Custom Merch: 17 Viral Merch You Can Steal Ideas From

Brand promotions, stronger relationships with customers, and standing out in a crowded marketplace can all be achieved with custom merch. It's a triple win! You'll see in this blog how effective custom merch has made these companies' brands unforgettable and helped them build lasting relationships with their customers, employees, and trade partners. Let's look at some amazing success stories of viral merch that caught everyone's attention!

Did you know that:

70% of consumers say branded merchandise improves their perception of a brand?

83% of people are more likely to do business with a company that gives them branded merchandise?

80% of people have a more favorable opinion of the brand after receiving branded merchandise

90% of consumers own branded products that they find useful, increasing long-term brand visibility?

These statistics prove the power of well-crafted merchandise. Let's dive into 17 amazing viral custom merch success stories that have made brands stand out and see how you can apply these strategies to your brand.

Vibe Check

Success Story #1: Virgin's Signature Style in the New Merchandise Collection

 

Virgin Airlines, renowned for its distinct elegance across its hotels and aircraft, has recently embarked on a new venture with the introduction of a lifestyle merchandise collection, a move that has been long-awaited by fans of the brand. After nearly four decades, the team behind Virgin Airlines often referred to as the Bransonites in homage to founder Sir Richard Branson, has collaborated with acclaimed sustainable British designers Fenella Smith and Oliver to craft a collection that epitomizes the airline's sophisticated flair. Among the standout items, the Princess Diana-inspired "Queen of the Skies" sweatshirt and the luxurious cream travel tote have garnered particular admiration. It might have taken a long time to come out with these custom merch items, but good things often need time to get just right.

Success Story #2: Ryan Reynolds Boosts Wrexham FC Merchandise

 

 

Okay, so the merch from Wrexham FC hasn't been great. But, add Ryan Reynolds to the mix, and suddenly everyone's paying attention. According to GQ, good merch can really help a struggling football team look cool. Ryan Reynolds, who owns the team, was spotted wearing a Wrexham baseball cap, and now GQ is calling it a must-have piece of fashion. It seems the cap is getting noticed mainly because Ryan Reynolds is the one wearing it, but it's also a hint that maybe they should spend some more money to make their custom merch better. Some of their stuff doesn't even feel like real merch. It feels like they could do a lot more, right? By the way, ever wonder which football clubs sell the most custom merch? There's a big competition out there about which team's brand is winning.

Success Story #3: Kiehl's and the Province of Canada Team Up for a Cool, Eco-Friendly Collection (Vibe Check)

 

Every piece we make is proudly made right here in Canada." This partnership isn’t just about being made in Canada, though. Kiehl's is on a big mission they're calling "mission renewal," teaming up with the Province of Canada because they only make products in Canada. Together, they're shining a light on being more eco-friendly. They're not just dropping a cool collection of custom merch for the fun of it (even though it's pretty cool). Kiehl's is showing us how to do better by making merch right here in Canada and cutting down on shipping stuff around. Plus, Kiehl’s is using this chance to spread the word about their new program where you get rewarded for recycling. It makes you think: What eco-friendly goals are important to your customers? How can you make a collection of custom merch that helps show off those goals?

Success Story #4: Duolingo Stands Out with Its Cool Merch

 

In the world of language learning apps, you've got a few big names like Babbel, Rosetta Stone, and Duolingo. But when it comes to being popular, Duolingo is in a league of its own with over 500 million downloads. It's not just about the numbers; Duolingo has turned learning new languages into something fun, and their custom merch is just as cool and unique as their app.

When you look at language apps, Duolingo stands out, not just for its lessons but for something extra fun - it's custom merch! Unlike Babbel and Rosetta Stone, which don't offer any, Duolingo's got a whole range of cool merch. Who doesn't love Duolingo's cute green owl? They've got it all - stickers, soft plush toys, and even t-shirts that gently remind you to stick with your lessons. This isn't just merchandise, it is a way for fans to really connect with the app.

