How to Make and Sell Your Own Band Merch

Thinking about selling your own band merchandise?
Make sure you get off on the right foot by following this step-by-step guide.

In this article, we’ll cover:

  • Should you start selling band merch?
  • How do you make your own band merch?
  • What band merch should you sell?
  • How much should you charge for your band merch?
  • How to sell your band merch at gigs
  • How to sell your band merch online

Should You Start Selling Band Merch?

Whether you like it or not, you're going to struggle to make a living as a musician from music sales alone in the age of SoundCloud and Spotify. You’ll need extra income streams — and selling band merch is one of the best.

Once you build a loyal fanbase, merchandise can become your biggest source of income — and one of the most powerful ways to grow your brand. Each T-shirt or hoodie is a walking billboard for your music.

If you’ve got fans, even a small loyal crowd, starting to sell merch could be the next step that takes you from passion project to career.

How Do You Make Your Own Band Merch?

Here’s the process to create merch that actually sells:

1. Brainstorm with Your Bandmates

Think about the band merchandise you personally love. What’s memorable? What items do you still wear?

2. Learn from Other Bands

Reach out to bands who are a few steps ahead of you. Musicians are a tight-knit community — they’ll often share priceless advice.

3. Understand Your Fans

Survey your audience online or at gigs to find out what they’d love to buy. (Hint: simple wins.)

4. Set a Budget

Mix high-cost (hoodies) and low-cost (badges, tote bags) items to cater to all your fans. Check out our custom tote bags for an easy merch option.

5. Get Your Merch Made

Whether you design in-house or hire a freelance artist, make sure your designs are high-resolution and print-ready.

At Custom Planet, we can help you create premium custom T-shirts, custom hoodies, custom sweatshirts and more — all perfect for bands on a budget.

What Band Merch Should You Sell?

Fans love a range of items. Here are some essential ideas:

How Much Should You Charge for Your Band Merch?

Price tips:

  • Cover production costs (bulk orders lower unit prices).
  • Research what similar bands charge.
  • Offer bundles (e.g., 2 shirts for £20) to boost sales.

Psychology matters — people love feeling like they’re getting a bargain.

How to Sell Your Band Merch at Gigs

  • Set up a merch table with promo products like banners.
  • Light it up: Good lighting makes a big difference.
  • Location matters: Near the bar or high-traffic areas.
  • Take card payments: Use Shopify POS or Square readers.
  • Promote from the stage: Mention your merch during your set.
  • Make buyers heroes: Take photos with fans wearing your merch.
  • Bring business cards pointing to your online store.

How to Sell Your Band Merch Online

Running an online store means you can sell merch between gigs too!

  • Set up a simple site using platforms like Shopify.
  • Post high-quality photos of your merch.
  • Write detailed product descriptions (share the story behind each design).
  • Handle logistics smartly: Always keep stock organised.

If you grow big enough, you can even launch a Custom Planet Portal — a free branded online store just for your band’s merch. Learn about our team portals here.

Final Thoughts

Merchandise can be the key to making your band sustainable. Focus on creating high-quality, memorable merch your fans genuinely want — and keep your pricing smart.

If you need help designing and producing band merch that rocks, get in touch with our friendly team today. We’ve got everything you need — from custom clothing to promotional products — to help your band stand out.

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