Stripe’s new hires spend part of their first week building a Stripe integration and answering real customer support tickets. The onboarding program is designed to get people doing the work early rather than sitting through a presentation about it.
That hands-on approach is easier to manage when everyone is in the same place. It gets more complicated, however, when your team is spread across San Francisco, Dublin, Europe, India, and APAC. Classes, mentors, and support queues can happen through a screen. But a new hire swag kit? It can’t because it has to physically reach your new employee before they begin their work.
That's what makes Stripe's onboarding swag worth looking at. Its new employee onboarding kit might be a small part of the experience, but it has to work just as well as the rest of the onboarding program.
How does Stripe onboard its new hires?
Every new Stripe employee goes through Stripe 101, a company-wide onboarding program that runs for several weeks and connects new hires across the organization. They attend classes, meet the cofounders, build a Stripe integration, and answer real support tickets (just like what we mentioned in the intro). That last part ties directly to one of Stripe's operating principles: everyone at Stripe talks to users. By the end, every new employee could explain at least three Stripe products, and 94.5% said they had a positive first-week experience.
Engineers get another layer on top of that. Stripe created /dev/start after noticing that new engineers wanted to get into the codebase sooner. New hires spend three to four weeks in temporary virtual teams, work with a dedicated mentor, and ship a real tool or product improvement. Every new hire then gets a limited-edition T-shirt at the end.
That last part is more interesting than it might seem, actually. Looking at it, the t-shirt is tied to something a new employee actually did. This, then, gives them another reason to engage with the brand later in their onboarding.
It's a small example of how swag can mark a milestone, reward progress, or give employees something to work toward.
What’s inside the Stripe new hire swag kit?
Most of what we know about Stripe's new hire swag comes from employees posting their own unboxings, so there's an important caveat before getting into what's inside this particular new hire kit.
The kit below comes from a new hire's unboxing photo posted in early 2023, which makes it roughly three years old. Stripe hasn't published anything about its onboarding swag, and there's no public confirmation that the company still sends new hire kits or that a current swag kit would look anything like this one. Furthermore, content also changes by team, region, and year, especially at a company of this size.
That said, think of this as one example of what Stripe sent to one new hire at one point in time and not a definitive look at what every new employee receives.
With that out of the way, here's what a Stripe new employee’s onboarding swag kit.
A MacBook Pro, charger, and cable
The laptop arrived in its original box, with the Apple power adapter and MagSafe cable next to it. The hardware isn't swag, but the way it was arranged in the photo is worth noting. The branded items were packed around the laptop rather than arriving in a separate shipment, which made the whole thing feel like one welcome package instead of a laptop delivery followed by a box of swag.
A “Welcome aboard!” card
A small white card with Stripe's old gradient bar mark and a short note welcoming the new hire to the team.
A blue full-zip hoodie
A heather blue full-zip hoodie with a white Stripe wordmark on the chest and a small red heart patch stitched just above it. The heart is the detail that makes it feel less like standard company swag.
A T-shirt with a branded belly band
The T-shirt was rolled instead of folded and wrapped in a white paper belly band printed with the Stripe wordmark. It's a simple packaging detail, but it makes the shirt feel presented.
A Timbuk2 backpack
A black, understated Timbuk2 backpack with the retail tags still attached. Keeping the tags on also gives the recipient a sense of what the bag is actually worth.
A blind-debossed notebook
A black hardcover notebook with the Stripe logo pressed into the front without any ink. You only really notice the logo when the light catches it, which makes it one of the clearest examples of the restraint used throughout the kit.
A Stripe logo sticker
One indigo Stripe sticker, sized to fit on a laptop. It's inexpensive and easy to include, but it's also one of the few items in the kit that puts the brand somewhere other people might actually see it.
The Dream Machine, published by Stripe Press
A hardcover copy of The Dream Machine by M. Mitchell Waldrop, published by Stripe Press, the company's own imprint. The book covers the history of the computing revolution through the work of J. C. R. Licklider.