And let's talk about Duolingo's social media - it's just as entertaining and grabs attention left and right, earning them a huge following. It's clear Duolingo knows how to make learning languages like French a blast. Their secret? A mix of great lessons and awesome custom merch that brings the fun.

Success Story #5: Heinz's Strategy to Protect Its Famous Ketchup Color with Branded Merchandise

 

Heinz teamed up with Wunderman Thompson to launch a smart campaign using Pantone colors to stop ketchup fraud. What's ketchup fraud, you ask? It's when some restaurants refill Heinz ketchup bottles with cheaper, off-brand ketchup that doesn't taste the same. This campaign uses the idea of matching the exact color of Heinz ketchup to teach a lesson about keeping the brand real. And it got us thinking about what kind of custom merch Heinz offers. Well, it's quite cool. You can even make your own personalized ketchup bottle (think: a great gift for Santa), and they've got some fun apparel too, like a Holiday Sweater.

Success Story #6: Your 2nd Top Beer Merch

 

Matilda Bay, a beer company in Australia, came up with a funny idea for their latest campaign. Instead of trying to be the number one beer that everyone loves, they're aiming to be your second favorite. They've decided to do something different by giving away cool custom merch from other beer brands you might like more. You could win a Yeti cooler from Great Northern beer or a mini-fridge from Carlton Draught. The catch? You won't find any Matilda Bay custom merch in this giveaway because they're happy being your second choice!

Success Story #7: Britney Spears Turns Her Famous Songs into Cool Merchandise

 

Britney Spears has come out with a really cool merchandise collection that's all about her famous song quotes. It's called the Legendary Quote Collection, and it's got some awesome custom merch. There's this t-shirt that says "You Better Work" that I totally want. It's a fun way for fans to celebrate Britney's biggest hits.

Success Story #8: Starbucks and Whataburger Honor Hispanic Culture with Merch

 

The newest U.S. Census found that there are now 63 million Hispanic people living in the United States. This is about 20% of all the people in the country. For the first time, Hispanic people are the largest group in Texas. During Hispanic Heritage Month, which is from September 15 to October 15, Whataburger, a restaurant chain from Texas, is celebrating in a big way. They have made a special collection of custom merch to honor Hispanic heritage, including a special shirt called a guayabera. People in Texas really liked it.

But Whataburger isn't the only one celebrating. Starbucks is also joining in by working with a designer named Manuela Guillén to make a beautiful collection that celebrates Latin American culture. They have made some really nice custom merch that people can buy. Both of these big companies are showing how important Hispanic and Latino culture is in the U.S. right now.

Success Story #9: Travis Scott Takes the #1 Spot with Cool Merch

 

Travis Scott, the famous rapper and music producer, just got his third album, "Utopia," to the top of the hip-hop charts, and guess what played a big part? Custom merch! Here's how it went down: He sold around 500,000 albums, and half of those were from streaming. The other half came from digital downloads, CDs, and vinyl. But there's a twist—Complex magazine says that out of those album sales, about 75,000 were because of merch bundles.

So, what's a bundle? It's when you buy a piece of a custom merch, like a t-shirt or hoodie, and it comes with the album, either as a CD or vinyl. Billboard, the big music chart company, says that for these sales to count, the merch has to be sold with the album. Travis Scott made a smart move. For a short time after "Utopia" came out, you could grab the album for just $4.99 if you also picked up some custom merch.

This whole thing is called the "merchification" of albums, and Travis calls these deals "fan packs." It's a cool name for a smart way to get more fans to buy his album!

Trends

Success Story #10: Is Frank Ocean's New Merch a Sign of New Music?

 

In the past, musicians usually just sold their merch on a small table at the back of their shows. But now, more and more artists are smartly using custom merch: they're making it part of the excitement for their upcoming albums. Case in point? Frank Ocean. He is rather mysterious and keeps his plans undercover, but he recently released a brilliant custom merch collection. Everyone's guessing - does this mean he's about to drop a new album? Even though we're all in the dark about what Frank Ocean is planning, one thing's for sure: those trendy jacquard soccer shorts he just dropped aren't just any ordinary piece of clothing. They're giving us a sneak peek into merchandise trends. Note: The music industry's love for merch isn't just marketing; it's also essential for survival.

