The best websites for selling your band merch online
Setting up an online shop to sell your band merch has never been easier. We compare the best places to flog your t-shirts and records.
Setting up an online shop to sell your band merch has never been easier. We compare the best places to flog your t-shirts and records.
If the Grateful Dead taught us one thing, it was the power of merch. Fans of the band would design and sell bootleg t-shirts outside concerts back in the 70s, and almost fifty years on Grateful Dead t-shirts remain iconic. With DIY fashion culture on a high, not to mention fan (or stan!) culture, so is demand for merch.
Here at ICON Printing we know just how much selling merch can be a lucrative (and fun) way to make extra cash for your band and, thanks to a number of online platforms, its never been easier. We’ve rounded up some of the best sites to sell your band merch online – from Big Cartel to Everpress.
The best websites for selling merchandise online
Big Cartel: A platform to sell band t shirts and custom products
Designed for independent creators (and fully independent in its own right), Big Cartel makes it easy to set up shop and start selling. Big Cartel has a huge following – over a million people have set up shop with it since it was founded in 2005 – so you’re in good company. It’s particularly geared towards artists and the stripped down aesthetic lets your work shine through. bigcartel.com
Key features
- Custom themes
- Creative community
- No sale fees, just monthly plans
Who is Big Cartel best for?
Big Cartel is best for bands, artists, and independent sellers who want a beginner friendly ecommerce platform without the complexity of larger systems. It’s a strong choice for new businesses and creative makers looking to sell merchandise online — from band t shirts and music merch to handmade custom products and branded products. With simple tools and an engaged community, Big Cartel gives independent creators a place to connect with fans and start building their online store quickly.
Shopify – The Ecommerce Platform
The big competitor to Big Cartel, what it lacks in hipness it makes up for in features. Shopify boasts a wide range of themes, full access to HTML and CSS for customisation and unlimited products and bandwidth. It also offers a huge range of integrations and is often praised for its customer service. The only downside is it costs slightly more than Big Cartel. shopify.co.uk
Key features
- Over 100 themes
- Unlimited bandwith
- 24/7 support
Who is Shopify best for?
Shopify is best for bands, artists, and ambitious business owners who wants a professional ecommerce platform that scales with them. It’s especially useful for new businesses ready to sell merchandise online, from band t shirts and music merch to exclusive merch and branded products. With its built in features and strong support, Shopify helps sellers connect with their target market and manage everything in one ecommerce site.
Bandcamp
Described by the New York Times as “one of the greatest underground-culture bazaars of our time,” Bandcamp is undoubtedly the online spiritual homeland of independent music. The platform – used by hundreds of thousands of artists and thousands of labels – is a vital platform for selling and promoting your music, from digital releases, to records, to merchandise. bandcamp.com
Key features
- Built for artists
- Let fans pay more if they choose
- Real time stats
Who is Bandcamp best for?
Bandcamp is best for favourite bands and musicians who want to sell official merch alongside their music. Whether you’re part of the classic rock or heavy metal scene, or just starting out, Bandcamp helps you combine digital releases, band t shirts, hoodies, and accessories in one store. It’s also one of the most popular marketplaces for connecting directly with fans who want to support their favourite bands without going through mainstream retailers. With its direct-to-fan approach, simple tools, and global reach, Bandcamp is a natural choice for artists who want to handle their own marketing while building loyal communities.
Everpress
Icon’s sister company, Everpress was always going to get an honorary mention here. Offering an alternative to the usual merch model, Everpress gives creatives the chance to start selling with no upfront costs or risks. Upload your design, choose the garments you want it printed on and you’re ready to start selling. If you sell more than five garments, they’ll go to print (but there’s no limit to how many you can sell). everpress.com
Key features
- Start selling with no upfront costs
- Zero waste
- Creative community
Who is Everpress best for?
Everpress is best for bands, artists, and new businesses that want to start selling today without worrying about inventory. It’s particularly powerful for testing designs, whether that’s exclusive merch, limited band t shirts, or even small runs of hoodies and custom products. With guidance from an expert team, Everpress makes it easy to connect with your target market and see what your fans respond to before scaling up. Because of its low-risk model and supportive community, it’s one of the most appealing marketplaces for independent creators looking to grow their brand.
Summary
There is a great mix of websites that can help you sell your band merch online. Big Cartel is the obvious choice for those keen to be part of a community of creative makers, while Shopify is worth the investment if you expect your business to grow quickly. Bandcamp is perfect for musicians and a logical choice if you are also selling music or records, while Everpress is risk-free option to sell t-shirts or merch without any upfront cost.
Want to print merch for your band?
At ICON Printing we offer fast turnaround printing with a wide-ranging catalogue from t-shirts to caps to bags. Get a quote in 2 minutes online and have delivery in as little as 48 hours.
