At Steel City, we choose leisure merch by looking at what actually lasts. We look for the things that break, leak, scuff, or turn into clutter, and we make sure our suggestions avoid those pitfalls. If you wouldn’t use the product yourself, there’s no point putting your logo on it.
- Dry-Bag Lids: We prioritise flip-top, leak-resistant sports bottle lids and solid closures, because nobody wants a drink leaking in their kit bag or car. This keeps your bottle in use day-to-day, rather than becoming the “one that leaked” and gets left behind.
- Gust-Proof Umbrellas: We recommend fibreglass frames and vented canopies because that combination flexes in the wind rather than snapping or flipping inside out. It keeps your team and clients covered when they’re walking between venues or standing outside.
- Readable Print Areas: We look for items with proper, generous print areas (for example, up to 245 × 100mm on bottles and 220 × 200mm on bags) because tiny prints vanish in crowd photos. We want your branding to be seen clearly by family and friends, or on a busy show floor.
- Scuff-Resistant Branding: We suggest engraving on hard surfaces (like the 50 × 6mm areas on sunglasses), especially if they’re going to be in pockets with keys. Engraving stays sharp where printed logos might rub off over time, keeping your brand looking premium.
- Short-Notice Lines: We keep a set of leisure staples available with quicker turnaround times (some as fast as 3-7 days from proof approval) because we know deadlines can be tight. This gives you quality options even if you need something last minute.
- UK Supply Options: We include Made in the UK options across key items because shorter supply lines reduce the chance of late deliveries. It helps us keep control of the process and ensures you get exactly what you need on time.
- Named Recycled Sources: Sustainability is huge right now. We put forward lines made with genuine rPET fabrics, Prevented Ocean Plastic™, and ocean-bound plastic sources rather than vague “eco” claims. This allows you to tell the product’s backstory with confidence.
- Proofing & Batch Checks: We back you every step of the way. Our proofing and monitoring processes are tight to catch issues like off-centre logos or colour shifts before they reach you. As a BPMA-accredited distributor with 40+ years behind us, we focus on getting it right so you don’t have to worry.
These products are the benchmarks we use for what “good” looks like in this category; if your quantities and lead time allow, we can always take a consultative approach and source bespoke options to match your event, budget, and deadlines.