PromZ Vak 4 · 2026 · English edition

By Sem van Lit

Poland Special

Dothat: not searching for a product, but creating one

A client approaching Dothat does not yet need to have a fully developed product in mind. An initial idea, a problem, or a desired application is often sufficient. Who will use it? In what situation? And what ensures that the product is not only received but also actually kept?

At Dothat, these questions form the starting point of every project. From Upper Silesia in Poland, the company develops and produces custom promotional products for agencies, distributors, and other B2B partners in Europe. Design, prototyping, and production take place entirely in Poland, allowing ideas to be quickly developed into a tangible product.

“We don’t start with a catalogue, but with a conversation,” says Edyta Lisowska, Managing Director of Eblis B&L and founder of the Dothat brand. “Sometimes a client already has a complete design, and sometimes there is only an initial thought. In both cases, we first want to understand what the product needs to do. A good product does not start with technology or production, but with people.”

Although Dothat is a relatively young brand, it builds upon nearly 25 years of experience within the advertising agency Eblis B&L. Through years of managing promotional projects, the team built up extensive knowledge of products and materials, but above all, of clients' questions and challenges. Gradually, the desire arose to do more themselves. Not just selecting an existing item, but thinking along, designing, and producing from the very first idea. It was from this perspective that Dothat was founded.

The company started with personalized 3D-printed products. Later, knitted textile products were added, including hats and scarves with certified reflective yarn. Dothat now manages the entire process: from the first sketch and prototype to final production.

“One morning I saw one of our designers working on a new concept,” says Lisowska. “Less than an hour later, I was holding the first prototype in my hands. At that moment, I realized how quickly our team can turn an idea into something tangible.”

Dothat does not focus on a single fixed product category. The idea, the application, and the use value are more important than the type of product. The company primarily develops items that are practical, long-lasting, and find a place in daily life.

An example is Ekonewka, a cap that transforms a PET bottle into a small watering can. Dothat developed, among other things, a dog paw variant for rinsing muddy paws and a version in the shape of a company logo. In knitted textiles, too, appearance and functionality come together: reflective yarns give hats and scarves a distinctive look and make the wearer more visible.

Creativity is central, but the industry is simultaneously preparing for new regulations. With the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Digital Product Passport, requirements regarding origin, materials, repair, and recycling are increasing. Lisowska: “Sometimes I feel that the biggest challenge for entrepreneurs today is determining where to focus their attention. That comes at the expense of creativity.”

According to Lisowska, new technologies can take over routine tasks, leaving more time for creativity. A promotional product must be more than just a carrier of a logo. The best product is not the product that is given away, but the product that people want to keep for themselves.