How Custom Merch Became a Billion-Dollar Industry
Published by: Siobhan Ingram
Date: 06-05-2025
Once upon a time, “merch” meant maybe a team T-shirt or a free conference tote.
Fast forward to today, and custom merchandise is a multi-billion-dollar global industry—and it’s still growing.
So, what changed?
Part of it is technology.
It’s easier than ever to design, produce, and sell custom apparel. No massive inventories. No middlemen. Online stores, print-on-demand services, and smarter logistics made it possible for even small brands to launch full merch lines.
But the real shift?
Culture.
Merch isn’t just advertising anymore—it’s identity.
Wearing a band's hoodie, a nonprofit’s tee, or a local restaurant’s cap says something about who you are, what you believe, and what you’re proud to support.
Merch became personal. Emotional. Relational.
And brands who figured that out first? They didn't just sell shirts—they built tribes.
At FCE, we love seeing how businesses, schools, artists, and causes use merch to tell their story in a way no social media post can.
When you wear something, you’re not just repping a logo.
You’re carrying a piece of the mission with you.
And that’s why custom merch isn't a side hustle anymore.
It’s a core part of brand-building in today’s world—one hoodie, one hat, one conversation at a time.