All Posts

Make Merch Your Business: Sell More

Welcome to the exciting world of merch, where creativity meets commerce! Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned artist, turning your designs into a thriving business can be a rewarding journey.

Merch is more than just T-Shirts. It allows you to express your creative passion and connect with like-minded people. Even if it’s just a side hustle, it never feels like work.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of bringing your merch from concept to customer, ensuring a seamless and successful venture.

Conceptualizing Your Merch

1. Define Your Niche:

Figuring out your niche is the cornerstone of your merch venture. It needs to be something you’re passionate about: music, movies, sports, travel, the list goes on. You need to understand your target audience’s preferences, interests, and the aesthetic that resonates with them. You need to craft designs that speak directly to your chosen niche when you make merch.

2. Brainstorming Sessions:

Engage in brainstorming sessions to generate a pool of creative ideas. Consider your audience’s needs, current trends, and the unique perspective you bring to the table. Compile a list of potential themes, motifs, and slogans that align with your brand vision.

3. Create a Brand Identity:

Your brand identity is the essence of your merch business. Develop a brand persona that reflects your values, personality, and the emotions you want to evoke. Design a logo and choose a color scheme that embodies the spirit of your merch for a cohesive and memorable brand identity.

Design and Development

1. Choosing Your Merchandise:

Selecting the right types of products is crucial. Consider the nature of your designs and choose merchandise that complements your brand. Whether it’s T-Shirts, hoodies, or accessories, ensure the quality aligns with your vision. With print on demand, you can sell up to 300 products and store ZERO inventory.

2. Designing Your Merch:

Embrace the make merch mantra during the design process. Utilize design tools like Canva, or collaborate with skilled graphic designers (find the right one for you on Fiverr) to bring your ideas to life. Ensure your designs not only look great on screen but also translate well onto your chosen merchandise.

3. Prototyping:

Get some samples of your products before you launch your merch. Get feedback your friends and family to refine your designs and make any adjustments. This is also a great opportunity to get marketing content for your socials!

Set Up Your Store

1. Choose a Platform:

Select an e-commerce platform that suits your business needs. Platforms like Spreadshop offer user-friendly interfaces for setting up your online store and are completely FREE to use. Ensure your store is optimized for easy navigation and a seamless shopping experience.

2. Product Listings:

Add some detail in product descriptions that tells the story behind each item and your intention with the design. It feels more personal and intentional. Integrate SEO-friendly keywords, including “make merch,” to enhance your product’s visibility in online searches.

3. Pricing and Payment:

Determine pricing strategies that cover production costs and ensure profitability. Print on demand sites offer secure and user-friendly payment options to enhance the customer checkout experience.

Marketing and Promotion

1. Social Media Strategy:

Leverage the power of social media to showcase your merchandise. Create a content calendar and share engaging visuals that highlight your designs. Incorporate behind-the-scenes content with relevant hashtags that appeal to your audience to build a community around your brand.

2. Collaborations and Partnerships:

Explore collaborations with similar influencers and creators that align with your brand. Collaborative efforts can expand your reach and introduce your merchandise to new audiences. Consider running promotions or giveaways to generate buzz.

3. Email Marketing:

Build and nurture an email list to keep your audience engaged. Regularly update subscribers with news about new collections, exclusive offers, and behind-the-scenes insights. Email campaigns are powerful tools to maintain a direct line of communication with your audience.

Fulfillment and Customer Service

1. Inventory Management:

Implement efficient inventory management systems to avoid stockouts or overstocking. Consider utilizing print-on-demand services to minimize upfront costs and reduce excess inventory.

2. Order Fulfillment:

Streamline your order fulfillment process to ensure timely deliveries. Provide tracking information to keep customers informed about their purchase’s journey from your store to their doorstep.

3. Customer Feedback and Iteration:

Encourage customers to leave reviews and provide feedback. Use this valuable input to continually improve your products and enhance customer satisfaction. This is essential for refining your merch based on real-world responses.

Congratulations on taking the initiative to make merch your business! You’ll be well-positioned to turn your passion into a thriving business when you follow these steps and weave the “make merch” concept into every aspect of your strategy. As you progress from concept to customer, remember that adaptability and a commitment to your brand vision are key elements for sustained success in the world of merchandising!

