Music isn’t about sound anymore; it’s a complete sensory experience. According to a recent fan study by Spotify shows that merchandise drops, restocks, and timing all affect how well the new album might do overall. It turns out that over half of all artist merch clicks come in the first 24 days following an album’s debut. This timeline coincides closely with peak fan engagement and anticipation, highlighting the critical role of merch in connecting artists and their audiences.
The Impact of Merchandise on Album Releases
Some of the biggest artist merch releases in 2024 have been from Beyonce, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift. All these new artist albums have been followed by merch drops as well. When there is a long-awaited release, it gets built up in fans' minds, theorizing about what could possibly be heard from these artists. Die-hard fans are obviously going to be listening as soon as it drops, looking for any announcements from the artists, as well as looking forward to any artist merch that might be dropped alongside the newest album. For most, buying merch is another way to support the artist and what they create. With that introduction, here are some of our top picks for artist merch that has come out so far this year, and some similar items you could get creative with yourself.
If you have purchased artist merch before and are worried about it not lasting forever, we have a blog about how to make it last! Some of the best tips on making screen printing or digital printing on t-shirts and sweatshirts last are all in our blog, How to Help Your Tour Merch Last for Eras to Come. Check this out if you have some new artist merch on the way to you!
Taylor Swift- The Tortured Poets Department
For Taylor Swift's new album The Tortured Poets Department, speculation has been high for quite a while, fan theories have been buzzing for months, and Taylor has been very good at dropping her own hints leading up to the release. This long-awaited release was closely followed by a first-edition merch drop, that sold out very quickly. Taylor Swift’s merch uses a combination of screenprinting on t-shirts and sweatshirts and embroidery on hats and jackets!
While we patiently wait for more merch to drop, feel free to get inspired by the aesthetic and the themes from the album and get creative making some TTPD-inspired apparel items or accessories for you and all of your swifty friends. Here are a few items we suggest you use if this is your first time making fan-inspired merch. If you’re looking for a little inspiration for your Taylor Swift designs, we have a blog for that too! Going through her entire discography, our favorite songs and lyrics, design templates, and all things Taylor is in this blog, Custom T-Shirt Designs Inspired by Taylor Swift.
Featured Products:
LAT Ladies Boxy T-Shirt: Featured in Peachy, available in 8 colors and sizes small through extra large.
Comfort Colors Adult Color Blast Crewneck Sweatshirt: Featured in Smoke, available in 6 colors and sizes small through 3XL.
Bella Canvas Unisex Poly-Cotton Fleece Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt: Featured in Peach, available in 19 colors and sizes extra small through 3XL.
Bella Canvas Women’s Spaghetti Strap Tank: Featured in Solid Black Blend, available in 6 colors and sizes extra small through 2XL.
Alternative Cotton Jersey CVC Go-To T-Shirt: Featured in Dark Heather Grey, available in 14 colors and sizes extra small through 4XL.
Beyonce- Cowboy Carter
Beyonce’s album Cowboy Carter, the second act, in a 3 part album series, and also long-awaited following her Renaissance Tour, which happened in 2023, and concluded in October. The merchandise drop following Beyonces newest album was quickly sold out, but here are a few of our favorites. All of Beyonce’s merch uses screenprinting for the designs, except for the denim items, that use premium embroidery!
If there was something in the merch line you were really hoping to get before it sold out but were just a little too late, you can use it to inspire your own creation. Here are some of our best options that have the same country vibe as Cowboy Carters merch.
Featured Products:
Next Level Festival Cropped Tank: Featured in Black, available in 8 colors and sizes extra small through 2XL.
District Girls V.I.T. Tank: Featured in Light Heather Grey, available in 4 colors and sizes extra small through large.
Sportsman- Pigment-Dyed Hat: Featured in Royal Blue, available in 19 colors.
Carhartt Quilted-Flannel-Lined Duck Active Jacket: Featured in Dark Navy, available in 4 colors and sizes small through 5XL.
Champion Reverse Weave Hood: Featured in Silver Gray, available in 6 colors and sizes small through 3XL.
Comfort Colors Ringspun Garment-Dyed T-Shirt: Featured in Flo Blue, available in 43 colors and sizes small through 4XL.
Ariana Grande- Eternal Sunshine
Ariana Grande’s newest album, Eternal Sunshine, was highly anticipated, and fans have said is her best album to date. Ariana has had many iconic moments through her acting and musical career, most recently starring in Wicked. Although her merch hasn’t sold out for this newest album, here are a few of our favorites from this new line of merch from Ariana. All of Ariana’s Merch uses either embroidery or screen printing!
These designs are subtle and clean, very similar to Ariana’s style these last few years, and relate very well to the newest album. If you want to get creative and make eternal sunshine-inspired merch, here are some of our suggestions.
Featured Products:
Port and Company Classic Crewneck Sweatshirt: Featured in Dark Chocolate Brown and Red, available in 22 colors and sizes small through 4XL.
Comfort Colors Garment Dyed Hooded Pullover Sweatshirt: Featured in Pepper, available in 10 colors and sizes small through 3XL.
Liberty Bags Canvas Tote with Contrasting Handles: Featured in Natural/Red, available in 4 colors.
Bella Canvas Women’s Micro Rib Raglan Baby Tee: Featured in White/Red, available in 6 colors and sizes extra small through 2XL.
Artist merch is more than just memorabilia; it is a critical part of the musical narrative that artists share with their fans. Whether it’s through wearing a T-shirt from a concert or designing your own fan-inspired gear, merchandise deepens your connection to the music and the artist behind it. At Underground Printing, we celebrate this creative spirit and offer you the resources to make your musical experience uniquely yours. Stay tuned for more updates, and let your creativity shine with inspired custom apparel that resonates with your favorite tunes.
If you’re looking to design great artist-inspired custom apparel but aren’t sure where to start or if your design passes any licensing restrictions, reach out to us! Our customer support team is ready to help you create an iconic design. Whether you’re looking to create your look for an upcoming tour or just want to rep your fave everywhere you go, we’re here to help you create something enchanting you’re sure to love for years to come. Get started today online, in person at an Underground Printing store location, or via email at help@undergroundshirts.com!
***Disclaimer: Custom designs featuring Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Ariana Grande, and their intellectual property, etc. may be subject to copyright or licensing. We do not condone copyright infringement nor allow unlicensed, stolen, or illegal designs to be printed at UGP. While we would love to print all of your Artist-inspired designs, we may be unable to print the content you would like if it goes against any copyright, licensing, or trademark laws. Underground Printing holds the right to reject a design if their design goes against local and/or federal laws and to refuse service. If you have any questions about your design and its legality, please email help@undergroundshirts.com***