Tour merch is one of the most powerful revenue streams an artist can have — but only if you plan it right. Miss a deadline or forget to stock enough of a size and you’re leaving money on the table at every stop. After 11+ years producing merch for musicians and artists in Los Angeles and beyond, we’ve seen every mistake in the book. This checklist is how we help artists get it right the first time.

Corporate branded merchandise has a branding problem of its own. Too much of it ends up in a drawer, donated to a thrift store, or quietly thrown away. The companies that get it right — the ones whose employees actually wear the hoodie, use the tumbler, and show the tote bag at the airport — do a few key things differently. This guide breaks down how to build a swag program that earns its place in people’s lives.