15 New and Creative Ideas for Brand Merchandise

Merch has become a vital part of how musicians connect with their fans. It’s not just about selling T-shirts anymore - it’s about leaving a part of you and your music with the fans to cherish. Fans want creative, personal, and unique items that let them feel closer to the music they love. 

Whether you’re an indie artist who is just starting out or a global superstar, the right merch can build community, boost income, and turn your brand into something fans proudly represent every day. From everyday essentials like phone cases and mugs to bold statement pieces like tapestries or custom drinks, there are endless ways to get creative. 

In this blog, we’ll explore 15 fresh and exciting merch ideas to inspire your next drop!

1. T-shirts & Hoodies
   
   
2. Caps
   
   
3. Posters
   
   
4. Photobook/Photo Album
   
   
5. Keychains
   
   
6. Stickers
   
   
7. Vinyls
   
   
8. Bracelets
   
   
9. Bandanas
   
   
10. Phone Cases
    
    
11. Drinks/Beverage
    
    
12. Mugs
    
    
13. Bags
    
    
14. Tapestries
    
    
15. Magnets
    
    
16. Final Thoughts
    
    

1. T-shirts & Hoodies

Let’s start with the absolute basics! Apparels like T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts or jackets usually work great as merch for musicians. Fans love to represent their favourite artists through wearable pieces that double as fashion statements.

Why it works:

• Affordable entry point for fans.
• Works for any genre, any audience.
• Never goes out of style.

Things to keep in mind:

1. Start with basics like tees and hoodies with bold, clean and recognizable designs.
2. Include elements from your album cover art or lyrics.
3. Experiment with limited drops exclusive to a particular release or tour.
4. Think quality over quantity. A well-made hoodie will outlast a cheap tee and build loyalty.
5. Work with local printers or try online options like Printify. This will help you save costs and make restocks easier.

This is one of the best and most commonly used merchandise ideas for bands and musicians that you’ve probably seen every big artist create.

2. Caps

Caps are such an underrated merch item that can instantly turn fans into walking billboards. It is cheaper for artists to create, and at the same time, cheaper for fans to buy. They’re stylish, practical, and perfect for fans who want something more subtle than a T-shirt.

Why it works:

• Easy to wear year-round.
• Lower price point than hoodies/jackets.
• Appeals to casual and hardcore fans alike.
  
  

Things to keep in mind:

1. Keep the design simple → Logos, initials, or one-liners work best on small areas.
2. Offer more than one colour/design option → Fans love choosing their vibe.
3. Make it collectable → Drop exclusive designs tied to tours or albums.
4. Bundle it up → pair them with tees or hoodies for an easy upsell.

Pro tip: Use high-quality embroidery instead of cheap prints - it lasts longer and feels premium.

3. Posters

Posters are a very budget-friendly yet powerful merch item. It is super feasible for artists trying to create merch on a budget. Fans love decorating their rooms, studios and personal spaces with visuals tied to their favourite artists to keep a piece of the music close.

Why it works:

• Very budget-friendly to create + affordable and great entry point for younger fans.
• Doubles as wall art + merch/souvenir from their favourite music.
• Easy to ship and store in bulk.
  
  

How to make it happen:

1. Repurpose your album artwork
2. Create tour-specific posters
3. Create posters with visuals or photos from your music video
4. Align it with the theme and vibe of the song or album

Pro tip: Use high-quality matte or glossy finishes—fans treat posters as keepsakes, not throwaways.

4. Photobook/Photo Album

Photobooks can be a really intimate merch item that gives your audience a behind-the-scenes look at your journey. From studio sessions to candid tour shots, they’re a way for fans to feel closer to your story and create an emotional connection beyond the music. This is a great item when thinking about artist and band merch ideas with dedicated fan bases.

What to include:

• Studio moments, tour life, fan interactions
• Add personal notes or captions
• Offer limited editions with signed copies

5. Keychains

This is a super small, affordable, and collectable item. Keychains are the kind of merch fans can carry everywhere. They’re also perfect for impulse buys at shows or as add-ons to other merch products in your online store. This could be a really fun band merch if done right.

Things to keep in mind:

• Keep it simple with logos, symbols or lyric quotes.
• Experiment with materials like Acrylic, metal, rubber, or even eco-friendly wood.
• Pair with other merch and offer as freebies with bigger purchases. 

6. Stickers

Stickers are one of the cheapest yet most fun merch items with a lot of room for creativity. This is one of the easiest merchandise ideas for bands and musicians to create and sell. 

Fans love slapping them on laptops, guitars, phone cases, water bottles and everywhere else they can possibly find. They’re small but mighty brand carriers.

Things to keep in mind:

• Use iconic visuals like your album art, brand logo, lyric snippets, mascots or memes with catchy quotes as an inside joke in the fandom
• Experiment with different types of finishes like holographic, matte, glitter, or vinyl for extra flair.
• Bundle them with posters, vinyl, apparel and other merch items.
  

7. Vinyl

Vinyl has made a massive comeback in recent years. For fans, it’s more than just music - it’s a collectable piece of art they can hold dear, display, and cherish long-term.

Why it works:

• Premium and nostalgic appeal.
• Perfect for superfans and collectors.
• Adds value with artwork, inserts, and packaging.
  
