Merchandise has become a popular means of providing further, supplementary products around a singular popular entity. Of course, this is nothing new. Action figures for movies and band t-shirts have been around for decades upon decades, and so we needn’t belabor the point by discussing how merchandise can work for your brand and the very real supplementary earnings that can be made from it.

But merchandise also serves a second purpose, and that’s in spreading your name further than it may do currently. Think of a brand offering hats or bags at a convention, or someone having their own bar-quiz team fitted with shirts. As a startup looking to provide this kind of merchandise, it’s important to know where to begin.

From there, you can equip your business with the best commercial embroidery machines and screenprinting utilities necessary to compete in this space. Or, as a brand, you can more easily understand how to compete and help your firm express itself through that merchandise. After all, even content creators are beginning to get in on the action.

Here’s they look for in the merchandise they purchase:

Quality Of Prints & Embroidery

The quality of prints and embroidery used is not only a reflection of your brand, but the image of the brand commissioning this work. For this reason, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary tools on hand, from stellar screenprinting equipment, to commercial embroidery machines that allow you to provide industry-standard quality assurance.

Additionally, it’s important to note the materials which is being printed or stitched. High-quality t-shirts with high thread cotton counts, hats that work with the material of the stitching, and ensuring that bags are made from high-quality materials such as canvas can provide a worthwhile output that allows you to boast of your craftsmanship, and keeps your client happy for years.

Designs shouldn’t fade, and washes shouldn’t cause these prints to stagnate over time. If you can ensure that, then you’ll be certain to create a worthwhile output.

Custom Designs

Custom designs of course come as an essential component of wishing for customized merchandise, but it’s important to recognize that this means having the capability to print intensive colors, and to format logos, designs, slogans and other images correctly.

For instance, a logo being placed on a crest might require refitting of the logo, or perhaps an alternate design due to its complexity not quite being capable of printing correctly on a hat. For this reason, it’s important to be in constant communication with your client to grant them the best outcome, as well as the best means by which to present their desired commission correctly.

For some, a large logo at the front of a cap and a smaller logo on the back end is key, but might be more fitting to a dad cap without an adjustable strap, limiting the adjustability of the design. Speaking with our clients about this is an essential element of coming to an agreed design and producing that as carefully as possible.

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is one of the most important considerations to get right here, as loose threads or ruffles can cause problems later on, and may lead to some of the merchandise to be unsuitable. Of course, you can always redo certain merchandise and still ship off the unsuitable elements just in case they need spares for other reasons.

This process involves inspecting every seam, making sure that the packaging is appropriate, and writing quality instructions to make sure that your client is able to care for and appropriately use the merchandise as necessary. A combination of these factors will ensure the highest potential for satisfaction at every stage of the journey.

Uniformity

It’s also essential to make sure your merchandise is uniform from one piece to the other. This means ensuring the zips are all of the same colour, that the screenprinting methods have been applied correctly, that like items are grouped and packaged together, and that sizes are clearly labeled and placed in different bundles to ensure they can be read and accessed immediately.

A worthwhile combination of these efforts will lead to the best overall result, allowing you to flourish as a business and build your reputation. This way, you can even begin to compete with the larger firms thanks to your attention to detail and careful eye.

With this advice, you’re sure to understand what brands and professionals look for in the merchandise they commission, use and sell.