The short version: Most promotional products cost between $0.20 and $15 per piece. Pencils and magnets are at the low end, and tumblers, power banks, and apparel are at the high end. Your total also includes a one-time setup fee (typically $45–$55), plus an extra setup fee and a run charge of about $0.30 per piece for each additional imprint color. Because setup is spread across every piece, ordering more and printing fewer colors are the two biggest ways to lower your cost per item.
What Determines the Price of a Promotional Product?
- The item itself. A plastic pen and an insulated tumbler are very different products.
- Quantity. Per-piece pricing drops as quantity rises, and the setup fee gets spread over more pieces.
- Number of imprint colors. Each additional color typically adds another setup fee and a per-piece run charge.
- Imprint method. Screen printing, pad printing, laser engraving, embroidery, and full-color printing are priced differently. See our logo and artwork guide.
- Special requests. Exact Pantone (PMS) color matching or a physical pre-production sample add cost.
Typical Price Ranges by Product
"As low as" prices from our catalog at the time of writing. Your price depends on quantity and imprint options.
| Product type | Typical price per piece | Typical minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Pens and pencils | $0.21–$0.90 (executive pens $10+) | 250–500 |
| Magnets | $0.14–$0.80 | 100–500 |
| Calendars | $0.40–$3.40 | 100–300 |
| Stadium cups and koozies | $0.44–$1.50 | 50–250 |
| Stress relievers | $0.97–$2.65 | 100–300 |
| Water bottles | $0.77–$2.45 | 200 |
| Drawstring backpacks | $1.39–$3.10 | 100–250 |
| Tote bags | $0.71–$10.40 | 25–300 |
| Mugs and tumblers | $1.39–$12.30 | 36–144 |
| Caps and hats | $3.87–$7.00 | 24–144 |
| Tech (chargers, power banks, speakers) | $1.54–$13.35 | 30–100 |
| Golf items | $0.11 (tees) to $60+ (premium balls, per dozen) | 6–1,000 |
| Awards | $38–$96 | 6 |
| Trade show table covers | $134–$170 | 1 |
Fees and Charges to Know About
| Charge | Typical cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Setup fee | $45–$55 | Preparing your imprint (screens, plates, or digital setup). Charged once per order for a one-color imprint. |
| Additional imprint colors | Another setup fee + about $0.30 per piece per color | Each extra ink color needs its own setup and an extra pass on every item. |
| PMS color matching | About $40 per color | Matching your exact brand color. An exact match can't be guaranteed on every material. |
| Artwork | Free | Free design help, including redrawing a low-quality logo as a clean vector file. |
| Digital proof | Free | A mockup of your item, usually within 1–2 hours. |
| Physical pre-production sample | Cost of one item + setup fee | An actual imprinted sample before the full run. It adds about 3–10 days. |
| Changes after approval | $45 + any factory costs | Changes or cancellations once production has started. |
Instant quotes on Gimmees.com include setup and shipping, so the price you see is the price you pay. Quotes are valid for 30 days.
A Worked Example: Promotional Pens
Here's how quantity and imprint colors change the real cost per piece. The example uses a $0.50 pen, a $50 setup fee, and a $0.30 per-piece run charge for a second color (shipping not included):
| Quantity | 1-color imprint | 2-color imprint |
|---|---|---|
| 100 pens | $100 total · $1.00 each | $180 total · $1.80 each |
| 250 pens | $175 total · $0.70 each | $300 total · $1.20 each |
| 500 pens | $300 total · $0.60 each | $500 total · $1.00 each |
Two lessons stand out. The setup fee matters most on small orders: $50 adds $0.50 to each pen at 100 pieces but only $0.10 at 500. And a second color can nearly double the cost of an inexpensive item. In practice the per-piece price usually drops at higher quantities too, which makes larger orders even more economical than this example shows.
How to Get the Lowest Price
- Use a one-color version of your logo. It's the single biggest saving on most orders. See our artwork guide for making a logo work in one color.
- Order a little more. Setup is a fixed cost, so the per-piece price falls quickly as quantity rises. Leftovers from evergreen designs (no dates) can be used later.
- Plan ahead. We don't offer rush service, so ordering early keeps all your product options open and avoids last-minute stress. Most items ship 5–7 business days after proof approval.
- Approve your proof carefully. Changes after approval cost $45 plus any factory costs, so a two-minute review saves money.
- Choose items people keep. A $2 item used for a year costs less per impression than a $0.50 item tossed tomorrow. See how to use promotional products effectively.
- Take advantage of our Low Price Guarantee. If you find a lower advertised price on an identical item, we'll beat or match it. See the Gimmees difference.
Budget Guides by Use
- Trade shows: a three-tier budget from $0.25 to $30 per piece. See our trade show guide.
- Client and employee gifts: ideas from under $3 to $25+, plus the IRS $25 gift rule. See our gift guide.
- Golf tournaments: tee gift bags from about $6 to $50 per player. See our golf guide.
- Weddings, reunions, and parties: favors from about $0.50 to $3 per guest. See our event favors guide.
- Schools: from $0.21 pencils to $10 backpacks. See our schools guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Promotional Product Pricing
How much do promotional products cost?
Most promotional products cost $0.20–$15 per piece. Pencils, pens, and magnets start around $0.14–$0.25, tote bags and water bottles run about $0.70–$3, and tumblers, power banks, and caps run about $4–$13. A one-time setup fee of about $45–$55 is added to most orders.
What is a setup fee on promotional products?
A setup fee covers preparing your imprint for production, such as making screens or plates. It's typically $45–$55, charged once per order for a one-color imprint. Each additional color usually adds another setup fee.
How much does it cost to add another imprint color?
Each additional color typically adds another setup fee of about $45–$55 plus a run charge of about $0.30 per piece, because every item needs an extra printing pass. On a $0.50 pen, a second color can nearly double the cost per piece.
What is the minimum order for promotional products?
Minimums vary by product, typically 100–250 pieces for most items. Some start much lower: 6–25 pieces for awards, premium golf balls, and some apparel, and 1 piece for table covers and banners. Inexpensive items like pencils and tees often start at 500–1,000.
How can I lower the cost of promotional products?
Use a one-color logo, order larger quantities so the setup fee is spread over more pieces, choose evergreen designs so leftovers aren't wasted, approve your proof carefully to avoid change fees, and plan ahead.
Does the quoted price include shipping?
Instant quotes on Gimmees.com include setup and shipping, so the quoted price is your total. Quotes are valid for 30 days.
Want an exact price? Use the instant quote tool on any product page, or call us at 888-926-6385. We've been helping businesses and families get the most for their budget since 2004.