Trendy spring promotional items for 2026

By Laurie Frees

Spring is right around the corner. With it comes renewed energy, optimism and possibilities—perfect conditions for refreshing your promotions. One smart way to do that is to embrace trends. Leaning into trends opens in new window has long helped brands stay relevant, capture attention and connect with audiences. When promotional products reflect what’s happening in retail, fashion and culture, they feel more intentional, useful and memorable. Explore spring promotional items that can help your brand shine this season.

Spring promo items in colors that pop

The new year brings new “color of the year” declarations. Brands from Pantone^® to Pinterest^® have forecasted the tones that’ll hit big—and your next campaign can get in on the action. Give team members full-zip hoodies in white or oatmeal heather to float along with Cloud Dancer, Pantone’s color of the year opens in new window. Or give long-sleeve tees in teal to embrace WGSN^®’s pick opens in new window, Transformative Teal.

The right accessories can make any look appear more on-trend. Choose trucker caps in cyan to align with Pinterest’s pick, Cool Blue. Or select crossbody bags in a hue similar to Fashion’s favorite opens in new window for the new year—Aperol^® Orange—to make a bold statement.

Trendy promotional products in on-point patterns

Patterns and prints are having a moment. Across a range of products, people are reaching for items with more personality-driven designs. It’s not so much about loud statements—just subtle sophistication opens in new window. Give customers patterned mini totes to celebrate a seasonal promotion. Or provide cloud-patterned umbrellas to contest winners.

Patterned polos are also trending, offering an easy way to add visual interest while keeping a polished look. Whether worn on the golf course or at the office, camo polos or striped polos deliver a modern, sporty feel. They’re perfect for upgrading employee uniforms or creating branded apparel your team will love.

Practical promo items to keep them moving

Trend forecasts point to experience-driven, on-the-go lifestyles where people prioritize products that allow for movement and convenience during daily routines. Spring promotional products that offer true utility—especially when paired with modern designs—are more likely to get used and be seen. On-trend colored tumblers make ideal employee, customer or client gifts. So do tech travel bags, which help keep everyday essentials accessible and organized.

Practicality reigns supreme opens in new window when it comes to bags. Two-tone totes can be a trusted commute companion, while nautical totes are an asset just about anywhere. Give either to your team as a thank-you gift after completing a spring cleaning project or sealing a deal.

Spring promotional items that go back to basics

We do a lot of communicating through screens, but some more traditional ways of conversing are on the comeback. Pinterest predicts a letter-writing renaissance (PDF) opens in new window this year, especially among Gen Z and millennials. That makes gel pens and markers top trendy promo items. Pro tip: Go for a stylish spring color, like orange or turquoise.

That pen-and-paper theme extends beyond letter-writing. An aesthetic dubbed “poetcore” is expected to take hold this year. It is inspired by nostalgia and literature, which means leather journals and fountain tip pens are great ideas for “Throwback Thursday” or “Flashback Friday” promotions.

Want to dig deeper into the new year’s hot products? See more trending promotional products for 2026.

Use spring promo items to keep things fresh

Spring is all about fresh starts and new opportunities. Tap into the season by exploring current and emerging trends for your campaigns and promos. These spring promotional items plus a little hard work and some creativity will have your brand blooming this year!

Laurie Frees

Laurie Frees is a merchandising category manager at 4imprint who specializes in apparel. With over 25 years of experience in merchandising and product development—plus four years in the promotional products industry—she brings deep expertise in fabric construction and logo application. Laurie manages the product assortment across all apparel categories, including T-shirts, polos, outerwear, dress shirts, sweatshirts and more. Her role includes tracking trends, building supplier partnerships and analyzing data to guide decisions. With a strong focus on products made from sustainable materials, Laurie helps drive innovation in core apparel offerings that customers rely on to showcase their brands.

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