LinkedIn merch or swag is the branded merch LinkedIn makes for employees, event attendees, and partners: T-shirts, hoodies, caps, water bottles, socks, and bags featuring the LinkedIn wordmark or the [in] mark.
LinkedIn puts its wordmark and [in] mark on almost everything it sends out, but the actual items can look completely different from one send to the next. One box has stickers, pens, and a notebook. Another has a candle and a box of matches. It all depends on what it’s actually for.
The LinkedIn logo does most of the work, actually. LinkedIn started in Reid Hoffman’s living room in 2002 and launched on May 5, 2003, with Microsoft completing its acquisition in December 2016. After more than two decades of that blue square showing up in everyone's browser tab, the brand logo on swag items doesn't need much explaining.
The internal audience is big, too. LinkedIn reports more than 17,000 full-time employees and offices in over 30 cities, so a single swag drop needs to work just as well in Bengaluru, Dublin, Sunnyvale, and Sydney.
What are some LinkedIn swag items?
Inside the LinkedIn swag pack
These are what’s inside LinkedIn’s swag pack:
Desk sticker sheet
Titled “deck out your desk,” it includes a disco ball, hoodie, lightbulb, #LinkedIn tag, several [in] tiles, and a few small character icons.
Branded pens
Blue and white pens, packed in a sleeve that reads “make your mark.” The pen itself is pretty standard. The packaging line is what makes it feel more intentional, which is a small detail worth borrowing.
[in] enamel pin
A small [in] pin that can go on lanyards, tote straps, and jackets, giving the logo plenty of places to show up without needing a full piece of apparel.
Orange notebook
“Another day in [in] LinkedIn life” wraps around the cover. Desk items also tend to show up in video calls, which puts notebooks in the same practical category as insulated tumblers.
Knit socks
White socks with LinkedIn running down the side in blue. They’re useful and don't feel like traditional branded swag.
Rolled charcoal item, most likely a desk mat
This one is hard to identify from the photo. The item is rolled up with an oversized orange In printed across it, and a desk mat seems like the most likely option given the rest of the box. Either way, it’s the largest item in the box.
Illustrated shipping box
The box features llamas, hearts, [in] tiles, and an EST. 2003 label on the lid, with brown crinkle filler inside. The packaging itself carries plenty of the brand, which means the experience starts before the recipient even gets to the swag.
LinkedIn alumni swag
The swag items for LinkedIn alumni swag focus on the slogan “relationships always matter.”
Scented candle
A glass jar with a screw-top metal lid and an [in] Alumni label. The scent is called favorite hoodie, which is a more memorable way to reference the employee experience than simply putting the logo on a candle.
Spark Connection matchbox
The kraft-and-green matchbox promises 50 ways to build community and bond. Each matchstick has a prompt printed on it, like writing a letter instead of an email, inviting a neighbor to dinner, or setting up coffee with someone new. Once the matches are gone, the prompts are gone too, which gives a simple branded item a built-in purpose. It’s one of those branded swag ideas you haven't thought of.
Alumni card
An insert card with an [in] Alumni mark. It’s a simple addition, but it ties the whole package back to the idea behind it.
3 Things LinkedIn Gets Right About Swag
One logo, used consistently
The [in] mark stays as the [in] mark. It doesn’t get stretched, recolored, or turned into a joke for the sake of the swag. LinkedIn’s own brand rules are strict about changing the logo’s color, shape, or combining it with other symbols, words, or designs. That kind of consistency matters. Your swag should look like it came from your brand, not like someone slapped a logo on whatever was cheapest.
Swag items people would actually buy
LinkedIn doesn’t seem to rely on throwaway promo items. The swag feels like stuff people would actually reach for, whether that’s a good hoodie, a notebook, or a pair of socks. The brand comes along with the item instead of being the whole point of it.
Swag tied to something people remember
Swag works better when there’s a reason behind it. LinkedIn’s culture and values page puts a lot of emphasis on belonging and shared experiences, and a physical item, like swag, can make those moments stick.
