YouTube can be an incredible place for a creator to launch a new merch collection, particularly since YouTube says that the Merch shelf generally earns more click and revenue than general AdSense Ads. Still, that’s only going to be true for you if you pick the right products in the first place.

Some of the classic favorites still work well, like t-shirts, hoodies, or caps, but even those items need to be designed with care these days. People aren’t happy to accept poor quality just because they support your channel. So, after some very careful research, I’m sharing some of the better YouTube merch ideas I’ve seen offered by leading POD providers this year.

Key Takeaways:

• YouTube merch is one of the best ways to earn a bit of extra income from YouTube without being completely reliant on ad rates.
• Don’t rush into merch too quickly, your audience needs to be a decent sized, engaged, plus committed to your brand.
• In general, merch for YouTube channel converts best when you focus on identity and quality. People want durable products that make them feel like part of the community.
• It’s always a good idea to start with a small catalog. Maybe a couple of popular apparel items (t-shirts or sweaters), and some cheaper add-ons.
• Order samples from every print on demand provider you consider, even if the reviews are great.

When You’re Actually Ready to Launch YouTube Merch

YouTube’s rules let eligible creators promote and sell merch after they’ve got a channel with at least 500 subscribers, they’ve published three videos within 90 days, and they’ve either achieved 3,000 public watch hours in a year, or three million YouTube shorts views in 90 days.

Those are the rules, but even if you match those requirements, you might still not be ready to launch. The best thing you can do is assess your audience. If people have already started essentially designing merch for you, by repeating a phrase or an old joke, or asking where they can buy something they’ve seen in one of your live streams, that’s a good start.

If your channel already has a usable visual asset like a mascot or a specific symbol, that’s helpful too, since it gives you a starting point for your collection. You’ll also need to check that:

• Viewers keep coming back to your channel, and hopefully engaging with you elsewhere too, whether that’s on social media or Reddit.
• You have an idea of how much your customers are willing to spend, and what kind of products make sense to them.
• You’ve got a way to manage the business outside of YouTube’s Merch shelf, such as an ecommerce platform. I like something like Fourthwall for this, since it gives you your website and print on demand (plus digital sales) in the same place.

The 20 Best YouTube Merch Ideas

I’m giving twenty options here based on what I’ve seen creators selling on YouTube this year, plus which suppliers integrate with (or support) YouTube. I’m also trying to keep plenty of variety in this, since, even though t-shirts can be incredibly profitable, a shop with nothing but twenty different shirts to offer isn’t very exciting.

1. Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt

Fourthwall, from $15.45

If you start with a t-shirt drop (which is usually a good idea), the heavyweight shirt from Fourthwall is a good way to show your customers you’re focused on quality from the get-go. The 100% ring-spun cotton fabric is fantastic, and there are dozens of colors to choose from.

You also get both printing and embroidery for design from Fourthwall, with fulfillment in the US, EU, UK, or Canada, plus customization options for the back, front or sleeves of the shirt. This shirt has some of the best reviews on Fourthwall too, with plenty of customers praising the comfort, thickness of the material, plus the vibrant colors.

2. Lightweight Supersoft T-Shirt

Fourthwall, from $11.75

This is the slightly cheaper, more lightweight t-shirt option from Fourthwall, and it’s one of the best for creators with a global audience, since fulfillment covers the US, UK, EU, CA, AU, Japan, plus BR. There’s also dozens of colors available.

The price is surprisingly affordable, especially since the solid colors use 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, plus you can print anywhere, including on the inside label.

3. Oversized Faded T-Shirt

Fourthwall, from $24.17

This is a slightly trendier t-shirt option, especially for creators with an audience who already loves streetwear. The 7.1-ounce carded cotton, dropped shoulders, wide ribbed neck, and boxy cut create a shirt that really stands out. It is a little more expensive than the other two options mentioned here, and the fulfillment options only cover the US, UK and EU.

Still, it’s ideal if you like the idea of selling shirts (one of the most popular YouTube merch choices), but you don’t want to create a collection that looks the same as everyone else’s.

4. Organic Cotton T-Shirt

Gelato, localized pricing

Gelato is a fantastic print on demand partner if you’re selling internationally to an audience that cares about sustainability. The organic cotton crewneck shirt is made with 100% certified organic ring-spun cotton, plus 90% of the orders from Gelato are produced locally, so you’re cutting down on emissions from that perspective too.

