College Welcome Custom Gifts Guide

College Welcome Gifts Guide

As hundreds of thousands of college students return to campuses across the country, they have many questions on their minds about their classes, their professors, their roommates, and more. But there’s another question they’re all thinking: How much free stuff can they get during Welcome Week? Whether you’re putting together college welcome kits, purchasing swag for your campus organization or club, or ordering giveaway items for events, Merchology has all the logo-branded college gifts that you need for the upcoming semester.

Below, we’ll give an overview of some of the top logo-branded products to include in your college welcome kits.

Get Quick Shipping on Custom Welcome Week T-Shirts

The new school year is coming, which means lots of new, exciting events to look forward to! If you’re looking for custom T-shirts or sweatshirts for your college welcome week events, we have an exciting new print method that offers a quicker turnaround and lower cost so you get custom printed merch in time for events! This new printing method, direct apparel printing, allows for softer, durable, more detailed designs while saving you time and money! Shop the direct apparel printing collection to get started.

 

 

Custom College Logo Tees & Tanks

T-shirts are the standard logo-branded merch item for any giveaway or welcome package, and they’re especially important for colleges and universities. Students want to be comfortable, they want free stuff, and they want to rep their school. By giving custom tees and tanks as gifts, you can both build enthusiasm for your school and get your college logo out into the community. 

Custom Next Level Vintage Tee

The Next Level Vintage Tee offers 3/4 sleeves in a Raglan style for a classic collegiate look. This unisex shirt is offered in various color combos, so you can choose the option that works best with your school colors. Your logo or promotional image is printed prominently on the center front.

Custom Logo Under Armour Women's V-Neck Tee

Match your logo with a top athletic brand with this Under Armour Women’s V-Neck Tee. Under Armour is a popular choice for branded college apparel, and this V-neck features the high-quality, moisture-wicking fabric that made the company famous. It will keep students dry and cool as they rush to class across campus, compete on the intramural field, and explore the town outside of campus.

 

Custom Expert Women's Graphite Extreme Racerback

Even though it’s called the “fall semester,” many campuses are still sweltering when students return to classes. That’s why you should consider including a lightweight tank top in your college welcome kits. This Women’s Racerback Tank features a breathable, wicking fabric and removable bra pads. The racerback style makes it perfect for workouts, as well.

 

College Logo Vests

Once classes start, the hot summer weather will quickly give way to crisp air and crunchy fall leaves across campus. Vests are the perfect outerwear for this transition between seasons. Plus, with outdoor wear rising to the height of fashion, vests are a stylish choice for both men and women. Logo-branded vests are an excellent choice for gifts for college students, faculty, and staff.

Custom Zusa Wanderlust Vest

The custom Zusa Wanderlust Vest offers a sleek, simple look while providing protection from wind and rain. It is available in both men’s and women’s styles. Plus, it is made from recycled water bottles, making it a great option for eco-conscious Gen Z students. (In fact, many of the items on this list are sustainably made).

Logo-Branded Landway Puffer Vest

Puffer outerwear is always in style, and it’s been especially fashionable in recent years. Students will love repping their college with this custom Landway Puffer Vest, available in various colors in women’s and men’s styles.

 

 

Corporate Logo Patagonia Better Sweater Vest

The Patagonia Better Sweater Vest offers the brand’s signature durability and sustainability. Patagonia does not allow logos to be added to their products. However, due to the brand’s popularity, this vest still makes for great campus teamwear when paired with other branded college apparel, such as hats or leggings.

Corporate Fleeces & Logo-Branded Layering

Rigid clothing is out. Cozy is in! The pandemic has many of us dressing more casually, and college students have always looked to match comfort with style. When you put your college logo on custom fleeces, sweatshirts, and hoodies, students will love using these gifts for layering through multiple seasons.

Custom Zusa Women's Midtown Fleece Full Zip

Aim for versatility with this Zusa Women's Heather Midtown Fleece Full Zip, which can be worn as a top or as a jacket. Both the women’s and men’s styles provide warmth while maintaining a sleek silhouette.

College Logo Alternative Apparel Men's Champ Eco-Fleece Sweatshirt

Nothing says comfort like a standard crew-neck sweatshirt. This custom Alternative Apparel Men's Champ Eco-Fleece Sweatshirt will be every student’s new favorite sweatshirt to throw on for chilly days.

 

Custom American Apparel Unisex Asphalt Flex Fleece Zip Hoodie

Every college student’s closet needs several high-quality hoodies; they’re perfect for long nights of studying or for treks across campus in the wind and snow. The Custom American Apparel Unisex Asphalt Flex Fleece Zip Hoodie is a great unisex option for your college welcome kits.

Logo Embroidered Blankets & Towels

When considering wholesale products to order for custom college gifts, blankets and towels may not be the first items you think of. However, they should definitely be on your radar. Not only do they keep students cozy and warm in their dorms, but they’re perfect for afternoons of tailgating, chilly evenings at football games, or picnics on the quad. 

