A gift or a present is an item given to someone without the expectation of payment. The gifted item should not be owned by the recipient. Although gift-giving might involve an expectation of reciprocity, a gift is meant to be free. By extension the term gift can refer to anything that makes the other happier or less sad. That’s what is written in Wikipedia about the gift or present.
Every year I get a bunch of pens, notebooks, shirts, portfolios and other nice things from my partners and customers. But I’ve never used any of them. You know why? Because, all these, nice presents, have logos on them.
I don’t want to use even a very expensive pen, but with the logo of my bank on it, to use the notebook with my mobile operator logo, carry the bag with the logo of my insurance company. And for sure, I would not wear t-shirt with the beverage manufacturer logo on it.
No one wants to be and ad platform for someone’s promotion.
You do not put your name on the presents to give to your friends, do you? So, why should you put your logo on a gift you present to your partners and customers.
As a result, the whole purpose of the gift becomes meaningless.
First, it will not bring any pleasure to the recipient and will be useless.
Second, the gift will not bring any recognition to the gift giver, simply because the client will not use it.
Conclusion- if you want your corporate gift to be welcomed and even desired, just hide your logos or don’t put them at all.
Example of the proper use of this rule. The logo of the company is situated only on the cover, but not on the pen itself.