Custom hand fans add excitement and spread your message at every event.
They are also one of the most practical promotional products today. If you’ve ever used a hand fan in a cramped, crowded space you know what I’m talking about. They are small but powerful!
Sweat can run faster than a runaway bride at an outdoor wedding. Ever been to a graduation ceremony in a stuffy gymnasium? Stifling. From parades to concerts, trade shows to sporting events, custom fans keep everyone cool and comfortable.
Give your guests bulk hand fans in fun shapes for instant relief from the heat.
Custom fans also offer plenty of space to show off your message, company logo or school spirit. One of our larger options, the Rounded Diamond Shape Recycled Hand Fan, gives your design a whopping 10 1/4-inch-by-10 1/4-inch imprint area!
How effective are shaped hand fans for heat relief?
When you’re warm and sweaty you need to replace the mugginess around you with cooler, drier air. But I’ve always wondered if fanning myself made me warmer. Not so, according to E. Sterl Phinney, a professor of theoretical astrophysics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
Phinney says that even a body at rest produces about 100 watts of energy. Waving a hand fan adds just 1 watt of energy while significantly increasing the velocity of the air around you. It can actually double your heat loss, so you cool down faster.
So, to sum up the science: By exerting very little energy you can be twice as cool by using a hand fan.
Totally Promotional also offers battery-powered hand fans that require almost zero energy! Take a look at our Handy Breeze Portable Fan and Light.
Are hand fans durable and eco-friendly?
Custom hand fans at Totally Promotional are made with strong materials such as 16-point, high-density paper board, nylon, polyester and plastic. We also have styles such as our Guitar Shape Recycled Hand Fan, which uses 26-point, 100 percent recycled kraft chipboard.
Our line of handheld fans is much sturdier than flimsy, paper fans. Will they last forever? Probably not. But they are constructed with high-quality materials and professionally printed to exceed customer expectations.
Going green? Look in the product descriptions for hand fan styles made with recycled materials.
History of the custom hand fan
Historians and organizations such as the Fan Makers’ Company tracked the use of hand fans to Egypt about 4,000 years ago. They were used in religious ceremonies as sacred tools. Hand fans were also seen as symbols of power for royalty. Two elaborately designed hand fans were found in King Tut’s tomb.
The bible and other ancient recordings show the Hebrews, Persians, Greeks and Romans also used several different types of hand fans.
Most people are familiar with folding hand fans, which appear to originate in Japan or China. By the 1500s, folding fans were popular in Europe as a symbol of wealth.
Under Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901), hand fans were often used by women to communicate actions without speaking. The pretty hand fans they used were a big part of flirting, too!
Here are a few hand fan signals created during the Victorian era:
- Resting the fan on the right cheek meant “yes”; on the left, “no.”
- Passing a fan across the forehead meant “we are watched.”
- Waving a fan across the eyes meant “I am sorry.”
- Dropping a fan meant “we could be friends.”
- Fanning yourself quickly meant “I am married.”
- Placing the handle of a fan up to the lips meant “kiss me.”
In the early 20th century, customized hand fans became advertising tools for restaurants, stores and hotels. Politicians used them for elections. Even funeral homes distributed them for marketing!
Today, customized hand fans in full color are a familiar sight at many holiday parties and other special occasions. They are excellent at creating laughs, battling the heat, branding a business or circulating a message.
Popular hand fan shapes at Totally Promotional
You may be amazed at the many shaped hand fans in our selection. I was! I’m certain there is at least one (probably several) custom hand fans to showcase every type of business, party or event.
Here are a few of our most popular hand fan shapes. I’ve added tips on who might use them, how and/or when.
- State-shaped hand fans (such as Ohio): Colleges, politics, tourism
- Heart-shaped hand fans: Medical, health, love, peace
- Paw-shaped hand fans: Veterinarians, pet groomers, pet rescue centers
- Sports-shaped hand fans (such as football helmets): Schools, universities, colleges
- Flag-shaped hand fans: Fourth of July, Memorial Day, military
- Light-bulb shaped hand fans: Education, STEM
- Clover-shaped hand fans: St. Patrick’s Day, eco-conscious groups
- Cool Spray Bottle and Fan: Everyone!
Our entire selection is way too large to feature here! Take a moment and browse all of our custom hand fan styles.
How personalized hand fans are used
Here are a few of the ways you can use bulk custom hand fans:
- Create a breeze
- Pep rallies
- Corporate events
- Parade handouts
- Trade show giveaways
- Resort giveaways
- Church services
- Brand recognition
- Concert giveaways/keepsakes
- Photo booth props
- Advertise a new business
- Wedding guest favors
- Patriotic events
- Political promotions
- Rain protection
- Tray for refreshments
- Silent signals
- Hide faces
- Swat flies
- Dance routines
Let us create your very own hand fans
Totally Promotional has professional graphic designers and printers just waiting for your order! We won’t print on your hand fans until you’ve approved a digital mockup of your design.
Find the hand fan shape that fits your needs and place your order today!
