Do you ever look at your desk and see that all the pens, sticky notes, and notebooks seem the same? Startups do well when they stand out, so why let your office supplies fit in with the beige walls? Put your logo on something, and all of a sudden, the ordinary becomes a small billboard. Are you sick of spending money on old-fashioned advertising? Let those Positive Media Promotions do some of the work.

Let’s get real about the cost. Startups don’t have as much money as Apple. But office supplies with a brand name? They don’t cost much, yet they have a big effect. Think about this: someone borrows a pen and takes it home with them. The next day, coworkers see that pen at a different office. You just got free advertisement without having to do anything.

Have you ever pondered why those tiny notepads seem to vanish? Your brand spreads faster than gossip at the water cooler, and coworkers steal them and customers keep them. And since we’re on the subject of water coolers, what about personalized mugs? No one wants to have their mug stolen, but everyone wants to show off one with a cool logo. Not only does coffee taste better in company mugs, but it also makes you feel stronger.

You don’t have to use old-fashioned stuff, either. Every time you click on a mouse pad, it might shout your message. USB drives with your logo on them? Boom, something to talk about right away. Folders and sticky flags can make even the most boring workstations into great places to promote. Don’t just use a plain pen. Full-color sticky notes can show off your logo like a peacock fluttering its tail.

Let’s get to the point: startup budgets can be tighter than your trousers after Thanksgiving dinner. Buying a lot at once helps. A box of pens with your name on them? Very affordable for each component. The secret ingredient is a lot. You can obtain more views for less money. Don’t forget about the domino effect. That little notepad with your startup’s funny motto could get you a meeting, build a partnership, or just make someone smile.

Giving these things away at trade exhibitions or business mixers makes strangers into friends. A handshake is wonderful, but a useful present lasts longer than a handshake. Custom office supplies are like silent salesman that go into every corner.

Don’t worry about seeming overly dazzling or like you’re trying to sell something. The goal is to get people to think about your business name every day. When your brand is on the products that employees use, they feel like they are part of something bigger. Customers feel appreciated when they get useful things instead than the standard spiel.

In the beginning, being scrappy wins. Choose your supplies based on your style—playful, bold, minimalist, or anything else that says “us.” When done well, branded office supplies do more than just contain papers and ink. It creates a sense of belonging, loyalty, and word-of-mouth without costing you anything.

Next time someone wonders why your pencils appear cooler, just wink and answer, “It’s a startup thing.”