Run your entire promotional products business – from sourcing to scaling – on one platform with ESP+.
Become a promotional products distributor with ASI® and get same-day access to the tools, suppliers and wholesale pricing you need to start selling immediately
Brandable Products Available
Vetted & Trusted Suppliers
Recession Resistant Industry
ESP+ is the most comprehensive product-sourcing platform used by successful promotional products distributors, built to run their entire workflow.
A promotional products distributor sells branded merchandise (apparel, drinkware, office supplies, tech gear, etc.) to businesses, schools, nonprofits and event organizers. Distributors source products at trade pricing (a.k.a. wholesale pricing) from suppliers, add their margin and sell the finished branded products to end-buyers. It’s a B2B sales model with an average 37% profit margin and no inventory requirements, since products are produced to order.
To become a promotional products distributor, you need access to a vetted supplier network and the tools to source, present and sell products to clients. An ASI distributor membership gives you access to 1.2M+ products from 3,000+ suppliers, a unique ASI number (your industry identifier to suppliers) and the ESP+ platform for end-to-end workflow. There’s no experience required to start, and same-day onboarding allows you to start sourcing immediately.
Read more: How to Get Your First 10 B2B Clients in Promotional Products
Coded pricing is the promotional products industry’s standard for trade pricing. EQP (End Quantity Price) and NQP (Net Quantity Price) are codes that tell distributors the wholesale price they pay suppliers at different order volumes. Distributors mark up these prices for end-buyers, achieving a 37% average gross profit margin. ESP+ displays coded pricing directly in product listings so distributors can quote jobs accurately in seconds.
Read more: What Is “Coded Pricing” and How Do Distributors Calculate Profit?
Starting a promotional products distribution business has a significantly lower overhead than most retail or product businesses. Products are produced to order by suppliers, so you don’t need to hold inventory, rent a warehouse or invest in manufacturing. Primary costs are your ASI membership, a business license and optional marketing spend. Many distributors launch for just a few thousand dollars and recoup their investment in the first few orders.
Read more: The Legal Checklist for New Promo Product Distributors
Promotional products have historically outperformed broader advertising spend during economic downturns because branded merchandise delivers repeated, tangible impressions at a lower cost than digital or print ads. The $27.7 billion industry has grown year-over-year as businesses increasingly rely on branded merchandise for marketing and engagement. Recurring programs like company stores and event merchandise create consistent demand.
Read more: Why Promotional Products Remain a Recession-Resistant Business Model
Learn all about the benefits of ASI membership, including business-building tools, 24/7 support, industry-leading news and research, world-class events, and so much more.
Our Solutions for Promo Product Distributors
Join the ASI family and unlock these perks today.
Save on travel, shipping, office supplies and business services.
Unlimited access to The ASI Learning Network, industry-leading trade shows and events.
Training, onboarding, self-service support and a dedicated Customer Success Manager.
If you run a screen printing shop, commercial print business, sign company, marketing agency or awards business, promotional products are a natural extension. With 37% average margins, no inventory and low overhead, you can add recurring revenue without disrupting your current operations. Your existing clients become your first distributor accounts, unlocking immediate growth.
Whether you have a question about our
services, need assistance,we’re here for you.
We just joined ASI 2 months ago and it’s been a pleasant and positive experience. We’ve already recuperated our membership fees multiple times and increased our business.
Madeline Vega
E & P Group
There’s no way you could be a distributor without having a support system like ASI in your back pocket.
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Brenda Speirs
Buzztag
I’ve had great success with offering promotional products in addition to my screen printing and embroidery business. I’ve created a “one-stop shop” opportunity for my customers which really helps with customer retention.
Shari Boyle
Moving Props
When COVID happened, I knew it was time to bet on myself. I was ready to sink or swim with my business, and ASI helped me thrive.
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Don Dare
Dare2Marketing
As a 23-year-old with just over $10,000, I was able to three years later have a million dollars in sales and 11 years later just under 50 employees in a $16 million business.
Joseph Sommer
Whitestone
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