But there’s another channel, helping brands grow and that operates more quietly, but far more consistently. The promotional product industry is a place where demand doesn’t spike and fade in the same way. It builds, repeats and compounds over time, leaving you with a lifetime of opportunities.

A Different Kind of Business Model

The beauty of promo is that you’re stepping into something more structured and repetitive than the classic retail space. Businesses are constantly sourcing products to support how they show up in the world, whether that’s through events, client relationships, employee experiences or brand campaigns. The key to all of that is that it is repetitive, meaning that buyers in the promo industry aren’t looking to make just a one-time purchase, they’re looking to buy year after year and even month after month.

When your products become part of that ecosystem, it’s no longer a one-time sale. It becomes something that gets reordered and reused. A hoodie might start as part of an onboarding kit, then reappear in a seasonal campaign. A bag might move from a one-off event item to a standard piece in a company’s gifting program. The product never changes but the role of it does, shifting you into a consistent sales stream.

Why So Many Brands Miss It

If the opportunity is this strong, it raises an obvious question: Why aren’t more surf brands already doing this?

The promotional products industry doesn’t operate like retail. You’re not marketing directly to end-buyers. Instead, there’s an entire layer of distributors who act as the connection point between products and the businesses that use them.

The tricky part is that these distributors aren’t just searching anywhere and everywhere for products. They rely on specific platforms and networks, like ASI’s ESP+, where they can quickly find, evaluate and trust the suppliers they choose to work with. When they’re under pressure to deliver options fast, they aren’t looking to go beyond those environments and often don’t even have time to. So even if your product is exactly what they need, it won’t matter if it isn’t visible in the right place.

Where the Shift Happens

ASI connects your products to a network of 125,000+ buyers who are already sourcing and making decisions. Instead of trying to navigate the industry from the outside, you’re immediately positioned directly within it, where visibility leads to opportunity.

The promotional products industry isn’t something you need to build demand for, the demand already exists and buyers are already sourcing. For surf brands, the path forward doesn’t require reinvention, it doesn’t even require new products or a complete shift in strategy. It simply requires a new level of exposure where what you’ve already built is connected to a different kind of buyer.

Where ASI Turns Potential Into Performance

Capitalizing on this promo opportunity is where many brands get caught up. Often because they’re not consistently visible where distributors are making decisions. ASI bridges that gap.

By becoming a supplier member, your products aren’t just listed, they’re placed directly into the sourcing flow of the industry. Through platforms like ESP+, the industry’s leading sourcing platform, your products show up when distributors are actively searching and selecting options for their clients.

ASI also gives you the tools to turn that visibility into real, measurable growth:

• Centralized Dashboard: Keep your product data and activity aligned through one streamlined platform.
• Sales-Driven Insights: See what buyers are searching for, how well ads are competing and so much more to keep you informed on every decision.
• In-Person Events: Year-round events in a variety of meeting styles allow you to showcase products to buyers with hands-on opportunities.
• So much more!

With opportunities like Hosted-Buyer Events, you can connect directly with distributors who have real purchasing power, turning introductions into relationships and relationships into repeat business. What once felt like a hard-to-access channel becomes supported and scalable.

Start turning what you already sell into repeat revenue.

The post How Surf Brands Are Turning Lifestyle Products Into Repeat Revenue appeared first on ASI.

1.) It Starts Before You Even Know There’s an Opportunity

Picture a distributor working against a deadline, their client needs ideas – and fast. They open ESP+, the industry’s leading sourcing platform, apply a few filters and quickly pull from a shortlist of suppliers they recognize or can immediately find.

If your products don’t appear, or your brand isn’t familiar, you’re not going to be on that list. Not because your product isn’t a fit, but because it wasn’t visible when it mattered. That’s where having the right presence matters. ASI® places your products directly into the environment where sourcing happens every day, helping ensure you’re not relying on chance to be discovered.

2.) Search Is Where Most Decisions Are Made

When distributors search, they aren’t browsing; they’re filtering with intent. Price, turnaround time, category and imprint method all play a role in narrowing down options quickly. If your product data isn’t complete, structured or up to date, your products won’t appear. And when you don’t show up, you don’t get considered.

