👋 Welcome back to This Week in Print-on-Demand Episode #65, where swag meets culture.

Let’s dive in!

NEWS & NUGGETS: A DASH OF INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

🤠 ASI Showdown in Fort Worth: Saddle up, promo pros – the next big industry expo is ASI Show Fort Worth, March 9–11, 2026. Thousands of distributors and suppliers will convene deep in the heart of Texas to swap ideas, see the latest swag trends, and kick-start Q2 deals. Register here.

🤖 HR Braces for the AI Boom: According to SHRM’s newest report, 92% of Chief HR Officers expect greater AI integration in workforce operations in 2026. And 84% are gearing up to upskill employees in AI-related skills. From AI-driven recruiting chatbots to automated onboarding, a little robot assistance might be joining your HR team soon – time to befriend the bots (and maybe take a crash course in prompt writing). Source.

🌍 Global Growth Stays Strong: The IMF just bumped up its 2026 global GDP forecast to a steady 3.3%, crediting a tech investment boom (hello, AI) and easing trade tensions. In plain English: the world economy is proving resilient. Despite last year’s tariff wars and curveballs, businesses adapted and kept chugging along. Source.

🍫 Hershey’s Goes for Gold: Hershey’s just launched its first major brand campaign in 8 years – and they’re timing it with the Winter Olympics. The new “It’s Your Happy Place” platform will feature Team USA athletes and even limited-edition gold-wrapped chocolate medals. The goal? Reignite love for the classic Hershey’s bar by celebrating everyday joys as “the real gold.” The company is boosting the brand’s ad budget by 20%, so expect to see a lot of chocolate-fueled happiness on screens soon. (Happiness and chocolate coins? Count us in. 🥇🍫) Watch the video below.

🦄 Scotland’s Magical National Animal: File this under “cool and random”: Scotland’s official national animal is the unicorn. Yes, really – the mythical creature has been a symbol of Scottish heritage for centuries. It doesn’t get more whimsical than a unicorn representing your country’s spirit. (Take note, HR: if the Scots can embrace imagination in their identity, maybe your next team-building event can have a little magic too.) Learn more about it here.

 🎉 Giveaway Winner Alert: Shout-out to the winner from last week, Tre Braquet, who scored the Solar Qi 3.0 Wireless Charger from ACEHIGH. We’ve got another giveaway below!

You're Invited to the 2026 Masterclass

Join us for the 2026 Masterclass: Promotional Merchandise & Company Swag Secrets, where Ross breaks down how to order smarter, save cash, dodge common mistakes, and finally make merch fun again (yes, really).

Space is limited, and it's already filling up.

👉 Save your seat here, your future self (and your team) will thank you.

WEEKLY POLL + GIVEAWAY

Giveaway Alert: Serene Pack

Ever show up to work juggling a laptop, coffee, and two bags like a pack mule? The SERENE PACK is here to save your shoulders. This sleek, structured backpack (crafted from recycled ocean plastic) is designed to keep you organized on the job or on the go – one bag for your laptop, gym gear, and secret snack stash. It’s the kind of swag that makes you feel like a remote-work rockstar on the commute.

Details:

• Several lucky readers will score the SERENE PACK

• Winner announced in next week’s newsletter.

👉 To enter, just answer this week’s poll below.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

🤝 Meet Kniesel’s

Kniesel’s Collision has been keeping California cars shiny and safe since 1968. What began as a single shop run by Richard Kniesel, his wife Lilo, and their five kids in Citrus Heights has grown into a trusted, family-owned network across Northern California. Known for craftsmanship and integrity, Kniesels is certified by brands like BMW, Lexus, and Tesla. But what really sets them apart is culture: a people-first, community-driven spirit rooted in trust, quality, and servant leadership. Step into any Kniesel’s shop, and you’ll feel it — care, pride, and a team that treats you like family.

📣 Our Collaboration

When Kniesel’s wanted to extend that family-like culture into their employee experience, Brand Sauce rolled in to help. We partnered with Kniesels to launch a custom company swag store just for their team. Now, whether it’s a new technician in Sacramento or a long-time estimator in Rocklin, any Kniesels employee can hop onto their internal store and order high-quality company-branded gear whenever they want, hassle-free.

From embroidered jackets to insulated water bottles for the shop, we’ve got it covered. Brand Sauce manages all the sourcing, printing, and shipping behind the scenes, so the Kniesels HR crew can focus on what they do best (fixing cars and wowing customers) instead of boxing up t-shirts. The result? Kniesels’ people feel even more connected and proud to rep their brand, and a company built on serving others gets a bit of service back for a change. It’s a win-win that adds an extra spark to an already awesome workplace.

