The cheapest shirt is rarely the best choice for band merch

One of the biggest mistakes I see bands make is choosing the cheapest possible blank so they can squeeze a little more profit out of each shirt.

It makes sense on paper, but fans do not judge the shirt based on what the band paid for it. They judge it based on how it fits, feels, and holds up after washing.

A good band shirt becomes something a fan wears for years. It gets worn to shows, work, bars, and everywhere else. That is ongoing exposure for the band.

A rough shirt with a warped collar or a print that starts cracking after a few washes usually ends up buried in a drawer.

A few things bands should consider before ordering merch:
• Will fans actually enjoy wearing the shirt?
• Does the blank shrink significantly?
• Is the print method appropriate for the artwork?
• Will the design still look good after repeated washing?
• Does the shirt feel consistent with how the band wants to be perceived?

Screen printing is usually the best choice for full-size band graphics, especially on larger orders. Embroidery works better for hats, jackets, and smaller premium logo placements. Trying to force every design onto every garment usually leads to a worse product.

My biggest recommendation is to get a sample of the blank before committing to a large order. Wear it, wash it a few times, and see how it actually performs.

Saving $1 or $2 on the shirt is not much of a win if fans do not want to wear it.

I wrote a more detailed breakdown here:
https://pulsemerch.com/why-quality-shirts-matter-for-bands/

I have been printing band merch since 2012, so I am also happy to answer questions about blanks, screen printing, artwork setup, or preparing merch for a tour.