What makes the difference is not just being listed but being aligned with how buyers actually search. Through ESP+, ASI helps ensure your products are positioned to surface in those key moments when decisions are actively being made.

3.) Momentum Matters More Than You Think

Even when you are discovered, timing becomes critical. Distributors are often juggling multiple projects at once. And if they don’t have an existing relationship with you and can’t quickly understand your turnaround times or get a response, they’ll move on. Not because they prefer another supplier, but because they need to keep things moving.

That’s why visibility isn’t just about being seen; it’s about being easy to work with. ASI helps bridge that gap by making your product information clear, accessible and connected to buyers, so conversations don’t stall, and opportunities don’t slip away. With a top data team and a seamless system, keeping product descriptions updated and everyone in the loop is easier than ever.

4.) Trust Is Built Before the First Order

At the same time, every supplier decision carries a level of risk. If a distributor can’t quickly validate your reliability, through signals like performance, consistency or credibility, they’re far more likely to default to a supplier they already know.

Even if your product is stronger and pricing is better. Being part of a trusted network changes that dynamic. ASI helps reinforce your credibility within the industry, making it easier for distributors to feel confident choosing you, even if it’s the first time they’re working with your brand.

5.) The Suppliers Who Win See What Others Don’t

The most successful suppliers aren’t just reacting to demand, they’re anticipating it. They understand what buyers are searching for, which products are gaining traction and when demand is about to spike. Without that kind of visibility into the market, it’s easy to miss key moments, whether it’s Q4 gifting, trade show season or emerging trends. By the time you adjust, the opportunity has already passed.

ASI provides access to these insights, helping you align your strategy with real demand instead of relying on guesswork. Try out seasonal catalogs, education, learning opportunities on how to maximize key points in the year, and strategically placed in-person trade shows and hosted-buyer events to keep your brand and products front facing all year long.

What This Means for Your Business

Most lost sales aren’t about capability; they’re about connection. It’s about not being seen early enough, not showing up in search, not building trust quickly enough or not aligning with demand at the right time. All of these challenges point back to the same issue: visibility.

The suppliers who grow in promo aren’t necessarily the ones with the most products. They’re the ones who show up consistently, are easy to find, build trust quickly and stay aligned with what buyers need.

ASI was built to support exactly that.

If your products aren’t visible where distributors are searching, evaluating and choosing, you’re not just missing exposure, you’re missing real opportunities.

Make My Products Visible

The post 5 Ways Suppliers Lose Sales Without Visibility (and How To Fix It) appeared first on ASI.

For many suppliers, it’s not just an interesting space – it’s a powerful growth opportunity they didn’t realize they were already positioned for.

A Different Way to Think About Your Products

Most suppliers think about their products in terms of where they’re currently sold: retail, e-commerce, wholesale or direct to consumer. But in promo, the same products take on a different role. A drinkware item can become a giveaway at a trade show, a backpack can become part of an onboarding experience and a tech accessory can become a client gift sent to strengthen a relationship.

The product itself doesn’t change, but what changes is how it’s used, and how often it’s reordered. That shift is what turns a single transaction into something more consistent, more scalable and more valuable over time, making promo a great place to be.

Why More Suppliers Are Quietly Expanding Into Promo

For many businesses, growth feels like it requires something new – a new product line, a new offering, a new direction. But suppliers who are finding success in promo are doing something different. They’re taking what they’ve already built and placing it into a new channel where demand already exists.

Across industries, companies are constantly sourcing products they can customize for marketing campaigns, events and corporate gifting. That demand doesn’t come in waves – it’s ongoing. And because these programs, events and moments often repeat, suppliers gain new customers and recurring opportunities.

The Part Most Suppliers Don’t See

If the opportunity to sell more often is there, why doesn’t every business take advantage of it? It usually comes down to one thing: access.

In the promotional products industry, suppliers, like you, don’t typically sell directly to businesses. Instead, distributors, a.k.a. buyers, act as the bridge, sourcing products and recommending them to their clients. But distributors don’t search randomly. They rely on established platforms and networks to find suppliers they trust, discover new products and make decisions quickly.

