How To Make And Sell Merch As A Music Artist: A Complete Guide

Want to make and sell merch but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Most artists stick to streaming revenue and miss out on serious money.

Here’s the truth: you can’t build a music career on $0.004 per stream. Your fans want more than just music – they want to represent your brand.

Key Takeaways:

• Your Fans Decide What Sells: Stop guessing. Use polls, comments, and direct feedback to learn what your audience actually wants to buy before you spend a single dollar on inventory.
• Master the Classics First: Before you order niche products, master the art of selling high-quality t-shirts and hoodies. They are the proven foundation of any successful merch line.
• Treat Merch Like a Business: Track your profit margins, understand your production costs, and analyze your sales data. This isn’t just a bonus; it’s a vital revenue stream that requires a professional approach.
• Great Music is Your Best Merch Item: The most compelling reason for a fan to wear your logo is because they love your last track. A hit song is the ultimate marketing tool for a t-shirt.

But remember, a strong brand is built on great music. Before we dive into designing t-shirts, you need a hit song. You can explore my collection of professional instrumentals to find the sound that will anchor your entire brand.

Create and Sell Merch: A Guide for Musicians

Want to know a secret? Spotify pays artists between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream. That means you need about 250 streams just to buy a coffee. But here’s what’s interesting – the average fan spends $35 on merch at a single show. That’s why creating and selling merch isn’t just a nice bonus – it’s a must for every serious artist.

Here’s what selling merch can do for you:

• Add Fresh Income – Stop relying just on streaming money. Merch gives you a solid second income stream that grows with your fanbase
• Build Your Brand – Every fan wearing your merch is like a walking billboard. The more they wear it, the more people discover your music
• Keep Fans Close – People who buy your merch feel more connected to you. They’re the ones who’ll keep showing up to your shows
• Make Shows More Profitable – Live performances aren’t just about ticket sales. Good merch can sometimes make you more money than the show itself

Think about it – fans want to support you beyond just streaming your music. Merch lets them show the world they’re part of your journey while putting extra cash in your pocket.

Quick Facts About Merch Success

You’ve decided to start with merch, but it’s important to understand the basics. Think about your audience before you place their order with manufacturers.

Let’s break down the essentials of getting started with merch:

1. Start with proven sellers (t-shirts, hoodies)
2. Price your items for your fanbase
3. Test designs before big orders
4. Set up an online store
5. Learn to market your products

Pro Tip: Your merch shouldn’t just make money – it should build your brand. The artists I work with who do best with merch treat it like part of their music, not just a side business. In this personal branding guide, learn how to create a unique identity that resonates with fans.

Think about your favorite artist’s merch. The good stuff doesn’t feel like random products with a logo slapped on – it feels like part of the artist’s world. That’s what we’re going to help you create.

Creating merch takes time, but doing it right means building a real business beyond just music. I’ve seen artists go from selling a few t-shirts at local shows to running six-figure merch businesses. The best part? You can start small and grow as your fanbase grows.

In the next sections, we’ll get into exactly how to:

• Pick products your fans will love
• Create designs that sell
• Set up your store
• Market your merch like a pro

But first, you need to understand who’s going to buy your stuff…

Know Your Target Audience

Here’s something most artists miss – your merch won’t sell if you don’t know who’s buying it. Artists often rush to print hundreds of t-shirts without asking if their fans even want them.

Understanding Your Fan Demographics

Before you work with a professional designer, you need to know who’s buying. The biggest mistake I see artists make? They order merch without understanding what their fans would actually wear. Learn more about understanding your audience here.

Before you order any merch, you need to know:

• Age Range: Affects pricing and style choices
• Location: Impacts shipping costs and local trends
• Income Level: Determines price points
• Style Preferences: Guides design choices.

Want to know what your fans really want? Here’s how to find out:

• Check your Spotify for Artists data

• Run Instagram polls

• Read comments on your posts

• Watch what fans wear to shows

Price Point Guide for Different Fan Types

Location matters for your merch production. You’ll likely need to factor in shipping when you place their order to keep costs down. Start local before going global with your artist brand.

