We’ve all been a new hire at some point. And the first days at any company come with their own kind of nerves. But did you know that a new hire swag kit sent before you even log in can settle a lot of those nerves?
Slack’s new hire welcome kit is one of the many good examples of an onboarding kit done right. Based on our extensive research, Slack’s new hire kit pairs everyday-useful items with a few personal touches that lean into Slack’s playful brand voice. As far as swag goes, Slack’s onboarding kit shows what happens when a company treats onboarding as an extension of its brand.
What’s inside Slack’s new hire swag kit?
Let’s start with what new hires actually receive. Based on photos and accounts we’ve gathered from various sources, here’s what has been included in Slack’s new hire kit. It’s worth noting, though, that Slack may have updated the kit since these accounts were shared online, or the company may have moved away from this format altogether.
Either way, the items are still worth studying because the design thinking behind them (where every piece carries the brand’s personality) is what makes new hire swag work in any company.
A laptop sleeve
The laptop sleeve is one of the most visually distinctive items in the Slack new hire kit. Where many tech companies opt for plain black, Slack leans into color, which immediately reflects the brand. It also protects the device that a new hire is about to use for years to come.
An insulated water bottle
Drinkware is among the most popular swag for new hires across industries, and Slack’s branded insulated bottle fits the pattern. Reusable, daily-use items like this tend to outlast every other piece in a kit, which gives the brand long visibility.
A “My Paper HQ” notebook
This one may be one of the most personality-focused items in Slack’s new hire kit. The naming (“My Paper HQ”) alone gives a regular notebook a small inside joke, which is exactly the kind of detail that turns standard onboarding gifts into something memorable.
An “A job well done” candle
A scented candle is unusual for a tech company’s onboarding kit, and that’s exactly why it works! The candle, with the phrase printed on the label, adds warmth and a personal touch that has nothing to do with productivity.
Welcome cards and QR codes
Rounding out the new hire kit of Slack are welcome cards from the team and QR codes that point new hires to onboarding resources. The cards add a human note while the QR codes turn the physical kit into a wayfinding tool for the digital side of onboarding.
The big takeaway from these items is that Slack doesn’t fill its kit with random branded items. Every piece earns its place either through daily utility or through personality, which is the mindset you need to bring to your own new employee welcome kit.
Why should your company invest in onboarding swag?
Investing in onboarding swag is often the first line item that gets cut when budgets tighten, but the data on what a kit actually does makes it one of the hardest cuts to justify. A few reasons to take it seriously beyond the cost line:
A pre-day-one kit hits harder than a day-one kit
Fun fact: a strong preboarding process can improve retention of new joiners by 82%. This means that the days before someone's first day are some of the most retention-critical days a new hire will ever have. A welcome kit for new employees that lands in someone's mailbox a few days before they start does more for engagement.
The cost of early turnover dwarfs the cost of a great kit
When a new hire leaves within their first 90 days, the replacement cost can run into the thousands once you factor in recruiting, ramp-up time, and lost productivity. By comparison, the cost of new hire welcome gifts is significantly lower. Treating the kit as a discretionary line item is the sort of saving that gets discovered six months later when retention numbers come in low.
A memorable kit becomes a brand artifact
Unlike most onboarding materials, a new hire swag kit doesn't disappear after week one. A laptop sleeve, a quality tumbler, a notebook, and a candle live on your new hire's desk for months or even years. That makes a thoughtful new employee welcome kit one of the few HR investments that keep paying off long after the onboarding moment itself, both inside and outside the company.
Building a New Hire Swag Kit That Works
Now that the case for the importance of new hire swag is made, the next logical discussion is the principles that separate a forgettable kit from one that gets posted on LinkedIn or TikTok.
Lead with brand personality - Slack’s kit works because every item carries the brand’s tone: borrowed naming on the notebook, a phrase on the candle, a bright color on the sleeve. When the personality shows up across items, the kit feels curated, which is one of the most useful new hire swag ideas worth borrowing from any well-designed kit.
Stick to items your recipients will actually use - Practicality is what keeps a kit memorable. Tumblers, notebooks, laptop sleeves, and quality apparel are the categories with the highest daily use rate. The best employee onboarding kit is one where every item passes a basic “will this still be on my desk in a year?” test.
Choose quality over quantity - Three premium items will outperform six cheap ones. Always. A new hire who opens a kit with a high-quality bottle, a well-made notebook, and a soft cotton tee will be more impressed than one who opens a box of branded trinkets. Quality reflects how your company treats your people.
Add a personal touch - Some of the cheapest items in Slack’s kit (the welcome card, the QR codes, and the named notebook) are doing the heaviest lifting. A signed card from the team or a small personalization detail consistently outperforms more expensive swag.
Set a clear per-recipient budget - A clear per-hire budget keeps your program sustainable as your company grows. Set the spend at the program level, then choose items that maximize quality within that range.
What swag items should go in your new hire swag kit?
