Is It Okay for Artists to Sell Merchandise? Absolutely!

Hello, EastPro Friends!

These days, it’s no longer unusual for artists to sell merchandise, in fact, it’s becoming more common and even seen as cool. In the past, selling t-shirts or other products might have been considered “a step down,” but now it’s a smart move for building a brand and boosting income.

From indie bands to top-charting musicians, everyone’s taking merchandise seriously. It’s not just for show, it’s a real business strategy. Even Spotify has partnered with Shopify to allow musicians to sell merchandise directly from their profile pages.

Merchandise: A Promising Source of Extra Income

For musicians or bands, income from performances or record sales can fluctuate depending on timing and demand. That’s where artist or band merchandise comes to the rescue. Products like t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and stickers can become a consistent source of revenue.

Besides providing financial benefits, merchandise also helps strengthen connections with fans. Many fans are willing to spend money just to own exclusive items from their favorite artists. So beyond just profit, artists build a more loyal fanbase.

Spotify x Shopify

The collaboration between Spotify and Shopify has opened up big opportunities for musicians to sell merchandise directly on the biggest music streaming platform. So when someone listens to a song, they can instantly see and purchase official products without switching to another site. It’s practical, efficient, and increases the chance of sales.

This proves that the digital music ecosystem now fully recognizes that merchandise is not just an accessory, but a vital part of a musician’s identity.

Want to Sell or Create Your Own Merchandise? Team Up with EastPro!

Dear EastPro friends, if you're a musician, band member, creator, community, or brand that wants to create your own merchandise but doesn’t know where to start, no worries. You can absolutely collaborate with EastPro!

EastPro is an experienced merchandise vendor that has handled merchandise for events, corporate souvenirs, and even music festival merchandise. More than just a vendor, EastPro often acts as the event organizer (EO) for these events too, ensuring the merchandise matches the theme and leaves an impact.

From t-shirts and tote bags to hoodies and unique accessories, everything can be customized to your needs and budget. And the design? No worries, EastPro’s creative team will help you craft stylish, innovative, and high-quality designs.

So if you're looking to create band or artist merchandise that reflects your identity and becomes a source of income, EastPro merchandise is the perfect choice!

Artists Who is Making Big Money from Merchandise

To get you even more inspired, check out these artists who have made serious profits from selling merchandise:

• Lady Gaga made around 15 million USD from merchandise sales following her Dawn of Chromatica album in 2021.
• Ariana Grande sold t-shirts, photo prints, and mugs, earning approximately 10 million USD.
• Shawn Mendes sold mugs and other small items, generating around 4.8 million USD.
• Beyoncé made an estimated 3.5 million USD through clothing, accessories, and new item collections sold via her website.
• BTS. Their fanbase, ARMY, is willing to buy anything with a BTS logo. Their merchandise is released regularly and often sells out within minutes.
• Taylor Swift has a merch strategy tailored to each album era. Every era comes with unique, limited-edition items and they all sell out fast.
• Rich Brian & NIKI, Indonesian musicians who’ve gone global. They don’t just sell music, but fashion items from their merch line that fans can wear every day.
• Metallica and Slipknot. These legendary rock bands have long relied on merchandise as a key income stream. Their products are must-haves for fans.

Several local musicians have also had incredible success with their merchandise, like Raisa x Seringai, The Sigit, DeadSquad, Navicula, and White Shoes & The Couples Company.

This clearly shows that band and artist merchandise can be a major source of additional income, as long as it’s managed seriously.

Merchandise = Branding + Identity + Promotion

Dear EastPro friends, merchandise is not just about selling products, it’s about identity and branding. When fans wear an artist’s or band’s merchandise, they become walking promotions. That’s even more powerful than traditional advertising because it’s driven by love and pride.

Plus, well-designed merchandise can transcend music and become part of everyday fashion. People wear it as part of their lifestyle, not just at concerts.

The same goes for companies and communities. Having cool corporate souvenirs or event merchandise can leave a lasting positive impression on your audience and clients, especially when produced by a vendor who truly understands how to create standout products.

A Smart Artist Must Be Creative and Adaptive

In the fast-moving entertainment industry, musicians and bands need multiple ways to stay relevant and financially independent. Selling merchandise is one of the most effective and legitimate ways to do that.

Instead of relying only on performances or streaming revenue, why not start creating your own merchandise? And if you need a partner to help you from A to Z, EastPro is here to bring your vision to life. As a trusted merchandise vendor and event organizer, EastPro can be your ideal partner in building a brand through merchandise.

Because today, being a cool artist is not just about having a great voice, it’s about having a strong strategy, bold branding, and of course trendy merchandise!