What Are the Different Types of Stress Balls?

No matter what, there's a stress ball out there that fits your needs and personality. You don't have to just go with something round and call it a day. From stress balls that look like food to ones made with LED lights, the possibilities are endless!

Which styles are available? How can you tell the difference between one stress ball versus the other? It's time to find the stress ball that's right for you!

A Brief Background on Shaped Stress Balls

Back when stress balls were first hitting shelves in the 80s, they were simple round toys. You couldn't get one shaped like a star, penguin, or pickle. It was a horrible time in human history.

Leave it to Francesco Indrio, founder of Alpi International, to save the day. In 1994, his company created the first shaped stress relievers, starting with a dolphin and eventually other animals that included seals, cows, and pigs. At the time, nobody else was making shapes, and it was generally considered impossible. The team at Alpi took matters into their own hands, opening their own special factory dedicated to the process and hiring a successful artist named Lori Croft to help with the designs.

After several odd shapes, and a lot of trial and error, they finally found a formula that worked! Now you can order stress balls shaped like houses, tomatoes, unicorns, and anything else imaginable, all thanks to Indrio and his bold vision!

Nobody likes limitations and shaped stress balls give a company so many more options. They last a long time, so your message stays around longer.

– Francesco Indrio, founder of Alpi International

Why Are There So Many Stress Balls?

Are you looking for stress balls to advertise an event or business? Chances are, you're trying to find customizable options in bulk to use as giveaways. In this fast-paced world, you barely have enough time to eat, let alone order personalized stress balls quickly and easily.

Google "stress balls," though, and you're likely to be bombarded by thousands of results. A cardiologist might see heart shaped stress balls that all look exactly the same. A baseball team could find hundreds upon hundreds of squishy baseballs. You get the picture.

What's the difference between one vs the other? It's all about the variables!

Size
One stress ball might be slightly larger or have a smaller printing area for your logo or message.

Item Minimum
Some vendors require a certain minimum number per order. In other words, you might have to order 100 of one stress ball, but 500 of the other.

Printing Method
The design will be printed onto your stress ball with either digital, screen, or pad printing. This will affect how your logo looks on the product.

Logo Colors
Sometimes a product comes available with full color imprints, which means you can have every color you want with no extra cost. Others come with only 1 or 2 colors included.

Imprint Area
Your logo might be printed on different areas. For instance, one car stress reliever has the design printed on the hood, while the other has it printed on the windshield.

Material
While polyurethane is the most common, stress balls can also be made from gel, rubber, foam, and even plastic.

Density
Some stress balls are designed to be firm, while others are a little softer. This is usually dependent on the material used, which ranges from soft polyurethane to thicker foam.

Take for example the earth-shaped stress balls from Quality Logo Products®. At first glance, they all look exactly the same. However, you can see there's a difference in the minimum, size, and printing method for each stress ball. It's important to understand these differences as they could affect the cost and the overall appearance of your stress ball.

Earth Ball Stress Toy Ball

Item Size: 2.5" Dia. Circle
Minimum: 100 pieces
Ink Imprint: 1 color
Imprint Area: Pacific

Earth Stress Reliever

Item Size: 2.75" Dia. Circle
Minimum: 150 pieces
Pad Print: 1 color
Imprint Area: Pacific

Earth Ball Stress

Item Size: 2.7" Dia. Circle
Minimum: 150 pieces
Pad Print: 1 color
Imprint Area: Pacific

What Other Stress Balls Are Available?

Think about why you need a stress ball. Are you looking for something to decorate your desk? Advertise your business? Meditate? This will help you whittle down your choices and find one that works best for you!

Every stress ball is unique, but it's in your hands to choose one that makes sense for your needs and personality. No matter which route you go, you're going to feel more at ease with something to squeeze!

Aside from shaped and round options, there are many other types of stress balls:

Homemade
Make stress balls from scratch with balloons, rice, and a few office supplies.

Porcupine
Spiked stress balls are good for meditation, massages, and therapeutic relief.

Orbeez
Stress balls made with extra squishy and colorful Orbeez beads are the latest trend.

Phone Holder
Store your cell phone and squeeze away tension with this foam desk accessory.

Scented
Who wouldn't feel calm after sniffing the sweet smell of freshly baked donuts?

Jumbo
For those with giant amounts of stress, punch it all out on an oversized stress reliever.

Magnetic
Store your paper clips and other office supplies on these magnetic buddies!

Light Up
Brighten up your day with LED stress balls in bold colors!

Netted
The net creates an extra sensory element for people with developmental disorders.

Keychains
These squishy toys are easily squeezable throughout a busy day.

Pop Out
The classic Panic Pete is a good example of stress balls with a popping out effect.

Digital
A graduate student designed this ball to visually communicate stress levels.

Gel
Squishy gel stress balls are good for hand exercises and physical therapy.

Baoding
These stress toys make a soothing sound as they roll around the hand.

Swede
These egg-shaped stress balls have slightly textured feels and are excellent for building grip strength.

Hand Therapy
Serenilite stress balls are a popular brand due to their smooth outer layer and gel core.

Squishies
Made in Japan, these foam toys are super popular on social media and extra cute for kids.

What's Your Favorite Stress Ball?

A good stress ball can reflect our personality and evoke happy memories.

Kyrsten, a Copywriter at Quality Logo Products®, has a personal connection to her sting ray stress ball. It reminds her of a trip she took with her family to Sea World in Orlando, Florida. The intricate details, including little gills and a mouth, make it seem more realistic, while at the same time being a decorative toy for her desk.

It just goes to show that your favorite stress ball can be personal and give you warm, fuzzy feelings. This sting ray is right by her side when it comes to dealing with deadlines and staying on task throughout the day.

The Bottom Line

A stress ball is a great tool for easing tension, improving your mood, increasing your focus, and a myriad of other benefits. If you want one to advertise, be creative and pick a shape that fits your industry. Want to sit back and smell the roses? Try a scented option! With so many great styles, there's no reason not to be squeezing away your worries with a stress ball!

Alyssa Mertes

amertes@qualitylogoproducts.com

866-312-5646 x 277

Alyssa is the Lead Copywriter at Quality Logo Products. As a promo expert, she's uncovered the world's first custom tote bag, interviewed the guy behind rock band ACDC's logo, and had a piece published by the Advertising Specialty Institute, a leader in the promotional products industry.

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