How Suppliers Actually Break Into the Industry

The businesses that successfully enter promo aren’t necessarily the ones with the newest products. They’re typically the ones who understand where sourcing happens, and how to make sure they’re part of it.

ASI connects suppliers to a network of more than 125,000 distributor reps who are actively searching for products every day. Instead of trying to navigate the industry from the outside, suppliers gain a presence inside the ecosystem where those decisions are made. Through platforms like ESP+, the industry’s leading sourcing platform, their products become searchable, discoverable and easier for distributors to work into their clients’ needs.

What Changes Once You’re Visible

Once suppliers are in front of the right audience, the impact is immediate.

Instead of relying solely on their existing channels, they begin to see:

• New types of buyers
• Larger, more consistent orders
• Repeat business tied to ongoing programs

And just as importantly, they gain insight into what the market actually wants. ASI has an elite data and analytics team that makes sure you have accurate info and insight into what distributors are searching for, what products are gaining traction and how demand is evolving. That kind of visibility doesn’t just create opportunities; it helps suppliers make better decisions.

Where Promo Can Take Your Business

For suppliers who step into the promo space, the result isn’t just incremental growth –it’s expansion. Their products reach new buyers, become more visible and are a part of a new stream of opportunities that builds over time.

The promotional products industry may feel unfamiliar at first, but for many suppliers, it turns out to be a natural extension of what they’re already doing. With the right visibility and the right connections, your products can move beyond their current channels and into a space where demand is constant and opportunity is ongoing.

Explore how ASI helps suppliers break into promo and start reaching ready buyers.

The post The Industry Behind Branded Merch (And How Businesses Are Breaking Into It) appeared first on ASI.

The Opportunity Hidden in What You Already Sell

Whether you manufacture apparel, drinkware, accessories or anything in between, your products already serve a purpose. They already meet demand and generate revenue. Now imagine those same products being used in a new context: Not just sold, but branded and ordered repeatedly for campaigns, events and corporate programs.

This is where many businesses discover the promotional products industry, not as a new business, but as a new channel for growth. It’s not about changing what you sell – it’s about expanding where your products can go.

You’ve developed the product, built the operations and created something that works. That foundation is exactly what makes expansion into promo so powerful. Across industries, businesses are constantly sourcing products they can customize for their next corporate gifting or marketing campaigns. The need for quality, reliable products is ongoing and growing.

So, What’s Holding Suppliers Back?

Many suppliers simply aren’t connected to the buyers who are actively sourcing these products. They don’t have visibility in the platforms where decisions are made, like ESP+, or insight into what distributors are looking for at any given time.

And in the promotional products industry, visibility makes all the difference, because even the best products can’t sell if the right people never see them.

Where ASI Fits In

This is exactly where ASI comes in, not as a replacement for what you’ve built, but as a way to expand it. ASI connects suppliers to a network of more than 125,000 buyers actively searching for products for their clients.

Instead of trying to break into the industry on your own, your products are placed directly into the ecosystem where sourcing happens every day. That shift is what turns potential into real opportunity.

Once your products are visible, the next step is understanding how to grow them. Suppliers gain access to data that shows what buyers are searching for, which products are getting attention and how trends are evolving. That means you’re no longer guessing what might work – you’re making decisions based on real demand, adjusting your strategy and positioning your products more effectively over time.

Credibility Matters

As you expand into a new channel like promo, trust becomes just as important as visibility. In promo, buyers rely on established networks to find partners they can depend on. Being part of the ASI network signals credibility, making it easier for distributors to choose your products with confidence.

ASI membership helps establish trust while also providing ongoing support to help you navigate and grow within the industry.

You’re Closer Than You Think

The biggest misconception about promo is that it requires something new. In reality, it often just requires a new level of visibility. Your products may already be a perfect fit. With ASI, you can turn your existing products into new opportunities, new relationships and new revenue streams.

Explore how you can grow with ASI and start reaching buyers who are already searching for what you offer.

The post Growth in Promo Starts With Being Seen, Not Starting Over appeared first on ASI.

The Moment Many Brands Overlook

Most golf products are positioned for retail, sold through pro shops, e-commerce and lifestyle channels to individual buyers. But the same types of products, apparel, drinkware and accessories, are being purchased in bulk by businesses all over the country. They’re customized with logos and used for corporate golf outings, sponsored tournaments, client gifts and executive programs and even employee engagement initiatives.

