Merchandise Design

Pro

Alan Ashcraft

Starting at

250

About this service

Summary

I provide a comprehensive merch design service that transforms your vision into production-ready merchandise with creative, high-quality designs. From concept development to final deliverables, I ensure your designs align with your brand and are optimized for manufacturing. Deliverables include print-ready files, realistic mockups, and a detailed technical specification sheet to ensure seamless communication with manufacturers and flawless production. With a collaborative process and post-delivery support, I help you create impactful merchandise that resonates with your audience.

Process

1. Discovery & Strategy

Consultation Call: We start with a conversation to understand your brand, audience, goals, and product needs. Whether it’s tour merchandise, podcast branding, or a corporate collection, this stage aligns expectations and vision.

Mood Board & Inspiration: I gather references that capture the style, mood, and aesthetic you aim for. Examples include color palettes, typography ideas, and graphic treatments.

Design Strategy: We finalize the type of merchandise (e.g., t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags) and outline the key messages, imagery, or themes to highlight.

2. Concept Development

Sketching & Ideation: Based on your input, I create initial rough sketches or digital wireframes for the design concepts. This phase focuses on layout, graphics, logos, typography, and product placement.

Feedback Loop: You review the early concepts and provide feedback for refinement. This ensures we’re aligned before moving to detailed execution.

3. Design Execution

Digital Rendering: I bring the approved concept to life with high-quality graphics and production-ready visuals. This includes:

Custom illustrations, logos, or graphic art tailored to your brand’s tone.

Typography treatments – bold type, grunge, vintage, or sleek modern styles.

Attention to placement – sleeve graphics, back prints, chest logos, or small accents.

Mockup Creation: I showcase the designs on actual products—t-shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, or accessories—using realistic templates so you can visualize the final result.

4. Review & Revisions

I provide mockups and design files for review. You can request refinements or adjustments to ensure everything aligns with your vision.

I fine-tune color choices, sizing, or placements for optimal balance and impact.

5. Final Delivery

Once the designs are approved, I deliver production-ready files:

High-resolution vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) and image formats (PNG, JPEG).

Properly layered files for print clarity and flexibility.

Tech Sheets (Optional): For more complex designs or detailed apparel, I include tech sheets outlining print placements, dimensions, and material specs for manufacturers.

6. Production Support (Optional)

I can collaborate with your printer or manufacturer to ensure the designs are printed correctly and look stunning on the final product.

I provide guidance on materials, print methods (screen printing, embroidery, DTG), and quality checks to guarantee a professional outcome.

7. Final Presentation

You receive a polished set of design mockups for promotional use. These realistic visuals help generate excitement and pre-orders for your merch line. They are ideal for sharing on your website, social media, or e-commerce platforms.

Why This Process Works:

Collaborative: You’re involved at every stage, ensuring the designs reflect your vision.

Strategic & Trend-Focused: Each design aligns with your audience’s style and current trends in the merch industry.

Production-Ready: I ensure all files meet technical standards, minimizing errors and saving time during production.

What's included

Print-Ready Files
High-resolution and professionally organized PSD or PDF files optimized for printing. These include proper color profiles (e.g., CMYK), correct dimensions, and bleed areas as required by the printer, ensuring the design is ready for flawless production.
Design Mockups
Realistic visual representations of the approved design, showcasing how it will appear on the final product. These mockups serve as a reference for both the client and the manufacturer, aiding in visualizing the end result before production begins.
Technical Specification Sheet
A detailed document outlining all the technical aspects of the design, including garment or item color, print colors, graphic placement, dimensions, production techniques (e.g., screen printing, embroidery), and any additional specifications. This ensures accurate communication with manufacturers and minimizes production errors.

Example projects