How Much Do Promotional Products Cost UK? Pricing Guide

One of the most common questions we get asked at PMP is: "How much do promotional products actually cost?" It's a fair question, and unfortunately, it's one that many suppliers make unnecessarily difficult to answer.

The promotional products industry has traditionally been opaque about pricing, with many suppliers hiding costs behind "request a quote" buttons and complicated pricing tiers. We believe you deserve transparency. In this guide, we'll break down the real costs of promotional merchandise in the UK, covering product prices, setup fees, artwork charges, delivery costs, and — crucially — how to get the best value for your budget.

Understanding Promotional Product Pricing

Before we get into specific product prices, it's important to understand the factors that affect how much you'll pay.

Unit Price vs. Total Cost

The price you see per unit isn't always the full picture. Total cost includes:

Unit price — the cost per item
Setup/origination fee — a one-off charge for preparing the printing plates, screens, or embroidery files (typically £25–£50)
Artwork preparation — if your logo needs adjusting for the printing method (often free if you supply print-ready files)
Delivery — shipping to your address (free on many orders over a certain value)
VAT — all prices in this guide are ex-VAT unless stated

The Volume Effect

This is the single most important thing to understand about promotional product pricing: the more you order, the cheaper each unit becomes. This isn't a marginal difference — unit prices can drop by 40–60% between minimum order quantities and larger runs.

Why? Because the fixed costs (setup, artwork, printing plate preparation) are spread across more units, and suppliers benefit from manufacturing efficiency.

Printing Method Matters

The branding method significantly affects cost:

Pad printing (small logos on pens, keyrings) — cheapest
Screen printing (flat surfaces like bags, t-shirts) — affordable for larger runs
Digital printing (full-colour on mugs, bottles) — moderate cost, great for detailed designs
Embroidery (clothing) — higher per-unit cost but very durable
Laser engraving (metal, wood items) — moderate cost, premium finish
Sublimation (all-over printing on mugs, bottles) — moderate to higher cost

Promotional Product Prices by Category

Here's what you can expect to pay for the most popular promotional products in the UK in 2026. All prices are approximate, ex-VAT, and based on mid-range quantities (100–500 units unless stated).

Pens

Pens are the most popular promotional product in the UK, and they're also one of the most affordable.

Product Type	Price Range (per unit)	Typical MOQ
Basic plastic pens	£0.20–£0.60	100
BIC branded pens	£0.40–£0.80	100
Eco-friendly pens	£0.40–£1.00	100
Metal pens	£1.00–£5.00	50
Stylus pens	£0.50–£2.00	100
Premium pen sets (Parker, Cross)	£15.00–£45.00	25

Best value tip: Standard plastic pens in quantities of 500+ can cost as little as £0.20–£0.30 each, making them the cheapest branded item available.

Mugs & Drinkware

Drinkware is the second most popular promotional product category, with excellent brand visibility.

Product Type	Price Range (per unit)	Typical MOQ
Ceramic mugs	£2.00–£5.00	36
Enamel mugs	£4.00–£8.00	50
Travel mugs	£3.00–£12.00	50
Reusable coffee cups	£3.00–£8.00	50
Insulated tumblers	£6.00–£15.00	25
Water bottles	£1.50–£8.00	50
Metal water bottles	£4.00–£12.00	50
Sports bottles	£1.50–£5.00	50
Glassware	£3.00–£10.00	36

Best value tip: Plastic water bottles offer exceptional value, with prices starting from around £1.50 in larger quantities. For a more premium feel without a huge jump in cost, sports bottles are a great middle ground.

Bags

Bags offer some of the best branding real estate of any promotional product, with large, flat print areas.

Product Type	Price Range (per unit)	Typical MOQ
Non-woven bags	£0.50–£1.50	100
Cotton bags	£1.50–£3.50	100
Tote bags	£1.50–£5.00	50
Drawstring bags	£1.00–£3.00	100
Canvas bags	£3.00–£7.00	50
Jute bags	£2.50–£5.00	100
Conference bags	£3.00–£10.00	50
Backpacks	£8.00–£30.00	25
Laptop bags	£10.00–£35.00	25

Best value tip: Non-woven bags are the most budget-friendly bag option, while cotton bags offer a more premium, eco-friendly feel at a modest price increase.

Clothing

Branded clothing costs more per unit than smaller items but delivers outstanding visibility and longevity.

