At Pellacraft, we've been in the promotional products business since 1981
That's over four decades of watching trends come and go, seeing what actually works versus what just makes noise, and understanding what makes people keep a branded product versus binning it within a week. So when we tell you what's coming down the line for 2026, it's not guesswork – it's based on years of data, customer feedback, and honest conversations with businesses about what's actually driving results.
Because here's the thing: the promotional products landscape is changing fast, and what worked even two years ago isn't necessarily what's going to land well with your audience now.
People are savvier. They're more conscious about quality, sustainability, and whether something genuinely adds value to their life. Which means brands need to be smarter about what they're putting their name on. Let's look at what's actually gaining traction.
Mixed Materials Are Quietly Taking Over – And Here's Why That Matters
You know that satisfying feeling when you pick something up and it just feels right? That's what mixing materials does. But this isn't just about aesthetics – it's about creating products that feel more premium, more considered, and frankly, more worth keeping.
Our Reborn range is a perfect example of this trend in action. By combining different textures and materials, you're creating something that stands out in a sea of single-material sameness. Cork and fabric. Recycled leather with metal accents. Canvas with bamboo details. These combinations tell a story about craftsmanship and thoughtfulness.
From a business perspective, this matters because mixed materials elevate perceived value without necessarily increasing cost dramatically. Your brand isn't just on another pen – it's on something that feels crafted, intentional, and worth displaying on a desk or carrying around. That's the difference between a promotional product that gets used and one that gets forgotten.
We're seeing this trend particularly resonate with audiences who appreciate design and quality. If your brand values align with craftsmanship, sustainability, or standing out from the crowd, mixed materials are your friend.
PU Bags Aren't Going Anywhere – And That's Actually Good News
Let's be honest: PU (polyurethane) bags have earned their place in the promotional products world, and they're not budging anytime soon. Why? Because they've cracked the code on looking smart, being practical, and having that quality feel that makes people actually want to use them.
We see businesses coming back to PU bags year after year because they deliver on multiple fronts: they look professional, they're durable enough for daily use, they can be branded beautifully, and critically – they don't look or feel cheap. Here's what we've learned from decades of working with corporate clients: if you give someone a bag that feels flimsy or looks budget, it reflects on your brand. But a well-made PU bag? That gets used at conferences, on commutes, for gym kit, for weekend trips. It becomes part of someone's daily routine, which means your brand becomes part of their daily routine.
The staying power of PU bags also tells us something important about what people actually want from promotional products. They want reliability. They want something that fits seamlessly into their life without requiring special care. PU delivers that, which is why this trend isn't fading – it's evolving and getting better. Our Wye range keeps proving this point.
Wellbeing Has Moved from Nice-to-Have to Absolutely Essential
This is probably the biggest shift we've seen in recent years, and it's only accelerating into 2026. Wellbeing products – self-care sets, fidget tools, stress relief items, journals, neurodiverse-friendly products – these aren't novelty items anymore. They're what shows you actually understand and care about your audience.
Our relaxation and personal care range reflects this fundamental shift in workplace culture and personal priorities. After years of conversations about mental health, work-life balance, and employee wellbeing, people expect brands to back up that talk with genuine support.
What makes this trend particularly interesting from a business perspective is how it changes the conversation around gifting. When you give someone a wellbeing product, you're not just giving them something – you're acknowledging that their wellbeing matters. That's a powerful message, whether you're gifting to employees, clients, or event attendees.
We're also seeing growing demand for neurodiverse-friendly products, which is brilliant. Fidget tools, sensory items, and products that support focus and calm aren't niche anymore – they're mainstream. Forward-thinking brands are recognising that supporting wellbeing means supporting different needs, and that inclusivity is both the right thing to do and good business.
The key here is authenticity. People can spot performative wellbeing gestures a mile off.
Choose products that genuinely support wellbeing, not just things with "relax" printed on them. Quality matters here more than almost anywhere else.
