How to Make Band Merch That Won't Embarrass You
Let's face it, most band merch is pretty terrible. T-shirts with late '90s font choices, half-hearted designs, and an overall sense of "we just threw this together at the last minute." But it doesn't have to be that way! With a little planning and effort, you can make band merchandise that you'll actually be proud to sell. Here's how:
Keep it Simple
The first rule of design is "less is more." When it comes to band merch, less definitely means more. Resist the urge to cram too much information or too many graphics onto your shirts, hats, and stickers. Keep your designs clean and simple for maximum impact.
Utilize Negative Space
Negative space is the area around and between the subject(s) of an image. Good use of negative space can create balance and harmony in a design, and it can also be used to cleverly highlight the subject(s) of the design. So when you're planning your band's next merch design, be sure to leave some negative space in order to make your design more impactful.
Consider Your Colors Carefully
Color is one of the most important aspects of any design, so it's crucial to choose your colors wisely when creating band merch. Use colors that complement each other and avoid using too many colors in one design. If you're not sure what colors work well together, there are plenty of online color palette generators that can help you out.
Go Vintage with Your Fonts
There's nothing that says "cheap" quite like using Comic Sans or Papyrus on your merchandise. If you want your band's merch to look high-end and professional, then you need to use high-quality fonts. Fortunately, there are plenty of free vintage fonts available online that you can use for your designs. Just do a quick search and you'll find tons of great options. Trust us, your fans will appreciate the effort!
Don't settle for boring, half-assed band merchandise! By following these simple tips, you can make high-quality merchandise that you'll be proud to sell (and that your fans will actually want to buy). So get creative and start planning your next merch drop today!