Small Business Merch Ideas: What to Order First

Small Business Merch Ideas: What to Order First

Merch with your logo turns customers into walking billboards and makes a small business look established. You do not need a big budget or a big order to start. Here is what to order first, what to sell versus give away, and how to prepare your logo so everything looks sharp. We use a fictional flower shop, Pine & Petal, as the example.

Order in this order
  • 1. Stickers: cheap, everywhere, perfect for packaging.
  • 2. Staff shirts: look like a team from day one.
  • 3. A hat or hoodie: the pieces people actually keep.
  • 4. Mugs and totes: great for selling or gifting to regulars.
  • 5. A car magnet: free advertising every time you drive.
Navy t-shirt with a small business logo
A simple one-color logo looks great on a tee.

Start small: stickers and magnets

Stickers are the cheapest branded item that still gets seen: drop one in every order, on packaging, laptops and water bottles. Magnets end up on fridges for years, and a car magnet advertises everywhere you park.

Round logo sticker for a small flower shopKiss-Cut StickersFrom $7.99 · die-cut to your logoSquare magnet with a small business logoMagnetFrom $9.99 · for the fridgeCustom car magnet with a business logoCar MagnetFrom $9.99 · advertise on the road

Dress the team

Matching shirts make even a two-person team look professional at markets, events and in your shop. Start with a soft tee for everyone and an embroidered polo or hoodie for customer-facing roles. Our company apparel guide compares polos, jackets and tees.

Navy t-shirt with a small business logo
Staff tee.
Green hoodie with a small business logo
Hoodie for markets and cooler days.

Sell it or give it away?

Item Give away Sell
Stickers Yes, in every order As a small add-on
Mugs To regulars and partners Yes, popular with fans
Totes At events Yes, especially for shops and markets
Tees and hoodies To staff Yes, if you have loyal fans
Hats To staff and top customers Yes

If your customers already tag you on social media, they will probably buy merch. Start with one tee and one mug and see what sells.

Everyday items with your logo

Mugs, totes, bottles and mouse pads keep your name in front of people every day, and they make thoughtful thank-you gifts for clients.

Branded mug with a small business logoMug, 11ozFrom $13.99 · a client favoriteCanvas tote bag with a small business logoCanvas Tote BagFrom $18.99 · for shops and marketsInsulated water bottle with a business logo20oz Insulated BottleFrom $39.99 · keeps drinks coldMouse pad with a business logoMouse PadFrom $11.99 · for client desks

Want a hat too? See which custom hat style to choose.

Get your logo ready

  • Use a PNG with a transparent background, at least 2000 pixels wide.
  • Simplify for small items. A one or two-color version reads better on stickers and hats than a detailed full-color logo.
  • Have a light and a dark version so your logo works on white and black products.
  • Use the editor’s Remove background if your logo file has a white box around it.
Order a sample first. There is no minimum, so order one of your top pick to check the color and size before ordering for the team or for resale.

What it costs

Stickers start at $7.99, mugs at $13.99 and tees at $22.99. Prices drop automatically from 2 pieces of the same style: 10% off at 2, up to 27% off at 50. For large orders, ask for a quote.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a minimum order for logo merch?

No. You can order a single item to test it.

Can I resell the products?

Yes. Many small businesses sell their merch in-store or at markets.

What file should I upload?

A PNG with a transparent background, at least 2000 pixels wide. The editor warns you if the file is too small.

Can I mix sizes and colors?

Yes. Pieces of the same style count together for the quantity discount.

Related guides

Put your logo on it

Stickers, shirts, mugs, totes and hats. Order one or one hundred.

Shop logo merch