up on essentials without it costing them a penny (and money is tight for most students) and you are getting great exposure for your brand.

A printed mug, custom tea towel or promotional apron will be seen and used by the recipient, visitors and flatmates and it can go a long way towards making a student feel more settled in their new living quarters. It’s a wonderful chance to provide your audience with a practical and powerful promotional product that offers them some comfort in their new home. 

Promotional Gym Accessories 

Another great option for university merchandise in the student shop is branded gym accessories such as sports towels, gym bags and sports bottles. Students make up a high proportion of gym-goers in the UK which is why you often find multiple budget gym chains located within walking distance of a university campus.

Therefore, branded gym essentials are an investment that makes sense when marketing to this audience and will continue to serve a purpose long after graduation. 

Promotional Lanyards

But the options don’t end there.

You may even want to consider creating branded lanyards that can be used by students to store their security passes whilst also making it easy for students to be identified when outside of university grounds. They even work as entry passes for student events. 

Most importantly for businesses, promotional lanyards are easy to customise and brand with two sides to print on and a large surface area on offer. There are many ways to create an eye-catching lanyard that clearly conveys your 

Promotional Student Stationery

Amongst the many items that a student needs, top of the agenda for most is stationery. It’s something that will be used every day and can be shared around so you can never have too much of it. This is just one of the many reasons why desk items, such as printed notepads, promotional pens and pencil cases, are such a trusted and classic choice for university merchandise.  

They can even be harnessed as an avenue for sharing university contact information, safety advice and important numbers that students are more than likely going to need. 

Promotional Fridge Magnets

Promotional fridge magnets can also be utilised as a tool for sharing important messages and university information to a wide audience as they end up being displayed in dorm shares and communal areas where they can be seen by multiple people. 

They may seem outdated but there is still a place for them as promotional merchandise, particularly amongst the student demographic.

Not to mention they are incredibly cost-effective and can be extremely eye-catching and creative. They can be custom-made into shapes, such as your logo, or incorporate paper and games to make them more engaging and memorable.  

Promotional Technology

Last, but certainly not least, you have the technology category which is a hugely important one amongst university students. Promotional portable power banks, printed USB flash drives, printed phone holders and promotional phone pop stands are all items that a student needs and will be willing to pay for at almost any cost.

This gives you the opportunity to create a promotional product of real value and that will stand the test of time. 

Shout about your business using university merchandise

Businesses in the area can tap into promotional products that align with their brand or service and then distribute them to local students for free. For example, bars and nightclubs can get their logo printed onto bottle openers, local retail shops can create branded tote bags and restaurants can use custom-printed kitchenware as a marketing tool.

It’s a clever and engaging method of reaching the student audience especially if you want your business to stand out amongst competitors.

Advertise a message or service around university campus with student merchandise

Beyond displaying the university crest and name, there is also the opportunity to spread an advertising message around campus with printed merchandise for students. 

There are plenty of product options and each has its own appeal and benefits when it comes to impactful advertising. But it is important to find the one that is most suitable for your message  or service. 

Student unions can use promotional travel coffee cups, promotional wallets and printed bags to promote their venue or any major events. The large print area allows a message of any size to be printed clearly and the travel-friendly nature and visibility of these items means that they will act as a walking billboard for your advert. This enables your message to gain hundreds to thousands of impressions over the course of its life which is more than likely why these items remain some of the most popular promotional products until this day.

Custom printed fridge magnets are also a brilliant choice for spreading messages around campus as they are affordable in volume and easy to post to students' dorms and halls where they will then be put on public display. Again, this quickly spreads a clear message or service to the masses without a huge cost being attached to it. 

If you want to try something a little more original then, in the wake of Covid, health has now become a growing category in student merchandise and one item that works well for advertising to a large audience is hand gel. 

It is a travel-friendly item that will be used multiple times a day making it a very powerful and practical method of sharing a promotional message with university students.

University merchandise can become a treasured memento

Student life is a time to remember, and university merchandise can be a lasting reminder of this important period of a persons’ life. This gives added value to any promotional product that you give to students. 

A printed t-shirt could be a memento from a special event, or a branded mug might hold a treasured memory of the mornings after the wild parties. Some students even hold onto flyers and event passes so that they can remember each and every moment from their time at university. 

This is something to consider when investing in university merchandise because, even if you think a particular product has a short lifespan, there is the potential for it to become a beloved souvenir that lives on forever.

By establishing this everlasting bond between student and university, you are cementing a key relationship which is part of a strong marketing strategy for any business. It leaves them with a long-lasting and positive impression of the university and increases the chances of them sharing stories of their time at university with others. This all just goes towards further awareness of, and engagement with, the university and supports the idea that university merchandise is a self-sustaining marketing strategy. 

Make a statement with quality university merchandise

We have plenty of experience when it comes to university merchandise and we supply an extensive range of options that will impress university students, get you noticed and satisfy all your business needs. 

If you want to stock up your student retail store then we can help you create apparel that is printed with your logo, if you want to promote an upcoming event then we have fridge magnets to help you spread the word, or why not opt for your printed bags if you want to pull together some goodies for freshers’ week. 

All our promotional products for university students are of high-quality because we understand the importance of making items that don’t fall apart after one use even if they are being given away for free. There are also eco options to satisfy the demands of a growing eco-conscious demographic, and premium goods if you are willing to make a bigger investment. 

Whatever it is you need, your search for university merchandise can begin and end with us, our experienced branded products team at Merchandise Ltd can help with your budget and timescale.