How Staples Print Helps Cannabis Brands Show Up Bigger, Faster & Smarter
Featuring: Ian U, Staples Strategic Business Development Manager
In cannabis retail, visibility matters. With strict advertising regulations limiting traditional marketing opportunities, Licensed Producers and independent retailers are relying more heavily on in-store experiences, branded merchandise, events, and compliant signage to build awareness and drive loyalty.
That’s where Staples Print & Promotional Solutions comes in. Staples has become a trusted partner for cannabis brands looking to move quickly and scale efficiently.
As IRC Collective’s Staples Print expert, Ian works closely with businesses to help bring campaigns, retail experiences, and branded merchandise programs to life.
Why Cannabis Brands Need Stronger Retail Visibility
“Cannabis brands rely heavily on retail visibility due to marketing restrictions. That’s why strong signage, promotional products, event materials, and branded experiences have become so important.”
Today, those opportunities go far beyond traditional print. A simple pop-up can become a polished activation with custom table wraps, pull-up banners, education cards, branded apparel, and QR-linked assets.
A product launch can scale across multiple provinces with coordinated signage, kitted marketing materials, and direct-to-store fulfillment. Even everyday merchandise can become long-term brand touchpoints that keep products top of mind well after purchase. The most successful cannabis merch is the kind people genuinely want to keep and use.
“Functional products create repeated exposure for brands. Consumers use them daily, which gives brands hundreds of impressions over time.”
That’s especially important in cannabis, where brand loyalty is often built through experience and familiarity rather than traditional advertising.
Supporting Budtender Loyalty and Education
Budtenders play a major role in influencing purchasing decisions, which is why thoughtful promotional products can have a lasting impact for Licensed Producers.
Rather than focusing on throwaway swag, Ian encourages brands to think about merchandise as a relationship-building tool. Thoughtfully designed accessories can help create stronger emotional connections with retail staff while keeping brands compliant and professional.
Top-performing items include:
Useful education materials: Terpene wheels, strain guides, notebooks
Premium hoodies, hats, and apparel
Drinkware, tote bags, and everyday accessories
Co-branded event kits and staff welcome packages
“Budtenders see a lot of swag. They quickly tune out low-value items. Quality and usefulness are what stand out.”
The Power of Promotional Merchandise
Branded merchandise has become one of the most effective marketing channels in cannabis, especially when digital advertising options are limited. But not all swag performs equally.
Apparel & Wearables: Apparel remains a major driver of brand identity.
T‑shirts & hoodies – Higher quality recommended for actual wearability.
Hats (trucker, rope hats, bucket hats) – Trendy and festival-friendly.
Socks & lifestyle apparel – Often designed with cannabis motifs.
They turn customers into walking billboards and reinforce brand loyalty.
Tech-Integrated or Daily-Use Branded Items: Good for events and budtender kits.
Phone wallets, pens, lanyards, tote bags
Refillable smell-proof or cannabis accessories
Accessories tied to QR‑code experiences
High utility + low compliance risk = strong lasting impressions.
Eco‑friendly assets and materials are increasingly important in cannabis retail. Staples specialists offer sustainable substrates and production methods. Choose from multiple imprint and embellishment techniques based on wear type, budget, and durability needs:
Decoration & Branding Methods
Screen Printing – Ideal for bulk orders; vibrant, long‑lasting designs
Embroidery – Professional, durable option for uniforms, polos, hats, and outerwear
Heat Transfer / Vinyl – Great for names, numbering, and short runs
Direct‑to‑Garment (DTG) – High‑detail, full‑color prints for smaller quantities
Sublimation – All‑over, fade‑resistant printing (best for polyester garments)
Patches (woven, embroidered, or PVC) – Sew‑on or heat‑applied branding elements
Creating Compliant, High-Impact Retail Displays
Professional signage, educational displays, storefront graphics, and well-designed merchandising can dramatically improve the in-store experience while helping stores stay compliant with provincial regulations.
“Effective cannabis merchandising uses storytelling-centric layouts, category signage, and traffic flow planning to increase basket size and loyalty.”
Staples supports retailers with everything from shelf talkers and window clings to large-format graphics, custom display solutions, and fast-turnaround promotional materials when timelines are tight.
Emerging brands are constantly adapting to new product launches, retailer opportunities, and provincial requirements. Staples’ low minimum order quantities and quick production timelines allow businesses to move faster without overcommitting budget or sitting on outdated inventory.
“Fast turnaround times and low MOQs give cannabis brands flexibility. They can test, learn, refine, and scale as they grow.”
Simplifying Campaign Rollouts
For brands operating across multiple provinces, Staples simplifies the complexity of rollout through centralized project management, nationwide fulfillment, warehousing, and coordinated distribution programs.
Staples helps simplify rollout execution through:
Centralized project management
Coast-to-coast fulfillment
Brand-controlled templates
Regional customization capabilities
Warehousing and inventory programs
Direct-to-store shipping and tracking
No more juggling multiple vendors, Staples Print & Promo specialists work as an extension of the client’s team, helping businesses navigate timelines, production, compliance considerations, and fulfillment from start to finish.
Unlock Your IRC Collective Member Savings
Through the IRC Collective Member Benefits Program, retailers and LPs receive 30% off Staples Print & Promotional Solutions, making it easier and more affordable to invest in stronger branding, better activations, and more polished retail experiences. Whether you’re:
Launching a new product
Refreshing in-store signage
Building budtender kits
Scaling across multiple provinces
Creating branded merchandise
Preparing for event & trade shows
Staples Print & Promo can help bring your vision to life quickly, professionally, and compliantly.
Get Started with Staples Print & Promo:
Reach out to chris.george@staples.ca for more information.
This feature is part of the IRC Collective Member Benefits program, connecting retailers with trusted partners who help them grow smarter, faster, and stronger.