But in the promo industry, your products shift from something someone can buy once to something a company will buy hundreds of. Opening this door leads the way to a completely new growth path.

Instead of one-off retail purchases, you unlock:

• Larger, bulk orders tied to events and campaigns
• Repeat business from corporate programs
• New buyer segments beyond traditional channels
• More predictable, scalable revenue streams

You don’t need to redesign your product line or pivot your brand. The demand already exists; it’s just coming from a different type of buyer for a different purpose.

The Missing Piece: Access

So, if the opportunity is there, why don’t more brands tap into it? Even brands with strong products often don’t have a clear way to connect with the buyers who operate in this space. Without that connection, your products stay within the channels you already know, even if they’re a perfect fit for something bigger.

That’s where ASI® fits in.

The promotional products industry runs on connections – specifically, connections between suppliers and buyers who are actively sourcing products for real programs. Instead of trying to navigate a new channel on your own, ASI provides a structured way to enter and grow within the promotional marketplace.

Through ASI, your products can:

• Appear in front of 125,000+ buyers actively sourcing promotional products
• Be discovered through year-round product listings and marketing opportunities
• Benefit from data and insights that show what buyers are looking for
• Gain credibility through an established network and dedicated support

Expanding What You’ve Already Built

The brands that grow fastest aren’t always the ones creating something new. They’re the ones who recognize where their products can go next. If you’re in the golf industry, that next step might not be another retail channel. It might be a completely different audience – one that’s already buying products like yours, just in a different way.

Join ASI and Dive Into the Promo World Today

The post Where Golf Brands Find Their Next Growth Channel appeared first on ASI.

Whether you’re setting up a shop for uniforms, event giveaways, employee rewards or school spiritwear, ESP+ Stores allow you to meet your clients’ needs with speed, style and simplicity.

What Makes ESP+ Stores Different?

Unlike generic promo products e-commerce platforms, ESP+ Stores are tailored for the unique demands of the promotional industry. These client-ready storefronts are packed with features that support your business goals:

• Quick Setup: Get a store live in just a few steps – no IT skills needed (you’re welcome).
• Brand Matching: Customize each store to your client’s brand for a seamless experience.
• AI-Driven Product Search: Help your clients quickly find the perfect product.
• Consolidated Orders: Combine purchases to reduce shipping costs and fulfillment time.
• Built-In Marketing Tools: Promote store launches and encourage repeat business.
• Security & Compliance: Offer a fully secure and compliant online shopping experience.
• Automated Product Mock-Ups: Present polished visuals without extra effort.
• Budget-Friendly: Professional-quality stores without a high cost.

Why Distributors Love ESP+ Stores (and You Will Too)

ESP+ Stores aren’t just about saving time – they’re about growing your business. Distributors report faster order turnarounds, higher client satisfaction and stronger brand loyalty when using this powerful platform.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Less Admin: Cut down on emails and manual coordination.
• Consistent Branding: Ensure your client’s logo, colors and messaging shine through on every product.
• Bulk Order Savings: Combine shipping to save money for you and your clients.
• Effortless Buying Experience: Easy for end-users to browse, click and order.
• Repeat Business: Once a client has a store, they’ll keep coming back for more.

A Store for Every Client Type

Regardless of your niche, ESP+ Stores can support your clients across markets, events and business models. Just look at the possibilities:

• Real Estate & Construction: Sell branded safety gear, signage or gifts.
• Healthcare & Wellness: Offer scrubs, kits or fitness gear.
• Trade Shows & Company Retreats: Provide attendee swag and booth merchandise.
• Franchises & Multilocation Retail: Centralize ordering for brand consistency.
• Nonprofits & Fundraisers: Build virtual stores to raise money with custom merch.

Ready To Launch? Let’s Go.

You don’t need a development team or weeks of planning. With ESP+ Stores, you can set up and sell in no time – while offering a professional, polished experience that makes your clients’ lives easier and your business more profitable.

Streamline operations. Delight clients. Boost sales. ESP+ Stores make it happen, all from one secure, simple platform.

