A first order shows what a team hoped would work. A re-order shows what actually did. This post looks at the customized promotional items Ethical Swag clients come back for again and again, what those items have in common, and the practical perks behind eight standouts: a recycled cotton tote, an aluminum sports bottle, a classic tee, a mint tin, a seed paper bookmark, a stylus pen, a lip balm, and a recycled notepad.
Every promotional products catalog has a "bestsellers" list. Re-order data is more useful. When a procurement manager, event planner, or People Ops lead orders the same item again, it tells you something a sales ranking cannot: recipients used it, it held up, and it was worth buying twice.
That is why we built a Most Reordered filter into our catalog. It surfaces the customized promotional items (or company swag, as most teams call it) that clients return to across conferences, onboarding programs, client appreciation campaigns, and community events. Below, we break down why these items earn repeat business and spotlight eight client favorites worth considering for your next program.
Why Re-Order Data Tells You More Than a Bestseller List
A bestseller list measures how often something was chosen. A re-order measures how often it was chosen again after the buyer saw the results. That filters out items that looked good in a catalog but ended up in a drawer or a landfill, which is exactly the problem we dig into in how short-use promotional products increase waste, emissions, and brand risk.
For teams trying to reduce waste and protect their brand, that filter matters. An item people keep carries your logo for months. An item tossed after one event wastes the budget and the impression. Re-order favorites are items other organizations have already tested in the real world.
What Our Most Re-Ordered Items Have in Common
Looking across the Most Reordered collection, a few patterns stand out. The items clients return to most often tend to share these traits:
Everyday usefulness. Bags, drinkware, pens, notepads, and apparel get used daily, which keeps a brand visible. (More on that in how to design branded items employees will actually use.)
Predictable pricing at accessible minimums. Most of the eight items below start under $5 USD per unit, and minimums range from 13 to 125 units, which makes budgeting a repeat order simple.
Decoration that reproduces consistently. Standard decoration methods mean the second run looks like the first.
Clear material and sourcing information. Recycled content, certifications, and country of origin are listed on each product page, so buyers know what they are getting every time.
Flexible timelines. Several favorites qualify for Swift Swag, our rush service, which helps when a re-order is needed on short notice.
8 Client Favorites and the Perks That Keep Them Coming Back
All eight items below appear in our Most Reordered collection. Prices are the "as low as" unit price in USD at the time of writing and include standard decoration. Your final quote depends on quantity and customization.
Recycled Cotton Twill Convention Tote 5 Oz.
Min. 75 | As low as $3.32 USD | Swift Swag eligible
Event teams re-order this tote for nearly every conference cycle. It carries everything else you hand attendees, then keeps getting used for groceries and errands long after the event, turning one giveaway into months of brand exposure. Browse more options in our bags collection.
The tote is made from approximately 70 to 80 percent pre-consumer recycled cotton, reclaimed from factory fabric-cutting scraps, blended with 20 to 30 percent recycled polyester (RPET). It carries Global Recycled Standard certification, and the maker's 1% for the Planet partnership supports environmental nonprofits. An 8" x 8" imprint area on the front and back gives artwork plenty of room.
Kootenay Aluminum 26 Oz. Sports Water Bottle
Min. 18 | As low as $4.65 USD | Swift Swag eligible
With an 18-unit minimum, the Kootenay is one of the easiest items to re-order in small top-up batches, which is why HR teams lean on it for rolling onboarding and wellness programs. See more in our drinkware collection.
This BPA-free, single-wall aluminum bottle is 100% recyclable and has a secure twist-on lid with a mini carabiner for clipping onto a bag. It supports silkscreen, laser engraving, and full-colour wrap decoration. For every unit sold, Ethical Swag contributes to infrastructure projects that build dormitories in remote communities. One practical tip: it is hand-wash only, so a quick care note in your kit helps recipients keep it in rotation longer.
Ernesto Classic Fit T-Shirt (Unisex)
Min. 13 | As low as $9.18 USD | Standard production
Apparel re-orders live or die on consistency: shirts ordered six months later need to match what staff already wear. Clients return to the Ernesto for team events, volunteer days, and uniforms because it delivers that consistency across a size run from S to 5XL (larger sizes may carry an added charge). Find more tees and layers in our apparel collection.