The challenging bit is that pricing for Gelato’s products (as well as availability) depends on where you’re located, so it’s hard to plan out a budget in advance.

5. Fourthwall Premium Hoodie

Fourthwall, from $27.29

I look at hoodies and sweatshirts as the “next step” for YouTube creators who already have plenty of t-shirt sales and want to give their audience a chance to splash out on something a bit more substantial. The Premium Hoodie from Fourthwall lives up to its name with an 8.5-ounce blend of 65% ring-spun cotton and 35% polyester.

You’ve got printing or embroidery options, multiple decoration areas, plus fulfillment through the US, Canada, EU, or the UK. There’s also a lot of praise for the durability and softness of this particular hoodie in the reviews.

6. Reusable Steel Water Bottle

Fourthwall, from $20.35

A brilliant alternative to the standard mug, a reusable steel water bottle is an easy purchase for anyone who follows a travel focused on fitness, travel, or even productivity. I’d use a fun wrap around pattern to really make this product stand out.

The quality is fantastic, with high-grade stainless steel that can keep your drinks hot or cold for up to 6 hours, plus there’s an odor-resistant and leak-proof cap.

7. Premium Sweatshirt

Fourthwall, from $23.73

This premium sweatshirt is a YouTube merch option you can really have some fun with, depending on your niche and target audience. I like the idea of using a small, embroidered logo with a channel symbol, or collegiate lettering. You’ll also be able to play around with more interesting positions for prints (like the left or right wrist).

The fabric mix depends on which color you choose. The 8.5-ounce fabric has a cotton-faced exterior over a 65% cotton and 35% polyester blend, and the two heather shades use more polyester.

8. Limited-Run Apparel Drop

Makeship, campaign-based pricing

This is less of a single product recommendation and more of an idea of what you could put together for a limited-time run if you already have a very active audience. You can design custom pins, plushies, socks, or unique keychains, along with more common apparel items.

The pricing’s a bit tricky because it depends on what your campaign involves. Makeship helps with all the stuff from producing prototypes to fulfillment, but you do need to earn 200 preorders as part of a 21-day campaign for production to start.

9. Classic Dad Hat

Fourthwall, from $15.65

Hats are a fantastic merch option if you’ve got something simple like a small symbol or a phrase that people in your community love, but don’t want to wear across their chest. I’d stick to embroidery here for a more premium feel, and keep the design as simple as you can.

Fourthwall ships this option across the US, EU, Canada, UK, plus Japan, so it’s great if you have a global audience, still it’s worth ordering samples for a sizing and quality check before you go live.

10. Trucker Hat

Fourthwall, from $18.89

The trucker hat is a good alternative to the “dad hat” option if your audience is made up of people who love the automotive industry, outdoor exploration, fitness, or something similar. The Richardson cap has a structured six-panel crown, pre-curved visor, adjustable snapback, plus the popular polyester mesh rear.

This product only ships in the US and Canada, but it’s worth saying the embroidery quality is brilliant, especially for “patch” style images.

11. Cuffed Beanie

Fourthwall, $13.79

Beanies can sell very well all-year round if your audience lives in a slightly colder region, like the UK or Canada, but they’re also worth having around for winter drops. The Yupoong beanie from Fourthwall is one of my favorite options because it’s soft and cozy, and it’s 12 inches in length, so it fits most heads quite well.

Like with the other hats, I’d consider keeping the design for this one simple. A character face or initial will probably work better when the fabric stretches than something complicated.

12. Embroidered Organic or Recycled Apparel

Printful, pricing varies by blank

This is another slightly wider “collection” option for creators with an eco-conscious crowd. Printful has a fantastic selection of sustainable apparel options from companies like Stanley/Stella, Econscious, or District, and every item is guaranteed to feature at least 70% organic or recycled material. You even get certifications from suppliers.

I’d probably pick a couple of eco-friendly shirts to begin with here, but you can always branch out into things like totes, or hats, too.

13. Desk Mat

Fourthwall, $13.00

If you run a gaming channel, connect with a lot of office workers, or you just know your viewers are interested in tech, Desk Mats could be a great addition to your merch collection. I particularly like them because they’re easy to show off during your live stream or video.

