How Much Swag Should We Order for Admission Open Houses?
One of the questions I hear most often is, “How much swag should we order for our open house?”
I know that’s probably not the answer you were hoping for, but there isn’t a magic formula that works for every school. The right quantity depends on your event, your recruitment strategy, and how you plan to use any leftovers.
After helping colleges plan admissions events for years, I’ve found that asking the right questions upfront helps schools avoid one of two expensive mistakes: ordering far too much or running out before the event is over.
Start With Your Expected Attendance
The very first question I ask every client is simple:
How many attendees are you expecting?
Without that information, it’s impossible to recommend the right quantity.
Your estimate doesn’t have to be perfect, but it gives us a starting point for planning. Historical attendance, registration numbers, and admissions data can all help create a realistic estimate.
Is This Your Biggest Open House?
The next question I ask is whether this is your biggest open house of the year or one of several admissions events.
That answer changes everything.
If you have multiple recruitment events throughout the year, you may be able to order larger quantities and spread the products across several events.
If it’s your only major open house, your purchasing strategy may look completely different.
Planning for your entire recruitment season instead of one event often saves money and reduces waste.
Think About What Happens to Leftovers
One thing schools sometimes forget to consider is what happens after the event.
Ask yourself:
- Can these items be used at future admissions events?
- Will they work for college fairs?
- Could they be included in campus tour packets?
- Are they useful year-round?
If the answer is yes, ordering a few extra pieces may not be a bad idea.
If the answer is no, you’ll want to be much more careful with your quantities.
Avoid Event-Specific Merchandise Unless You Need It
Another question I always ask is whether the product is dated.
If your merchandise includes a specific event name or year, any leftovers become much harder to use.
I’ve seen schools order far too many event-specific products only to discover they were left with boxes of outdated merchandise that couldn’t be used again.
Whenever possible, I recommend choosing evergreen designs that can continue supporting admissions throughout the year.
Running Out Isn’t a Great Look Either
Ordering too much isn’t the only problem.
I’ve also seen schools underestimate attendance and run out of promotional products before the event ended.
That creates an awkward situation for admissions staff and can leave prospective students feeling like they missed out simply because they arrived later.
Your promotional products are often part of a student’s first impression of your institution. Being prepared sends a much better message than apologizing because the giveaway table is empty.
Higher Education Promotional Products Should Support Your Admissions Strategy
The best Higher Education Promotional Products aren’t ordered based on guesswork.
They’re chosen as part of a larger recruitment strategy.
Every promotional product should have a purpose, whether that’s creating excitement, encouraging conversations, or giving prospective students something they’ll continue using long after they leave campus.
Promotional Products for Higher Education Should Be Planned, Not Estimated
Successful Promotional Products for Higher Education require planning.
Rather than simply ordering a number that feels right, take time to evaluate attendance, future events, product lifespan, and your overall admissions goals.
A little planning upfront can save your institution both money and unnecessary stress.
College Orientation Giveaways and College Branded Merchandise Deserve the Same Thought
The same approach applies to College Orientation Giveaways and College Branded Merchandise.
Before placing an order, think about where else those products can be used.
The more versatile your promotional items are, the greater the value you’ll receive from your investment.
At Promo Print Plus, I work with colleges and universities to build promotional product strategies that fit their events, budgets, and long-term recruitment goals. Sometimes the smartest decision isn’t ordering more. It’s ordering the right amount.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t a perfect number of promotional products for every open house.
Instead, ask yourself these questions before placing your order:
- How many attendees do we realistically expect?
- Is this our biggest open house or one of several?
- Can leftover products be used at future events?
- Is this item evergreen or event-specific?
Answering those questions will help you order with confidence, reduce waste, and make sure your admissions team is prepared to create a great first impression.
📞 774-314-1195
📍 Worcester, MA
