Custom Wristbands: 25 Ways to Stretch Awareness and Your Brand

Ever since Lance Armstrong launched the Livestrong wristbands to raise funds for cancer research, custom wristbands have become a staple in the promotional products industry. While they have become associated primarily with fundraising, their use can expand a business’ brand in so many ways, making them an inexpensive and flexible (no pun intended!) marketing tool. Check this video for some of the latest entries in custom wristbands:

Click Here to Watch Custom Wristbands Ideas on YouTube

These custom wristbands come in several sizes to accommodate a variety of applications, ranging from 3″ to 10″. The workout bands are 14″ to 20″ and are available with varying resistances from 7 to 11 pounds. (Most rubber wristbands we offer are Made in the USA, although some specialty bands may be imports. For more details and a quote for your next custom wristband project, visit the Contact Us page on PromoWithPurposeShop.com.)

From our sister mobile marketing YouTube channel, MessagingMarketing, here are even more ways to use customized wristbands for events along with QR codes:

Click Here to Watch QR Code Marketing Ideas from the ASI Show on YouTube

Here are 25 ways to use custom wristbands to expand awareness for your business and brand:

Breast Cancer Bracelets with a Message. Use pink rubber bracelets with a QR code that links directly to your organization’s mobile website or a mobile donation page. Great for fundraising at breast cancer awareness events!
Band Up Your Branded Products to Go Green. Use larger rubber bands to package multiple products for sale or promotion which can eliminate or reduce the need for boxes or plastic bags. For delicate products for which standard rubber may be too strong or damaging, consider using larger silicone bands.
Use as a Tote Bag Alternative. With so many people bringing their own bags for electronic gear, even reusable tote bags are becoming less and less needed. Use a large custom rubber band to package conference materials and promotional products for distribution.
Get a Grip. For bottles and jars, a custom rubber band on the cap can provide added grip for opening.
Get ‘Em Moving. Use large rubber workout bands to launch an exercise program at low cost with minimal space requirements. Or encourage exercise class participants to continue their program while on vacation with the workout bands which fit easily in a suitcase.
Yoga To Go and Grow. Yoga mats need to be rolled for easy transport and storage. A larger rubber or silicone band can keep them rolled up and promote a yoga studio.
Cheap Holiday Gifting for Business. Okay, so you can’t afford a branded holiday gift for your customers. No problem! Brand individual gifts purchased in retail by packaging them together with a large branded band.
Lunch Bag or Box Alternative. Have several food items and utensils to distribute for a box lunch? Band ‘em together for fast and easy distribution without bags and boxes. Check to make sure that the rubber bands you choose are FDA approved for food contact and are freezer/microwave safe (contact PromoWithPurposeShop.com for details).
Move Slow Moving Products in Retail. Ack! What are you going to do with a product that’s just not flying off the shelves? Band it together with a popular item for a promotional special to move that inventory out the door.
Ticket to Ride… Drink, Eat, Participate. Give a custom wristband to those who have access or paid admission to an event, game, attraction or party to let staff know they’re paid. Glow in the dark ones are available for low light or nighttime use.
Identify Your Bags. Slip and loop band around handles of luggage and backpacks to easily identify it in a gaggle of bags.
Safety First Promo for Hard Hats. Use large custom rubber bands around hard hats to spread messages on safety awareness.
Honor Roll Bands. Though these bands should not be used with young children due to choking hazards, older children could be thrilled to show that that they’ve made the honor roll at school by wearing a special band.
Bookmark It. Yes, we’re still using physical books! Use a custom band to mark your spot. Great for colleges and schools.
Create a Collectible. The FotoFlex photo imprint bands are ideal for tourist souvenirs and entertainment promotions.
Get in the Game. Use a QR code band to launch an onsite mobile game such as a scavenger hunt. Click here to learn how to set up a mobile scavenger hunt from MessagingMarketing.com.
Gift Tag Team. Giving out lots of gifts this holiday? Ditch the gift tags and use a reusable band instead, either around the item itself or looped around a handle as discussed for luggage tags earlier. Great for wine gifts!
Free Prize Outside. Wrap around an item as an on-pack promotion. The band can be the prize or can secure a prize-with-purchase such as a gift card.
On the Menu. Instead of reprinting menus every time a price or selection changes, restaurants can save money and the planet by banding menu printouts to a small board with custom rubber bands featuring the restaurant name.
Keep It Together. Some portfolios and notepads do not have closures. Keep pages from falling out by using a branded band which can also serve as a pen loop.
What’s My Motivation? Have a program in which participants need reminders to stay on track? Try a wristband with a motivational message for dieting, quitting smoking, positive thinking or other healthy living programs.
Don’t Text and Drive. An idea related to the awareness rings featured on MessagingMarketing.com would be to use brightly colored wristbands with “no texting” messages for driver’s ed or other teen programs.
Join the Group. Show the world you’re a member! Custom rubber bracelets can help create camaraderie by members displaying their membership status with special rubber bracelets.
This One’s for You. Do you need to identify special items for those with allergies, kosher or other needs? Band it and brand it! This will help attendees identify selections that are right for them.
Awareness. And, of course, these bands can be used for awareness programs of all types, whether it be a cause or a brand.