- The Print on Demand Newsletter powered by Brand Sauce
- Posts
- Brand Sauce | The Print-on-Demand Newsletter | EP #77
👋 Welcome back to This Week in Print-on-Demand Episode #77, where swag meets culture.
If you order swag for your company, or simply want to stay up to date on the latest workplace trends, you’re in the right place.
Let’s Dive in!
NEWS & NUGGETS: A DASH OF INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
🧢 The Power of Swag: PPAI’s latest consumer work says 83% of recipients feel appreciated after receiving branded merchandise, 90% say it improves brand perception, and 65% are likely to keep a product for at least six months if it feels durable and well designed. Source.
📈 Making Recognition Work: Only 21% of organizations practice integrated recognition, yet companies that do are 5x more likely to help employees feel connected, 12x more likely to help employees thrive when they feel connected, and 81% less likely to drive burnout odds upward. The takeaway is simple: a once-a-year award is fine, but frequent, visible recognition is what actually changes the feel of a workplace. Source.
🎪 Festival merch just got a blanks flex: A big shout out to BELLA+CANVAS, who was named the official blanks provider for Coachella. The larger takeaway for merch folks is pretty clear: fashion-forward blanks are not a side conversation anymore. Retail taste and promo product decisions keep getting closer. Source.
🌎 Earth Day has a merch agenda now: Registration is open for the 2026 Sustainable Merch Summit. The virtual event brings together promo, print, and apparel voices for practical conversations on responsible merchandising. Check it out here.
📊 The Labor Market Is Selective, Not Frozen: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says March payrolls rose by 178,000 while unemployment held at 4.3%. But private job openings fell to 6.181 million in February. Hiring still exists. It is just a lot less forgiving. Read more here.
🎉 Giveaway Winner Alert: Shout-out to the winners from last week, Jessica Morris, MBA, ATC, who scored the 3 Fold Charger from HPG. We’ve got another giveaway below!
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
If you’re looking for the best company swag store, this is where things are changing fast.
For years, teams were stuck with bulk minimums, limited customization, and swag no one actually wanted.
Today, the game has flipped.
The best stores let you customize premium products across embroidery, DTF, DTG, patches, and more, starting at just one item.
That shift unlocks faster testing, deeper personalization, and a much better employee experience without the headache of leftover inventory.
The future of swag isn’t bulk. It’s on-demand, flexible, and built to actually reflect your brand.
WEEKLY POLL + GIVEAWAY
Giveaway Alert: JBL Soundgear Clip Open Ear
For the coworker who wants a soundtrack during heads-down work without fully disappearing from the room, this week’s prize is the JBL Soundgear Clip Open Ear Headphones with Air Conduction, SonicArc design, and all-day comfort.
Details:
Several lucky readers will score a JBL Soundgear Clip Open-Ear Headphones, custom-branded with their company logo.
Winner announced in next week’s newsletter.
👉 How to enter:
Watch our YouTube video of the week here and answer the pinned comment in the comment section
P.S. Last week, we only had 2 people enter the giveaway valued at $150+. The odds are in your favor!
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
🤝 Meet PDS Optical
PDS Optical is on a mission to deliver top-tier vision care for those who have served. Focused on Veterans, they provide a wide range of eyewear options, with frames and lenses tailored to individual needs. The goal is simple: make sure every person gets the clarity, comfort, and confidence they deserve, without a one-size-fits-all approach.
📣 Our Collaboration
The PDS Optical company store gives the brand a clean, on-demand home for merch, with zero friction from first click. The homepage sets the tone immediately with “swag delivered direct,” followed by a well-structured mix of apparel, bags, headwear, drinkware, tech, healthcare items, holiday gifts, and veteran-owned products. A clear bulk-order pathway is built in, and the quiet “built by Brand Sauce” detail signals exactly what this store is meant to do: work.
Everything points to a simple, well-executed goal. One place to browse branded gear, place orders without guesswork, and move through clearly defined categories that actually make sense. The experience feels consistent, intentional, and easy to adopt. A clear mission up front, backed by a merch flow that does not get in the way. That is where strong stores usually win.
🤝 Connect With PDS Optical
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 Tuesday was my kids’ school Jog-a-thon.