Use your email list to ask fans what they want. One rapper I work with got 400+ responses just by asking his fans what color hoodie they’d buy.

What Your Fans Actually Want

Your fans are pretty clear about what makes them buy merch:

• They love simple designs – most skip the fancy artwork and go for clean logos
• Quality matters more than quantity – they’d rather pay more for a shirt that lasts
• Size and fit are deal-breakers – if they can’t find their size, you lose the sale
• Limited drops get them excited – fans jump on merch they know won’t be around forever

When picking products, think about your audience’s daily life. A college student might love a tote bag for books, while working fans might want something they can wear to casual Fridays.

Here’s a quick way to test ideas:

1. Post design mockups on social media
2. Track which posts get saved most
3. Ask for feedback in comments
4. Note what similar artists sell

Remember – you’re not just selling products, you’re giving fans a way to show they’re part of your world. The hoodie they buy today might be what they wear to your show tomorrow.

Each piece of merch should feel like it belongs in your fan’s life. One artist I produced for kept getting requests for phone cases because fans noticed he used a custom one in his Instagram stories. That’s the kind of natural market research you can’t buy.

Let’s look at what products work best…

Best T-shirts and Products to Sell

Must-Have Merch Items

When you’re ready to start designing and producing your merch, keep it simple. There’s no better way to begin than with proven sellers.

Best-Selling Merch Items by Profit Margin

Start with t-shirts and hoodies – they’re what fans expect and actually buy.

Here’s what to stock first:

• Basic logo tees in black and white
• One signature hoodie design
• Small items like stickers or pins
• One special item (vinyl for collectors)

Creating Your Brand Identity

Your merch needs to match your music’s vibe. Keep designs clean and consistent with your overall brand.

Quick brand checklist:

1. Pick 2-3 main colors
2. Choose one primary font
3. Create a simple logo
4. Design a basic style guide

Skip the fancy effects and detailed art at first. Clean, simple designs usually sell better than complex ones.

Master the Design Process

Working with designers can be tricky. Here’s how to get what you want:

Find the Right Designer

• Check their music portfolio
• Look at pricing ($50-200 per design)
• Ask about revision policies

Share Clear References

• Send examples you like
• Point out specific elements
• Explain what to avoid

Review Mockups Carefully

• Check spelling/grammar
• Test print small details
• Get fan feedback

Design Tip: Save money by creating one main design that works on multiple products. Smart artists start with a design that looks good on both light and dark garments.

Remember – quality beats quantity. Better to have three great designs that sell than ten mediocre ones collecting dust.

Let’s talk about how to actually make these products…

Choose Your Production Method

You’ve got two main ways to make merch: print-on-demand or bulk orders. You can succeed with both – it just depends on your budget and goals.

Print-on-Demand Basics

Print-on-demand means your merch gets made when someone buys it. No upfront inventory costs, but you’ll make less per item.

Benefits of print-on-demand:

• Start selling with $0 upfront
• Test designs without risk
• Ship directly to fans
• Change designs anytime

Popular platforms include Printful, Teespring, and Merchbar, which make it easy for artists to design and sell custom merchandise without upfront costs. These services handle production, shipping, and even customer support, allowing you to focus on promoting your brand.

Print-on-Demand Costs vs. Selling Price

Set your prices a bit higher at first – you can always run sales, but it’s hard to raise prices later.

Bulk Manufacturing Basics

Once you know what sells, bulk orders make more sense. You’ll make more money per item, but you need cash upfront and storage space.

What you need for bulk orders:

1. Storage space for inventory
2. Money for minimum orders
3. Shipping supplies
4. Time to pack orders

Bulk Order Price Breaks

• 24 shirts = $12/each
• 100 shirts = $8/each
• 250 shirts = $6/each
• 500 shirts = $5/each

The trick is finding the sweet spot between order size and what you can actually sell.

Smart move: Start with print-on-demand to test designs, then move top sellers to bulk production. This way you’re only ordering what you know fans want.

Need a beat that matches your new merch vibe? You can browse my full catalog of beats for sale.

Keep reading – next up is getting your online store set up…

Start Your Online Merch Store

Pick Your Platform

Setting up your store doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t have to struggle with complex websites – simpler is better.

