Ordering custom event merch seems straightforward—pick a design, print it on a t-shirt, and you’re good to go, right? Not quite! Many event organisers make small but costly mistakes that can affect the quality, sales, and overall success of their merch. To ensure your event merch is on-brand, profitable, and well-received, here are five common mistakes to avoid.
1. Leaving Merch Orders Too Late ⏳
One of the biggest mistakes event organisers make is waiting until the last minute to place their merch order. Custom apparel takes time—especially if you need bulk printing, specific materials, or unique designs.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Place orders at least 3-4 weeks in advance to ensure production and delivery run smoothly.
✅ Plan ahead by estimating your merch needs based on past event sales.
✅ Work with a reliable supplier (like SOLLY AND CO) that offers fast turnaround times for events.
Pro Tip: Rush orders often lead to higher costs and fewer design options. Avoid the stress by getting started early!
2. Choosing Cheap Over Quality 💸
It might be tempting to go for the lowest-cost option to maximise profit, but cheap merch can cost you more in the long run. Low-quality prints fade, shirts shrink after one wash, and customers won’t wear them again—resulting in lost branding opportunities.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Choose premium apparel that people actually want to wear (we source from top Australian suppliers).
✅ Use high-quality printing methods like DTF (Direct-to-Film) for long-lasting, vibrant designs.
✅ Consider comfort—soft, breathable fabric increases sales and repeat purchases.
Pro Tip: A well-made t-shirt isn’t just merch—it’s free advertising when people continue to wear it long after your event!
3. Ignoring What Your Audience Wants 🎯
Not every merch item is a hit with every audience. A festival crowd might love oversized tees and bucket hats, while a corporate event may need polished polo shirts and lanyards.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Consider your audience’s style and preferences before ordering.
✅ Offer a mix of products (tees, hoodies, totes, caps) to suit different budgets.
✅ Pay attention to past sales data or survey attendees on what they’d like to buy.
Pro Tip: The best-selling festival merch often includes t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags. Start with these staples if you’re unsure!
4. Not Having a Clear Sales Strategy 💰
You’ve got amazing merch—now what? Without a solid plan to sell it, you might end up with unsold stock.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Pre-sell online before the event to gauge interest and secure sales early.
✅ Offer exclusive, limited-edition designs to create urgency and hype.
✅ Set up multiple sales points—physical merch booths, online stores, and pop-up activations.
Pro Tip: Consider drop shipping or online pre-orders so attendees can buy event merch before or after the festival!
5. Forgetting to Order Extra Stock 📦
Running out of merch mid-event is frustrating, but ordering too little can mean lost sales and missed branding opportunities.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Always order a little extra—merch sells faster than expected, and sizes run out quickly.
✅ Keep leftover stock for future promotions, giveaways, or online sales.
✅ Work with a supplier (like SOLLY AND CO) that offers bulk discounts to maximise profit margins.
Pro Tip: Merch that doesn’t sell immediately can be repurposed for VIP giveaways or flash sales after the event.
Get Event Merch Right with SOLLY AND CO 🎤
At SOLLY AND CO, we help event organisers avoid these mistakes by providing high-quality, on-trend, and reliable custom apparel.
✔ Bulk orders, no bulk hassle – 10+ piece orders with fast turnaround times.
✔ Australian-based quality – We only source from top Australian suppliers.
✔ Festival & event merch experts – We know what works (and what doesn’t).
📩 Want custom merch for your next event? Contact us today!
📍 Visit sollyandco.com.au to get started!
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