Best merch ideas for musicians
Image credits: Igor Starkov
Looking to boost your income and connect with fans? Want to start selling merch? Here are the top merch items every artist should consider selling.
Merch is a smart way to make money, grow your brand, and stay connected to your audience. Whether you’re gigging locally or building an international fanbase, the right merch can make a big impact.
Merch doesn’t only bring in more revenue though. Think of it like this: every fan wearing your shirt or using your mug is promoting your music, for free. When fans buy your merch, they’re investing in you. For superfans especially, they want to engage with you on a deeper level and merch is a way to keep a piece of your music with them every day.
Of course, you can always sell physical formats like vinyl or CDs. However, this post dives into non-music merch. It focuses on the wearable, usable, everyday items that fans love.
Let’s break down the top-selling merch options right now.
The top 5 best-selling merch options
T-Shirts
T-shirts are a classic fan favourite. They’re easy to produce, simple to pack for shows, and always in demand. Fans love wearing them to gigs, festivals, or just out-and-about.
Need inspiration? Think logos, tour dates, album art, or clever designs inspired by your lyrics. Even a minimal design can be effective if it’s on-brand.
Hoodies
Almost one-upping t-shirts, hoodies are a more premium option for musicians to sell to fans. Design them in a similar way you would a t-shirt, but maybe lean into more exclusive designs and styles.
Hoodies cost more to produce and for fans to buy, but they can also bring in a bigger return. Don’t be surprised if they sell less. But, if your hoodies sell well, it could be worth expanding into other clothing like sweatpants or crewnecks.
Hats
Caps, beanies, or bucket hats are cost-effective and appeal to a wide range of fans. One-size-fits-all makes things simple, and their compact size means they’re easy to bring to shows.
Hats work well with subtle designs. Think small logos or simple phrases. They also make great entry-level merch for fans on a budget that still want to show their support.
Bags
Tote bags are stylish, eco-friendly, and super practical. Whether fans are heading to school, the shops, or a show, your tote can go with them on a daily basis.
Lightweight and easy to carry to gigs, totes are another fairly budget-friendly option. Keep the design simple, clean, and tied to your artist brand.
Drinkware
Mugs, tumblers, and water bottles might not be the first merch idea that comes to mind, but they’re surprisingly popular. Everyone needs a go-to mug, and if it has your logo or artwork on it? Even better.
Drinkware is best sold online rather than at shows (no one wants to carry a mug around all night). However, they’re functional and offer a great way to get your brand into fans’ homes.
Tips to maximise merch success
Make it look good
Design is everything. Your merch should feel like an extension of your music and brand. Fans are more likely to buy items that look stylish and feel meaningful.
It’s often best to use design ideas that directly relate to your music. Use album artwork, lyrics, or your artist logo to keep things authentic. Even consider collaborating with a designer to help take your ideas to the next level.
The design possibilities are endless, but it’s essential your merch looks good.
Start small, see what works
You don’t need to go all in right away. Try offering a few different items to see what sells best. Maybe your fans love hats more than hoodies. Lean into that. It’s useful information for future drops.
Consider doing limited releases to build hype, while also reducing waste.
Consider the cost
Merch can be expensive to produce, especially if you’re going to buy it all upfront when you start out. Print-on-demand options are a good way to avoid bulk orders and high costs early on, just look at SoundCloud’s recent print-on-demand vinyl service.
That said, if you do go the traditional route, choose suppliers with fair prices and good quality. Keep profit margins in mind so your merch actually helps support your music career.
Final thoughts
Merch is more than just extra income, it’s a way for fans to feel part of your journey. With a thoughtful approach and quality designs, it can become a real asset for your brand. These aren’t an exclusive list of merch options either, they’re just some of the most popular.
So, if you haven’t started selling merch yet, now’s the time. From tees to totes, give your fans something they’ll love and wear proudly.
See our previous blogs for more merch inspiration and advice: