10 Creative Merch Ideas for a Profitable Online Business

Are you an influencer, artist, or small business owner looking for merch ideas?

Do you want to get your branding and designs out there, but aren’t sure how to do it?

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ll be breaking down 10 creative branding options to help you create a profitable revenue stream. There are so many ways to proudly present your logo or designs, but we’ll walk you through some of our favourites for inspiration.

1. T-Shirts

Starting with one of the most classic (and budget-friendly) forms of merch, you can never go wrong with good, old-fashioned personalised t-shirts. Made of any fabric from vegan cotton to poly blends, these basic garments provide the ideal canvas for printed designs packed with colour and detail.

At Clothes2order, we stock hundreds of styles and shapes, with different colours, fits, neck types, sleeve lengths, and uses. You may wish to opt for the neutral approach—a unisex black or white short-sleeved tee—or something more fashionable, such as an acid wash crop top or one of our many fitted long-sleeved t-shirts.

2. Hoodies

@clothes2order How to style your hoodie this season with Fruit of the Loom! 😊 Get ready for the ultimate style showdown featuring Fruit of the Loom zoodies & hoodies with custom branded logos and designs. Whether you’re a business looking to make a statement or an individual expressing your unique style, Fruit of the Loom zoodies & hoodies are the perfect canvas for you to add your logo to! #fashionstyle #fashionblogger #fashionista #hoodieszn #stylehacks #clothing #streetwear #stylingtips #hoodiehack #hoodiestyle #tiktokhacks #howto #howtotiktok #howtostyle #fashiontiktok ♬ (It Goes Like) Nanana – Edit – Peggy Gou

Another popular base for your artwork is the hoodie. Whether standard or zipped, fans and customers will expect this type of garment to be available—and for good reason! Hoodies are warm, comfy, and suitable for both print and embroidery. Our selection of personalised hoodies features designs by a variety of suppliers, ranging from the standard AWDis College Hoodie (which comes in 85 colours) to a handful of more intricate and multicoloured styles.

3. Sweatshirts

If you’re after a slightly more fashionable approach to the warmer layer, you might want to look into our personalised sweatshirts, instead. These serve a very similar function to hoodies in terms of customisation possibilities, but overall feel a bit less casual than their hooded counterparts.

From zipped, to crew, to v necks, we have plenty for you to choose from. Feel free to use the filters on our site to narrow your search. You can find more information about this on our Instagram profile.

4. Tote Bags

When generating your merch ideas, it’s also beneficial to take the customers who don’t want exclusively wearable garments into account. Some individuals may wish to support your store but desire more practical items, and that’s where custom tote bags come in. Totes are very budget-friendly, easy to produce, and compatible with print and embroidery. Even better, such adaptable carriers are likely to be used more often than tops, so your artwork may actually be taken out into the world and visible more frequently than if on a hoodie or t-shirt.

We stock plenty of minimalistic, classic totes like the Westford Mill Shoulder Tote Bag, as well as more premium styles like our Jute Classic Shopper, and both are available in a variety of colours.

5. Backpacks & Gym Bags

Even more practical than stylish totes are backpacks and gym bags. These are particularly secure, owing to their zips and drawstrings, and remain suitable for both print and embroidery (with some exceptions dependent on the specific design).

We offer a mix of fashion backpacks, computer packs, premium gym bags, and more!

6. Baseball Caps

From gym bags, we move on to another sporty accessory: the baseball cap. Although typically associated with outdoor activities, these hats are just as commonly used for fashion and self-expression. This is because of how good embroidered logos look against their crowns and panels.

In addition to the classic baseball shape, you’ll also often spot people sporting snapbacks, trucker caps, and army caps. Our shop has all of these and more available to customise right now, so browse our personalised hats and caps collection and select your preferred style to get started.

7. Beanies

Beanies are cherished for their stylish combination of versatility and practicality. They’re perfect for showing off small logos, similarly to baseball caps, but with the added benefit of keeping the wearer warm as well. Despite all featuring the characteristic snug forehead fit, they still offer some variation when it comes to texture, slouch, and add-ons (bobbles, drawstrings, etc.).

You may wish to opt for something monochrome yet textured, like the Result Braided Hat, or perhaps try the much bolder Beechfield Fair Isle Snowstar Beanie. But we also have plenty of simpler styles and shapes—in over 50 colourways—available on our online store as well.

8. Scarves

Carrying on the warm theme, scarves are another great choice when it comes to cold-weather merch ideas. They’re perfect for anyone from sports spectators braving cold weather in the stands to fans of fiction that love to show their support for a franchise.

Whether for fashion or function, accessories like the Beechfield Varsity Scarf make it incredibly easy to represent your brand’s colours or simply create an eye-catching design.

9. Onesies

If you’re looking for more unique merch ideas, you might want to consider personalised onesies. Yes, they are typically intended for infants, but adults have definitely been known to wear them, too! They’re the ultimate form of cosy attire, and once again offer so many possibilities for personalisation and design.

You can opt for something monochrome or patterned, or let your customers become a whole new character.

10. Soft Toys

Now here’s something you may not have thought of: soft toys!

These can also be customised to show off your artwork or personalised with specific names, and make perfect gifts for children and adults alike. So, if it suits your brand, you may want to look into stocking some plushies as well.

After all, is there anything cuter than a cuddly animal made just for you?

Whatever your feelings on soft toys specifically, there are so many merch ideas you can consider for your store; you know what your clients will respond to best. Your niche may demand unique items and garments, or it may rely on the more established types of merchandise that exist. It’s up to you how you set up your shop.

But if you’re still struggling for inspiration, or have any questions about getting started, don’t hesitate to contact us and let us help you design your range today!