The Ultimate Guide to Making and Selling Your Own Band Merch
Imagine this: you’re at a concert, jamming out to your favourite band.
Or twerking, grooving or flossing – whatever your style.
Anyway, the music is so good, you can’t help but dance and sing along with the crowd. But then, you look around and notice something that makes the music so much better – the band’s merch! Customised t-shirts, hats, and stickers are everywhere, and you just can’t resist buying some to show off your love for the band.
Who knows – they may even see you in their merch gear.
Now, imagine you’re that band.
Not only are you creating awesome music, but you’re also making money and promoting your brand through your merch to people who love you. It’s a win-win situation – your fans get to show their support for you, and you get to earn revenue and increase your band’s brand recognition.
That’s the power of creating customised band merch.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know how to make and sell your very own band merch.
Why merch is important to music bands
First things first – why bother with band merch?
Well, not only can it help you earn some extra income, but it’s also an amazing way to promote your brand and connect further with your fans. Plus, let’s be real – who doesn’t love a good band t-shirt or sticker?
People love wearing and collecting band merchandise.
Here are some exciting benefits when you make your own band merch:
- Increased revenue
Selling merchandise like t-shirts, band logo hats and other cool swag can bring in a significant amount of money for bands. This extra revenue can be used to fund future tours, album recordings or even just to pay the bills.
- Brand recognition
Band merch can act as walking billboards – promoting your brand wherever your fans go. By wearing your merchandise, fans are proudly showing their support for your music and spreading the word to others who may not have heard of you yet.
- Stronger fan connection
Selling band merch allows you to create a deeper connection with your fans, especially at live gigs. They will become more invested in your music and feel excited to support you by buying and wearing your merchandise.
Choosing the right music merchandise for your band
Choosing the right merchandise for your band can make all the difference in boosting your revenue and promoting your brand. From band t-shirts to stickers and beyond, there are countless merch options to consider.
But with so many choices, how do you decide what the right merchandise is for your band?
Here are some tips to help you choose the right music merch that will appeal to your fans and effectively represent your brand.
Tip #1 Consider your fanbase
Who are your fans? What do they like? What kind of merchandise would they be interested in purchasing? Understanding your audience can help you choose the right types of merchandise to sell.
Tip #2 Think about your brand
What kind of image do you want to project? What style and aesthetic does your band convey? This will help guide your merchandise choices. If your band has a vintage or retro vibe, you may want to offer items like vinyl records or cassette tapes. Alternatively, if your band has a more modern and edgy look, items like enamel pins or patches may be a good fit.
Tip #3 Consider the practicality of the merchandise
When it comes to specific types of merchandise, t-shirts are a classic and popular option for bands. They’re versatile, easy to produce and can feature eye-catching designs that showcase your band’s logo, artwork, or lyrics.
Ultimately, the key to choosing the right merchandise for your band is to strike a balance between practicality, brand representation and fan appeal.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can create merchandise that your fans will love and that will help promote your band to a much wider audience.
Designing your own band merchandise: creating designs and choosing the right colour for your band merch
So, you’ve decided on what type of merch to sell – now it’s time to get creative and design it! This is the fun bit.
Your merchandise design is a crucial component in representing your brand and connecting with fans, so it’s important to get it right. Here’s how to create designs and choose the perfect colour that will stand out and resonate with your fans.
1. Keep it simple
Simple designs often work best for band merchandise. Choose a clear, bold image or logo that will stand out on a t-shirt or other merchandise. Avoid cluttering the design with too many elements, which can make it difficult to read or understand.
2. Use the right colours
Your merch should reflect your band’s overall brand, style and image. Consider using the colours that are already associated with your band, such as those found in your logo or album art.
3. Choose the right font
Select a font that is easy to read and matches the tone and style of your brand. Avoid using too many fonts in one design, which can make it look busy and unprofessional.
4. Use high-quality images of you performing or recording!
Your images should be high-resolution and clear. Avoid using low-quality or pixelated images, as they can look unprofessional and may not attract fans.