On the surface, it’s just a bunch of kids running laps, laughing with their friends, burning off energy on a school day.
But it’s become something much more than that.
Like last year, they raised money for Honor Flight → https://www.honorflight.org/
An organization that gives veterans the chance to visit the memorials built in their honor in Washington, D.C.
It’s a beautiful mission.
But what stays with me most isn’t the cause, it’s what my kids experience that day.
They get to meet veterans.
 |  |
They walk up, sometimes a little shy, sometimes without fully understanding the weight of the moment, and they say, “Thank you for your service.”
And every time, it gets me.
Because in that simple exchange, something important is being passed down. Not through a lecture. Not through a textbook. But through a moment.
Gratitude. Respect. Perspective.
As a parent, you hope your kids understand how lucky they are. That the life they’re growing up in, the safety, the freedom, the everyday normal moments we take for granted, came at a cost.
A real one.
Not abstract. Not distant.
Real families. Real sacrifices.
Ryleigh and Kinsley see a glimpse of that in their own lives. Their uncle serves in the military, and when he’s deployed, they see what that means for their cousins, months without their dad, holidays missed, a quiet kind of resilience that doesn’t get talked about enough.
It makes it all feel closer. More human.
So I’m incredibly grateful to their school, not just for organizing a fundraiser, but for creating a moment that sticks. A moment that helps shape how these kids see the world and the people who’ve helped protect it.
If you’ve never heard of Honor Flight, take a few minutes to learn about what they do. It’s special.
And if you have a couple of minutes, PDS optical made the video for them last year.
Just a heads up… you might shed a tear
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 👇
⏪ Previous Episodes
In Print-on-Demand | EP #76, we cover swag fulfillment delays flagged by Advertising Specialty Institute, new data showing AI is increasing employee workload, how discovery is shifting with AI (via The Verge), and why tangible rewards outperform cash when it comes to real engagement, plus we’re giving away a 3 Fold Charger. We also highlight how Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. is using its Brand Sauce company store to create a seamless, culture-driven merch experience with thoughtful details like their “Geospatial” collection. And in Ross’ Water Cooler, he shares a powerful reminder that connection starts small, and that something as simple as inviting others to the table can help us see each other not as different, but simply as people.
In Print-on-Demand | EP #75, we cover SpaceX IPO buzz, hiring lessons from 1,000+ interviews, Meta’s latest AI ad update, and what AI’s real economic impact might look like, plus we’re giving away a Tahoe Weekender Backpack. We also highlight how CISO Series is using its Brand Sauce company store to bring their community, content, and brand together in one place. And in Ross’ Water Cooler, he shares a meaningful reminder from the holidays, that sometimes the smallest gesture, like offering a seat at the table, can create a lasting sense of belonging.
In Print-on-Demand | EP #74, we cover AI in the workplace, and where it starts to cross the line, a viral AI playbook marketers can’t stop sharing, upcoming promo events, Admin Day ideas, and key industry updates. Plus, we’re giving away an Infinitunes wireless speaker + charger from HPG. We also highlight how Standard Builders is using their Brand Sauce company store to create consistency across teams and eliminate common swag issues. And in Ross’ Water Cooler, he shares a personal reflection from a trip to the circus, and why the real goal isn’t just success, it’s finding work that genuinely brings you joy.
In Print-on-Demand | EP #73, we cover creative brand activations, interactive merch, and feel-good moments that stick, from Pizza Hut’s Space Jam drop and Disney’s marketing play to a lemonade stand turned Super Bowl surprise and the Timberwolves’ playable snack cup, plus key job market updates. Plus, we’re giving away a Crumbee Desktop Vacuum. We also highlight how club sports teams are using Brand Sauce stores to fundraise, gear up, and build community through merch that actually gets used. And in Ross’ Water Cooler, he shares a personal story on mentorship and how showing up for others can shape someone’s path.
THAT’S A WRAP
That’s everything worth knowing this week in promo land.
Until next time, stay saucy! 👋
– Ross & the Brand Sauce Team
Ross Greenstein, Brand Sauce CEO & Co-Founder
© 2025 On Demand Global, LLC, DBA Brand Sauce