When we think about promotional products, we think pens, tee shirts, tote bags, even tech gear. But towels? Typically not the first thing that comes to mind. However, company-branded towels might just be the single most powerful promotional product that you never thought about giving away.

Think about: How often do you throw away a towel? Most of us can point to at least one or two towels in our home that have been around for ages. You might be surprised to learn that the average shelf life for a beach towel is a whopping 15 years!

With towels, you get a one size fits all solution that can be used over and over again.  A towel also offers the largest imprint area of virtually any promotional product, giving you lots of room for creative messaging.

If you’ve never thought about using towels to build your brand, it’s time to think again. Here are a few ways you can incorporate towels into your marketing strategy:

#1: Special Events.

Company picnics. Believe it or not, this is actually the #1 market for beach towels. It just makes sense. You can spread it out and use it as a picnic blanket at the event, and take it to the pool or beach for years to come.  For under $15, you can give a basic beach towel with your logo on it, or if you really want to up your game?  Print edge-to-edge photographic images in full color on super soft Turkish cotton towel for a few bucks more.

Golf outings. What golfer wouldn’t love this ultimate golf towel? The enhanced scrubber surface helps clean golf clubs to improve performance with every swing, while the quick release carabiner clip and attached ditty bag make it even more functional.

Need something for a smaller budget? Check out our bestselling signature midweight white golf towel for less than $6 with a multi-color screenprint.

5K and Fun Runs. Offer runners a cooling towel when they cross the finish line for an instant cool down. This 12″ x 36″ version is available with full color, edge to edge printing. (Don’t want to do a towel? How about a cooling bandana instead? Just when we thought we’d seen it all…)

#2: Corporate Travel.

Executive Retreats. If you’re gathering your executive team for an annual planning session, why not commemorate the event with a themed beach towel? Package it with some delicious snacks and have it waiting in their room when they check in!

Incentive trips. If your sales team has been working hard to earn a cruise or a few days at a tropical beach resort, a gift set with a tote and a towel is definitely the way to go. From vintage stripes to oversized totes in bright colors, a tote bag and towel make the perfect pair. (We love this lightweight travel bag from RuMe on its own, but add a towel and it’s over the top! It zips down into this compact little package but expands to haul your gear to the beach or bring home souvenirs.)

#3: Welcome new members & customers.

Gym memberships. When someone purchases a new membership, treat them to a new fitness towel! We can even put together a custom welcome kit for you that includes the tote, towel and water bottle of your choice. If you’ve got a no-contract membership agreement, then offer a fitness towel as a gift with the purchase of a personal training package or other premium membership benefits.

Gift for Opening a New Bank Account. A beach towel makes a great gift for someone opening a new account with your bank or credit union. It’s like giving away a walking billboard, and sets the tone for a long-term relationship with a new customer.

#4: Employee Recognition.

Online stores and safety programs. A branded towel can be a great addition to your online company store.  If you’re using it in a safety program, you can put two towels together with a tote to increase the overall value of the gift.

Holiday Gifts, Birthdays and  Employee Anniversaries. With beach towels, there’s no need to worry about collecting sizes and wondering if your gift will actually fit. Towels, much like blankets, are a great gender-neutral, one size gift that can eliminate a lot of stress from your gift giving. (They work well for Nurse’s Week too!)

#5: School & Team Fundraiser.

The ultimate graduation gift. This is hands-down one of the most innovative products we’ve seen for the school and team market. You can capture all of the signatures from your graduating seniors and print them on a beach towel! It’s like a yearbook that won’t just sit on the shelf and collect dust.

Celebrate team spirit. Using the same technology, showcase signatures from all of the players and coaches alongside your team logo. This is a great way to commemorate a winning season, not to mention an excellent Booster Club fundraiser! (The signature technology is also available on a fitness towel.)

When it comes to branding, towels work. So why not make them work for you?

We’d love to talk with you about incorporating towels into your next promotion. Contact us to get started today!