Custom Kits for Employee Onboarding That Actually Excite Your New Hires

Introduction: Goodbye Boring Welcome Boxes

It’s your new hire’s first day. They walk into the office (or log into Slack) excited, a little nervous, and full of curiosity. Then comes the welcome kit. A company-branded pen, a coffee mug, and maybe a generic t-shirt two sizes too big. Cue the underwhelming sigh.

Employee onboarding is your chance to make a bold, lasting first impression, and custom onboarding kits are the ultimate way to kick-start that journey. But here's the deal: most onboarding kits are tired, cookie-cutter packages that barely reflect your brand's personality.

Let’s shake things up.

In this guide, we’ll explore the world of custom kits for employee onboarding, how to make them fun, memorable, and totally on-brand, and why Merchloop is your best bet for creating a buzz-worthy experience that sets the tone for long-term success.

What Is a Custom Onboarding Kit, Really?

A custom onboarding kit is a curated collection of branded goodies and useful tools created just for new employees. Think of it as a welcome party in a box. Unlike the same-old welcome packs, these kits are:

• Brand-aligned: Show off your mission and style.

• Personalized: Built with roles or departments in mind.

• Practical: Packed with stuff people actually want.

• Scalable: Easy to create and deliver at any size.

They’re not just gifts. They’re culture builders.

Why Custom Kits Matter More Than Ever in 2025

1. The Onboarding Experience Sets the Vibe

The first week lays the foundation for how your employees feel about their place in your company. A killer custom kit says, "You matter."

2. Remote and Hybrid Teams Need Something to Hold On To

In a world where not everyone walks into HQ on day one, a physical, personalized kit is a powerful way to say "welcome."

3. They Pump Up Morale and Loyalty

A thoughtfully crafted kit builds emotional connection. And let’s be real—your new hires will totally show it off on social.

4. First Impressions Stick

According to SHRM, 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company for three years if their onboarding experience is awesome.

What Should Be in a Custom Employee Onboarding Kit?

1. Branded Apparel (That Actually Fits!)

Forget boxy t-shirts. Let new hires choose their own styles and sizes through an online swag store (yep, Merchloop has that). Hoodies, polos, joggers—whatever suits their vibe.

2. Top-Notch Office Gear

Think wireless chargers, slick notebooks, water bottles, or even some cool desk accessories.

3. Culture Cards & Personal Notes

Highlight your company values, share your mission, and toss in a handwritten note from their manager or buddy.

4. Tech Setup Must-Haves

Laptop sleeves, USB hubs, headphones—all the tools they need to hit the ground running.

5. Fun Extras

Branded socks, funky stickers, sweet snacks, or a lunch gift card.

6. Interactive Surprises

Add QR codes that link to welcome videos, Slack channels, or even a playlist.

Why Most Onboarding Kits Fall Flat (And How to Fix It)

• Too generic — The same old mugs and mousepads say, "We didn't try."

• One-size-fits-nobody — Engineers and sales pros need different things!

• Too hard to manage — Manual packing and shipping is a headache.

Enter: Merchloop’s On-Demand, Custom Kits

Merchloop makes it easy to create amazing kits that:

• Match your brand's look and feel

• Let employees choose what they want

• Ship anywhere, anytime

• Are assembled in-house for fast turnaround and great quality

Custom Kits by Department: Because One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Engineering

• Noise-cancelling headphones

• USB-C hubs

• Techy stickers that make laptops pop

Sales

• Premium notebooks

• Portable ring lights for video calls

• Branded polos for pitch-perfect meetings

Marketing

• Comfy hoodies with clever slogans

• Mood-lifting mousepads

• Airtight tumblers to power through brainstorms

Customer Success

• Classy thank-you cards

• Sleek desk organizers

• A mini plant for those feel-good vibes

Scaling Custom Kits with Merchloop: Here’s How It Works

Step 1: Launch Your Company Store

Merchloop sets up your custom online portal with approved swag.

Step 2: Automate the Welcome Flow

New hire? Boom. They automatically get access to choose their kit.

Step 3: On-Demand Fulfillment

No bulk orders. No warehousing. Kits are packed and shipped one at a time.

Step 4: Track and Surprise

Get delivery updates, track usage, and add milestone goodies for extra sparkle.

Perks of Using Merchloop for Custom Onboarding Kits

No Minimums

Whether you're hiring one or one hundred, you’re good to go.

Brand-Approved Quality

All printing, decorating, and packing happens in-house. No compromises.

Automation = Time Saved

Free your HR team from box duty.

Employee Choice Cuts Down on Waste

Let them choose what they’ll actually use. It’s better for everyone.

Eco-Friendly Options

Yes to sustainable swag and thoughtful packaging.

Pro Tips to Maximize the Kit Buzz

• Unbox Together: Kick off with a Zoom unboxing party.

• Social Sharing FTW: Create a hashtag, and shout out awesome posts.

• Connect Swag to Culture: Tie every item to a core value.

• Add Digital Fun: Link to a team playlist or onboarding video.

Case Study: From Blah to Brilliant with Merchloop Kits

A fast-growing SaaS startup in San Francisco decided to level up its onboarding. New hires got a custom hoodie, cool tech accessories, and a video message from the team.

The result? Retention jumped 35% over the year, and new hire reviews on Glassdoor were glowing.

Wrap-Up: Make Onboarding an Experience They’ll Remember

Your onboarding kit is more than a box. It’s the start of your story together.

With Merchloop, building custom kits for employee onboarding is easy, exciting, and built for scale. Whether you’re welcoming five or five hundred, you can roll out the red carpet from day one.

So ditch the boring. Let’s create something worth unboxing.

Ready to build your onboarding kits the fun, professional way? Let Merchloop show you how.