Merch Mistakes That Keep Artists Broke

Every artist wants to sell merch. It feels good to see your name on a shirt, hoodie, or hat, and even better when people buy it. But here’s the truth… most artists are losing money on merch without even realizing it. And if you’re not careful, your merch table can become a money pit instead of a money maker.

Throwing Your Name on Anything

One of the biggest mistakes artists make is just slapping their name or logo on a T-shirt and calling it a day. The problem? Nobody buys something just because it has your name on it. Fans buy things they connect with. Designs, messages, and styles that they’d wear even if they didn’t know you personally.

Bad Quality, Bad Look

Cheap shirts, blurry prints, designs that fade after one wash, these things kill your credibility. If people spend their money on your merch and it falls apart, they’re not coming back for more. Quality matters because your merch isn’t just clothing… it’s part of your brand.

Too Much, Too Soon

Another mistake is trying to launch with every item under the sun… shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, bracelets, keychains. You end up with too much inventory, and half of it sits in a box collecting dust. Start small, see what sells, then expand.

No Connection to Your Music or Message

The best merch tells a story. It connects back to your songs, your mission, or your message. If your music talks about hope, create designs that reflect that. If you’ve got a catchphrase your fans love, put it on a shirt. Give people a reason to buy into more than just your name.

Another mistake is trying to launch with every item under the sun

Here’s the point… merch can be one of your biggest income streams if you do it right. But if you cut corners or throw money at the wrong things, it’ll keep you broke. Be intentional, think like your fans, and create merch that people are proud to wear.

This article is brought to you by Sanctified Sound