Learn more at asicentral.com/esp+stores or call (800) 546-1350 to get started.

The post How ESP+ Stores Help Distributors Grow Their Promo Products Business appeared first on ASI.

From fundraising campaigns to corporate rollouts, here are five smart ways to use ESP+ Stores as a flexible, scalable solution your clients – and your bottom line – will thank you for.

#1 Event-Based: Turn Big Moments Into Branded Experiences

Events are one of the most effective online company store use cases. Whether it’s a trade show, conference or corporate retreat, a dedicated event swag store ensures everyone gets the right gear – on time and on brand.

With ESP+ Stores, clients can simplify distribution, reduce waste and consolidate orders. You’re not just offering merchandise – you’re delivering a streamlined experience.

Use it for:

• Trade shows and expos – Classic high-volume merch opportunity
• Company retreats – Internal team building
• Client appreciation events – Relationship-driven branding
• Corporate galas and awards nights – Upscale and professional
• Product launches and milestone anniversaries – Timely, brand-centric events

#2 Market-Based: Align With Industry Needs

Each vertical has its own merch requirements, and an online company store allows your clients to meet them head-on. Using ESP+ Stores, you can build custom branded storefronts with relevant items for real estate pros, contractors, healthcare staff and beyond.

It’s one of the most effective promotional product use cases because it proves you understand your client’s business. That builds trust and elevates you from order taker to expert – and a go-to resource for all things branding.

Target market examples:

• Real estate – Perfect for signage, client gifts, open house kits
• Healthcare – Scrubs, wellness items, employee incentives
• Construction – Branded safety gear, tools, jobsite merch
• Finance – Professional swag for client engagement or internal branding
• Hospitality – Staff uniforms, guest welcome packages and event merchandise
• Manufacturing – Branded PPE, work gear and team incentive programs
• Technology – Trade show merch, employee kits and culture-building swag

#3 Purpose-Based: Fuel Internal Programs & Culture

One of the most overlooked online company store use cases is internal engagement. Help your clients launch stores that support wellness goals, reward employees or foster school spirit – all while keeping the process simple.

With ESP+ Stores, they get a seamless employee rewards platform or seasonal pop-up shop without having to manage fulfillment or inventory.

Example purposes:

• Team incentives or wellness programs – Branded items tied to fitness challenges, mental health months or productivity rewards
• Employee appreciation swag – Kits for staff anniversaries, promotions or “just because” recognition
• New hire onboarding – Easy distribution of welcome kits and branded gear for remote or in-person onboarding
• Diversity and culture campaigns – Swag supporting affinity groups, heritage months or inclusion initiatives
• Milestone celebrations – Company anniversaries, hitting sales goals or completing major projects
• Peer-to-peer recognition – Allow team members to nominate and reward each other with branded merch
• School or team spiritwear – For K-12, colleges or campus clubs – keeps fans cheering

#4 Client Branding: Stay Consistent Across Every Location

Multilocation businesses and franchises often struggle with brand consistency – and for good reason. An ESP+ Store can serve as a franchise merchandise solution, giving regional operators access to pre-approved, on-brand products while HQ maintains control over visuals and SKUs.

Now, you can help your clients scale their branding without sacrificing standards.

Great for:

• Franchise networks – Ensure all locations order from the same approved merch library
• Boutique fitness studios – Let each location offer branded apparel while HQ oversees the brand
• Multilocation retailers – Centralize seasonal or regional merch programs with brand consistency
• Restaurant chains – Uniforms, employee rewards and promotional items that reflect one unified brand
• Salons and spas – Branded robes, tools or take-home products managed under one store
• Education networks – Charter or private schools with multiple campuses needing shared branding
• Field sales teams – Enable reps across regions to order pre-approved apparel, signage and materials

#5 Charity & Fundraising: Make Giving Back Effortless

Fundraising is another powerful online company store use case. With ESP+ Stores, nonprofits and schools can run a fundraising merchandise shop year-round – no inventory headaches or manual ordering needed.

Whether it’s alumni gear, donor rewards or event tees, you can help clients amplify their mission while keeping their workload low.

