Band merch: starting at 1 t-shirt, no stock needed

Band merch doesn't have to start with 100 t-shirts. But you do need one good t-shirt, with the band's logo, ready in time for the show.

That's why this guide is for bands and artists who want merch to sell, at shows or online, and to wear on stage. With real prices, timelines, and the mistakes we see most.

Quick answer

• No minimums. One t-shirt or fifty, and you reorder whenever you want.
• Automatic discount: −10% from 8 units, −20% from 20 and −26% from 30.
• T-shirt with logo on the chest: 11 € for one, 8,80 € each at 20.
• Turnaround: 7 to 14 days. Order three weeks before the show.
• Printed sleeves and tags: by email, to geral@matterstu.com.

Band merch: what we get asked for

Most bands buy to sell: at the merch table at shows and online. Many also keep a few for the band to wear.

For example, the smallest order we've ever done was for a band: one t-shirt for the member who was missing one, so they'd all match on stage. No minimums means that's actually just a regular order.

What sells best: black t-shirts and hoodies. After all, black holds up at night, hides beer stains, and makes any logo look better.

To sell or to wear on stage

At the merch table

At the first show, nobody knows how many they'll sell, or in which sizes. So start small. As soon as a size sells out, reorder just that one. Better than being stuck with a box of XLs at home for months.

Do the math before setting your price. At 20 pieces, the t-shirt costs you 8,80 €. So, the price you sell it for minus that is what the band keeps.

If the logo is embroidered, you save even more: when repeating the design on another order, just mention it in the notes and you won't pay for the setup again.

Online

In the band's shop or on social media, the logic is the same: you don't need to keep stock sitting around. Shops for artists, like Bandcamp, let you sell merch right on the band's page. For example, you can collect orders and sizes first, and only then place one single order. Plus, the more pieces of the same item you combine, the bigger the discount, even with different sizes and colors.

On stage

The whole band matching, each one in their own size, all in the same order. Logo on the front, album name or dates on the back. This way, you can add them to your order of pieces to sell: if it's the same style, they all count toward the discount.

Which pieces to choose for band merch

Above all, you don't need to launch everything at once. In general, a good t-shirt is enough for the first show. If you're unsure between the JT150 and the 190,, the weight guide explains the difference.

Printing or embroidery

DTF printing for album art, illustrations, photos, and designs with lots of colors. Plus, it's the cheapest option in bulk. T-shirts are print-only.

Embroidery for simple logos, up to 6 solid colors. It comes out raised. On the other hand, caps are embroidery-only. Sweatshirts and hoodies, however, can have both.

The full comparison is at DTF or embroidery.

How much does band merch cost

First off, the price of the piece already includes the chest print. The rest adds up like this:

• Full front: +€3 per piece.
• Full back: +€4 per piece. It's the perfect spot for the tour date list.
• Embroidery: €15 for each different design. You pay it once, whether it's 2 caps or 40.
• Shipping in Portugal: €6,57, free from €80.

For example, a band of 5, people each with a black JT150 and the logo on the chest: €55 total. With the tour dates on the back, though, it adds €4 to each t-shirt. Finally, for the merch table, 20 t-shirts come out to €8,80 each, already with −20%.

In any case, the customizer shows the total before you pay. What you see is what you pay. The full pricing table is in the customization pricing.

Three mistakes we see in band merch

1. Logo too big. On screen it looks great. But on the chest, it takes up the whole stomach area. So try out the size in the customizer, on top of the item, and picture it on an actual person.

2. Low-quality file. A logo pulled from Instagram, for example, ends up pixelated. So send the original file, preferably a PNG with no background, SVG, PDF, or AI. Also, a white background that's invisible on screen shows up as a white square on a black t-shirt. It's all explained in how to prepare your file.

3. Ordering right before the show. We've rushed an order through before and it arrived on time. But don't set your date counting on that.

Before you upload your design

• Is the background transparent?
• Does the design's color show up well against the item's color? Black on navy disappears.
• Is the smallest text still readable at actual size?
• Is the design the band's own, or do you have permission to use it?

When to order

We produce each order after you place it, so plan for 7 to 14 days. Also, from 40 pieces it's 3 more days, and from 50 it's 5. more

Our rule: order three weeks before the show. That way, there's time to get the sizes right, fix the file if needed, and for shipping.

Questions about band merch

Who makes the pieces

We're a small team, in a studio, with embroidery and printing machines. That's why every piece is handmade and checked before it ships.

We started with no minimums because that's what was missing: a practical place to order merch for small bands, 20 t-shirts or just one, without asking anyone for a quote.

Start with one

Not sure about the logo size or the garment color? Order one first. You get it, try it on, and only then order the band's with the same design.

Band merch doesn't have to start big. It has to start.

Questions about the file or a large order? Talk to us through customer support.