The design choices across the rest of Stripe’s new hire swag kit follow a similar idea. Stripe's second operating principle is "Create with craft and beauty," which the company describes as well-crafted work showing care for the user and beautiful work showing care for the world. You can see that thinking in the details. Nothing is trying too hard to look like swag, which is probably why the whole swag kit feels more premium.
If you're putting together something similar for your own team, our guide to the best new hire swag kits breaks down what to include and how to build one that feels like an actual welcome.
Why does a well-designed onboarding kit for new employees matter?
While Stripe’s new hire kit won't teach anyone their job or replace a good onboarding program, it can still make a new employee feel part of the company from the very first day. That said, here are three reasons a well-designed onboarding kit for new employees matters:
It gives remote hires something physical to connect with
New hire swag kits are especially important for employees working from home, especially if they’re joining a team in another country. Branded swag items from your company give them something physical to connect with your team, which can make a remote first week feel a little more personal.
It supports a better onboarding experience
SHRM reports that new employees who go through a structured onboarding program are 58% more likely to still be at the organization three years later, while companies with a standard onboarding process see 50% greater new-hire productivity. While the swag kit in and of itself isn't responsible for those results, it's one small way to make the broader onboarding experience feel more complete.
New hires might share it online
A good employee onboarding kit can also end up on LinkedIn, TikTok, or X. Just take a look at Stripe’s! New hires share photos of their welcome kits, tag the company, and show off the swag they're excited to use. That's recruiting content you didn't even have to pay for.
Companies with New Hire Swag Kits Worth Copying
Great tech company swag isn't limited to companies the size of Stripe. Here are a couple of other companies that welcome their new hires with swag kits.
Slack
Slack carries its brand voice through almost every item in its swag kit. The laptop sleeve comes in a signature color instead of the usual black, the notebook is called “My Paper HQ,” and the candle is labeled “A job well done.” Where Stripe keeps its personality in the details, Slack puts it front and center on every surface. Both work because nothing feels random.
Netflix
Netflix runs onboarding as a named program, N.E.W. @ Netflix, with sessions called Episodes that stretch across the first couple of months. Preboarding starts the moment the offer is signed. Every new hire also gets an onboarding buddy and a plan built around their role. The swag fits into that bigger experience instead of trying to carry the whole thing on its own.
Dropbox
Dropbox mixes practical swag for their onboarding kit, opting for a commuter backpack, tech pouch, and reusable mug, with two smaller touches: a bag of coffee and a handwritten welcome note.
Here are a few more companies that have built their new hire swag kits with PerkUp. Each one takes a different approach, but they're all good examples of how to make an onboarding kit feel intentional and on brand.
Traka
Traka's onboarding kit, built through PerkUp, kept things simple with an OGIO backpack and everyday essentials, all in an all-black palette. The takeaway is consistency. A single color palette can make several individual items feel like one intentionally designed kit.
GrowthZone
Through PerkUp, GrowthZone put together a new hire kit that made a strong first impression, pairing a custom mailer box with a YETI inside.
Ambition
Ambition's onboarding kit went bigger, with premium branded apparel, a Carhartt backpack, drinkware, and a hat. It's a bigger investment, but it makes sense if you want to give your new hires a premium onboarding experience.
What swag items should go in your new hire swag kit?
You've seen how Stripe built its box and why the choices work. Now, it’s time to learn how to apply the same thinking to your own onboarding program. Mix and match the ideas below to build a new hire welcome kit that fits your budget and brand.
Branded apparel
Apparel is usually the item people photograph, and it's the one that keeps showing up long after the first week.
Some apparel swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Next Level Apparel Unisex CVC Crewneck T-Shirt ($6.69) - A lightweight cotton-poly blend tee with a smooth feel and a clean surface for decoration. The fabric is laundered before it ships, so it holds its shape and is less likely to shrink after the first wash. A good option when you need to order in volume without making the kit feel cheap.
BELLA+CANVAS Unisex 10-Ounce Heavyweight Pullover Hoodie ($40.98) - Made with 10-ounce Airlume combed and ring-spun fleece, with a relaxed fit, brushed interior, and double-layered hood without a drawcord. This is the hero-item option. If you're putting more of your budget toward one piece in the kit, a heavyweight hoodie is a strong place to do it.