Padded Jackets and Gilets: Functional Fashion That Actually Gets Worn
If you've been in this industry as long as we have, you've seen countless clothing trends come and go. But padded jackets and gilets? They're not just surviving – they're thriving and evolving.
Products like our IQONIQ Meru Recycled Polyester Bodywarmer showcase why this trend has legs. They're practical (keeping people warm matters, particularly in the UK), they look decent, and they're versatile enough to work across different settings – from outdoor events to casual Fridays to weekend wear.
What we're seeing now is brands treating these items as proper wardrobe pieces rather than just promotional giveaways. Better quality materials, thoughtful design details like hoods and better pockets, improved fits – all of this elevates these products from "free jacket" to "jacket I actually choose to wear." From a brand visibility perspective, this is gold. When someone genuinely wants to wear your branded jacket or gilet, your logo gets seen everywhere – and it gets seen in positive contexts. That's very different from forcing a logo onto something people only wear because they have to.
The sustainability angle here is also worth noting. Many of these products now use recycled materials, which aligns with growing environmental consciousness without compromising on quality or warmth. It's functional fashion that makes people feel good about wearing it, which is exactly what you want your branded apparel to do.
Wireless Charging: The Technology That Finally Caught Up to the Hype
Wireless charging has transformed from "nice idea" to "actually brilliant" in recent years. The technology works seamlessly now, charging speeds are genuinely useful, and it's become one of those everyday conveniences that people quickly come to rely on. It's tech that just makes life easier, and it's becoming the kind of tech gift that people actually appreciate.
Products like our Amporia RCS Recycled Plastic 10,000mAh Magnetic Powerbank show how far the technology has come. The key here is choosing quality that actually delivers. When you invest in wireless charging that works brilliantly – charges efficiently, stays cool, and just works every single time – people notice. They use it daily, they appreciate it, and every successful charge reinforces positive associations with your brand. Quality tech becomes part of someone's daily routine, which is exactly where you want your brand to be.
Invest in quality tech. Yes, it costs more upfront, but the return on investment is dramatically better. A wireless charger that works brilliantly gets used daily, sits on desks where others see it, and creates positive associations with your brand.
We're seeing robust demand for power banks with wireless charging capability because they solve multiple problems at once: charging on the go, no cables needed, and that satisfying magnetic click. It's tech that genuinely makes life easier, which is the whole point.
So What's Really Driving These Trends?
After four decades in this business, we've noticed something consistent: the trends that stick are the ones that genuinely solve problems or add value to people's lives.
What ties all of these 2026 trends together is a fundamental shift in how people think about promotional products. The days of quantity over quality are fading fast. People like products that are genuinely useful, well-made, and thoughtfully chosen.
Your audience – whether that's employees, clients, or event attendees – has higher expectations now. They notice quality. They appreciate sustainability. They value products that actually fit into their lives rather than cluttering up their homes. And they remember brands that get this right. This is why these trends matter: they're not just about what looks good in 2026. They're about understanding what your audience actually wants and needs, and showing that your brand values quality, thoughtfulness, and genuine usefulness.
Why Listen to Us?
We've been doing this since 1981. We've seen trends rise and fall. We've watched the industry evolve from simple logo placement to sophisticated brand experiences. And we've built long-term relationships with clients precisely because we focus on what actually works, not just what sells.
When we recommend products or identify trends, it's backed by years of data, customer feedback, and honest results. We know what gets used and what gets binned. We know what drives positive brand associations and what falls flat. And we know that the best promotional products are the ones people genuinely appreciate receiving.
2026 is shaping up to be all about quality over quantity, thoughtfulness over bulk orders, and genuine usefulness over generic giveaways. And honestly? We're absolutely here for it.
Plan Your 2026 Strategy?
If you're thinking about your promotional product strategy for the year ahead and want to work with people who know this industry inside and out, let's talk. We can help you choose products that your audience will genuinely appreciate and that will represent your brand brilliantly.
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