At Steel City, we approach education merchandise by looking for items that are going to be genuinely useful for the student or staff member in their daily lives. We want to choose formats people will actually carry and use, while making sure we back you on the print and delivery details so you aren’t worrying about a thing the week before term starts.
When you’re ordering for fixed calendar moments like induction, open days, or leavers, we know it’s really important to avoid the small failures – like leaking bottles or split bags – that can make a brand land badly.
- Locker-proof staples: We always suggest items that can stand up to the daily routine – whether that’s being thrown in a locker or a rucksack. We look for 500-850ml drinkware, A5 notebooks with quality 80gsm paper, and bags in 210D/600D polyester because we know those specs hold up. It means you can issue a standard pack across a cohort and know it’s going to last, rather than having to replace items that fail after a few days.
- Repeatable print placement: When you put your logo on a product, you want it to be perceived as really good quality. Our team chooses items with generous, defined print areas – like wraparound bottle panels and big bag faces – so the branding sits straight and clear. If you’re applying crests or department names, this keeps the look consistent and professional across the whole order.
- Date-safe turnaround: We know lead times are a popular question, especially around term starts. We include options that run at 3-6 working days from artwork approval, plus faster routes where the product allows, because we know a late delivery isn’t an option. If you have a hard deadline, this lets us put forward lines that can realistically hit it.
- Batch-matched supply: We use our experience with UK-made lines to support tighter scheduling. It’s important that if you reorder mid-year, the product feels exactly the same as the first batch. This helps avoid that “same product, different feel” issue and ensures consistency for every new starter.
- Proofable eco claims: Sustainability is a real buzzword, but it’s crucial we don’t greenwash. We stick to substantiated routes like Prevented Ocean Plastic™, recycled aluminium, and recycled card/paper with clear sourcing statements. If questions come from parents, staff, or procurement, you’ve got something concrete and honest to point to.
- Spec you can sign off: We are very open about specs like dimensions, capacities, GSM, and materials because we don’t want you to have any surprises – like a notebook that shows ink through or a bottle that doesn’t fit a bag. We want you to be able to approve an item quickly, knowing exactly what you’re getting.
- Stable re-order formats: We build this range around products we know are stable. If different departments are reordering throughout the year, you want that consistency without having to police every order. It keeps the whole kit looking smart and on-brand.
- Controlled starting range: We know the industry can be overwhelming, so these benchmark picks set a strong baseline. If you have more time, we can definitely look at bespoke alternatives, but these are the items we know work well and won’t let you down.