Planning corporate merch isn’t usually anyone’s full-time job. Starting from scratch can be overwhelming — especially with an already packed to-do list.

Our client, ONSEC, came to us with a challenge. They needed merch for a global audience across seven countries, had tight deadlines during the peak holiday season, and faced the typical challenges of low-volume orders — like shipping fees that were 5 times the product cost and complex logistics.

Here’s how we tackled it step by step — and helped them cut shipping costs by 50% along the way.

About Onsec:

ONSEC is a pentest provider trusted by over 300 customers worldwide.

• Headcount: 15-50
• Location: remote
• Team: Sales & Marketing

Key Maramio features used:

• Extensive product catalog
• Maramio logistics center
• Personalized support

The challenge

To deliver Christmas gifts to clients across seven countries — United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Poland, Spain, Israel, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. Shipping internationally always comes with extra hurdles, from handling duties and taxes to navigating complex logistics.

Where we started

Every project begins with a few key questions:

- What is the desired outcome?
- Who is the audience?
- What’s the occasion or theme?

For ONSEC, the audience was tech-savvy professionals, and the goal was to create practical merch that people would actually use.

💡 Tip: When planning merch, small details matter. Understanding your audience — their lifestyle, interests, and preferences — helps create a solution that truly resonates.

Choosing the right products & cutting shipping costs

Once we nailed down the audience and goals, the next step was selecting the right products. ONSEC initially leaned towards items that fit their audience image — a picnic backpacks.

But here’s the challenge: shipping within the EU and to non-EU countries comes with completely different costs, weight calculations, and import regulations. For air delivery, volumetric weight—which depends on packaging size and volume — can make or break the budget.

With the chosen backpack, the issue was its bulk. Its actual weight and volumetric weight differed by almost three times, significantly driving up shipping costs.

After the first cost estimate, the client asked, “Can we ship these items without spending as much as renting a private jet?” (For context: sending a 10 kg package to the United Arab Emirates costs x10 more than to Poland).

That’s when our practical magic came into play.

How we solved it: 

1. Smarter product choice – instead of one bulky item, we curated lighter, more compact alternatives: an organizer, water bottle and compact backpack.

2. Optimising packaging – by reducing excess weight and size, we cut shipping weight from 10 kg to 2 kg — an 80% reduction, crucial for air freight rates.

The result — shipping costs were cut in half, without sacrificing impact.

💡 Tip: If you're shipping outside the EU, keep in mind that delivery costs can skyrocket. Opt for smaller, lightweight products.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the process for ONSEC

Screenshot from the Maramio app, where the sender can easily track all shipments, view recipient details, and shipping statuses.

What were the client’s impressions?

Looking to bring a project to life for your team? Let’s make it happen!