Best for:

• Nonprofits and awareness causes – Year-round merch for campaigns, volunteers or supporter gifts
• School PTA fundraisers – Sell branded gear to support clubs, classrooms or school initiatives
• Community campaigns – Neighborhood revitalization projects, cleanup efforts and local causes
• Charity walks and races – Pre-event gear for participants and volunteers, plus year-round supporter apparel
• Animal rescues and shelters – Branded tees, pet gear or “adopt don’t shop” messaging items
• Religious organizations – Church groups, youth ministries or mission fundraisers
• Alumni associations – Offer exclusive branded merch for engagement and giving campaigns
• Cultural or arts groups – Theater companies, galleries or museums supporting events or memberships

Final Thoughts: One Tool, Countless Opportunities

ESP+ Stores aren’t just another platform – they’re your foot in the door with every type of client. By showing the wide range of online company store use cases, you’ll not only close more sales but build long-term value for your customers.

It’s time to match the right store to the right client. Explore ESP+ Stores today.

The post 5 Smart Ways Clients Can Use Branded Company Stores appeared first on ASI.

Selling promotional products for screen printers is a no-brainer. You can grow your business and diversify revenue streams without adding equipment or inventory (hooray!). It’s a smart, simple way to provide clients with more services, strengthen relationships and improve loyalty.

Why Promo Is a Natural Fit for Screen Printers

You already help clients promote their brand and they trust you with their logos – adding promotional products just gives them more options to do it. Promo products turn logos into everyday ads. Think tumblers in employee welcome kits, tote bags at trade shows or rally towels at sporting events.

And thanks to how the promo supply chain works, you don’t need to stock items or imprint them – someone else handles that! Promo vendors customize and dropship products directly to your clients. That means when you expand print shop offerings and upsell promotional items to print clients, you can grow your print shop without new gear. Zero inventory, no equipment and no added stress.

How To Start Selling Promo Items as a Screen Printer

We know – you already have a business and you’re busy. But the good news is adding promo products to a print business doesn’t have to add stress. Here’s how screen printers break into promo without breaking a sweat.

Join a Membership Organization in the Promo Products Industry

When you join a membership organization like ASI, you get access to member benefits including educational resources and software tools that help you run your promo business. ASI’s large network of vendors makes it easy to connect and source promo for your customers.

Use Software Built for Selling Promo

Promo product sourcing is its own world with tons of products, vendors and decoration methods. The good news is there is one tool you can use to manage every aspect of your business. ESP+ is an all-in-one software solution built specifically for print shops and promo professionals. Say no to juggling multiple platforms, tabs and tools – and yes to one simple solution.

With ESP+, you can:

• Search 1.2+ million products from nearly 3,000 promotional products vendors for printers
• Design client-ready presentations
• Manage orders, invoices and customer data
• Launch branded websites and pop-up stores
• Access a huge catalog of zero-inventory promo items

Promote to Existing Clients First

You already have clients. An easy way to sell branded merchandise is to offer more to people already buying from you. Marketing promotional products for screen printers can be as easy as just telling existing customers you offer them. Next time a client orders custom shirts, ask, “What else can I put your logo on?” See if they need event giveaways, thank-you gifts or branded office supplies. (And if it’s fall, be sure to ask about end-of-year awards and holiday gifts!)

To help close the deal, put together a custom presentation or mockup using ESP+. Most clients love seeing how their brand looks on something other than a T-shirt, and the visual alone may be enough to secure the order.

Bundle Shirts With Promo

Kitting – bundling products together – is a big trend in promo. As a screen printer, you can create your own kits that include shirts and related promo items. Just think about it: what if you bundled shirts with hats, water bottles or totes? You’d add value and increase your average order. Some pitch-perfect ideas:

• Back-to-school kits (shirts, lanyards, notebooks)
• New employee swag (backpacks, polos, drinkware)
• Event merch bundles (totes, hats, pens)

This strategy helps you upsell promotional items to print clients and further position yourself as a full-service branding partner.

Smart Sales, No Stress: Why Promo Works for Printers

Relationships are the key to any successful business – and you already have those. You understand timelines, design needs and branding. Selling promotional products is a natural next step for screen printers and lets you build on those strengths.