If you want your new hire swag kit to land the way Slack's does, the ideas we listed below are a solid starting point. Each category covers something a new hire will actually use, with enough surface area to carry your brand the way Slack stamps its identity across every piece of its new hire kit.
Branded apparel
Apparel is the single most-photographed item in any kit. Pick a wearable that holds up after multiple washes and that a new hire would still grab a year later.
Some apparel swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Gildan Adult Ultra Cotton T-Shirt ($4.99) - Built with heavyweight cotton and a classic fit, this tee is designed to hold up through frequent wear and wash cycles. It’s a reliable, decoration-ready staple for kits where you want bold logo printing on a familiar silhouette.
Bella + Canvas Unisex Jersey Long-Sleeve T-Shirt ($11.89) - For a more polished feel, this long-sleeve tee uses soft Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton for a smooth, retail-inspired finish. The modern fit works for everyday wear.
Jerzees Adult NuBlend Fleece Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt ($15.49) - A dependable everyday layer that balances warmth with durability. The smooth fleece surface supports clean decoration, making it a strong pick for kits that need to scale across hires without losing consistency.
Drinkware
Tumblers and water bottles are the workhorses of any onboarding kit because they get used daily. Slack’s choice of a branded insulated bottle is no accident, and going with a recognizable name like YETI or Owala adds perceived value to your kit.
Some drinkware swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
TYESO AURA Insulated Travel Tumbler | 30 oz ($21.19) - Built for commutes, travel, and outdoor activities, this tumbler keeps drinks hot or cold for hours through double-wall vacuum insulation.
Yeti 26 Oz. Straw Bottle ($48.99) - Anchored by YETI’s premium reputation for tough, insulated drinkware, this bottle uses double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks icy cold for hours.
30 oz Owala Freesip Sway ($42.99) - Owala has built a cult following for its FreeSip lids, and this 30 oz version delivers the same versatile sip-or-swig experience in a sleek matte finish.
Bags
A good bag gives new hires something they’ll keep using long after their first week, whether that’s commuting to the office or running weekend errands.
Some bag options you can include in your new hire swag kit:
100% Cotton Canvas Tote Bag | 12 oz ($3.79) - A heavyweight, reusable tote that’s durable enough for daily use and events. At under $4, it’s a budget-friendly way to add a sustainable, branded item to any kit.
NBN Whitby Slim 15" Computer Backpack W/ USB Port ($38.98) - This slim backpack includes a side USB port with cable, a padded 15-inch laptop sleeve, custom-printed lining, and a trolley sleeve for attaching to luggage.
Structured Backpack ($43.09) - Waterproof nylon construction and thoughtful pocket organization make this backpack a strong pick for commuters and frequent travelers. A built-in trolley belt lets it slide right onto luggage handles when your recipients are on the move.
Tech accessories
Tech accessories make a new employee onboarding kit feel modern. They’re especially useful for remote and hybrid hires setting up a home workspace from scratch.
Some tech swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
5-In-1 Charging Cable with Coating ($8.98) - One cable with multiple compatible tips for both Apple iOS and Android devices. Its 39-inch length and 5-in-1 versatility make it a useful daily-carry add-on.
Stay Powered 1200 mAh Power Bank with Type-C Tip ($6.98) - Compact enough to slip into a pocket at just 0.14 lbs, this lithium-ion power bank delivers a quick top-up for smartphones via an integrated Type-C tip.
Anker SoundCore P20i True Wireless Earbuds ($25.00) - Anker’s SoundCore line is a budget-friendly favorite for solid sound and reliable battery life, and the P20i delivers up to 30 hours of total playtime with the case.
Office supplies
A quality notebook paired with a solid pen gives new hires something tangible to use during their first meetings and training sessions. It’s also one of the more budget-friendly category options.
Some office swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Signature A5 Notebook ($4.49) - A soft-touch hardcover notebook with a ribbon marker, elastic closure, and back pocket. It’s a polished, affordable option that works well for onboarding kits, team gifts, or event swag.
Wellable™ FSC® 100% Bamboo Sticky Notes Pad ($5.98) - This bamboo-covered set includes a habit tracker, lined notepad, and five colored sticky flags. Perfect for note-taking.
Kaco Pure Gel Pen ($1.44) - A 0.5mm gel pen with a soft-touch matte finish and color-matched ink. At just over a dollar, it’s an easy add-on that rounds out any office supplies section of your kit.
Add-ons
Small finishing touches can tie an entire kit together and make the unboxing feel complete.
Some add-on swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Small Insert Card | 4” × 6” ($0.89) - A compact card perfect for welcome messages, QR codes, or brand reminders inside your swag box. It’s the simplest way to add a personal touch without taking up extra space.
Lightweight Round Stress Reliever ($1.29) - Soft, squeezable, and tactile, this stress reliever is built for everyday tension at work, events, or home.
Magnetic Phone Holder ($1.09) - For professionals who toggle between phone and laptop all day, this compact magnetic holder keeps a phone within view via a strong adhesive backing.