Set up your FREE e-commerce store today and start making money with your own merch.

SpreadApp 4.0 makes your Partner Area mobile

We’re willing to bet SpreadApp is set to become your new favourite app. After all, with the latest version, you can now use nearly every feature and function of your Partner Area on your smartphone.

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to capitalize on prime gift-giving time than by updating your shop with merry and marketable merchandise? In this blog, we’ll explore some quick and easy holiday merch design ideas that capture the essence of the season and have the potential to turn your creativity into cash!

Are you a seasoned merch seller? Or are you just starting your journey in the world of online selling? It doesn’t matter! These festive faves will help you deck your shop with designs that sell like hotcakes.

1. The Best Time to Wear an Ugly Sweater

Embrace the charm of the classic ugly sweater with a modern twist. Design quirky and fun patterns that customers would proudly wear to holiday gatherings. Consider playful motifs like reindeer, snowflakes, or even humorous holiday puns. Even capitalize on your niche or your business, like Primanti Brothers did. The Pittsburgh-based restaurant chain marketed to their customer base with on-brand designs. Sandwiches and slaw have a seasonal spin thanks to these sweaters! Ugly sweater-inspired designs appeal to the festive crowd and add a touch of nostalgia.

2. Keep it Minimal

For those who appreciate simplicity, minimalist designs are a timeless choice. Create elegant, understated designs that feature iconic holiday elements in a clean and straightforward manner. Think single-color illustrations of ornaments, wreaths, or simple seasonal messages. These designs will easily exude sophistication and cater to a broad audience with diverse style preferences.

3. Customize It

Tap into the gift-giving spirit by pushing customizable designs. Your customers can customize their own products in your shop with the Customize Tool and personalize with names, dates, or even special messages. This adds a personal touch that makes your merch ideal for gift-giving. Consider designs like festive monograms, customizable stockings, or holiday-themed family name illustrations.

4. Vintage Holiday Vibes

Give a nod to nostalgia by incorporating vintage elements into your designs. Think retro typography, classic holiday color palettes, and timeless motifs like vintage Santas or old-fashioned sleighs. Vintage-inspired designs evoke a sense of warmth and tradition, making them an attractive choice for customers seeking a touch of the past in their holiday celebrations.

5. Puns All Around

Infuse humor into your designs with clever and punny graphics. Play on popular holiday phrases or incorporate witty wordplay into your artwork. Designs that bring a smile to customers’ faces are more likely to be shared and, in turn, increase your shop’s visibility.This punny playfulness will make your holiday merch more memorable.

As you prepare to deck your shop with festive merchandise, remember that creativity knows no bounds. These quick and easy design ideas are just the tip of the iceberg. Explore, experiment, and let your imagination run wild. Infuse the holiday spirit into your merch and create products that resonate with customers. Open the door to a season of increased sales and festive joy.

Get ready to turn your designs into dollars and make this holiday season your most successful one yet!

3 Ways to Skyrocket Black Friday Sales

As the holiday season approaches, the anticipation of Black Friday is palpable for both shoppers and business owners (like YOU!). This year, rather than merely participating, why not take the lead? By strategically updating your shop and merchandise, you can create a shopping experience that not only attracts but captivates your customers. Let’s take a look at what you can do to revitalize your store and maximize sales this Black Friday!

Use Promos to Drive Sales

We offer shop owners exclusive promos every month, but our Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals can’t be beat. If you’re having trouble coming up with innovative and engaging ways to market your merch, use promos!

Our promos this Black Friday savings season:

Nov. 24, Black Friday: 30% off all orders

Nov. 27 to Dec. 3: 15% off all orders and FREE SHIPPING

There’s no code needed when running these Black Friday sales for your shop, either! The offer will be automatically applied at checkout. Make sure to tease out these promos on your socials ahead of time. Create a countdown on Instagram stories, post sneak peeks of new merch designs. This is a key way to generate interest AND sales of your merch.

Design Exclusive Merch

Create a sense of exclusivity by launching limited-edition Black Friday merchandise. Whether it’s a special design, color variant, or bundled product, these exclusive items can drive urgency among your customer base.

If you’re having trouble coming up with a merch design, ask your followers what they want. Run a poll in your stories or ask for feedback in the comment section of your latest YouTube video.

