How to Create and Sell Custom Merch at Your Bar or Cafe (Without Hiring a Designer)

Walk into a beloved neighborhood bar or cozy local cafe, and you’ll probably spot someone wearing a t-shirt with the restaurant’s logo on it. Maybe it’s a regular who’s been coming for years. Maybe it’s a tourist who wants to remember their trip. Or a staff member who genuinely likes where they work. That shirt matters to them, and it can matter to your bottom line too.

We know you’re busy running a kitchen, not a design studio. While custom merch is a wonderful way to grow your business, the ‘where do I even start?’ feeling is real. You don’t need to commit thousands of dollars or hire a firm to get a look you’re proud of. The Custom Ink Design Lab gives you professional tools and human support to help you create high-quality gear that looks as good as your menu.

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Why Bars and Cafes Should Sell Custom Merch

Seeing a customer in your gear is the ultimate compliment. It’s their way of saying they belong to your community. By offering merch, you’re giving your fans a way to stay connected to your restaurant even after they’ve left the table, deepening their loyalty and sparking new conversations wherever they go. And it gives you a new revenue stream that doesn’t require more labor hours or kitchen capacity.

According to the Advertising Specialty Institute’s Ad Impressions Study, promotional apparel delivers 85% brand recall among recipients. A single custom t-shirt generates thousands of impressions over its lifetime as customers wear it around town, to the gym, or on vacation. That’s advertising you can’t buy any other way.

• Additional revenue: A well-placed display near the register generates impulse purchases from customers who are already in a good mood after a great meal or drink.
• Free advertising: Every shirt that walks out your door is a mobile billboard in your community.
• Customer loyalty: Buying merch is a public declaration of support. Those customers become more invested in your success.
• Staff pride: Custom apparel for your team creates a unified look and makes employees feel like part of something.

Boulder Baked shows how the right apparel can unite a team and delight customers at the same time: “The Boulder Baked team wears our Custom Ink shirts as our bakery uniform. Everyone loves them!” (Source)

Featured Products for Bars and Cafes

Hanes Beefy-T

• Heavyweight 6.1 oz cotton holds up to repeated washing
• Clean Canvas technology creates optimal print quality
• Available in 45+ colors with no minimum order

Yupoong Classic Trucker Hat

• Retro two-tone style fits bar and brewery vibes
• Mesh back keeps wearers cool
• Adjustable snapback fits most head sizes

KOOZIE® Collapsible Can Cooler

• Folds flat for easy storage and giveaways
• Fits standard 12 oz cans
• Low price point encourages impulse purchases

Design Inspiration for Your Bar and Cafe Merch

How to Design Merch Without Hiring a Designer

Whether you’re starting with a napkin sketch or an existing logo, our Design Lab makes it easy to bring your restaurant’s culture to life, no design skills needed. Our simple interface walks you through the entire process step by step.

No idea where to begin? Browse thousands of templates and customize one to match your brand. Our clipart library includes images for bars, cafes, breweries, and restaurants, such as coffee cups, cocktail glasses, hops, and vintage typography.

If you get stuck or want a second opinion, Custom Ink’s design experts are available to help. They can clean up your artwork, suggest improvements, or create something from scratch based on your ideas.

• Start with your logo: Upload it to the Design Lab and see it mocked up on different products instantly. Adjust size, placement, and colors with a few clicks.
• Browse templates: The Design Lab’s template library includes hundreds of designs for food and beverage businesses. Find one you like and customize the text, colors, and imagery.
• Use the clipart library: Search for “coffee,” “beer,” “cocktail,” or “vintage” to find graphics that match your vibe.
• Get free expert help: Custom Ink’s design experts can refine your artwork or help bring your vision to life. Reach out through chat, email, or phone.

Lindsay Crotty Walsh and her dad Joe opened Crotty’s Cheesesteaks in New Rochelle, NY. They turned to Custom Ink for staff apparel without breaking the budget. Lindsay noted: “It helps make our staff feel like a real team! We are all working together (in matching uniforms!) with a common goal of bringing great food to a great community.” (Source)

Featured Products for Creating Your Custom Designs

Gildan Ultra Cotton Tank

• 100% cotton keeps staff cool in warm kitchens
• Budget-friendly price point for resale
• Great for beach bars and patio season

Gildan Midweight 50/50 Hoodie

• Cotton/poly blend resists shrinking
• Higher price point means better margins
• Cozy feel matches coffee shop vibes

11 oz. Ceramic Mug

• Classic coffee shop staple
• Available in multiple colors
• Daily use keeps your brand visible

Design Inspiration for Bars and Cafes

Leaning Into Local Pride and Nostalgia With Custom Merch

The most successful bar and cafe merch captures something specific about your place. Your logo is a great start, but the most memorable merch celebrates the unique spirit of your spot. Uplevel a simple t-shirt by adding a nod to your neighborhood, a signature drink, or a favorite inside joke. These are the locals-only details that turn a generic shirt into a must-have keepsake.

