Your Guide to Custom Merch

Whether you're an up-and-coming rock band, a stand-up comedian, a YouTube celebrity, or an Instagram influencer, you have fans eager to support you and buy your products. Go to any indie band concert, and you’ll see fans crowded around the merch table, eagerly buying items that commemorate the occasion. 

Providing merch is a great way to promote your image, increase fan loyalty, and raise money for your next big event. But what is merch, and how do you start a merch line? It’s easier than you may think.

What is Merch?

“Merch” is short for merchandise. While you can apply the term to any product, it’s usually reserved for items related to a specific individual or group: a comedy troupe, sports team, band, or celebrity. Depending on your needs, merch may include free thank-you gifts to loyal fans, competition prizes, or items fans can purchase at gigs or online. 

How to Start a Merch Line

Knowing your fan base is the first step towards starting a merch line. What do they want? For instance, many bands limit their merch to t-shirts and posters because that’s what their fans demand and are most likely to buy. An Instagram influencer might sell t-shirts, mugs, magnets, or calendars, depending on her online persona and her fans’ interests.

You’ll notice we mentioned t-shirts in both those examples. T-shirts are the most popular merch items and a great way to promote yourself. Other products might have a place in your merch line, but your biggest seller is always likely to be t-shirts. They’re comfortable, relatively cheap, and allow fans to proclaim their allegiance to you. If you’re not sure how to start a merch line, start with t-shirts and grow from there. 

How to Make Merch

Wondering how to make merch? Start your merch design process with these steps:

• Identify your audience: How old are they? What are their interests (besides you)? Are they mostly young men, teens, or older women? Does your average fan have a specific look? Answering these questions will help you with the merch design.
• Choose your merchandising goal: It’s not enough to know what your fans want. You also need to consider what you want to get out of your merch. Is your goal to reward current fans, attract a new demographic, or increase your overall profits? These are all valid answers. Knowing what your reasons are for creating a merch line helps you stay focused.

From here, you can move onto the design, which means matching your logo, catchphrase, song lyrics, or quotes to styles and colors of merch that best show off your brand.

How to Create Your Own Logo for Clothing

Most merchants use a brand logo to attract attention and increase interest. Think of the iconic AC/DC band name logo — it’s visually striking and immediately recognizable. You want your design to stand out. Not only will it attract new fans, but a bold logo also helps your existing fanbase recognize and connect with each other, promoting a sense of community and generating excitement. 

The trouble is that not many musicians, comedians, or YouTube stars are also qualified graphic arts designers, so creating a logo probably isn’t your most effective option. You’re better off working with an experienced graphic artist to create one, leaving you free to focus on what you do best: provide the music, podcast, or Instagram feed that keeps your fans hungry for more. 

Need help creating a killer logo for your merch? Arrange a consultation with Triple Crown Product’s professional logo design services. Our skilled graphic artists will work with you to create the best logo for your merch, whether you’re selling tee shirts, mugs, concert chairs, or stuffed animals.