Bored with merch that doesn’t sell? Basic t-shirts aren't enough. Your fans want cool merch they’ll actually use and wear, turning them into walking billboards for your brand.
We’ve pulled together 12 creative and profitable merchandise ideas that go beyond the basics. From premium apparel to unique accessories, here’s how to create products that boost your sales and get you noticed.
The Foundation: Upgrading Your Apparel Game
Apparel is your merch foundation, but "basic" won't sell. Focus on quality, unique designs, and a variety of styles to stand out. The right garment choice instantly increases the perceived value of your products.
1. The Premium Graphic Tee
Forget cheap, boxy shirts. A high-quality t-shirt is the cornerstone of any great merch line. It’s the item fans buy first and wear most often.
- Fabric is Key: Choose softer, better-fitting styles over standard heavy cotton.
- Get Creative with Placement: Use sleeve prints, back neck details, or side wraps to make your design unique.
- Demand Vibrant Prints: Use modern printing like DTF for complex, full-colour designs that won't crack or fade.
Pro Tip: Add a custom-printed neck label with your logo. It’s a small, affordable detail that makes your tee feel like a legitimate fashion brand.
2. The Statement Hoodie or Sweatshirt
Hoodies are high-value, high-demand items. Fans love a comfortable, well-designed sweatshirt, and they’re willing to pay more for quality.
- Choose Your Finish: A classic screen print is bold and cost-effective, while embroidery offers a premium, textured look for logos.
- Focus on the Details: Consider options like custom-dyed garments, contrast-colour hoods, or printed drawstrings.
- Offer a Quality Garment: A heavy-blend hoodie feels more substantial and justifies a higher price point.
Pro Tip: Combine print and embroidery on one garment. An embroidered chest logo with a large back print creates a truly custom, high-end piece.
3. The Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
The long-sleeve tee is a versatile, mid-season essential that gives you more space for creativity. It works as a standalone piece or for layering.
- Use the Sleeves: This is your chance for bold branding. Print your name, a repeating pattern, or key lyrics down the arms.
- Think Beyond the Front: A simple chest logo paired with dramatic sleeve prints is a classic, popular combination.
- Consider Cuffed Sleeves: Ribbed cuffs give the garment a more finished, retail-quality look and feel.
Pro Tip: Use a contrasting ink colour for the sleeve prints to make them pop against the main graphic on the chest or back.
Everyday Carry: Accessories Fans Will Use Constantly
The best merch integrates into a fan's daily life. Practical, stylish accessories are often great entry-level purchases and keep your brand visible every single day.
4. Custom Headwear: Caps & Beanies
Headwear is a merch staple for a reason. It’s a one-size-fits-most item that fans wear everywhere, offering constant promotion for your brand.
- Know Your Styles: Offer variety, from classic dad hats and snapbacks to trucker caps and beanies.
- Embroidery is King: For a premium finish on logos and simple designs, nothing beats the textured look of embroidery.
- Add Small Details: Custom tags, back embroidery over the closure, or a woven patch can elevate a simple cap.
Pro Tip: For beanies, a simple woven label or leather patch with your logo stitched onto the cuff often looks more stylish and has a higher perceived value than direct embroidery.
5. The Heavy-Duty Tote Bag
Eco-friendly, practical, and with a massive print area, the tote bag is a merch powerhouse. It’s perfect for carrying records, groceries, or daily essentials.
- Choose Quality Canvas: A sturdy, heavy-duty canvas bag will last for years, unlike flimsy, cheap alternatives.
- Maximise the Print Area: The large, flat surface is perfect for bold, artistic statements or oversized logos.
- Think Beyond the Gig: Fans use tote bags for everything, making them a constant, mobile advertisement.
Pro Tip: Offer a tote bag as part of a bundle deal. A T-shirt + Tote Bag combo is an easy way to increase the average order value at your merch table.
6. Enamel Pins & Woven Patches
These are low-cost, highly collectible items that fans love. They allow supporters to customise their own jackets, backpacks, and hats, showing off their allegiance.
- Pins for Simple Graphics: Enamel pins are perfect for bold logos and graphic designs. Choose hard enamel for a smooth, polished finish.
- Patches for Detail: Woven patches can capture intricate design details and are easily applied with an iron-on backing.
- Drive Collectibility: Release limited edition designs or create a series of pins to encourage repeat purchases.
Pro Tip: Create a custom backing card for your enamel pins. It makes the product look more professional and provides another branding opportunity.
Unique & Niche: Items for Your Biggest Supporters
Create exclusive items that make your superfans feel special. These products connect directly to your brand's identity or inside jokes, have higher profit margins, and build a stronger community.
7. Custom Drinkware: Mugs & Koozies
Bring your brand into your fans' homes, offices, and local pubs. Drinkware is a practical item that guarantees daily brand exposure.
- Mugs for Daily Use: A classic ceramic mug is perfect for coffee or tea, keeping your logo on your fan's desk all day.
- Koozies for Events: Can coolers are fantastic, low-cost items to sell at gigs and festivals. They're small, easy to transport, and highly useful.