Product Type	Price Range (per unit)	Typical MOQ
T-shirts (printed)	£3.00–£8.00	25
Polo shirts (embroidered)	£8.00–£18.00	20
Work shirts (embroidered)	£15.00–£30.00	10
Hoodies	£12.00–£28.00	10
Jackets	£18.00–£50.00	10
Hi-viz safety wear	£5.00–£25.00	25
Baseball caps	£3.00–£8.00	25

Best value tip: Embroidered polo shirts offer the best balance of quality, professional appearance, and cost. They're versatile enough for casual Fridays, events, and workwear.

Keyrings

Keyrings are small, affordable, and endlessly versatile.

Product Type	Price Range (per unit)	Typical MOQ
Plastic keyrings	£0.30–£1.00	100
Metal keyrings	£0.80–£3.00	50
Wooden keyrings	£0.60–£2.00	100
Bamboo keyrings	£0.80–£2.00	100
Custom-shaped keyrings	£1.50–£4.00	100
Functional keyrings	£1.00–£4.00	50
Torch keyrings	£1.00–£3.00	100

Tech Products

Tech products tend to carry higher unit prices but also generate more excitement and perceived value.

Product Type	Price Range (per unit)	Typical MOQ
USB drives	£2.50–£8.00	25
Power banks	£5.00–£25.00	25
Wireless charging pads	£5.00–£15.00	25
Charging cables	£1.50–£5.00	50
Earbuds & headphones	£3.00–£20.00	25
Speakers	£8.00–£30.00	25
Webcam covers	£0.30–£1.00	100

Office & Stationery

Office products and stationery are workday staples with excellent desk visibility.

Product Type	Price Range (per unit)	Typical MOQ
Notebooks	£1.50–£8.00	50
Hardcover notebooks	£3.00–£12.00	50
Sticky notes	£0.50–£2.00	100
Folders	£1.00–£4.00	50
Mouse mats	£1.00–£3.00	50
Desk pads	£2.00–£8.00	50
Lanyards	£0.60–£2.50	50

Setup & Origination Costs

Most promotional products carry a one-off setup charge (also called an origination fee). This covers the preparation of printing screens, embroidery digitisation files, or engraving templates. Typical costs:

Pad printing setup: £20–£35
Screen printing setup: £25–£40 per colour
Embroidery digitisation: £25–£50
Laser engraving setup: £20–£35
Digital/sublimation printing setup: Often free or £10–£20

Important: Setup costs are per design, not per order. If you're ordering 500 pens with the same logo, you pay the setup charge once. Many suppliers (including PMP) waive setup costs on orders above a certain value or during promotional periods.

Artwork Costs

If you supply your logo in the correct format (typically vector files — .AI, .EPS, or high-resolution .PDF), artwork preparation is usually free. If your logo needs to be redrawn, converted, or significantly adapted, there may be a small artwork charge of £15–£30.

Save money by: Having your designer supply print-ready vector files. This eliminates artwork charges entirely and ensures the best possible print quality.

Delivery Costs

Delivery costs depend on order size, weight, and destination:

Standard UK delivery: Free on most orders over £150–£200 (ex-VAT)
Smaller orders: £5–£15 depending on weight and size
Express delivery: Additional £10–£25 for expedited service
Multiple delivery addresses: Additional charges may apply

How to Get the Best Value

1. Order in Bulk

The biggest single factor in price reduction. Even jumping from 100 to 250 units can save 15–25% per unit. If you'll use items throughout the year, consolidate into one larger order.

2. Choose the Right Printing Method

Full-colour digital printing costs more than single-colour pad printing. If your logo works in one colour, you'll save money. Conversely, if you have a multi-colour logo, choose products that include full-colour printing in the base price.

3. Consider Virtual Proofs

Free visual mock-ups save money by eliminating the need for expensive physical samples. Most suppliers can provide photorealistic mock-ups that show exactly how your finished product will look.

4. Plan Ahead

Rush orders cost more. Standard lead times (10–15 working days) are significantly cheaper than express turnaround (3–5 working days). Planning your promotional product needs quarterly or annually helps you avoid premium rush charges.

5. Ask About Package Deals

Many suppliers offer discounts when you order multiple different products at the same time. A combined order of pens, notebooks, and bags will often be cheaper than three separate orders.