🤝 Connect With Kniesel’s

Shoot me a note at [email protected] to get connected with the team.

WEEKEND UPDATE

Around the Water Cooler With Ross AKA The P.O.D. Guy

Last week’s Water Cooler: PPAI 2026 is officially in the books

This Wednesday marked five Wednesdays in a row that I haven’t been in San Diego. Five weeks on the road can wear you down, but this stretch reminded me why I’m grateful to do what we do.

This week, I was in Long Beach for ISS (Impressions Show), surrounded by people who genuinely love this industry. Some were old friends, some were new faces, and many were people I’d known only through emails, Slack messages, or names on screens. Being together in person made all the difference.

ISS is where you see the craft behind the products, the machines, the techniques, the details that turn a blank item into something someone actually wants to wear, use, or gift. If PPAI is about imagining the future of products, ISS is about the hands and minds that bring those products to life.

I spent the week with some of the most talented decorators in the world. If you’ve ever smiled, laughed, or felt seen because of a shirt, hat, or mug you found on Instagram or TikTok, chances are it passed through the hands of someone like them. That’s not just production, it’s creativity at scale.

Because of this community, Brand Sauce is expanding what we’re able to offer. We’re adding more decoration techniques than ever before—patches, liquid 3D, sublimation, puff embroidery, DTG, DTF, and traditional embroidery. But what matters most isn’t the list. It’s the people behind it, the ones who’ve spent years perfecting their craft so others can bring ideas to life.

What stayed with me most this week wasn’t the technology. It was the relationships. The conversations over drinks. The shared stories about mistakes, growth, and wins. The way people in this industry choose collaboration over ego and generosity over secrecy.

Not every industry works this way. In print-on-demand, competitors often become teachers, mentors, and friends. People cheer for each other’s success because they believe, rightfully, that there’s room for all of us. The industry is enormous and still growing, and I truly believe the best is ahead.

My hope is that this spirit never changes. That we continue to compete with integrity, collaborate with intention, and share what we’ve learned along the way.

It’s an honor for Brand Sauce to be a small part of this community. We’re grateful for the people in it, inspired by what’s possible, and excited for 2026.

👥 Connect on Social Media

Not following Ross & Brand Sauce on social media yet? Let’s change that. Click the links below to stay connected for fresh ideas, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive updates 👇

• Ross’s LinkedIn

• BrandSauce LinkedIn

• BrandSauce YouTube Channel

⏪ Previous Episodes

In Print-on-Demand | EP #64, we unpacked how change is showing up across HR, hiring, and swag. From AI-generated candidates and tariff ripple effects to eco-forward merch and standout moments from the PPAI show floor, this episode focused on what’s shifting and why it matters. We also spotlighted how brands like CareerPlug are using thoughtful swag to build culture, and asked where sustainability really fits in.

In Print-on-Demand | EP#63, we explored how meaning beats materials, from Trader Joe’s totes turning into global merch flexes to Costco proving that staying true while adapting locally wins long term. We unpacked real shifts in work and culture, including rising wage expectations, AI’s growing role in HR, and what’s top of mind across the promo industry right now. Along the way, we spotlighted on-demand thinking, celebrated an employee moment at the edge of the world, and reminded ourselves why great swag shows up when it matters most. It’s an episode rooted in relevance, recognition, and the small details that build lasting connections.

In Print-on-Demand | EP#62, we zoomed out to explore what visibility really means, from brands overloading logos to Instagram’s algorithm pivots to HR teams rethinking how recognition actually lands. We hit the promo industry’s biggest stage, spotlighted creative merch moments, and threw in a little Groundhog Day trivia just to keep things spicy. Whether you're navigating culture shifts or planning your next swag drop, this edition served up fresh ideas for leading with clarity, creativity, and connection.

In Print-on-Demand | EP#61, we zoomed in on the power of on-demand swag, smarter gifting, and why letting people choose beats sending another “box of stuff” every time. From behind-the-scenes moments at Printing United to real-world stories of company stores done right, this episode explored how technology is reshaping employee experience and brand moments. Add in fresh industry insights, a community-powered giveaway, and a few crowd-favourite picks, and you’ve got an edition that’s equal parts practical, people-first, and scroll-worthy.

THAT’S A WRAP

That’s everything worth knowing this week in promo land.

Until next time, stay saucy! 👋

– Ross & the Brand Sauce Team

© 2025 On Demand Global, LLC, DBA Brand Sauce