AS Colour Men's Staple Tee ($13.00) - A regular-fit everyday tee that's built for repeat wear, with a wide range of colors to help you match your brand instead of settling for the closest option. It sits comfortably between the two options above in price.
Drinkware
People use drinkware wherever they are, which makes this swag category one of the most visible swag items you can include in your employee onboarding welcome kit.
Some drinkware swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Sorbo Sip Stainless Steel Water Bottle | 24 oz ($18.99) - A double-walled bottle with a dual-drink lid, so you can use the built-in straw or drink straight from the opening. It keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and has a leak-proof seal.
YETI Rambler 20 OZ Tumbler W/ MagSlider Lid ($38.75) - Stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation and a dishwasher-safe design. The magnetic MagSlider lid helps keep drinks contained, while the durable build makes this a tumbler people can keep using for years.
TYESO AURA Insulated Travel Tumbler | 30 oz ($21.19) - Made for commuting, with an integrated handle, versatile lid, and a shape that fits in a car cup holder. The 30-ounce capacity is a good fit for anyone.
Bags
A bag people would have bought anyway is a better choice than one they would never use outside the office.
Some bag options you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Universal Neoprene Sleeve with Zipper for 9" & 10" Devices ($17.90) - A zippered neoprene sleeve designed for 9- and 10-inch devices. It's a useful secondary option for tablet users or a simpler way to carry a device when a full backpack isn't in the budget.
NBN Whitby Slim 15" Computer Backpack W/ USB Port ($38.98) - A slim laptop backpack with a padded 15-inch sleeve, side USB port with cable, custom-printed lining, water bottle pocket, and trolley sleeve for travel. The oversized zipper pull can also be decorated, giving you a way to add branding without covering the entire bag in logos.
Transit Recycled rPET Tech Organizer ($14.98) - Made from recycled materials, with card slots, a cord webbing system, and a wraparound zip closure. It fits inside a larger bag and keeps the collection of chargers and cables.
Tech accessories
Tech accessories get used almost immediately, so make sure to add some to your new hire swag kit.
Some tech swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Trio 3-In-1 Charging Cable with Built-In Phone Stand ($3.30) - Combines USB-C, micro USB, and 8-pin connections in one cable. The pull-out slide in the housing also doubles as a phone stand, making this a small and inexpensive addition.
15W Mag Max Wireless Charger Power Bank ($29.05) - A 5,000 mAh magnetic power bank that snaps onto the back of an iPhone 12 or newer for wireless charging. It includes a digital power indicator, USB-C input and output, and protection against overcurrent and overcharging.
UltraBuds: Wireless Stereo Earbuds ($32.50) - True wireless earbuds that pair and sync automatically, with a multifunction touchpad for play, pause, volume, and voice assistant controls.
Office supplies
Office desk items are an easy way to round out a kit without pushing the budget too far.
Some office swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Kaco Pure Gel Pen ($1.44) - A 0.5 mm gel pen with a matte soft-touch barrel and ink matched to the body color. It's a small detail, but a pen that feels good and writes well can make an inexpensive item feel much more premium.
Signature A5 Notebook ($4.49) - A soft-touch hardcover notebook with a ribbon marker, elastic closure, and back pocket. It's the kind of item that gets opened during the first meeting and can stay on someone's desk for months.
Hard Surface Mouse Pad ($5.13) - A scratch-resistant Vynex surface on a DuraTec base that stays in place on the desk. Full-surface four-color printing lets your design cover the entire pad, while the latex-free rubber base makes it suitable for regulated workspaces.
Add-ons
These are the smaller extras where you can add personality without spending much.
Some add-on swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Small Insert Card | 4” × 6” ($0.89) - A printed card for a welcome message, QR code, or note from the team. If you can, have someone sign it by hand.
Custom Sticker Pack ($7.34) - Multiple sticker designs packaged in a resealable bag with a hang tag and kraft backing, so they arrive looking more like a retail product than a handful of loose stickers.
