We’re a Fully Remote Company. How Do We Make Sure Everyone Feels Included With Company Swag?

By Covering Equity in Perks, Shipping Anywhere, and Using Digital Credit Links

The Remote Swag Dilemma

Working remotely is a dream in many ways—no commute, flexible schedules, global teammates. But it also comes with a challenge: how do you make people feel like they’re part of the same team when they’ve never met in person?

Here’s the secret weapon: company swag. Done right, swag transforms from “stuff with a logo” into a culture-building tool that bridges time zones and geographies. Done wrong, it becomes a cardboard box of awkward sizes and unused trinkets.

The good news? You can make swag work beautifully for your remote team by focusing on three simple principles: equity in perks, shipping anywhere, and digital credit links.

Why Company Swag Matters More for Remote Teams

When everyone’s in the same office, belonging happens naturally. People share laughs at the coffee machine, sport the same hoodies, or decorate their desks with branded gear.

Remote employees? They don’t get that. For them, swag becomes a stand-in for the little rituals of office culture. A hoodie in the mail isn’t just a hoodie—it’s proof they’re on the team.

Thoughtfully chosen swag:

• Creates a sense of belonging when physical distance makes it hard.

• Boosts morale and pride—everyone loves a good surprise in the mail.

• Signals that the company actually cares about its people, not just their productivity.

In short: swag is culture you can touch.

Equity in Perks: Everyone Deserves the Same Experience

Let’s talk fairness. It’s easy for HQ employees (if your company has one) to get first dibs on perks—like picking up branded mugs or jackets from the office closet. Remote workers often miss out, which creates a subtle divide.

Equity means leveling the playing field:

• If office staff gets water bottles, remote teammates should too.

• If new hires receive a welcome kit in person, remote hires should get the same kit shipped right to their door.

• If someone in Boston gets a cozy beanie, the person in Miami should get the option to choose something more climate-friendly.

The magic word here is choice. A one-size-fits-all approach to swag doesn’t just waste money—it risks alienating the very people it’s meant to include. Platforms like Merchloop solve this by letting employees pick what fits their lifestyle from a curated store.

Shipping Anywhere Without the Headaches

Here’s the not-so-glamorous side of remote swag: logistics.

Shipping across states or countries can be a nightmare—delays, customs fees, or even worse, watching coworkers post their cool swag on Slack while yours is still somewhere in transit.

To fix that, smart companies:

• Partner with global fulfillment providers that know the ins and outs of international shipping.

• Choose swag platforms that offer transparent pricing—no hidden “surprise” fees.

• Use on-demand shipping for one-off moments (like onboarding) and batch shipping for big events (like holiday drops).

When everyone’s swag arrives around the same time, you create a shared moment of excitement, no matter where people are logging in from.

Digital Credit Links: The Swag Game-Changer

Here’s where things get really fun.

Traditionally, companies would pick items, collect sizes (cue the awkward “what’s your hoodie size?” spreadsheet), and ship boxes that may or may not land well.

Enter digital credit links. With Merchloop, it works like this:

1. The company sets a budget (say $75 per person).

2. Each employee gets a link to the swag store.

3. Employees shop for what they want—hoodies, water bottles, tech gear, you name it.

4. Merchloop makes it, decorates it, and ships it directly.

Why employees love it:

• They get exactly what they want (and what fits).

• Privacy stays intact—no need to share sizes or personal details in public docs.

• Everyone gets the same budget, which keeps things fair and transparent.

Why companies love it:

• No wasted inventory.

• No HR nightmares of tracking who got what.

• Way more smiles and way fewer “meh” reactions.

Swag That Actually Works for Remote Teams

Not all swag is created equal. Some items end up as dust collectors, while others become part of daily life. For remote teams, the winners are:

• Apparel Basics: T-shirts, hoodies, hats—always popular.

• Home Office Gear: Branded mugs, mousepads, notebooks, desk organizers.

• Wellness Items: Water bottles, yoga mats, self-care kits to balance screen-heavy days.

• Location-Friendly Options: Lighter gear for warm climates, cozy layers for colder ones.

The golden rule: if it’s practical and high-quality, it gets used—and remembered.

Culture First, Swag Second

Swag isn’t culture. But it is a megaphone for culture. The trick is to tie swag to moments that matter:

• Onboarding: A new hire kit signals “you’re one of us” from day one.

• Milestones: Celebrate work anniversaries, promotions, or project wins with meaningful gear.

• Company Events: Sync swag drops with virtual retreats or all-hands meetings to build a sense of unity.

When swag arrives at the right moment, it’s not just a gift—it’s a memory.

Keeping Swag Sustainable

Remote swag might raise eyebrows around sustainability—after all, shipping hundreds of boxes worldwide doesn’t sound eco-friendly.

But the right approach makes it green:

• On-Demand Production: Only make what’s ordered. No waste, no dusty closets.

• Eco-Friendly Materials: Organic cotton, recycled fabrics, reusable gear.

• Smarter Shipping: Vendors who optimize packaging and delivery routes cut down the carbon footprint.

With modern fulfillment models, it’s possible to deliver swag that’s both exciting and environmentally responsible.

How Merchloop Makes It Easy

Let’s be honest: managing swag shouldn’t turn into a second job for your HR team. Merchloop takes care of the heavy lifting so companies can focus on culture, not cardboard boxes.

Here’s how:

• Centralized Swag Stores: All your branded gear, in one place.

• Digital Credits: No size spreadsheets, no “wrong color” drama.

• Automatic Fulfillment: Merchloop prints, packs, and ships directly.

• Cost Savings: Vertical integration means prices at or below MSRP—even for big names like Nike, TravisMathew, and The North Face.

It’s swag without the stress.

The ROI of Doing Swag Right

Swag isn’t just about free stuff—it’s about return on investment. Companies that get it right see:

• Higher Engagement: Employees feel connected and recognized.

• Stronger Employer Brand: Swag often shows up on social feeds, giving your culture free visibility.

• Better Retention: People stay where they feel they belong.

• Recruitment Edge: Candidates notice when companies go the extra mile.

Done thoughtfully, swag becomes one of the most cost-effective ways to boost culture and brand visibility at the same time.

Wrapping It Up

So, how do you make sure everyone feels included with company swag when you’re fully remote? The answer is simple but powerful:

• Equity in perks. Treat every team member like they matter equally.

• Shipping anywhere. No one should be left out just because of their zip code.

• Digital credit links. Empower employees to choose what they actually want.

When swag is fair, accessible, and personal, it transforms from “company merch” into something much bigger: a daily reminder that your people are part of something special.

And that’s the kind of culture remote teams will rally around.