12 School Swag and School Spirit Wear Ideas [Updated 2024]

Imagine walking down the hallway and seeing students proudly wearing t-shirts or hoodies with your school's logo or slogan. Or attending a sporting event and hearing cheers from fans waving custom foam fingers or mini banners with your school's colors and mascot.

This is the power of school spirit wear and swag.  

These items help showcase your institution’s identity, values, and culture. They create a sense of unity among current students and serve as an advertisement for prospective students, parents, and alumni. It’s like having your very own walking billboard. 

In 2024, educational institutions should take a pause, look at their current marketing strategy, and determine how they can use promotional products to their advantage. Whether they're in preschool, middle school, high school, or college, the right promotional product will boost morale and make every individual feel like they’re part of something bigger.

But what kind of items should you consider? It depends on your audience and budget, but here are some popular school swag ideas to get you started. 

1. Sprout Plantable Pencils

Why settle for ordinary school promotional items when your recipient is anything but? This is not your average pencil - it has a seed capsule integrated at the tip and can be planted to grow into a variety of herbs or flowers. Crafted from sustainably harvested wood, this eco-friendly swag comes in an array of vibrant colors with the option to laser engrave your logo or messaging. 

2. Tech Tattoos Decal

If you need an effective school swag idea for building awareness and recruiting new students, look no further than branded tech tattoos. They give students a unique and fun way to showcase your school's logo or mascot on laptops, smartphones, or any other device. 

These decals are easy to apply and remove without leaving any residue behind, making them a great option for branding purposes. Not only will your brand be visible every time the student uses their technology, but these decals also serve as a form of personalization and self-expression for students.

3. Sami Lunch Cooler

Promote sustainability and help students ditch single-use plastic bags by giving them this eco-friendly lunch cooler that has enough room to fit six cans and a full day's worth of snacks. The exterior can be branded with your school's logo or messaging, while the insulated interior keeps food and drinks fresh for hours. Consider including a custom insert with important information about your school or upcoming events to further promote awareness among students.

4. BELLA + CANVAS Youth Jersey Tee

Custom school spirit wear is a cost-effective way to foster community engagement, as branded apparel is the top promotional item for consumers under the age of 24, according to the latest ASI Ad Impressions Study. 

This unisex school promotional t-shirt is available in a large variety of trendy colors and made of 100% combed ringspun cotton for a comfortable fit that students will appreciate. For design, think about the style preferences of younger generations and select vibrant colors and contemporary graphics to make your school swag truly stand out. Consider redesigning your school's mascot for different ages and genders to appeal to a wider audience.

5. Spiral Notebooks

Even in the digital age, students and teachers rely on traditional notebooks to take notes, sketch out ideas, and keep organized throughout the day. Scientific studies suggest that notetaking is more effective when done by hand. It even strengthens memory, which is crucial for developing minds. So why not encourage this positive behavior with a customized notebook that displays your school's logo and colors? Students will be proud to use them in and out of the classroom, promoting your school wherever they go.

6. Tech Taco Cord Organizer

Showcase your school’s name, logo, or marketing message in a vibrant four-color imprint on this convenient tech accessory. Crafted from durable neoprene, this tech cord organizer easily tames unruly charging wires, headphone cords, and more. Perfect for tech-savvy students and educators alike, this key back-to-school item features a clever button snap to keep everything in place and at the ready.

7. Sports Water Bottle

Support student well-being with this 16 oz. sports water bottle featuring a leak-resistant lid. We all know hydration is key to academic and athletic success, so offer students a reusable bottle they can carry wherever they go - in school, around campus, at athletic events, or on vacation. 

Whether they're filling it up at the water fountain or using it during sports practice, your school's logo and message will be on display for all to see. Plus, by promoting reusable drinkware, you are encouraging eco-friendly habits and reducing single-use plastic waste within your school community. 

8. Duplex Pen & Highlighter Combo

Every student and teacher needs a go-to writing utensil for taking notes, writing assignments, or grading papers. This duplex pen and highlighter combo features a smooth-writing ballpoint pen on one end and a vibrant-colored highlighter on the other. It’s a practical tool for students and faculty that you can customize with your school, sports team, emblem, or message to make it truly unique.

9. Branded Backpack

Add your school logo, name, or motto to this branded backpack that students can use to effortlessly carry textbooks, laptops, and school supplies between classes. This school spirit gear item is made of high-quality polyester material and has a full zippered closure, a roomy interior, a side pocket for water bottles, and dual padded adjustable shoulder straps for maximum comfort. 

10. Microfiber Mousepads

Nobody likes smudges on their expensive electronics. Help students and staff protect valuable devices with this microfiber cleaning cloth that doubles as a mousepad. With a large imprint area, you can showcase your logo or school motto in full color. For added impact, bundle this item with other tech accessories like earbuds or portable chargers for a complete on-the-go tech kit that students will appreciate.  

11. Custom Ruler

A custom ruler is a great budget-friendly option. It’s an essential tool that every student needs to excel in their classes. A must-have desk accessory, students can use this versatile item for schoolwork, geometry, and art projects. With plenty of space for your logo and branding, this item will be a constant reminder of your school every time it’s used.

12. Champions Jump Rope

This classic playground toy is making a comeback as a popular fitness tool, and your students (and faculty) will love showing off their skills while repping your school's logo. Jump roping strengthens coordination and serves as a reminder for students to take breaks from studying and get active. Plus, with its bright colors and customizable design options, it's sure to catch the attention of others and spread awareness about your school.

Get Your Students Excited with Trending School Swag 

Functional and fun school swag promotes your institution and creates a sense of belonging and unity among students and staff. Remember, the key to selecting promotional products for schools is to choose items that are unique, practical, and appealing to students. Don’t choose just any generic item when you can give your recipients something they'll actually use and enjoy

Get in touch if you need assistance choosing the best school promotional products. We’ll work closely with you to identify your goals and design unique school swag that delights students, parents, teachers, and everyone in between. 

Editor's Note: This post was originally published on January 19, 2023, and has been updated for accuracy and current best practices.