Top platforms for music merch:

Some artists I work with start with Bandcamp because their fans already use it for music. But if you’re serious about merch, Shopify gives you more room to grow.

Key features your store needs:

• Mobile-friendly design
• Clear product photos
• Size charts
• Easy checkout
• Fast loading speed

Store Tip: Keep your product descriptions real. Write like you’re telling a friend about your merch, not like you’re writing a business paper.

Connect with Music Platforms

Smart artists link their merch everywhere their music plays. Here’s how to do it right:

Spotify for Artists

• Add your store link to profile
• Update merch photos monthly
• Link to tour dates

Social Shop Links

• Instagram Shop setup
• TikTok store connection
• Facebook store integration

Live Show Setup

• Square card reader ($49)
• Phone/tablet for orders
• QR codes to your store

The key is making it easy for fans to buy whenever they think about it.

Quick Store Setup Steps:

1. Pick your platform
2. Upload clear photos
3. Write natural descriptions
4. Set up payment methods
5. Test the checkout process

Don’t waste money on fancy features at first. Focus on making it easy for fans to give you their money.

Next up – let’s talk about getting your merch in front of fans who’ll actually buy it…

Develop a Marketing Strategy

Promote Your Merch Online

Your merch won’t sell itself. The good news? You can market it right alongside your music.

Best online promotion channels by fan engagement:

The key is mixing merch posts with your regular content. Nobody follows you just to see shirt ads.

Smart ways to promote without being pushy:

• Show yourself wearing your merch
• Share fan photos in your gear
• Post design sneak peeks
• Run quick polls for new ideas

Create content that sells – learn how to promote your merch launch videos effectively and create engaging content for YouTube to showcase your products.

Real-World Promotion

Online selling is cool, but don’t sleep on real-world sales. Live shows are often where fans get most excited about buying merch.

Live show merch tips:

• Set up in high-traffic spots

• Light your merch well

• Keep sizes organized

• Accept multiple payments

• Have a mirror nearby

Make More Sales At Shows

Quick ways to sell more at gigs:

• Mix and match deals – grab a tee, get a sticker free
• Save special items just for shows
• Give early buyers something extra
• Let fans buy now and pick up after the show (saves them carrying stuff)

Keep your merch table clean and well-lit. I’ve seen artists crush it with just a simple table and good lighting.

Where to sell locally:

• Record shops
• Small local shows
• Weekend markets
• Music festivals

Pro move: Link up with local shops to stock your merch. You’ll make a bit less money, but your brand stays visible even when you’re not there.

Track Your Success

Track Sales and Growth

Smart artists treat merch like a real business. That means keeping track of what works and what doesn’t.

Key metrics to watch:

Use these simple tracking methods:

• Spreadsheet for sales
• Notes on customer feedback
• Photos of stock levels
• Social media engagement

Keep photos of your inventory on your phone. Makes reordering way easier than counting boxes late at night.

Make Each Drop Better

Your first merch release won’t be perfect – that’s okay. Most artists stress about getting everything right the first time, but success in merch comes from improving with each release.

Keep an eye on:

• What sizes sell out first
• Which designs people love
• What fans ask for
• What prices work best

Learning from your sales tells you exactly what to make next. I’ve seen artists completely change their strategy based on what their first drops taught them. The key is watching what your fans actually do, not what they say they’ll do.

Focus on the basics:

• Make sure your stuff is good quality
• Ship it fast
• Help buyers quickly
• Price it right

These might seem obvious, but they’re the foundation of a solid merch business. Your fans remember bad experiences way longer than good ones, so getting these right matters more than fancy marketing tricks.

Quick fixes that work:

• Get clear photos of real people in your merch
• Show exactly how stuff fits
• Pack orders same day
• Keep popular items in stock

Real photos make a huge difference.

Conclusion: Your Music is the Core Product

Building a merch business is simple: start small, focus on quality, and listen to your fans. But always remember that a t-shirt is a secondary product. Your music is the core product that sells everything else. You can start building that core product today by exploring a catalog of professional instrumentals.