Have a read of our previous blog where we discuss the importance of using the right DPI and photo print resolution on your custom-printed t-shirt.
5. Get super creative
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your designs! Consider incorporating unique patterns, textures, or illustrations that reflect your band’s style and personality.
Making Band Merch: Bringing Your Designs to Life
Once the band merchandise design is complete, the next step is to produce it.
You have several options to make your own band merch, including DIY options and outsourcing to a manufacturer.
1. DIY production
This can be a cost-effective option, especially for smaller runs of merchandise.
DIY involves purchasing blank products, like t-shirts or hats, and using a DIY screen printing kit or heat press to apply your design. This method allows for greater creative control and flexibility, but it can also be time-consuming and require a bit of a learning curve.
2. Outsourcing to a manufacturer
This option can be a good choice for larger runs or more complex designs. There are many manufacturers out there that specialise in band merchandise production. Some even offer services like design assistance, warehousing and fulfilment.
Tips for finding the right merch manufacturer
Finding the right manufacturer is essential for producing high-quality music merchandise your fans will love. Here are some extra tips:
1. Research
Research, research and do more research!
Look for reviews, ratings, and feedback from other musicians who have worked with the manufacturer. Check their website and social media profiles for examples of their work and their manufacturing process.
2. Communication
Communication is key when it comes to working with a merch manufacturer. Make sure they are responsive to your enquiries and are willing to work with you to bring your vision to life. It’s important to establish clear communication channels to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that the manufacturing process runs smoothly.
3. Quality control
Quality control is essential to ensure that your band merchandise meets your standards and is of the highest quality. Be sure to establish quality control measures with the manufacturer and perform regular quality checks throughout the manufacturing process.
4. Samples
Before placing a large order with a manufacturer, it’s a good idea to order a small sample batch to test the quality of their work. This will give you an idea of their production quality, turnaround time and customer service. If you’re satisfied with the sample batch, you can move forward with a larger order.
5. Cost
Look for a merch manufacturer that offers competitive pricing while maintaining quality standards. Keep in mind that higher-quality materials and production methods may result in higher costs, but it’s worth investing in high-quality merchandise that your fans will love and cherish.
By following these tips, you can find the right manufacturer for your band’s merchandise and ensure that your merchandise is of the highest quality.
Ready to sell your awesome band merch?
You have several options to get your merchandise into the hands of fans, and two of the most popular channels are:
1. Online marketplaces such as Etsy, eBay, and Amazon are great options for selling your merchandise online.
These platforms offer a large customer base and easy-to-use interfaces that allow you to easily manage your sales, inventory, and shipping. You can also create your own online store using platforms like Shopify, which gives you full control over your online presence and branding.
2. Selling at live events is also an excellent way to promote your brand and connect with fans.
Now we’re talking! You can sell your merchandise at your concerts, festivals and other events where your music is being showcased or performed. This will give a unique opportunity for fans to interact with your merchandise and get a chance to meet you in person.
To make the most of selling at live events, be sure to set up an eye-catching display that showcases your merchandise and promotes your brand. Consider offering bundle deals or discounts to entice fans to buy more. You can also use social media and email marketing to promote your upcoming events and let fans know where they can find your merch.
Now you have the answers to how to make and sell band merch
By following the tips while keeping overheads low, you’ll have set your music band up for success and be on your way to capitalising on the growing market thanks to your own creative ingenuity.
Looking for an all-in-one solution to make your band merch?
If you have the design, we can turn your t-shirt and other merch into an absolute masterpiece! Whether your music band needs a few shirts or thousands – you’ve definitely landed in the right place!
At PrintLocker we’ve been providing our customers with uniquely customisable shirts, hoodies, blankets, phone cases and everything in between for years!
All you need is a few minutes and a t-shirt design, and we’ll take care of the hard work for you to get your business up and running. Whether you’re in Australia or a little further afield, we promise the highest quality t-shirt printing, affordable prices and incredible delivery times.
So what are you waiting for? Partner with us to get your band merch today!
