Event merchandise has moved far beyond notebooks, pens, tote bags, sticker packs, and branded mugs. Today, it is a full-fledged communication tool: apparel for organisers, meaningful gifts for partners, awards for competition winners, limited-edition collections, digital assets, and even hybrid experiences.
Modern merch must be useful, inspiring, and aligned with the atmosphere and message of the event. But above all, merch has become a language, a way for a brand to speak to its audience and remain in their daily lives long after the event ends.
At Overhood, we see this every day: thoughtful merch turns attendees into ambassadors and becomes one of the strongest reasons why people return to an event next year.
Below are the key ideas and trends shaping event merchandise today.
Merch as a Memory Anchor
The strongest merch isn’t about the object, it’s about the memory attached to it.
People tend to keep items that feel personal and emotionally charged. Even something as simple as an event badge often becomes a «trophy»: many attendees keep them, hang them on walls, or collect them throughout the year.
When the merch tells a story or captures a moment, it becomes part of the attendee’s personal narrative.
Compact, Functional, and Status-Adequate Merch
For business events, one principle remains unchanged: merch must be practical and easy to integrate into everyday life.
Compact products, minimalist design, and high-quality materials are now standard. Nobody wants bulky or disposable items anymore.
Minimalism and conceptual design are replacing large logos and loud branding. Brands now prefer subtle patterns, discreet elements, and merch that looks like a stylish lifestyle product rather than an advertisement.
Creative Concepts and Emotional Design
Merch today is a creative discipline.
Organisers increasingly request ideas that:
- surprise the audience
- spark emotions
- feel «better than last year»
- avoid generic powerbanks and stationery
The process always begins with understanding the brand’s DNA, audience, event purpose, and emotional direction. From this, we develop a concept that delivers the right associations.
A real case showing Overhood’s multi-item storytelling approach: Playrix × Overhood — 10+ Premium Items for Seasonal Corporate Events. In this project, Overhood produced over 2,000 premium items: umbrellas, kites, towels, keychains and more — each tied into one unified visual story.
Merch should always make people think: «They really thought about me».
Digital Merch: The Next Frontier
Virtual merchandise is no longer a distant future — it’s already part of the event ecosystem.
Digital products include:
- NFT collectibles
- virtual tickets and souvenirs
- branded skins and avatars
- exclusive in-app items
- event currencies for activations
For example, in the project Muse Group × Overhood, we produced custom T-shirts embedded with NFC chips — invisible under the embroidered logo, each tee enabled event participants to tap their smartphone and instantly access exclusive content, playlists or messages. The order also included branded socks, vinyl stickers and guitar-pick sheets, turning simple branded apparel into a smart interactive experience.
Digital merch extends engagement long after the event and opens new creative possibilities.
Event Merch Trends for 2025
High Quality
Premium materials and well-made products are now the baseline. Attendees expect items that last — not disposable giveaways.
Creative Storytelling
Merch becomes a narrative tool. Brands build full concepts: mascots, patterns, themed capsules. Overhood’s Playrix and Zeydoo projects show how multi-item stories create emotional connection.
Minimalist Aesthetic
Subtle branding replaces loud logos. Clean colours, tone-on-tone embroidery and refined details make merch wearable beyond the event.
Memorable Design
Unique silhouettes, textured materials and clever details create «wow» moments. The Muse Group × Overhood NFC merch is a great example of design meeting innovation.
Functionality
Useful items dominate: apparel, notebooks, bottles, umbrellas, travel accessories. When merch integrates into daily life, the brand stays visible longer.
Personalisation
Custom names, tailored prints and collectible badges make items feel «made for me», dramatically increasing retention.
Digital Layers
Smart merch is rising: NFC-enabled products, digital collectibles, virtual wearables and in-app extras. Overhood’s NFC T-shirts and stickers demonstrate this hybrid approach.
Sustainability
Recycled textiles, eco-friendly packaging and long-lasting materials are must-haves. Conscious production is now the industry standard.
If you need high-quality corporate merch for a future event, Overhood global merch company is here for you, ensuring your brand looks its best.
Love, Overhood
