A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Merch That Stands Out

At GameOnKits, we believe merch is more than a product. It’s an experience, a brand extension.
Let’s be honest: too often, merch ends up forgotten. Another cheap pen, a flimsy tote, a tee that fits awkwardly. These items are forgettable, ticking a box, or worse — wasted budget.

But when merch is done right? It sticks. People wear it. They take it places. It sparks conversations. It becomes part of the brand’s story.

Here’s how to design merch that feels intentional, useful, and worth keeping.

1. Start with Purpose

Before the product, define the reason. Is it a rebrand? A team drop? A launch gift? A heartfelt thank-you? An event?

When there’s a story behind merch, people notice. When there isn’t, they notice that too.

The best merch starts with questions:

Why now?
Why this?
Why does it matter?

Purpose drives everything: product, message, packaging, and timing. A plain crewneck is just apparel; a crewneck tied to a new brand chapter, paired with a note, becomes meaningful.

2. Make It Desirable

It sounds obvious, but often it’s not. Merch is not a throwaway giveaway — it’s a brand touchpoint. Choose items people will actually wear, use, and keep:

Heavyweight garments (240–280gsm tees, 350+ gsm hoodies)
Functional bags with smart details
Design-forward drinkware and home items
Desk objects with form + function (notebooks, pens)
Brand-relevant pieces: tumblers for coffee shops, yoga mats for studios, performance gear for running clubs

The rule: if you wouldn’t buy it yourself, it’s not good enough.

3. Customize Thoughtfully

Customization isn’t about logos. It’s about storytelling. Skip oversized branding. Avoid generic placements.

Instead, consider:

Tone-on-tone embroidery
Intentionally placed woven patches
Subtle inside-label messages
Logos printed in unexpected spots (sleeve hems, collar backs)
Artist collaborations

Pick the right technique: embroidery for premium texture, screen printing for bold designs, transfers for detail and full color, pad printing for small objects.

Good merch is about nuance, not noise.

4. Let the Product Speak

Every detail tells a story: material, texture, finish.

Warm, natural brands: raw cotton, canvas
Sleek, modern brands: coated aluminum, recycled polyester

Great merch appeals to the senses:

Sound: a smooth zipper, a crisp box snap
Smell: kraft paper, tissue paper, subtle scents
Weight: a solid pen, a balanced bottle
Touch: soft knit, cool metal

When product choices align with brand values, everything clicks.

5. Build the Experience

Great merch is part of a moment:

A surprise during team building
A client gift with a handwritten note
A newcomer welcome kit
A custom-wrapped team drop

Unboxing is branding too. If you can add delight and surprise, even better. The goal isn’t just to give — it’s to make people feel something.

6. Make Less, Make Better

It’s not about volume. It’s about value. Create items people keep, use, and pass on.

Merch should live up to the same creative standards as everything else you design: clear concept, strong execution, thoughtful details. Because merch is brand. So make it count.

Need help? That’s what GameOnKits is here for. We’ll help you design merch worth keeping.