Promo Insiders: 7 Bold Predictions for 2026
ASI Media’s editors forecast the year in promo, from tariffs to AI to their choice for Product of the Year.
One year ago this time, our ASI Media team predicted that tariffs would be a notable issue in 2025. But we underestimated how impactful they would be – the defining phenomenon of the year that would shake the economy and turn the lives of distributors and suppliers upside down.
That’s what happens when you make a habit of bold prognostications. And we’re at it again this year, with seven more 2026 promo industry predictions, covering big topics like AI, print on demand and, of course, tariffs. We also look at how much the promo industry might grow this year, project if Made-in-USA sales momentum will carry into 2027 and make our (guaranteed to be wrong) 2026 Product of the Year selection.
“Even if the predictions turn out to be wrong,” says ASI Media Editor-in-Chief C.J. Mittica, “the factors that we’re considering, the trends that we’re seeing, I think are worth paying attention to.”
Key Takeaways
• Even modest economic growth should favor promo because buyer confidence is returning, tariffs are more predictable and key end-markets (like healthcare) remain strong – giving promo a chance to grow faster than the broader economy.
• A Supreme Court ruling against Trump’s tariffs may close one door, but multiple legal pathways remain open, ensuring tariffs (and uncertainty) continue to shape sourcing, pricing and planning throughout 2026.
• Made-in-USA will stay strong through 2026 thanks to tariffs and major national events, but history suggests demand will cool once costs, convenience and supply-chain realities reassert themselves.
• Print on demand is winning converts, but is still overlooked and underappreciated – which will change in the next couple of years.
• Promo companies want AI to be a silver bullet, but fragmented tools and bolt-on solutions mean adoption will be uneven and gradual – at least for now.
• End-users are rejecting cheap giveaways and will gravitate toward “quiet quality” – products that feel durable, thoughtful and premium.
• From self-care items to kitchen goods and journals, health-conscious behavior is influencing what people value and will drive demand for products tied to balance, mindfulness and everyday well-being.