In case you missed Part One of creative merch ideas (inspired by the below merch bundle my husband got at a non-music event) check it out for a ton of creative ideas for merch on an indie bands budget.
If you’re already caught up, read on! This one starts with the merch that inspired me to write this. 🙂
Playing Cards
Like the example above, you can create playing cards with album or single artwork, popular lyrics, the band’s faces (if it fits your brand, this could make for a really silly one!), or even collaborate with other bands in the community to feature a “Bands of City” deck (IE Bands of Nashville, Bands of Asbury Park) etc. It’s a great way to get more eyes on all your music!
- Where to Create: ShuffledInk offers these for under $2/deck and of course you can’t beat Make Playing Cards which start at under a dollar per deck.
Limited Edition Polaroid Photos
Is there anything better? The nostalgia, the memories, the keepsakes? You can offer limited edition Polaroid photos from behind the scenes, tour life, or the studio to fans who attend the release show, purchase the album, or just as a special limited release.
- Where to Create: Purchase a Polaroid camera and film from Amazon or really anywhere and have at it! I like this one and it comes in a variety of colors, but you can choose whatever you like.
Collaborative Art Prints
You know I love collaboration! You can partner up with a local artist to create limited-edition art prints inspired by your music. These prints can be sold at shows or online as a unique piece of memorabilia.
- Where to Create: Look to your local arts community or post a call for recommendations on social media. Most cities have at least one art space, like Boston’s SoWa or Houston’s Sawyer Yards, which can be a great place to hold collaborations.
Personalized Postcards
This is one of my all-time favorite Ideas, and in my opinion, no one really does it! Create postcards unique to your band featuring artwork, candid photos, or lyrics. You can sell them individually or simply send to your fans with their merch orders, or display on merch tables.
- Where to Create: Websites like Vistaprint are a great place for small batch orders. Even your local drugstore can likely do this if you need them in a hurry!
Final Thoughts
I hope this two part series inspired some new ideas! Don’t be afraid to get creative and start building your merch table with items that are fun, unique, and speak to your fans. Have fun with it!
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