6. Compare Cost Per Impression

Don't just compare unit prices — think about cost per impression. A £5 water bottle used daily for 2 years generates over 700 brand impressions at less than £0.01 per impression. A £0.30 pen used occasionally for 6 months generates maybe 100 impressions at £0.003 per impression. Both are excellent value, but the water bottle delivers more total impact.

Real-World Budget Examples

Small Business Starter Pack (Budget: £200–£300)

250 branded plastic pens: ~£75
100 branded cotton tote bags: ~£200
Setup costs: ~£50
Total: ~£325 (inc. setup, ex-VAT)

Trade Show Bundle (Budget: £500–£800)

500 branded pens: ~£125
200 drawstring bags: ~£300
100 water bottles: ~£250
200 branded mints: ~£60
Setup costs: ~£100
Total: ~£835 (inc. setup, ex-VAT)

Corporate Gift Programme (Budget: £1,000–£2,000)

50 premium metal pens in gift boxes: ~£250
50 branded A5 notebooks: ~£225
50 insulated travel mugs: ~£400
50 branded tote bags (presentation): ~£175
Setup costs: ~£100
Total: ~£1,150 (inc. setup, ex-VAT)

Employee Welcome Pack (Budget: £25–£40 per pack)

Branded hoodie: ~£18
Branded water bottle: ~£5
Branded notebook: ~£3
Branded pen: ~£1
Total per pack: ~£27 (ex-VAT, plus share of setup costs)

Why Choose PMP for Your Promotional Products?

At Positive Media Promotions, we're committed to transparent pricing and honest advice. We'll always:

Provide clear, itemised quotes with no hidden charges
Offer free visual mock-ups before you commit
Advise on the most cost-effective options for your budget
Match or beat like-for-like quotes from other UK suppliers
Provide free delivery on qualifying orders

We've been helping UK businesses get the best value from promotional products for years, and we genuinely love finding creative solutions that work within real-world budgets.

Get Your Free, No-Obligation Quote

Ready to find out exactly how much your branded merchandise will cost? Request a free quote with details of what you need, and we'll come back to you within 24 hours with transparent pricing.

Call us on 0161 850 0435 or email sales@positivemediapromotions.co.uk — no pressure, no jargon, just straightforward pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do promotional product prices vary so much between suppliers?

Prices vary due to differences in product quality, printing methods, minimum order quantities, and supplier margins. A "cheap" pen from one supplier may be lower quality than a slightly more expensive pen from another. Always ask for samples if you're unsure, and compare like-for-like specifications rather than just prices.

Q: Is there a minimum spend for promotional products?

Most orders have a minimum order quantity (MOQ) rather than a minimum spend. MOQs typically range from 25–100 units depending on the product. Some suppliers also have minimum order values (e.g., £50 or £100) to make production economically viable.

Q: Are promotional product prices negotiable?

For larger orders, absolutely. Most suppliers are willing to discuss pricing on orders of 500+ units. It's also worth asking about seasonal promotions, end-of-line offers, and multi-product package deals. Building a long-term relationship with a supplier often leads to better pricing over time.

Q: Do I have to pay VAT on promotional products?

Yes, promotional products are subject to standard UK VAT at 20%. All prices quoted by suppliers are typically ex-VAT unless specifically stated otherwise. If your business is VAT-registered, you can reclaim the VAT.

Q: How much extra does full-colour printing cost?

This depends on the product. Many items (mugs, water bottles, bags) now include full-colour digital printing at no extra charge. For items that use pad printing or screen printing (pens, keyrings), each additional colour typically adds £0.05–£0.15 per unit plus a setup charge per colour.

Q: What's the cheapest promotional product I can buy?

Basic plastic pens are the cheapest promotional product, starting from around £0.20 per unit in quantities of 500+. Balloons, bookmarks, and individually wrapped mints are also available at very low per-unit costs.

Q: How do I budget for promotional products across a whole year?

We recommend allocating 3–5% of your marketing budget to promotional products. Plan your needs quarterly — trade shows in spring, client gifts in summer, Christmas gifts in autumn. Consolidating orders where possible saves on setup costs and achieves better per-unit pricing.

Q: Can I get an exact quote without committing to an order?

Absolutely. At PMP, we provide free, no-obligation quotes. Simply tell us what products you're interested in, your approximate quantities, and your branding requirements, and we'll provide a detailed breakdown within 24 hours.