  

Things to keep in mind:

1. Choose striking cover art.
2. Offer limited variants, like coloured vinyl, picture discs, or glow-in-the-dark editions.
3. Include additional items like lyric booklets, signed inserts, or hidden artwork inside the sleeve.
4. Bundle it up with digital codes so fans can get the vinyl along with streaming convenience
   

8. Bracelets

Bracelets are simple, affordable, and endlessly customizable. From silicone wristbands to woven friendship-style bands, they let fans rep your brand in a subtle, everyday way.

Why it works:

• Super low cost to produce.
• Fans can wear them daily without effort.
• Works well for both casual listeners and hardcore fans.
  

For example, Taylor Swift has brought back friendship bracelets and made them cool again. Swifties started swapping friendship bracelets at the Eras tour, and it became a whole thing within the fandom!

Their bracelets were mostly made of colourful beads, and they spelt out different words and catchphrases from song lyrics and titles to fandom inside jokes. Trading handmade friendship bracelets at the Eras Tour had become a massive part of Swiftie culture. So, why not take inspiration from it and turn it into a fun band merch item?

9. Bandanas

Bandanas are another stylish, functional, and super versatile item that fans can wear, tie on bags, and use as a scarf.

Why it works:

• It is super affordable & versatile, and easy to produce, ship, and style in multiple ways.
• Plenty of room for creativity in terms of designs - perfect for simple yet bold patterns and album-inspired visual elements.

Execution tips: Offer different fabric materials (cotton vs. silk), drop limited-edition prints, and encourage fans to share styling ideas.

10. Phone cases

Phone cases are the perfect merch item because fans use their phones every single day. They’re functional, stylish, and a subtle way for fans to show love for your music everywhere they go. This is actually a great way for musicians to get a high daily visibility, as people’s phones are always in their hands.

Things to keep in mind:

• Pick popular models like recent iPhone and Samsung cases that cover a large part of the fan base.
• Experiment with styles like clear cases, holographic, eco-friendly, or rugged protective ones.
• Use iconic visuals like Album art, fan-favourite lyrics, or minimal logo-based designs.

We’ve seen Hailey Bieber rock this one with her skincare brand Rhode. Now, it's time for artists and musicians to start using it too. 

11. Drinks/Beverage

Custom drinks are one of the most unique merch ideas out there. From branded coffee blends to craft beers or even limited-edition sodas or energy drinks, this can be a great extension of your brand.

This is one of the slightly more difficult and high-budget merchandise ideas for bands and musicians to execute, but a great option for artists who have the capacity to pull it off.

Why it works:

• Memorable and experiential, where fans feel part of your world.
• Great for collaborations with local breweries, cafés, or beverage brands.
• Perfect for limited runs or pop-up events
  

12. Mugs

Mugs are a fan-favourite merch item because they’re practical, usable, and personal. Whether it’s coffee in the morning or tea at night, mugs let fans connect with your music in their daily rituals.

Why it works:

• Affordable and easy to produce.
• Useful every day, and fans keep them for years.
• Great surface for bold, creative designs.
  
  

Examples:

• Ed Sheeran has sold mugs with quirky lyric prints.
• Foo Fighters released tour-themed coffee mugs that became collector’s items.

Pro tip: Fans love photo-worthy items, so make your designs Instagram-able and encourage user-generated content.

13. Bags

Bags are another very practical, stylish, and functional item, making them one of the most useful merch options out there. From simple totes to premium backpacks, they let fans carry your brand everywhere they go.

Things you can try:

1. Types: Tote Bags, Backpacks, Fanny Packs, Crossbody Bags, etc.
2. Materials: Cotton for eco-friendly vibes, canvas for durability, or vegan leather for chic vibes.
3. Designs: Logos, album art, thematic visuals, lyrics, etc.
   

Pro tip: Fans love bags they can actually use on a daily basis, so design with practicality + style in mind.

14. Tapestries

Tapestries turn your music into wall art. They’re bigger and bolder than posters, giving fans a way to transform their rooms, dorms, or studios with your visuals. Perfect for fans who want more than just a small decoration.

Why it works:

• Unique merch item that stands out from the usual.
• Great for fans who love decorating personal spaces.
• Offers a premium, artsy and aesthetic feel. 

15. Magnets

Magnets are small, affordable, and surprisingly collectable - one of the most fun band merch ideas. They’re perfect for fridges, lockers, or magnetic boards, letting fans show off their love for your music in everyday spaces. Fans love small, easy-to-collect merch, and magnets are a perfect low-cost way to achieve that. 

Why it works:

• Budget-friendly - fans can grab them as impulse buys.
• Long-lasting - they stay in homes for years.
• Easy to design in sets for collectors.
  

Final Thoughts

Merch is more than just extra income - it’s a way to deepen your bond with fans and let them carry a piece of your music into their everyday lives. From timeless staples like apparel and vinyl to unique ideas like beverages, tapestries, or phone cases, the possibilities are endless. 

The key is to pick items that reflect your identity as an artist and feel authentic to your brand. Start small, experiment with drops, and listen to your fans, because they will tell you what exactly they love. 

If done right, merch can turn casual listeners into loyal supporters and transform your music career into a full creative lifestyle. So, now that you have all of these options, go on and create some super fun band merch ideas for your fans.

We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!