Top 5 Merch Essentials for Your Summer Tour
Summer tours are the perfect time to connect with your fans — and nothing does that better than killer merch. But with limited space and time on the road, you want merch that sells, travels well, and represents your brand with style.
At Soundscape, we’ve worked with tons of bands to create custom merch that hits the mark. Here are the top 5 must-have merch items for your summer tour:
1. Classic Band Tees
A trio of shots featuring custom band tees in the wild — worn at festivals, backstage, and on the road. All pieces were produced by Soundscape, built for comfort, style, and serious crowd appeal. Real fans, real fits, real merch that moves.
You can’t go wrong with a solid band tee — it’s the backbone of any good merch line. Fans want something wearable, comfortable, and instantly recognizable. We recommend lightweight, breathable cotton tees that are perfect for outdoor shows and warm weather.
Go with bold screen printing for eye-catching designs or try embroidery for a more premium look and feel. Tees are easy to pack, easy to display, and always in demand — no matter the crowd.
2. Bucket Hats
Our guy Jordan repping custom embroidered bucket hats for UMass Amherst in a 3-shot layout. Styled for summer and stitched to stand out — these hats are proof that functional can still be fresh.
This one’s a vibe. Bucket hats have made a big comeback, and they’re perfect for summer shows and outdoor festivals. Whether fans are dancing in the sun or just looking to rep your brand in a unique way, embroidered bucket hats offer both function and fashion.
They’re also a great way to stand out from other bands’ tables — not everyone is selling them, so they catch eyes and become quick sellers. Plus, they’re lightweight and easy to stock on the road.
3. Stickers & Patches
Left: a close-up look at custom embroidered patches. Right: a Winchester 49 work shirt featuring one of the patches heat pressed on — clean placement, bold detail. Whether you’re sticking or stitching, these pieces bring your branding to life.
Low-cost, high-impact. Stickers and patches are perfect impulse buys — and great for fans on a budget. Whether it’s a logo patch for their jacket or a holographic sticker for their water bottle, these pieces help spread your brand far and wide.
Patches add a DIY element your fans will love, especially if you tour with a punk, indie, or alt audience. Plus, they take up virtually no space in your van or trailer, making them an ideal merch add-on.
4. Tote Bags
Front and back shots of a custom screen printed tote we created for Dogs in a Pile. Durable, eye-catching, and built for the road — this tote brings the band’s vibe to life while keeping things practical for fans on the move.
Totes aren’t just for groceries anymore. Fans love practical merch they can actually use, and tote bags check all the boxes — useful, eco-friendly, and perfect for showcasing your artwork or logo in a big, bold way.
They also double as merch bags for fans who go all-in at your table. A good tote extends your brand beyond the show — every time it’s used at the market, the beach, or the record store, it’s doing low-key promo for your band.
5. Hoodies & Sweatshirts
Three Soundscape team members showing off custom hoodies and sweatshirts. Clean embroidery, bold prints, and cozy fits made to last beyond the merch table. Real-deal gear, made by the crew who lives it.
Sure, it's summer — but fans still want a cozy option for nighttime shows, mountain tour stops, or chilly beach venues. Hoodies and crewnecks are one of the best upsell items and they carry a higher perceived value, which means more profit per unit.
We recommend offering one or two standout designs in neutral colors (black, gray, natural) so they pair easily with anything. If you want to keep it light, fleece and midweight sweatshirts are great for seasonal transitions.
Pro Tip: Planning your merch early means better pricing and faster turnaround. Soundscape offers low minimums and fast shipping, so you’re always tour-ready.
Want to get started on your summer merch?
Contact us today for a free quote and let’s make your tour merch stand out!