Success Story #11: McDonald's Japan Drops Merch That's Both Old and New

 

Every week, it feels like someone releases some awesome new merch, and this time, it's all about McDonald's in Japan. The design company Graniph, famous in Japan for making graphic tees super popular, is behind this. They've gone for a retro look that throws us back in time, but with a modern twist that makes you want to check out everything they've got. Their website does a great job of showing off their custom merch with videos and lots of pictures, like this really cool tote bag that I absolutely want for carrying my McDonald's fries next time.

Success Story #12: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Brand Collabs

 

The Atlantic just put out an article called "Make the Collabs Stop," and it's got people talking. The writer, Amanda Mull, points out that not all brand collaborations (or collabs) are cool. Some feel like they're just throwing things together without much thought, kind of like filling in the blanks on a Mad Libs game. Mull thinks that brands are doing this everywhere just to get our attention. It doesn't really matter if we like it or not; they just want to be on our minds for a bit. But then again, some collabs are actually pretty cool. Like, have you seen those Cheetos sneakers or the special stuff The Weeknd made with Blue Bottle custom merch collab? Those are fun, right? So, it makes you wonder, are we really over these brand collabs, or are some of them still exciting? What do you think? Are there too many collabs out there, or is it still fun to see what weird and wonderful things brands will come up with next?

Success Story #13: Custom Merch: A New Voice in Political Campaigns

 

 

Guess what's all over Trump's official campaign website? Yep, lots of custom merch. Right after a big photo made the rounds, the Trump team jumped on the merch train, just like those Etsy shops that make everything with a press. But there's something special about this trend: it's not just a few of us noticing how important custom merch has become to political campaigns. Even The New York Times talked about how campaign swag has secrets to tell. They pointed out a few things that really make you think:

• "People like feeling they're part of a campaign through something they can hold."
• "If someone asks you to donate money, you might say no. But what if they offer you a T-shirt?"
• "This is one of the biggest shifts in how campaigns work in the last 20 years."

So, what's the big deal? Back in the day, getting a T-shirt or a hat was just a cool way to remember a concert. Now, wearing custom merch is a way to show what you believe in or which political side you're on. It's become a big part of how we talk about who we are and what we stand for.

And it's not just in the U.S. Politicians in New Zealand are getting into the custom merch game too! So, there's a lot to think about here. How did custom merch become such a big deal? We'll keep an eye on this trend!

Success Story #14: Everyone's Talking About Event Merchandise

 

So, have you noticed everyone's talking about custom merch at events lately? There's this article called "The Gift of Giving: How Swag Can Create an Impact on Your Attendees" that's got a video with people outside the merch world chatting about it. And guess what? Even Fast Company is getting in on the action, asking “Is your business conference merch up to par?” They give out 11 tips that you might already know, but it's still cool to see them talk about how important good custom merch can be. And it makes you wonder, who was the first to think of selling their custom merch at their own conference?

Success Story #15: Custom Stanley Tumblers: The Trendy New Love Language

 

Have you noticed how everyone's going crazy for Valentine's Day mugs? Well, it turns out Stanley tumblers were a huge hit as gifts for Gen-Z last Christmas. People are even saying Stanley cups are having their "Crocs moment." Can you believe some are selling on eBay for $240?

So, what's the big deal for us? It's time to jump on the trend. Those big tumblers, the kind that make you feel like you're drinking enough water to turn into a camel, are really in right now. But why? It's because "reusable water bottles have turned into something more than just bottles. They say something about who you are, way beyond just what you drink. In today's world, the custom merch you buy kinda shows off your personality, including the bottle you carry around.

So, could drinkware become the new must-have item, even more than t-shirts, by 2024? What do you think?

