The Brief
In 2025, Blanks for Brands reached out to the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) with the intention of exhibiting our merchandise at the 19th edition of the show.
What began as an opportunity to showcase our capabilities developed into a broader production partnership. We were subsequently commissioned to produce custom-branded merchandise for the event.
The brief was to create a range of unique, high-quality merchandise that could serve both as event souvenirs and as branded apparel and accessories for the AIHS team.
The Challenge
The project required us to produce multiple merchandise categories under a single visual identity, spanning apparel, accessories and lifestyle products.
- Apparel and accessories for event souvenirs
- Branded apparel and accessories for the AIHS team
- Consistent branding across five different product categories
- A tight production schedule of only 10 days after approval
The challenge was to bring together products with different origins, materials and production histories while ensuring that the finished collection looked and felt cohesive.
Our Solution
We approached the project as a complete merchandise programme rather than simply a printing job.
Some products were already available in our inventory when AIHS contacted us. The T-shirts had previously been sourced from the UK and were in stock at our facility, while the hoodies had been sourced from Germany through a local vendor partner in Nigeria.
For the tote bags and throw pillows, we took a different approach. Their covers had originally been sewn in Nigeria for Arewatees from fabric sourced locally in Nigeria. They had been produced in an earlier year but had not yet been printed.
Recognising that their construction and quality made them suitable for the AIHS brief, we proposed these existing products as part of the event merchandise collection. AIHS accepted, allowing us to adapt existing products to a new corporate merchandise application.
The caps were sourced locally in Nigeria. This combination of existing inventory, locally produced merchandise and international supply channels enabled us to assemble the collection within the tight production window.
The merchandise was then customised using our signature 3D screen-printing technique, creating a consistent visual treatment across the collection.
What We Produced
Total: 161 pieces
Sourcing & Production
- T-shirts: Previously sourced from the UK and held in stock at our facility.
- Hoodies: Sourced from Germany through a local vendor partner in Nigeria.
- Tote bags: Sewn in Nigeria using fabric sourced in Nigeria; originally produced for Arewatees and adapted for AIHS.
- Throw pillow covers: Sewn in Nigeria using fabric sourced in Nigeria; originally produced for Arewatees and adapted for AIHS.
- Caps: Sourced in Nigeria.
The locally sewn tote bags and throw pillow covers were produced under strict quality-control requirements established by Blanks for Brands to ensure consistency in construction and finishing.
The Detail That Made It Different
One of the defining features of the collection was our signature 3D screen printing. Rather than relying on a conventional flat print, the technique created a raised, tactile finish that gave the graphics greater depth and visual presence.
The effect was particularly noticeable on the T-shirts and hoodies, where the dimensional print helped the event branding stand out both visually and physically.
Execution
Blanks for Brands coordinated the project across sourcing, inventory selection, preparation, printing, quality control, packaging and logistics.
Every item was checked to ensure it met our quality requirements before printing. Following production, each unit was physically inspected for printing defects and overall finish.
Once approved, the merchandise was packaged and dispatched through our logistics partners for delivery to Abuja. Production after client approval was completed within 10 days, with the finished merchandise delivered on 8 August 2025.
The Result
The finished merchandise became part of the visual presence of the 19th Africa International Housing Show. The Founder of AIHS and members of his team were repeatedly seen wearing the custom T-shirts and hoodies before and during the event.
The pieces became part of how the event's leadership and team presented themselves throughout the show—not simply items produced to fulfil the original brief.
Why This Project Matters
The AIHS project demonstrated Blanks for Brands' ability to coordinate a multi-product merchandise programme under a tight production deadline.
Rather than relying on a single sourcing or production route, we combined existing inventory, international sourcing, local production and previously manufactured Arewatees merchandise to build a cohesive collection for the client.
From product selection and sourcing to customisation, quality control, packaging and logistics, every stage was coordinated to deliver a consistent branded experience.
It is an example of how we help organisations turn an event identity into physical merchandise that people actually want to wear and use—while finding practical, quality-conscious ways to deliver within real-world production constraints.