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.