Koozie Collapsible Bottle Cooler ($5.26) - A 3mm collapsible foam cooler sized for 16- to 20-ounce bottles. It packs flat, costs little, and adds a bit of fun alongside the more practical items in the kit.
Takeaways From Stripe's Onboarding Swag
There are three things worth taking from Stripe's approach, no matter what your budget looks like. One, design the kit as one object. Stripe's new hire swag kit works because every item shares a palette and a consistent logo treatment, so the whole thing feels deliberate. Two, give the swag a reason to exist. Stripe ties its limited-edition T-shirt to finishing /dev/start, which turns a T-shirt into a marker of something the employee accomplished. You can do the same with a 90-day milestone, a first shipped project, or a first anniversary. And three, make one swag personal. One specific detail that feels like it was chosen for the new hire can go further than five generic items.
And keep in mind that the kit is a snapshot from one employee in 2023, not a checklist Stripe has published or confirmed it still sends today. Borrow the thinking, not the swag ideas list.
Run Your Onboarding Swag Program on PerkUp
If you take a look at Stripe’s new hire swag kit, there are at least seven swag items there. If you do it on your own, you’ll have to work with seven suppliers, with seven different lead times. That can cause delays in the arrival of your new hire swag kit.
Working with a reliable swag management platform like PerkUp saves you from that hassle. With PerkUp, you only need to design your swag kit once, order it in bulk, and the platform will assemble and store the finished swag kits in its regional warehouses across the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia. So, when a new hire is ready to receive their onboarding swag kit, it ships from the nearest facility within a few business days, arriving as domestic deliveries with customs and duties handled.
The rest of your swag program can run on PerkUp, too! PerkUp offers On Demand swag that has a 1-unit minimum for one-off sends and milestone gifts, bulk swag, which is perfect for predictable volume, event swag for conferences and offsites, and a swag store (that combines bulk and On Demand), which allows your employees to choose their own swag. PerkUp also offers 5,000 gift card options for when physical swag isn't the right fit.
Automated milestone gifting is covered as well. You can connect your HRIS, whether that's Workday, Rippling, BambooHR, or one of 200+ other platforms, and a new hire's start date can trigger the shipment of their swag kit automatically. Once it's set up, the same system can handle birthdays and work anniversaries too.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Hire Swag Kits
Can you source retail brands or custom swag items not in the catalog?
Yes, PerkUp can source brands and custom items that aren’t in its catalog yet. Stripe's new hire kit, for instance, included a Timbuk2 backpack and a Stripe Press hardcover, and you can take a similar approach. While PerkUp's catalog already includes retail brands like Stanley, YETI, and The North Face, its sourcing team can also find swag items outside the catalog for artisan, specialty, or premium requests. Decoration options include embroidery, screen print, DTG, DTF, and laser engraving, so you can go with something as simple as a printed logo or as specific as a blind deboss or stitched patch. See our custom sourcing page for more details.
How long does it take to get an onboarding kit program running?
With PerkUp, most teams can get a program up and running in about two to three weeks, including HRIS integration, brand setup, catalog configuration, and the first launch. There's no setup fee, and every account comes with a dedicated CSM. For the kits themselves, plan further ahead: bulk production takes about three weeks, kitting adds another week, and approvals add one more.
Who covers customs and duties on kits sent overseas?
PerkUp ships DDP wherever possible, so neither you nor the new hire gets an unexpected bill at delivery. Most swag kits also ship from a warehouse within the recipient's region, which means they arrive as domestic deliveries and avoid customs altogether. If an unexpected fee does come up, PerkUp reimburses it in full.
Can you send different onboarding kits to different offices?
Yes, PerkUp can send onboarding swag kits to 65+ countries. You can create separate collections by country, department, or team and control which employees can see and order from each one.
How do you automate onboarding kits so nobody has to track start dates?
Connect your HRIS and let employee data handle the timing. New hire records sync into PerkUp, and a start date can trigger the shipment of the swag kit without anyone maintaining a separate spreadsheet. Because swag kits are produced in bulk and stored in the warehouse, the finished onboarding kit is ready to ship when the automation fires, keeping fulfillment to a few business days.