Success Story #16: Merch Magic: Driving 75% of Biden's Campaign Traffic

 

Did you know that custom merch based on the "Dark Brandon" meme accounts for 54% of all Biden merch sales? Even crazier, it brings in 75% of the visits to Biden's campaign website. Read that last part again: Custom merch is driving 75% of all traffic to Biden’s campaign site. They've been hitting it out of the park with this stuff, so much so that Emma Watson, who's in charge of the merch, decided to drop new "Dark Brandon" items every Monday.

We're all about being fair here, so it's worth mentioning that meme merch is catching on across the board, not just with one side. Take Mike Pence, for example. After getting some flak for being "Too Honest," they turned it into a custom merch opportunity. Meme merch is becoming the biggest thing in political gear since the battles between Goldwater and LBJ.

We are diving deep into all things political merch, breaking down who is doing what in the world of meme merch. And don't worry, The GiftAFeeling has got you covered as your go-to for all things campaign merch, so you don't have to sweat the small stuff.

Success Story #17: Rising Trend: 20% of Concertgoers Now Buy Merchandise

Guess what? Now, 20% of people who go to concerts end up buying some sort of custom merch. That's a big jump from 2019, when only about 11% did. A report from atVenu called "Year in Review, Merch Edition" tells us that not only the number of fans buying merchandise has increased, but also the amount they're spending, and the total sales for artists from merchandise have all shot up by more than 40% since 2019.

And it's not just the big names like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé seeing this boost. Concerts with smaller crowds are actually seeing the biggest jump in custom merch sales, with 22% of fans buying something in 2022, up from 13% in 2019. And guess which type of music is selling the most custom merch? K-Pop is leading the way.

So, as you're jamming to your K-Pop hits and getting through your workday, just think about how big a part merch is playing in the music scene these days.

FAQs

1. What is a merch design?

Merch design is creating artwork, logos, or graphics for items like t-shirts, hats, and bags. It's about making visually appealing designs that represent a brand, artist, or event and can be printed on various products to promote them.

2. What is brand merch?

Brand merch, or branded merchandise, includes products like t-shirts, mugs, and pens that feature a company's logo or design. These items help promote the brand, increase visibility, and build a connection with customers.

3. What are merch ideas?

Merch ideas are creative concepts for branded products. These can be anything from t-shirts and hoodies to mugs, bags, and phone cases. The goal is to create items that people will like and use, helping to promote the brand.

4. How to make merchandise for business?

To make merchandise for your business, start by identifying what your audience likes. Design attractive logos or graphics, choose quality products, and work with a reliable supplier like GiftAFeeling. Use online platforms for production and distribution and promote your merch through your business channels.

5. What merch do people buy most?

People often buy apparel like t-shirts, hoodies, and hats. Other popular items include mugs, tote bags, phone cases, and stickers. These products are practical and allow for creative designs.

6. How do you make unique merch?

To create unique merch, focus on original designs and high-quality materials. Include elements that reflect your brand’s personality. Limited editions and custom features can add exclusivity. Keep up with trends and your customers' preferences.

7. What is cool merchandise?

Cool merchandise refers to trendy, stylish items that people love to buy and use. Examples include limited edition clothing, artist collaborations, and innovative products like tech accessories and eco-friendly items.

8. Why do fans love merch?

Fans love merch because it helps them show support for their favorite brands, artists, or events. It creates a sense of belonging and allows them to express their interests. Merchandise also serves as a reminder of their favorite experiences.

9. Why do people buy celebrity merch?

People buy celebrity merch to support their favorite stars and feel closer to them. Items like t-shirts, posters, and accessories let fans display their admiration and connect with other fans who share their enthusiasm.

10. What celebrity has the most merch?

Celebrities like BTS, Taylor Swift, and Justin Bieber have extensive merchandise lines. They offer a wide range of products including clothing, accessories, and collectibles, catering to their large and dedicated fan bases.

 

IMAGE REFERENCES

(Commonsku)

(Province of Canada)

(shop.top.org.nz)

(San Francisco Standard)

(Washingtonexaminer)