A good sourcing platform does the heavy lifting:

• No inventory. No equipment. No overhead.
• Vendors do it all – stock items, imprint and ship to your customers
• You can focus on selling and meeting client needs

You can grow your business and build loyalty by helping your clients get everything they need in one place.

Final Takeaway: It’s Easier Than You Think

When you join an organization like ASI, you have all the valuable resources you need to expand your offerings into selling promo. Join ASI today and start saying, “What else can I put your logo on?”

The post Beyond T-Shirts: How Screen Printers Can Easily Sell Promotional Products appeared first on ASI.

Imagine this: You can sell customers branded merchandise without ever touching a single product. No warehousing. No inventory. No overhead. You can add products without equipment investment and generate a new revenue stream. This sounds too good to be true (we know), but it’s the norm when you’re a screen printer who adds promo products to the mix.

Why Promo Products?

The question you should really ask is, “why not promo products?!” Items like pens, mugs, custom apparel and tech accessories branded with logos are a lucrative industry. For screen printers, it’s a natural upsell that fits right in with what you’re already doing. By adding promo to your lineup, you can:

• Say cha-ching! Get bigger orders from existing customers.
• Connect more with your community and grow your business with local organizations, schools and companies.
• Boost average order value without heavy lifting (figuratively and literally).
• Keep customers coming back for all their branding – stop sending them to your competition!

How the Zero Inventory Model Works

Through a network of trusted promo products vendors, screen printers can access a vast catalog of items ready for customization and direct fulfillment.

Here’s how:

1. Sell Branded Merchandise Without Stock: Choose from tons of items you can offer customers without ever buying any inventory – yep, no inventory!
2. Dropship Promotional Products: Your vendor handles imprinting the logos and shipping the final products to your customer. You focus on sales and service.
3. Risk-Free Revenue Streams: No blank goods to purchase. No storage space to manage. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?
4. Streamlined Workflow: With software like ESP+ from ASI, product sourcing, mockups and orders are managed on one platform.

Your Profit, Not Your Problem

Because of how the promo products supply chain works, you increase profit margins and expand your print business without overhead, staff or equipment. You keep the markup and skip the headaches.

What You Gain:

• No upfront inventory costs (woo-hoo!)
• Faster turnaround times with direct shipping from vendors
• More time to focus on high-margin screen printing jobs that bring home the bacon
• More value for your customers, which leads to loyalty, reorders and revenue

What You Avoid:

• Buying in bulk and crossing your fingers
• Dealing with warehousing or shipping (eyeroll)
• Spending on new equipment or training

Vendors You Can Trust

The secret weapon of the zero-inventory model? A trusted supplier network.

Joining a promo membership organization like ASI comes with lots of benefits, but perhaps the best advantage you’ll gain is access to nearly 3,000 vetted promo suppliers. (Remember, they’re the ones with the inventory, not you!)

Some vendors specialize in specific product types, while others offer a wide variety – so you’re in control. You choose the partners that best fit your business and customers’ needs. Since you’re outsourcing promo product fulfillment, it pays to be smart about which vendors you partner with.

Need things quickly? Work with vendors that offer rush services.

Have a customer who wants wow-worthy, one-of-a-kind swag? Reach out to vendors who do custom products.

Does your customer have green initiatives? Only partner with vendors who have eco certifications or products made with sustainable materials.

Joining a membership organization with a large vendor network allows you to pick and choose (and choose wisely) so you can best meet the needs of your customer.

ESP+: The Secret to Finding Promotional Product Vendors

When you join ASI, you get a license to ESP+, an all-in-one software that streamlines promo product sales. Many ASI members say all you need to sell promo is ESP+ (okay, not entirely true, but it definitely makes life a whole lot easier).

With ESP+, you have everything you need to run your business at your fingertips:

• Search 1.2+ million promo products from nearly 3,000 vendors.
• Use dozens of filters to find the perfect product.
• Create client presentations and virtual samples in minutes.
• Submit orders directly to vendors.
• Track fulfillment and manage proofs all in one place.
• Manage all client communications, including orders, invoices, artwork and even emails in the CRM.