Design tools like Canva are great if you want to create something for FREE. If you’re willing to pay a little extra, it’s worth it to ask your friends if they know a graphic designer, or seek out freelance designers on Fiverr.

Curate an Irresistible Storefront

Your storefront is the first impression customers have of your brand. Spruce it up with captivating visuals, themed banners, and high-quality images of your best-selling products. Consider creating a Black Friday landing page that showcases exclusive deals and limited-time offers, instantly drawing visitors into the excitement.

Make sure any new designs and relevant products are up front. Hoodies and sweats are essential this time of year, so make sure your customers know you offer them in your shop!

As Black Friday approaches, don’t merely participate – dominate. By updating your shop and merchandise strategically, you can create an irresistible shopping destination that stands out in the crowded holiday market. Implement these tips, stay agile, and watch as your revamped store transforms Black Friday into a sales powerhouse for your business. Get ready to welcome a surge of delighted customers and a holiday season to remember!

Revamp and refresh your shop in time for those Black Friday sales.

Political Merch: Turn Passion into Profit

In a world driven by political affiliation and interest, there’s a unique opportunity to combine your passion for a cause or candidate with entrepreneurial spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned political activist or newly invested, creating and selling political merch can be a powerful way to support your chosen candidate all while turning a profit.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the exciting journey of making and selling political political merch that not only makes a statement but also makes a difference!

1. Find Your Inspiration

The first step in this journey is finding a cause or candidate you’re truly passionate about. This could be a local politician, a national figure, or a particular issue that resonates with you. But passion always has to be the underlying factor.

We’ve seen all kinds of people open merch shops, and without passion and drive, they fail to succeed. This ambition will make it all the more easier when it comes to making merch designs and promoting your political merch.

Your enthusiasm will be the driving force behind your political merch, so choose wisely.

2. Design Matters

Once you’ve found your inspiration, it’s time to get creative. Designing compelling and eye-catching political merch is essential; you need to stand out from the crowd. Make original and creative sayings and visuals that reflect your candidate’s message and resonate with potential supporters. Think about what sets your candidate apart and how you can encapsulate their essence in your designs.

Design DO’s:

DO use familiar imagery and icons, like flags, ballots, etc.
DO ask for feedback from your family, friends and followers.
DO use design tools like Canva to help you get started.

Design DON’TS:

DON’T use trademarked graphics or logos
DON’T follow the crowd; make original designs.
DON’T think you need to do it all on your own. Use tools like Fiverr.

4. Know the Legalities

Selling political merchandise comes with certain legal responsibilities. Familiarize yourself with the regulations in your area, including campaign finance laws, copyright, and trademark issues. Ensure that you comply with all legal requirements to avoid potential legal challenges.

And people will respond to original, creative designs rather than the same design over and over. Your political merch needs to stand out and resonate with fellow supporters if you want to make an impact.

5. Tell Your Story

Connect with your customers on a personal level. Share your motivation and your candidate’s journey. Create a compelling narrative around your merchandise, making it more than just a product but a symbol of support for a cause you believe in.

6. Get the Word Out

Marketing is crucial. Use social media, email marketing, and even local advertising to spread the word about your political merch. Engage with potential customers, respond to inquiries, and keep your message aligned with your candidate’s campaign.

Don’t just post to post, though; make posts that matter. Create a compelling narrative around your merch with professional-looking photoshoots and tell the stories behind your designs.

7. Give Back

Part of the appeal of political merchandise is its potential to make a positive impact. Consider donating a portion of your profits to your candidate’s campaign or a related cause. This not only aligns with your political mission but also encourages more people to support your efforts.

8. Stay Informed

Politics can be dynamic, so stay informed about your candidate’s progress and any shifts in campaign messaging. Being adaptable and responsive will help you keep your merchandise relevant and engaging.

9. Passion Fuels Success

Above all, remember that your passion for your cause and candidate will drive your success. People are drawn to genuine enthusiasm, and when you combine it with a well-thought-out merchandise strategy, you can turn your passion into profit.

Embrace the power of political merchandise to support your candidate while fostering your entrepreneurial spirit. Together, we can turn ideas into impactful movements and make a difference in the political landscape.

Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the exciting world of political merch and create a wave of support for your candidate!