Embroidered Port Authority Grey Heather Cozy Blanket

Encourage your students to destress with this Port Authority Grey Heather Cozy Blanket. The epitome of warm and fuzzy, this logo-embroidered blanket will bring comfort during exam weeks and add coziness to late-night hangouts.

Embroidered Port Authority Black Watch Flannel Sherpa Blanket

Nothing says “fall” quite like flannel. That’s why the Port Authority Black Watch Flannel Sherpa Blanket is a smart option to include in your college’s welcome kits for the fall semester. It’s available in black plaid, green plaid, and always-on-trend red buffalo plaid.

Custom Port Authority Value Beach Towel

Of course, your students also want to be prepared for fun days in the sun. Logo-branded beach towels are a great custom gift for beach-themed welcome week parties. They’re also a good choice for spring semester welcome kits–they allow your students to show off their school pride wherever they go on Spring Break. The custom Port Authority Value Beach Towel provides ten different color options, so you can find one that looks perfect with your logo.

Custom Laptop Bags and Backpacks

Backpacks and device bags are ubiquitous on college campuses. And it’s no wonder: back-to-back classes leave students with no time to stop by their dorm, apartment, or car to switch out supplies. A heavy-duty backpack is a necessity for students to transport the textbooks, laptops/tablets, and snacks/drinks they need to get them through their day.

Branded Patagonia Refugio Pack II 28 L

Since college students use their backpacks daily to carry heavy textbooks, durability is key. Therefore, it’s important to go with a trusted brand whose products are made to last. The Patagonia  Refugio Pack II 28 L includes a padded laptop sleeve, a lined tablet pocket, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of compartments and space. The company offers an Ironclad Guarantee and will repair any broken zippers or torn seams for just a price of shipping. 

Custom OGIO Apex 15 Heather Grey Slim Case

For students using e-textbooks or for graduate students with fewer classes, a good quality laptop bag may be preferred over a full-sized backpack. The sleek and simple custom OGIO Apex 15 Heather Grey Slim Case features a top-loading laptop compartment for easy access, as well as adjustable straps. With your college’s logo embroidered on it, this bag is especially useful for upper-level students attending conferences and starting internships.

Embroidered Zusa Black Heather Daytripper Backpack

If you’re looking for a high-capacity custom backpack with a sleek silhouette, the embroidered Zusa Black Heather Daytripper Backpack is the perfect choice. It has all the features students need—padded laptop compartment, water bottle pockets, and 30 L of capacity–but with a profile that looks more business-meeting than grade-school. It also has a pass-through luggage strap to make it easy to use it as your carry-on. This is a helpful feature for students who fly home on breaks or faculty who regularly travel for conferences or research.

Custom Drinkware

No college welcome kit would be complete without a piece of logo-branded drinkware! Students need refillable water bottles and coffee cups to carry with them to class, as well as drinkware for their dorm rooms and apartments. Thankfully, Merchology has plenty of options in various sizes and styles, so you can find the best option for your students.

Custom S'well 40 oz Traveler

The custom S'well 40 oz Traveler is the ideal logo-branded gift for college students who want to stay hydrated. The huge 40 oz capacity will last through multiple classes. Its triple-wall insulation keeps drinks cold for a whopping 60 hours. It will also keep coffee hot for 20 hours–perfect for all-nighters at the library.

Custom Zusa Commuter Tumbler

The Zusa Commuter Tumbler 20 oz offers a more standard size for refillable drinkware, and the tumbler style is perfect for use in the dorm or on the go. Its double-wall insulation keeps drinks hot for 6 hours or cold for 12. 

Branded BruMate Hopsulator DUO

Does your campus have a lot of canned drink vending machines? Then you may want to consider the versatile branded BruMate Hopsulator DUO. It not only serves as a 12-ounce refillable tumbler, but it also can be used as a can cooler. It is cup-holder friendly and keeps beverages 20-times colder than standard can coolers.

In a Hurry? Try Our Campus Style MerchBox

As you can see, there are a lot of options for wholesale products that you can order for your custom college gifts. As a busy college administrator, you may not have time to look through them all and curate the perfect welcome kit for your school. But thankfully, we’ve already curated one for you! You can order the Campus Style MerchBox in bulk to give out at campus events, or we can ship them directly to your incoming students!

Our Campus Style MerchBox includes the following products, all customized with your logo:

• Port Authority Pocket Cinch Pack
• CamelBak Eddy + 25oz Bottle Tritan Renew
• Alphagraphics 3” x 3” Die Cut Sticker
• Bullet Lanyard Crossbody Phone Pouch
• Leed’s Black 8.5” LCD e-Writing & Drawing Tablet
• 175+ Things to Do Before You Graduate College Book

Merchology also offers a Lite version of this box that includes just the cinch pack, the 25 oz bottle, and the die cut sticker. All of our MerchBoxes are customizable, so we can find the perfect combination of items to fit your needs and budget.

Contact Us

Merchology has everything you need to give your students, faculty, and staff the warm welcome they deserve. Call a Merchologist today to get started!