Intro

Are you looking for innovative merch ideas to help promote your business, service, or cause? You've come to the right place! Merchandise is a great way to engage with customers and fans, while simultaneously spreading awareness about your business, service, or cause. Whether you're an office manager, business owner, or non-profit volunteer, there are many ways to use merch to your advantage. In this blog post, we'll be discussing 5 killer merch ideas that can help you promote your business, service, or cause. Read on to learn more!

Cool merch ideas

Brands now have the chance to use their imagination to create some truly cool merch ideas. Athleisure and hoodies have become particularly popular due to their comfort and convenience, but there's more! With the right design, they can get even cooler. From classic t-shirts to unique designs, sweatshirts can be worn for any occasion, whether for work or leisure.

Even musicians have caught onto the trend. Band merch can be a great way of bringing your fans together and even raising funds for your band’s tour, as Paul McCartney's official website points out. But custom t-shirts for business can do even more than that.

When you create the perfect design for your business, you can use them to promote your business, as well as sell merch to your customers. With the right design and message, you can engage with your customers on a whole new level.

Here are some of the coolest merch ideas to inspire you to start selling merch today.

Hoodies

Since 2020, athleisure has become a full-blown trend, and hoodies are more popular than ever. What’s more? With the right design, they can get even cooler.

Sweatshirts

Just like hoodies, sweatshirts are everywhere. You can wear them to work, exercise, or party, and use them to promote your projects.

Premium t-shirts

Tees are one of the most popular types of merchandise out there. But it’s a given that you’ll want your merch to match the quality of your work. That’s why we suggest you sell premium t-shirts with meaningful designs. And depending on your aesthetic, meaning can either be elaborate with a highly creative design, or simple and chic.

Childhood memories and pop culture references can inspire you to generate profitable merch ideas. Just remember to always respect copyrighted work.

Beanies

Merch ideas may vary according to your selling region and the different seasons your buyers are in. During winter, beanies are a great original canvas for your art.

And beanies are the perfect merch item for embroidered designs. With embroidery, making creative merchandise is a breeze.

Caps

If beanies are a hit in the winter, caps are a huge success all year long. This popular headgear offers multiple possibilities for customization.

Apply your project’s name, logo, quote, or icon to the front, sides, or back of the hat. Surprise your fans with a signature catchphrase or funny quip.

Pro tip: experiment with different models of caps like:

•Corduroy hats

•Dad hats

•Organic baseball caps

•Vintage caps

•Denim hats

•Closed-back structured hats

•Multicam hats

•Tie-dye hats

Mugs

Both beloved and useful, custom mugs are a top merch idea for selling online. Make them special by adding fun, motivational, or cute artwork.

Custom mugs are especially interesting if your niche is related to office supplies, home & living, or gaming.

Creative merch ideas

There are so many ways to express your creativity. And isn’t it even better when it can also generate income? If you’re the artistic type or always up for a fresh take, let’s see how you can start using your gift to fill your piggy bank with creative merch ideas.

Embroidered sweatshirts

As we’ve said, sweatshirts are a staple in any wardrobe these days for people of all ages and styles. Using embroidery to personalize them is just the icing on the cake.

Bomber jackets

Did you know that bomber jackets can also be an option for your merch collection?

Shorts

They’re fun, they’re comfortable, and you probably didn’t consider them as a merch idea until this very moment. But here they are! Shorts are a unique item that’ll surprise your customers when they access your catalog.

Leggings

A personal favorite on this list is leggings. They crossed over from gym attire and sportswear and are now part of our everyday looks.

Duffle bags

Duffle bags may not sound so creative at first but think again. A funky design could make this oldie-but-goodie stand out. Plus, they’re a super practical merch item for everything from exercise gear to travel stuff and beyond.

Fanny packs

If there’s one accessory that knows how to make a comeback, that’s the fanny pack. After being forgotten for a time, it’s now once again a trendy staple that screams fashion.

With the right colors and patterns, you can put a new spin on a casual or sporty look. Plus, you’ll be able to rep your brand and raise your e-commerce store sales too. That’s why this item couldn’t be left out of our top merch ideas list.

Podcast merch ideas

Let's talk Podcast merch. This type of content has become increasingly popular in the last few years, especially with 35–45-year-olds.

Although most platforms don’t monetize creators for their content, it’s still possible to make money out of it. How? Mainly through publicity and merch. While attracting brands to invest in your content usually requires a larger audience, selling merch online is something that can finance your project as it grows.

Apparel

If you’re into podcasts, you’ve probably heard of Emma Chamberlain. Her weekly show Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain made it to Spotify’s top-streamed podcasts list in 2022. I’m sure she has no trouble finding advertisers, but she also sells merch.

What we like about her merch is how the products align with her content in a simple, but clever way. The show is a stream of random thoughts she records from her bed. Could you think of anything better than a comfy sweatshirt and sweatpants set?

Mugs, water bottles, and kitchen accessories

Pod Save America is another famous podcast that’s exploring merch to generate extra income. Their store is integrated with Crooked, a website where you can shop by Podcast and find many great examples of Podcast merch.

From t-shirts to pet bowls, the Pod Saves America merch store offers a large variety of products. Their catalog also includes mugs, aprons, and oven mitts.

Water Bottles

Love the idea of selling drinkware? Try water bottles! Jon Lovett, from the Lovett or Leave It Podcast would agree. And, as a former Obama speechwriter, he probably knows what he’s talking about.

Team merch ideas

As they are the perfect combination of comfort and style, custom t-shirts have become a staple piece in any team’s wardrobe. Choose a design that represents your team and make sure it stands out with vibrant colors and bold fonts. You can even include your team’s slogan or an inspirational message to get your team ready for the game.

Another way to promote your team and sell merch is to offer custom sports bags. Whether you’re traveling to away games or attending practice, these bags will make sure your team’s gear stays organized and intact. Emblazon your team’s logo on the bag to get your team noticed wherever you go.

Sometimes a sports bag is not enough. In those cases, backpacks are a great option to store larger items like laptops, water bottles, and extra clothing. Choose from a wide variety of sizes and designs to fit your team’s needs.

Hydration is essential for any athlete so why not encourage your team to stay hydrated with branded water bottles? A custom water bottle with your team’s logo and colors will make a great addition to your merch lineup. Plus, it’s also a great way to promote your business, as well as spread awareness of your team and cause.

Company merch ideas

Used to increase brand awareness, spoil customers, and motivate teams, there’s a reason why company merch never gets old. And it’s even better if it’s truly functional and made of quality material. Looking for examples? Let’s get to it!

Notebooks:

As useful and timeless as it gets, you can never go wrong with notebooks as your company merch. It's easy to customize with your brand’s name and color scheme or take it up a notch with patterns or an illustration that expresses your company’s values.

Keychains:

Engraved keychains make for sophisticated yet durable company gifts for clients or employers.

Pins:

Fun and affordable, pins are still one of the most popular company merch ideas to show off your brand and make a statement.