It is manufactured in WRAP-certified facilities, uses the Higg Index with Level 2+ practices, is made by a Fair Labor Association partner, meets OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and is a member of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. A moisture-wicking cotton and polyester blend, taped neck and shoulders, a tear-away label, and dozens of colours round out the perks. It does not qualify for rush, so plan for standard production.
Flip-Lid Mint Tin
Min. 100 | As low as $2.04 USD | Standard production
Reception desks, sales kits, and trade show tables go through mint tins quickly, so re-orders come naturally. The mints get eaten, but the compact metal tin sticks around in pockets and desk drawers, keeping your logo in sight. (If trade shows are your main use, see how to turn giveaways into brand experience touchpoints.)
Each tin holds 44 to 50 peppermint mints, and the lid offers a 2" x 1.25" full-colour imprint area. Its listed country of origin is the United States. Because the mints have an 18-month shelf life from production, smaller and more frequent re-orders often make more sense than one large stockpile. Availability note: this item is showing as on backorder at the time of writing, so confirm timing with your account manager before you build it into an event plan.
Small Seed Paper Bookmark 2-Sided
Min. 50 | As low as $0.85 USD | Standard production
Schools, libraries, nonprofits, and Earth Day organizers re-order this bookmark season after season. It marks a reader's page, and once planted, grows wildflowers including Black Eyed Susan, Sweet Alyssum, and Snapdragon. That built-in second use keeps it in repeat orders. Explore more plantables in our seeds collection, or see how to stretch a non-profit swag budget.
It is made in Canada by a women-owned, Certified B Corporation, carries WBE Canada certification, and earns our "Best" rating. The wildflower blend is considered non-invasive in North America, and seed shipments are tested in line with CFIA and USDA requirements. Full-colour printing is available on both sides, and we recommend using the back for planting instructions. Since germination rates decline after about two years, ordering closer to your distribution date is the smarter re-order strategy.
Eclipse Ballpoint Pen with Stylus
Min. 125 | As low as $1.20 USD | Standard production
Pens are a perennial repeat purchase: people use them, lose them, and reach for another. The Eclipse does double duty with a ballpoint on one end and a stylus for phones and tablets on the other, handy at check-in kiosks. More writing tools live in our office collection.
A rubberized barrel, metal clip, and chrome accents give it a polished feel, with SureWrite medium point blue ink. For every unit sold, Ethical Swag funds clean cookstoves for a day, which helps reduce carbon emissions. Re-order tip: if your artwork references a US location and the pens ship within the United States, they will be individually wrapped with a country-of-origin sticker to meet customs requirements, so factor that into packing plans.
All Natural Lip Balm
Min. 100 | As low as $0.68 USD | Standard production
Lip balm is a small item with a long carry life. It lives in coat pockets and gets pulled out daily, which is why clients re-order it for wellness fairs, outdoor events, winter campaigns, and swag packs.
Made with natural oils and waxes in a peppermint flavour, it comes in a white twist-up tube with a custom full-colour label. Its listed country of origin is the United States. Like the mint tin, it has an 18-month shelf life from production, so plan quantities around when you will actually distribute it. Availability note: this item is also showing as on backorder at the time of writing, so check timing before you commit to a launch date.
Saddle Stitched Recycled Notepad 5 x 7 Inch
Min. 100 | As low as $1.85 USD | Swift Swag eligible
Conference organizers and training teams re-order this notepad because it gets used on the spot, then carried back to the desk. The 5" x 7" size fits neatly into a tote or welcome kit, and it pairs naturally with the Eclipse pen.
Recycled materials make up 81 percent of its total composition. Inside are 30 lined sheets of 70 GSM paper made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, protected by a sturdy 250 GSM recycled cardboard cover with saddle-stitched binding. A 3" x 5" one-colour imprint area keeps branding clean. Find more notebooks and desk essentials in our office collection.
How to Make Your Next Re-Order Faster and More Accurate
A little preparation keeps re-orders simple:
Keep your approved artwork and proof on file. Referencing the original product, colour, and decoration method speeds up quoting and helps the next run match the last.
Track what actually got used. Items that ran out first are your strongest re-order candidates. Leftovers signal a quantity adjustment.
Work backward from your date. Standard production and delivery takes 15 business days from the date your order is paid. Swift Swag items arrive in 10 business days, also counted from payment. Our post on why on-time swag delivery matters covers the planning side.