Fourthwall’s Allcolor desk mat measures 15.5 by 31.5 inches, uses 3 mm neoprene, and has edge-to-edge sublimation with an anti-slip backing. I think it could easily sell for about $28 retail, which leaves plenty of space for a decent profit.

14. Tote Bag or Phone Case

Printful, pricing varies

I’d actually recommend using one of each of these in your collection if you can, starting with the tote bag first. Totes are such a convenient, practical purchase option, and Printful has some great choices, including the Econscious EC8000 that uses 8-ounce certified organic cotton, and can carry up to 30 pounds.

The phone cases are probably better for artwork-first creators, or people with fun inside jokes. You’ll need to spend a little more time figuring out what kind of phone manufacturers and models your audience prefers, though.

15. Glossy Mug

Fourthwall, from $5.95

I know mugs seem a little basic compared to some of the YouTube merch ideas here, but that doesn’t make them any worse at getting sales. We all need something to drink from when we’re watching our favorite YouTube channels, and mugs are easy to show off on videos too.

Fourthwall actually gives you a few different options here, including 11, 15, and 20 ounce versions, plus the ceramic mug is both microwave and dishwasher safe, which is a nice touch.

16. Kiss-Cut Stickers

Fourthwall, from $2.29

Stickers are easily one of the best, low-cost, low-effort options to add to a YouTube merch store. You can design whatever you want, from fan badges, to terrible quotes, or reaction faces, even cartoon versions of the characters that show up regularly in your content.

Fourthwall gives you four sizes to choose from, and orders can ship from three regions. Plus, it worth remembering with Fourthwall, you can always bundle stickers with other products too, like hats, t-shirts, or bags.

17. Matte Poster or Art Print

Fourthwall, from $5.50

Art prints aren’t just a good option for art channels. I’d still consider offering them for filmmakers, musicians, or travel creators too. You could even create entire pieces showing off episode artwork, maps, or members of the production team.

Fourthwall gives you square and vertical options in a huge selection of sizes, with fulfillment available through the US, EU, Canada, UK, Japan, plus Australia.

18. Character Plushie

Makeship, campaign-based pricing

This is a slightly more specific recommendation than the one I gave from Makeship before. If you’d prefer a single product rather than a full collection, it’s easy to stand out with a custom plushie. The same rules apply, of course. You still need to get 200 pre-orders before production starts.

Fourthwall also offers some sourcing options for custom plushies too, so it’s worth checking out both suppliers before you settle on one.

19. Enamel Pins and Vinyl Figures

Makeship, campaign-based pricing

If you’re really interested in collectibles, Makeship gives you a few alternatives to the plushie too. I’d usually start with enamel pins because they’re cheaper to buy, easy to display, and can be good for marking special episodes or milestones.

Vinyl figures are a lot more expensive, but they can earn a massive income if you have characters and mascots that your followers love. Just remember to start generating excitement for releases as early as you can, so you can hit the minimum preorder requirement.

20. Custom Spiral Notebook

Fourthwall, $11.95

I know custom notebooks don’t seem that exciting at first, but they’re affordable, great for showing off channel artwork, and surprisingly easy to sell. You could even bundle them with a membership subscription that includes regular updates on episode launches and events.

Fourthwall’s version has 140 dotted pages, a soft-touch cover printed on both sides, and metal spiral binding. It ships from the US and EU, as always, with no minimum order requirements.

The YouTube Merch Launch I’d Recommend

If it’s your first YouTube merch drop, I wouldn’t start with a massive selection straight away. Start with a popular wearable option, such as a t-shirt or a hoodie, then maybe a hat and tote bag. Any other extras, like notebooks, or stickers are worth matching to the kind of audience you already appeal to.

I’d also hold off before you go deep on more specialized items like plushies and vinyl figures. Those can be really amazing additions to a merch store, but you really need a big audience ready to start preordering immediately to make the most of them.

Also, choose your partner carefully, too. I’ve mentioned Fourthwall a lot in this list, partially because its products are excellent, but also because it integrates with YouTube Merch shelf directly, handles aspects of customer support for you, acts as your Merchant of Record, gives you a full customizable storefront, plus lets you sell digital downloads and memberships alongside POD products. That makes it one of the best options for YouTube sellers looking to scale a brand without too much extra work.