- Full-Colour Printing: Use sublimation printing to wrap a mug with a full-colour photo or a detailed, vibrant design.
Pro Tip: For bands, print a QR code on your koozies that links to your Spotify or latest music video.
8. Custom Socks
A fun, unexpected, and genuinely cool merch item. Custom socks let you play with creative, all-over patterns that stand out from standard merch offerings.
- Woven, Not Printed: Woven (jacquard) socks provide a much higher quality look and feel. The design is part of the fabric itself, so it won't fade or crack.
- Perfect for Bold Patterns: Think repeating logos, iconic symbols, or quirky designs that reflect your brand’s personality.
- A Great Gift Item: Socks are positioned as a unique gift, making them an easy purchase for fans shopping for friends.
Pro Tip: Design your socks with a contrasting colour for the heel, toe, and cuff to make the final product look more professional and considered.
9. Keyrings & Bar Blades
These are perfect point-of-sale items for your merch table. They are affordable, useful, and an easy impulse buy for any fan.
- Durable Keyrings: Choose laser-engraved metal for a sleek finish or custom-shaped PVC for a fun, colourful look.
- Niche Bar Blades: For bands playing in pubs and clubs, a branded bar blade (bottle opener) is the perfect niche item.
- Affordable and Portable: These small items are cheap to produce and easy for fans to carry home.
Pro Tip: Use laser engraving on metal bar blades to add your website or social media handle. It’s a permanent mark that won’t wear off.
The 'Cool' Factor: How Production Choices Elevate Your Merch
A great idea is nothing without great execution. The right production technique can turn a simple t-shirt into a premium product that justifies a higher price. This is where working with an experienced printer makes all the difference.
Not sure which method is right for you? Our experts can help.
10. Texture & Finish: Embroidery vs. Print
Understanding the difference between print and embroidery is key to creating standout apparel. Each has a distinct look and feel.
- Embroidery for a Premium Feel: Adds a high-value, textured finish that’s perfect for logos on hoodies, caps, and beanies.
- Screen Printing for Bold Graphics: The industry standard for large, vibrant designs on t-shirts, totes, and hoodies.
- Mix and Match: Combine both techniques on one garment for a truly custom piece with varied textures.
Pro Tip: For a subtle, high-end look, use "tone-on-tone" embroidery, where the thread colour is the same as the garment colour.
11. Specialty Inks & Effects
Go beyond standard inks to make your design unforgettable. Specialty effects add a unique visual and tactile element that makes your merch feel more valuable.
- Add Some Shine: Use metallic, foil, or glitter inks to make parts of your design pop.
- Create 3D Texture: Puff print ink raises up from the garment when cured, creating a cool, tactile 3D effect.
- Glow-in-the-Dark: A classic for a reason. This effect is perfect for event-specific merch or designs with a spooky or sci-fi theme.
Pro Tip: Use specialty inks sparingly to highlight a specific part of your design. Overusing them can look cheap, but a small touch of foil or puff print looks premium.
12. The Power of Custom Relabelling
This is the single easiest way to make your merch look more professional. Removing the manufacturer's stock tag and printing your own label inside the neck is a pro move.
- Boost Perceived Value: It instantly makes your garment feel less like a promotional item and more like a retail fashion brand.
- Reinforce Your Brand: Include your logo, website, and care instructions for a fully branded experience.
- Affordable Upgrade: Relabelling is a low-cost add-on that provides a massive return in professionalism.
Pro Tip: Print your neck labels in a light grey ink. It’s clearly legible but won’t be visible through the back of a lighter-coloured t-shirt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a merchandise item 'cool' and successful? Cool merch combines three things: high-quality materials, a great design that fits your brand, and genuine usefulness. If fans can see themselves wearing or using it regularly, it's a winner.
What are the most profitable merch items for a band or brand? Premium t-shirts and hoodies typically offer the best profit margins because of their high perceived value. Low-cost items like pins, patches, and koozies are also highly profitable due to their low production cost and high volume sales.
How many different merch items should I start with? Start smart with 2-3 core items. A great premium t-shirt, a hoodie or sweatshirt, and one accessory like a cap or a tote bag is a perfect starting lineup. You can expand your range once you know what sells best.
What's the minimum order quantity for custom merch? This varies by product and printing method. Screen printing typically requires a minimum of 20-25 items to be cost-effective, while techniques like DTF or embroidery can often be done in smaller batches.
How do I create a great design if I'm not an artist? Keep it simple. A strong, clean logo or a well-chosen font for your brand name can be very effective. If you have a more complex idea, collaborate with a graphic designer who understands apparel printing requirements.
Should I choose cheaper items to make more profit, or invest in quality? Always invest in quality. Fans will happily pay more for a great product they’ll use for years. A cheap, low-quality item reflects poorly on your brand and is unlikely to be worn, defeating the purpose of merch.
Ready to create cool merch your fans will rave about?
With over 25 years of printing experience, we know what it takes to make your products stand out. We deliver on time, every time, with expert advice to guide you.