Mind shelf life and seed viability. Consumables like mints and lip balm, and plantable items like seed paper, are best ordered in step with distribution rather than stockpiled.
Re-check product claims before you reuse old copy. Material specifications can change between production runs. If your kit card or landing page mentions recycled content or a certification, confirm it against the current product spec.
That last point matters more than many teams realize. In the U.S., the FTC's Green Guides remain the main federal reference for environmental marketing claims, including recycled content. In Canada, the Competition Bureau enforces Competition Act provisions that require environmental claims about products to be backed by adequate and proper testing. Reusing last year's recycled-content figure without checking it is an easy way to make an unsupported claim.
If you are re-ordering several favorites at once, consider bundling them. Our Swag Packs service builds every pack by hand, and packs built with our pack builder start at 25. For onboarding ideas, see what should be in a new hire welcome kit.
How Ethical Swag Supports Repeat Orders You Can Trust
A re-order should feel like a safe decision, not a fresh gamble. That confidence starts long before the product reaches your recipients, with the standards we hold suppliers to.
Our sourcing starts from a clear baseline. Products in the "Good" tier of our Good/Better/Best sourcing framework come from cost-competitive suppliers that have been third-party audited against social and environmental criteria. Higher tiers layer on recycled or rapidly renewable materials, North American production, third-party accreditation, and B Corp certified suppliers. The emoji ratings you see on each product page, like the "Best" rating on the seed paper bookmark, come from this same evaluation. If budget is the main concern, our guide to affordable branded gifts with a real sustainability credential walks through the trade-offs.
When you need proof for a procurement file, an RFP response, or your own sustainability reporting, product compliance documents are available on request, and audit results and certifications can be shared on request as well. We do not publish supplier names, but we will give you the evidence behind the claims, so the second order is backed by the same documentation as the first.
For clients who re-order on a regular rhythm, our warehousing service in Toronto and Salt Lake City can hold inventory on both sides of the border, and a live inventory dashboard shows exactly when stock is running low. As a B Corp certified, women-owned business serving clients across North America, we also accept payment in USD or CAD.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Most Reordered" mean in the Ethical Swag catalog?
Most Reordered is a catalog filter that highlights the products our clients return to and order again most often. It is a practical shortcut for buyers who want items with a real-world track record rather than items that simply look appealing in a listing. You can combine it with other filters such as budget, quantity, and timeline.
Can I re-order the exact same item with the same logo and decoration?
Yes, you can re-order the same product with the same artwork and decoration method. Sharing your previous order details or approved proof speeds up quoting. A virtual proof is still provided before production begins, which is a good chance to confirm colours, imprint placement, and any product specification changes since your last run.
Which of these client favorites qualify for Swift Swag rush service?
Three of the eight favorites qualify for Swift Swag: the Recycled Cotton Twill Convention Tote, the Kootenay Aluminum 26 Oz. Sports Water Bottle, and the Saddle Stitched Recycled Notepad. Swift Swag orders arrive in 10 business days from the date the order is paid. The other five items follow standard production and delivery, which takes 15 business days from payment. Read more in how Swift Swag helps beat the holiday rush.
Do minimum order quantities apply to re-orders?
Yes, each product's listed minimum applies to every order, including re-orders. Among these eight favorites, minimums range from 13 units for the Ernesto tee to 125 units for the Eclipse pen. If you need small, frequent top-ups, low-minimum items like the Kootenay bottle help, or you can order a larger run once and store it with our warehousing service.
Can I combine several of these favorites into one swag pack?
Yes, most of these items can be built into a custom swag pack. Every pack is assembled by hand, and the all-in price covers products, decoration, packaging, and assembly. Packs built with our pack builder start at 25, and each pack page shows its delivery date. A tote, notepad, stylus pen, and lip balm make a popular, budget-friendly onboarding kit.
How do I confirm a re-ordered product still meets the same sustainability specs?
Ask your account manager for the current product compliance documents before you approve the re-order. Material blends, recycled content percentages, and certifications can change between production runs, so checking the current specification protects you from repeating outdated claims. This matters most if your kit inserts or reports describe environmental attributes.
Ready to Re-Order a Favorite, or Find Your Next One?
Whether you are restocking a proven item or building a new program around what other clients love, our team can help you compare options, timelines, and sourcing details.