Should I offer print-on-demand merchandise like pillows, tote bags, mugs, and phone cases even if the quality isn't premium?

Yes, absolutely. You need to change how you think about merchandise. Print-on-demand merch isn’t about creating heirloom-quality products—it’s about marketing. Have you ever been to a museum without a gift shop? Every museum sells affordable merchandise, and it’s often inexpensive items that won’t last forever. That’s not the point. The point is getting your art into people’s homes and daily lives. When someone carries a tote bag with your work for three years, or pulls out a seasonal throw pillow every year for a decade, they’re thinking about you constantly. That’s more effective than any ad campaign. POD is a miracle because it requires no inventory risk and no minimums. Order samples to see what you like, show them off, and don’t overthink the quality concerns. Some items are actually quite nice, and all of them serve as affordable entry points that keep you top of mind until buyers are ready for bigger purchases.

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Asked by artists hesitant about merchandise quality · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2021-10-20