The 2026 version of the PPAI Expo, which traditionally attracts the country’s largest and most prominent promotional product providers and distributors, recently wrapped up in Las Vegas. As usual, the event showcased emerging trends and hinted at which branded promotional products might be popular for the coming year.

This year, the themes seemed to revolve around simplification: ways to declutter your life, reduce stress, and generally promote wellness—for people as well as the planet—through more convenient and “mellow” products.

Rumors of the demise of the print industry are greatly exaggerated. For many companies, printed materials are still an essential part of their marketing and customer engagement strategy.

From brochures, white papers, and data sheets to event signage, direct marketing campaigns, and product catalogs, print continues to play a significant role in building brand visibility and supporting sales and lead generation efforts. If not managed strategically and efficiently, however, printing costs can quickly escalate and consume in inordinate number of already scarce budget dollars. Everything from outdated materials to fragmented ordering processes and last-minute print runs lead to unnecessary expenses.

Branded promotional materials help you build visibility for your company, solidify customer loyalty, and support sales. From trade show giveaways to corporate apparel and other gifts, items that sport your corporate logo establish a memorable connection between your brand and target audience.

However, producing promotional materials at scale comes with its own set of challenges. The latest round of tariffs threatens to impose additional costs. Inconsistent branding is always an issue. Fragmented vendor relationships and logistical headaches are a constant risk. Without a coordinated program to help with production, the creation of branded promotional items can become a drain on both time and budget.

Sustainability has become a central theme in modern marketing. Consumers today expect the brands they interact with to minimize their environmental impact and demonstrate a meaningful commitment to “greener” practices.

At the same time, businesses are under pressure—both internally and externally—to report their progress on achieving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Marketing fulfillment vendors—who manage the production, storage, and distribution of various branded materials—sit at a critical junction in this movement, since their operations directly influence resource consumption, waste generation, and carbon emissions.

Employee engagement is a critical driver of business success. Engaged employees are not only more productive and loyal, they are also more likely to invest in the company by contributing innovative ideas and recommendations.