Step 1: Define employee tier (entry/standard/premium) (5 minutes)
Junior hires: $80-150/kit. Mid-level: $150-250. Senior/executive: $250-450. Determines item selection and quality.
Step 2: Pick 4-6 core items (10 minutes)
Standard mix: T-shirt, water bottle, branded notebook + pen, stickers, tote bag, mug. Premium adds: leather portfolio, charger, glassware.
Step 3: Lock brand book compliance (20 minutes)
Pantone codes from brand book. Pick branding method per item: silkscreen on apparel, UV on bottle, laser on metal, foil/deboss on portfolio.
Step 4: Choose packaging tier (10 minutes)
Standard mailer (kraft padded envelope) — practical. Branded gift box — premium feel. Rigid box with magnetic closure — luxury impression.
Step 5: Plan personalization (optional) (30 minutes for CSV prep)
Per-employee laser engraving or embroidered names: +$5-15/item. CSV with names provided to vendor.
Step 6: Set distribution mechanism (Variable)
Delivered to new hire's home address or central HQ for HR distribution. Vendor handles logistics with photo confirmation.
Step 7: Order with 4-6 weeks lead time (4-6 weeks)
Brief → quote → strike-off → contract → production → ship: typically 4-6 weeks. Plan around onboarding cohort dates.
How to design a welcome kit for new hires
7-step guide · merch.am