Lessons From How Other Tech Companies Handle New Hire Swag Kits
Slack isn’t alone in putting thought into its onboarding kit. Other tech companies have developed their own approaches to their own employee welcome kit, and each one offers a different lesson worth borrowing for your own program.
Apple
Apple’s kit leans premium and minimalist. New hires typically receive a branded t-shirt and an insulated drinkware, with the design and packaging doing most of the talking. The lesson here is restraint: a smaller kit with premium items can leave a stronger impression.
Uber
Uber’s new hire swag kit has evolved over the years from a heavier collection of branded gear into a tighter, more sustainability-minded set. Recent versions include a hoodie, hat, drawstring backpack, notebook, bamboo pen, reusable glass water bottle, and recyclable coffee cup. The progression matters: it shows how tech company swag can shift as company values shift, particularly around sustainability.
Netflix
Netflix uses its kit as an extension of its content-first brand identity, leaning on its bold black-and-red palette to anchor the design. New hires often receive items like a tote, a water bottle, a blanket, and a notebook. The takeaway is that a kit doesn’t need to shout to feel distinctive when the brand has a strong visual identity behind it.
The common thread between Slack and these companies is that each kit reflects a clear company culture, whether that’s playful warmth, premium minimalism, sustainability, or editorial polish. What matters most is that the approach is intentional.
Key Takeaways from Slack’s New Hire Swag Kits
Slack’s new hire swag kit works because every item adds something to the new employee’s experience and serves a function. None of it is random, and that’s why it leaves such a lasting impression.
The good news is that you can apply the same thinking, even on a smaller budget. A few high-quality items with personality, a personal touch, and a reliable system for getting them into your new hires’ hands is enough to turn day one into something a new employee will actually talk about.
Want to create onboarding kits with the same impact as Slack’s?
As mentioned, the thing that makes Slack’s kit work is intentionality. Every item carries a piece of the brand, and that’s what makes it different and effective. That kind of intentionality is something any company can replicate, and several already have with PerkUp.
DuckDuck Go
DuckDuckGo leaned into personality with a fun, mascot-branded new hire kit that went beyond the standard tee and notebook, giving their new hires something that felt unmistakably their own from day one.
Vectra AI
Vectra AI took a more loaded approach, welcoming new hires with a backpack, water bottle, blanket, socks, and branded extras that left little for someone to want in their first week.
GrowthZone
GrowthZone made the packaging part of the experience: a custom mailer box opens onto a YETI and other branded swag items inside, turning the kit into a real first-day moment.
What ties these examples together (and what they share with Slack’s approach) is the feeling that the kit was designed. PerkUp’s in-house design team works with clients to handle mockups and samples, while the platform manages sourcing, customization, warehousing, and global shipping. With warehouses across the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia, kits ship from within the recipient’s region rather than across borders, which keeps lead times tight and costs predictable. Connect PerkUp to your HRIS (Workday, Rippling, BambooHR, ADP, and others) and kits ship automatically the moment a new hire’s start date is set.
If you’re ready to design a kit that actually reflects your brand, explore how PerkUp can help you build, automate, and ship new hire welcome gifts to your recipients anywhere in the world. Book a demo and see the platform in action!
Frequently Asked Questions about New Hire Swag Kits
Can I trigger new hire swag automatically when someone joins?
Yes! With a platform like PerkUp, onboarding swag can be triggered automatically based on your HRIS data. Once the automation is set up, it runs on its own. Your HR team won’t need to manually track start dates or coordinate shipments. You can also create separate automation rules based on location, department, or tenure, so different new hires receive different kits without any extra manual work.
How long does it take to produce a custom new hire swag kit?
With PerkUp, bulk new hire kits take roughly five weeks from start to ship. That breaks down to about three weeks for production, one week for kitting, and one week for customer approval. On Demand swag, where items are produced one at a time, runs around two weeks.
How do you ship new hire kits to employees in different countries?
PerkUp ships globally through a network of warehouses across the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, EU, India, China, and Australia to 65+ countries. Most international shipments go out DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), which means customs and duties are covered upfront. If any unexpected fees come up, PerkUp reimburses them in full. For countries with trickier import regulations, the platform also uses local production in certain regions to avoid customs issues entirely.
Should you send the kit before the first day or wait until they arrive?
If the timeline allows, sending the kit before the start date is the stronger move. When new hires open a branded welcome kit at home before they’ve logged in for the first time, it builds excitement and reinforces that they made the right choice. For in-office hires, having the kit waiting at their desk on day one works just as well.
Can new hires pick their own swag instead of receiving a fixed kit?
Absolutely! PerkUp lets you set up a branded swag store (which can combine bulk and On Demand swag) where new hires can browse and pick the items they actually want within a set budget. You can configure this as item-based redemption (where pricing is hidden and employees simply choose what they like) or monetary-based redemption (where they see a dollar amount and spend it however they want). Either way, employees get the freedom to choose their own sizes, styles, and products, which drives higher satisfaction and less waste.
