For decades, the promotional products industry has thrived on speed, volume and convenience. Global supply chains, often murky and difficult to track, have helped keep costs low and products plentiful.

But times are changing. Consumers and businesses alike are becoming more conscious of where their products come from and how they are made. They’re asking tough questions about labor conditions, environmental impact and ethical sourcing.

The good news? Transparency isn’t just a challenge. It’s an opportunity for growth, innovation and trust-building. And while it may seem daunting to lift the veil on supply chains that were designed to operate in the shadows, it’s entirely possible – and incredibly rewarding – for companies to embrace this shift. Let’s explore how.

Why Transparency Matters

Transparency is more than just a buzzword – it’s about integrity, trust and responsibility. Customers and end users want to align with brands that share their values. This means they care not just about the product, but about the people and processes behind it. Is it made with ethical labor? Are sustainable materials being used? How are suppliers held accountable?

RELATED: PPAI Sustainability Resources

In our industry, the supply chain involves many players, from raw material producers to manufacturers, decorators, suppliers and distributors. Every step along the way, there’s potential for ethical or environmental risks. Whether it’s forced labor, unsafe working conditions or harmful environmental practices, these risks aren’t just bad for business – they’re bad for people and the planet. By embracing transparency, companies can mitigate these risks and demonstrate a genuine commitment to doing better.

Start With A Commitment To Responsible Growth

Investigating and better understanding your supply chain doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s OK. What matters most is making a clear commitment to the journey. Start by acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers and that this process will take time. As an industry, we’ve spent years operating with limited visibility into our supply chains, so it’s natural that opening things up will present challenges.

Begin with an internal assessment. What are your current practices, and where do you see gaps? Are you regularly engaging with your suppliers to understand their practices? Do you have policies in place that prioritize ethical sourcing and sustainability?

The key is to start small but start somewhere.

Build Strong Supplier Relationships

Transparency begins with relationships. It’s crucial to build open and trusting relationships with your suppliers. This doesn’t mean just sending emails and hoping for the best. It means active engagement. Ask questions. Be curious. Visit factories if possible. Understand how your suppliers operate, what their challenges are and how they ensure ethical and sustainable practices.

The key is to start small but start somewhere.”

Elizabeth Wimbush

Director of Sustainability & Responsibility, PPAI

In the promotional products industry, it’s not uncommon to rely on a wide network of suppliers to meet deadlines and cost demands. But jumping from one supplier to another for the sake of a quick deal often comes at the expense of quality and transparency. Invest in relationships with suppliers who are willing to be open about their processes and who are as committed to responsible growth as you are. These relationships can help foster a culture of mutual respect and shared goals.

Use Technology For Traceability

One of the biggest advancements in supply chain transparency is the availability of technology that allows for better traceability. Tools like blockchain, digital tracking systems and cloud-based platforms can provide real-time insight into where products are in the supply chain and how they are being made.

  • For example, blockchain technology enables companies to track products from raw material sourcing all the way to the finished product, creating a verifiable chain of custody.
  • This level of traceability not only provides peace of mind for your customers but also helps you as a business leader ensure that every step of the process aligns with your ethical standards.


In the promotional products space, this kind of innovation is especially important, as it allows companies to demonstrate accountability and transparency to their clients in ways that were previously impossible. It also helps businesses identify weak points in their supply chain that can be addressed and improved.

Pro tip: PPAI has many business service members that offer many of these tools and platforms. Check our Solutions Center and filter by Sustainability to see the current list.

Embrace Accountability & Continual Improvement

Transparency isn’t a one-time effort – it’s a continual process. This means regularly reviewing your supply chain practices, conducting audits and being willing to adjust course when necessary. The more transparent you are about your efforts, the more you build trust with your customers and partners.

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They say honesty is the best policy, but in our case, transparency is even better. It’s like honesty with the lights turned on – nothing lurking in the shadows! And in today’s world, customers expect brands to shine a light on their practices, showing the real effort behind responsible growth.

It’s OK to admit when things aren’t perfect. In fact, being honest about challenges and setbacks can make your commitment to transparency even more credible. What’s important is demonstrating that you’re always striving to improve and that you’re taking meaningful steps toward responsible growth.

Looking Ahead: A More Responsible Future For All

As we move toward a future where transparency isn’t just expected but demanded, the promotional products industry has a unique opportunity to lead by example. By embracing transparency in our supply chains, we can foster responsible growth that benefits everyone, from the people who make our products to the customers who use them.

The path forward won’t always be easy, but it’s one worth taking. At PPAI, we’re here to help guide the industry through this transformation, providing support, resources and a platform for shared learning. Together, we can build a more transparent, responsible and sustainable future for promotional products – one that we can all be proud of. 

Wimbush is the director of sustainability and responsibility at PPAI.