The Exact Process We Use to Create Cult Favourite Branded Products in Australia

“I want to create a cult favourite promotional product for my brand. The design has to meet our guidelines perfectly. I don’t want another logo slapped on without a second thought. I want a product that’s intentional – one that people keep, wait in line for, and talk about.”

Sound familiar? Whether you’re a marketing director, brand manager, or founder looking to create cult favourite branded merchandise that transcends ordinary promotional products, you’re in the right place. We’re here to share our proven branded merchandise design workflow. 

What you’ll learn: 

• How to Create Cult Favourite Branded Products
• What Makes Branded Products Become Cult Favourites
• Our Proven 4-Step Process
  • Step 1: Product Concept Development
  • Step 2: Custom Product Design
  • Step 3: Custom Product Delivery
  • Step 4: Product Growth and Evolution
• Frequently Asked Questions

 

How to Create Cult Favourite Branded Products

Cult-favourite branded merchandise doesn’t happen by accident. Those results that our clients see? Expected. We regularly exceed expectations, but we’re never surprised because we design your branded products with intent, strategy, and a wealth of experience.

Today, we’re not debating stock vs. custom (although if you want that breakdown, we’ve got one right here). From here on out, we’re strictly talking about custom merchandise and the branded products that become cult favourites. Why? Because in our experience, the best branded products are created through bespoke product development.

Why Custom Branded Merchandise Outperforms Stock Products

While we offer catalogue merchandise for tight turnarounds and smaller orders, custom-branded products deliver unmatched advantages:

• No design restrictions on size, branding, printing, or material choice
• Latest branding technologies integration capabilities
• Complete brand guideline alignment from concept to delivery
• Unique market positioning through exclusive designs

If you clocked the Yo-Chi Plush Bear we created, that’s exactly what we’re on about. Here’s what was said about it: “It was great working with Nelson and Good Things to bring our Yo-Chi Bear Mascot to life. We didn’t have any specifications or drawings to give Good Things to work with, but their design team still nailed the bear. It’s pretty easy to find kids in Yo-Chi venues across the country begging their parents for these Yo-Chi Plush Bears  – and I’ve heard they’re now a collectors item!”

Time and again, we’ve found that taking the time to create the perfect product for your brand, including finding unique concepts, the right materials, exact colours, precise specifications, makes the merchandise people ask for by name. These become the cult favourite branded products you’ll reorder endlessly.

What Makes Branded Products Become Cult Favourites?

A cult-favourite branded product is one that your audience keeps, shares, and asks for again and again – discontinuing it? Brand sabotage or, at the very least, the cause of uproar. These aren’t throwaway items; they’re a moment people want to be a part of. Think – the iconic Bunnings golf umbrella.

The most successful cult favourite branded products we’ve made share common characteristics that set them apart from forgettable items:

• Intentional design: Every element serves the brand story, not just logo placement
• Functional: Products that solve real problems or enhance daily life
• Long-lasting: Material and durability that surpasses competitors
• Brand alignment: harmony with existing brand identity and values
• Creative innovation: Willingness to move beyond standard pens, tote bags, and coffee cups

Our Proven 4-Step Process for Creating Cult Favourite Branded Products

Our creative process draws on the latest innovations, and here’s precisely what it looks like. 

Step 1: Product Concept Development

Using your logo, colours, and strategic input, we collaborate to create products that represent your brand. Communication is the key, and our strength lies in understanding your specific style requirements, target audience, and marketing objectives.

We then translate these insights into product ideas you’ve never seen before. We don’t just want to create branded products that display your brand; we want to encapsulate and share it.

Our Merch Market Intelligence Advantage: We don’t pull these ideas out of thin air and hope they stick. We’re here to bring our partners the best ideas, and keeping a close eye on the international market is a key part of it. Our team is dedicated to innovation and staying ahead of both industry and product trends. 

• Both business directors and key account managers attend the annual PPAI (Promotional Products Association International) conference in Las Vegas.
• Active APPA (Australian Promotional Products Association) membership with regular national event attendance
• 2022 APPA Industry Award winner for Production Innovation and Design (Vegemite collaboration)
• Regular attendance at the Reed Gift Fair and Australian retail product events
• Fortnightly trend meetings led by 15-year industry veteran Maggie Najjar to identify, ideate and share product trends.

 

Step 2: Custom Product Design

Our in-house creative team transforms concepts into captivating products that showcase your brand like never before. 

During this phase, we explore materials, colours, and form, all the while providing unlimited creative concepts for review. The team produces detailed artwork, followed by physical samples, so you know exactly what your final branded product will look like.

Key Design Principles for Cult Favourite Merchandise:

• Maintain strict brand visual identity consistency
• Keep designs simple (proceed cautiously beyond three colours and one logo)
• Focus on products serving genuine customer needs
• Ensure complete alignment with your target audience’s lifestyle

Design Innovation Example: The Linfox duffel bag project brief was a duffel bag that had both an insulated compartment and a dry compartment. At the time, it wasn’t available in the market. A few factories flat out refused to do it. It required a bit of convincing and a detailed explanation of how the bag could be made to find a factory that would take on the project, finally. 

 

Step 3: Custom Product Delivery

Delivery is something we’re really big on around here. After your sample is approved, we begin production and offer various express delivery options.

Speed and reliability aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re essential. The Good Things warehouse equips us with complete fulfilment control, meaning we’re not at the mercy of third-party timelines and processes. Not to mention, our 99.4% on-time delivery rate is a testament to our reliability and commitment to our clients. We take this so very seriously; we’ve written a love letter to logistics and distribution here. 

On top of all that, we have an in-house photo studio to provide our clients with professional imagery, so you can showcase your new, custom-branded products in all their glory.

 

Step 4: Product Growth and Evolution

The best cult favourite branded products evolve with their audience over time. We’ve created products so well-received that brands have had to expand their range to meet demand; for example, ugly adult sweaters have expanded into kids’ versions, pet versions, and even seasonal variations.

Adaptation Example:  When we discovered that a PVC luggage tag would be distributed to children, we immediately adapted the design to meet Australian toy safety standards, including shorter straps, while maintaining the cute aesthetic and brand integrity. Even when items aren’t technically children’s toys, we ensure complete safety for all potential users.

 

The Technology Behind Cult Favourite Branded Products

Product branding and manufacturing evolve rapidly. Technology that was considered impossible just a year ago is now standard practice. Sometimes, applying the latest branding technique transforms great products into cult-favourite merchandise.

 

Creating Branded Products That Become Part of Your Brand Story

Ultimately, creating cult favourite branded merchandise focuses on practical design, functional pieces that outlast their non-branded counterparts, complete brand alignment, and genuine audience connection.

The goal is to create branded products that are user-focused, well-researched, and made with consideration and care. Ready to see cult favourite branded merchandise in action? Explore our portfolio of successful branded merchandise projects. If you want to build a branded product so exceptional that it becomes a cult favourite, get in touch today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to create custom-branded products? A: Custom products typically require at least 8 weeks or more from concept to delivery, depending on the complexity.

Q: What is the minimum order quantity for bespoke products?

A: Minimum order quantities vary by product; therefore, we recommend contacting our team to discuss the specifics.

Q: Do you offer eco-friendly branded products?

A: Yes! Although we didn’t address sustainability in this article, it’s a major part of our ethos. Our goal is to be an eco-leader in the promotional product industry. You can read all about our sustainability initiatives and commitment to eco-friendly products here.