FAQs: Why You Want To Say Yes to Low-Risk Product Diversification

Do I need special equipment? Nope. You won’t produce, customize or ship the products. Your vendor handles all of that!

Is there a minimum order requirement? Most vendors offer low MOQs, with some even offering single-unit orders. You can also get samples so your clients can see before they buy.

What about product customization? In addition to adding your customer’s logo, many vendors offer a variety of colors, sizes and even decoration methods. Want a fully customized product? There are vendors who specialize in that too.

How do I get started? Joining ASI gives you access to a large vendor network (a must), ESP+ (another must) and marketing support to hit the ground running.

Take the Next Step

Now you see why selling promo is a smart business growth strategy for a print shop. With zero inventory promotional products for printers, you can:

• Grow your order sizes without inventory, equipment or stress.
• Offer all things branding so your clients don’t turn to competitors.
• Strengthen customer relationships and boost loyalty (aka long-term business).
• Add services without adding complexity to your shop.

Remember, it’s not, “why promo?” – it’s, “why not promo?” Discover how ASI eliminates inventory risk and learn how to access our large vendor network. Start exploring today.

The post Zero Inventory, Big Profit: How Screen Printers Can Sell Promo Products Risk-Free appeared first on ASI.

But the real question is: Are enough buyers seeing you?

If connecting with new buyers is the goal, visibility must be the strategy. Here are three ways suppliers can strengthen their presence and expand their reach, starting today.

1. Show Up Where Buyers Are Already Searching: ESP+

ESP+ is one of the most powerful product marketplaces in the promotional product industry, used daily by tens of thousands of buyers sourcing items by category, price, imprint method, production time and more. If your products aren’t optimized and positioned well within ESP+, you’re competing for attention in a crowded space.

Enhancing your ESP+ presence ensures your products:

• Appear in relevant buyer searches
• Stand out among competing listings
• Showcase related or complementary items
• Drive engagement directly from search results

The stronger your visibility in ESP+, the more opportunities you create for buyers to discover, and choose, your brand.

2. Reinforce Your Brand with ASI Catalog Services

Getting found in search is powerful. Staying top-of-mind is what drives repeat business.

Buyers in the promotional products industry use catalogs as a trusted sourcing tool, not just for browsing, but for discovering new suppliers, comparing product lines and finding inspiration for client campaigns. That’s where ASI’s Catalog Services create a meaningful advantage.

With professionally curated print and digital catalogs distributed to a large network of active buyers, suppliers gain consistent exposure in an environment built specifically for promo sourcing.

Strategic catalog placement helps you:

• Increase brand recognition among qualified buyers
• Showcase new, seasonal or high-margin product lines
• Position your company alongside established industry suppliers
• Reinforce credibility through trusted ASI-branded publications

Unlike a single digital impression, catalogs provide extended visibility. They remain on desks, bookmarked digitally and referenced throughout the buying cycle. The more consistently buyers encounter your brand through trusted catalog channels, the more likely they are to include you in future projects.

3. Build Real Relationships at Industry Events

In the promotional products industry, relationships drive revenue. ASI events bring together active, engaged buyers who attend specifically to discover new suppliers and explore product ideas. These aren’t passive impressions; they’re real sourcing conversations happening in real time.

Exhibiting allows suppliers to:

• Showcase product quality firsthand
• Demonstrate customization and decoration methods
• Tell their brand story directly
• Build personal connections that set them apart

When buyers can see and experience your products in person, confidence increases and sales cycles often shorten. But the value goes beyond the booth. With pre-show promotion, on-site visibility and post-show follow-up opportunities, events become more than a moment – they become a measurable growth channel.

The real value of ASI events is momentum: stronger relationships, qualified leads and brand positioning that lasts well beyond the Expo Hall.

Growth Starts with Visibility

Connecting with new buyers isn’t about changing who you are as a supplier. It’s about expanding how and where you’re seen.

By strengthening your presence in ESP+, reinforcing your brand through catalogs and media advertising and investing in event connections, you create multiple pathways for discovery and engagement.

The opportunity is already there. The next step is making sure buyers can find you.

Learn more about maximizing your member benefits today.

The post 3 Ways Promotional Product Suppliers Can Connect with More Buyers appeared first on ASI.