Offering your customers branded merchandise that’s unique to your store is a great way to build brand recognition. However, the customization process may feel daunting if you’re new to it. If you’re considering adding merchandise to your store lineup, here are some of the key things to know before ordering custom merch for your brand.
What Types of Merch To Order
If you’re just beginning your merchandise plans, the best place to start is identifying which types of merch you want to order and eventually offer. There are many different options to choose from when it comes to custom-ordered merchandise for branding. You can find merchandise in many forms, including everything from practical products like pens and water bottles to apparel and more. For example, different types of hats make for great custom-designed merchandise. Consider your target audience, and choose based on what products will resonate with them and your current customer base.
Have a Design Ready
The next step to customizing your own merchandise is to create a design for said merchandise. Get creative with this step. You could opt for something as simple as copying over your brand’s logo, or you could design an entirely new logo or slogan for your branded merchandise. If you want to use merchandise to expand your brand recognition, you may want to use your existing logo to help boost your customers’ recognition of it.
How Much To Order
Once you have your chosen merchandise and designs picked out, you’ll need to decide how much merchandise to order. For example, many custom design services offer wholesale buying and customizing options for your merchandise. Buying in bulk through a wholesaler is a great way to save your business money in the process. Plus, buying merch this way ensures your shelves will be stocked with your new items for quite a while.
How Soon You Need Your Merch
Before you order your custom merchandise, you should also consider how soon you’ll need it. If you have a large event where you’ll sell or give away merchandise and the date is fast approaching, you may want to expedite your shipping or ordering process. Each customization company will have different processing and shipping times, so you don’t want to put off this ordering process until the last minute. If you’re running out of time, consider looking into local customization options.
Hopefully, these things to know before ordering custom merch for your brand help make the ordering process run more smoothly. Once you have your merchandise styles and designs down, the rest of the ordering process will be smooth sailing with these tips in mind.
Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday sit side by side on the calendar, but they feel very different.
One is full of color, music, and celebration. The other is quiet, simple, and reflective.
Together, they form a powerful transition from feasting to fasting, from Carnival to Lent.
Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of February 17, 2026. The first day of fasting will likely fall on February 18. The month will end around March 19, 2026, depending on local moon sightings. These dates may be changed, depending on the country.
A red robin watches a Ramadan family prayer with warmth and wonder.
Ride into the rare Year of the Fire Horse with legends, dragon dances, lucky foods, and a fiery red robin salute to Lunar New Year. The Year of the Fire Horse is one of the most dramatic and culturally charged cycles in the Chinese zodiac. It appears only once every 60 years, and when it does, it ignites stories of passion, rebellion, creativity, and change.
From ancient legends to modern festivals filled with dragon dances and lanterns, the Fire Horse gallops through history
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Quick Fire Horse Snapshot:
Rare 60-year cycle • Fiery passion • Bold change • Artistic energy • A time to move, create, and transform.
Fire Horse-inspired lantern art at a Lunar New Year celebration.
As mid-February settles in, Presidents' Day arrives as a welcome pause in the winter season, a moment when
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a unique mix of celebration, education, and family time.
In 2026, the holiday on February 16th carries added significance as the nation enters its 250th anniversary year,
inspiring expanded programming, special exhibitions, and renewed interest in the country’s founding era.
From record spending to instant downloadable gifts for couples, pets, and families. For late shoppers, these ideas make a great solution for finding meaningful gifts.
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person climbing close to the $200 mark. Consumers aren’t just buying for romantic
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At the same time, how people express love is changing. Instead of defaulting to last‑minute
flowers and generic chocolates, many are looking for gifts that feel personal, meaningful,
and easy to deliver, especially when they’ve left things a little late. That’s where
downloadable, print‑at‑home, and digital gifts step into the spotlight.
