Merch for startups — minimal budget, maximum brand impact

Bootstrapped startup, $5K total budget, 25 employees + 50 partners: distribute across (a) team kit ($75 × 25 = $1875): branded T-shirt, water bottle, sticker pack, notebook. (b) partner gift ($35 × 50 = $1750): high-quality T-shirt + cap + sticker. (c) trade show kit ($100 × 12 events × 1 set per event = $1200): backdrop, business cards, sticker giveaway. Cost-saving tactics: bulk silkscreen at MOQ 100 not 50 (40% saving), single Pantone color not 3-color, standard packaging not custom. Avoid: low-quality fabrics (3-month durability vs 3-year), pre-printed catalog items with sticker logos.