Build a Swag Program like LinkedIn’s with PerkUp
If you want to create a swag campaign that’s both on brand and unique like LinkedIn’s, what you can do is to work with a reliable swag management platform like PerkUp.
For one, PerkUp gives you different ways to run swag depending on what you’re sending. Bulk swag, On Demand swag, event swag, a swag store, swag kits, and gift cards are all offered by the platform, so you don’t have to juggle multiple swag vendors. You can choose what makes sense for each program instead of forcing everything through the same setup.
On Demand swag has a 1-unit minimum, so you can send one hoodie to a new hire without stocking 300 items you don’t need. Bulk works when you have a recurring swag send. You can simply have the items produced and stored in PerkUp’s nine regional warehouses.
The global warehouse and supplier network spans the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia, with delivery to 65+ countries. Swag ships from the region closest to your recipient, so your swag arrives as a domestic delivery.
You also get in-house designers with every account. If your logo needs to be cleaned up for embroidery, the design agency can handle it. You can also create the artwork yourself with the On Demand customizer, or give your employees a branded company swag store where they can choose their own preferred swag item.
All of these result in less time spent managing logistics and more time giving out unique and memorable swag items like LinkedIn’s.
Companies that trusted PerkUp for their swag
Large companies, like LinkedIn, often have large swag programs, with hundreds or even thousands of swag items going to employees across different locations. Here are a few of those big companies that use PerkUp to manage their swag.
Microsoft
Microsoft used PerkUp to send swag kits to its BIC interns and for custom letterman jackets. Two very different projects, both with timelines that could have easily turned into much longer projects, but turned into success thanks to PerkUp’s logistics capabilities.
Wise
Wise runs new hire swag across its global offices through PerkUp, making it easier for the company to welcome new hires wherever they are located.
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo entrusts PerkUp with its new hire swag kits to give its new employees a consistent welcome from day one.
Takeaways from LinkedIn Swag
LinkedIn’s swag works because it keeps things simple. One recognizable mark, good swag items, and a clear reason for sending them. You don’t need LinkedIn’s budget to do the same. Start with something you’d actually use yourself. Keep the branding simple, then tie the swag to a moment people will remember, whether that’s onboarding, a big company milestone, or an event.
If you’re sending across multiple countries and don’t want to deal with the logistics yourself, book a PerkUp demo, and we can walk you through how it would work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What decoration methods work best for logo swag?
It depends on the swag item, really. Embroidery works well on fleece, hats, and other apparel. Screen printing is a good fit for cotton tees, especially at higher volumes. Laser engraving works well on metal drinkware. DTG and DTF are also options for apparel when you need more detailed artwork. You can also add placements like a nape or side label for an extra cost. PerkUp offers all of these decoration methods.
Can you run more than one brand's swag from a single account?
Yes, with PerkUp, you can! You can manage multiple brands, divisions, or acquired companies from one PerkUp account, with separate storefronts and branding for each. This can be especially useful if you’re trying to bring several swag programs under one system.
How long does custom company swag take to produce?
With PerkUp, On Demand swag takes about 3 weeks from order to delivery. Bulk swag takes around 5 weeks, including 3 weeks for production, 1 week for kitting, and 1 week for approval before shipping. Custom packaging or additional proofing can add more time.
What's the minimum order for branded company swag?
On Demand swag has a 1-unit minimum, so you can order a single item without committing to inventory. Bulk orders typically start at around 50 units per SKU per warehouse location. A lot of teams use both, with bulk for items they know they’ll need and On Demand for things like apparel, where sizing can make inventory tricky. PerkUp offers both bulk and On Demand swag, on top of event swag, swag kits, swag stores, and gift cards.
Should employees pick their own swag or get a fixed kit?
Both work, depending on what you’re sending. Fixed kits make sense for onboarding and events where you want everyone to receive the same thing. For ongoing programs, employee choice can work better because people can pick their own size, color, and item. They’re more likely to use something they actually chose. PerkUp also offers swag stores (for recipient choice) and kits (for onboarding or events).