• Include your location: City names, neighborhoods, street addresses, and zip codes create a sense of place. “Est. 2015” or your founding year adds history.
• Use vintage aesthetics: Retro typography and distressed prints photograph well and stand out on social media.
• Reference local landmarks: Skylines, bridges, mountains, or famous streets tie your brand to the broader community.
• Celebrate your regulars: Inside jokes, signature drinks, or memorable moments create exclusive appeal. Customers who “get it” feel like insiders.
• Keep it wearable: The best merch looks good outside your establishment. Aim for designs people would wear around town.

Otter’s Chicken, a sports-themed restaurant in Georgia, uses custom apparel to build team spirit among their staff. As they shared: “These are a few of our team members wearing their new Custom Ink gear at Otter’s Chicken, a sports themed restaurant in Georgia specializing in all things chicken! We love ordering new t-shirts, sweatshirts, and more from Custom Ink.” (Source)

Bestselling Bar and Cafe Merch for Showing Local Pride

Gildan Midweight Crewneck Sweatshirt

• Classic collegiate style
• Large front print area for designs
• Soft poly/cotton blend for comfort

Lightweight Cotton Tote Bag

• Eco-friendly appeal for cafes
• Reusable and practical
• Carries your brand around town

16 oz. Pint Glass

• Bar staple customers want to own
• Great for craft beer bars
• High perceived value for premium pricing

Uplevel Your Restaurant Merch with Neighborhood-Inspired Designs

How to Create Cool Merch for Tourists

If your bar or cafe attracts out-of-towners, you have a built-in customer base looking for souvenirs. Travelers want something authentic to bring home. A shirt from the actual bar where they had an amazing night beats a generic souvenir from a gift shop.

Tourist-focused merch works best when it tells a story. Include your city or neighborhood name prominently. Use design elements that evoke the destination: palm trees for a beach town, mountains for a ski resort, skylines for a city bar. The goal is to make something that immediately says “I was there.”

• Feature your destination: City names, regional references, and geographic elements make tourists feel like they’re bringing home a piece of your town.
• Create photo-worthy designs: Bold graphics photograph well. Tourists share purchases on social media, giving you free exposure to their followers.
• Offer variety: Stock t-shirts in multiple colors, offer both shirts and hats, and consider gender-specific cuts alongside unisex options.
• Price appropriately: Tourists expect to pay for quality souvenirs. Don’t underprice your merch.
• Tell your story: A hang tag or small sign explaining your history adds value and gives customers something to talk about.

Featured Merch Products for Tourist Destinations

Yupoong Twill Flexfit Hat

• Flexfit band fits multiple head sizes
• Easy to pack in a suitcase
• Structured design holds shape

16 oz. Pint Glass

• Natural fit for bars and breweries
• Functional keepsake for home bars
• Daily reminder of a good trip

Gildan Ultra Cotton Long Sleeve T-shirt

• More coverage for varying climates
• Premium feel over basic tees
• Extra print area on sleeves

Design Inspiration for Merch That Appeals to Tourists

How to Promote and Sell Your Cafe Merch

Now that you have a great design, the next step is getting your merch in front of customers for them to buy. You don’t need to be a retail expert to see success. Try these simple tactics to significantly increase your sales.

Display and Placement of Custom Merch

Where you put your merch matters. The best spot is near the register where customers are already reaching for their wallets. They’ve just had a good experience and they’re in a buying mood. A visible display catches their attention at exactly the right moment.

• Near the register: Impulse purchases happen when customers are paying. Put your best-sellers within arm’s reach.
• On the walls: Frame a shirt or hang samples as decor. It doubles as advertising and shows customers what’s available.
• Sample sizes visible: Keep one of each item on display so people can see and touch. Stock the rest in back to save space.
• Signage with prices: Make it obvious that items are for sale and how much they cost.

Turn Wait Staff into Walking Billboards

Your staff are your best salespeople for merch because they’re wearing it all shift. When a customer says “I like your shirt,” that’s a sales opportunity. Train your team to mention that it’s for sale.

• Have staff wear the merch: It shows off the product and proves it looks good in real life.
• Offer staff discounts: Employees who own the merch personally will wear it outside of work too.
• Train for soft sells: A simple “Thanks! We have them for sale by the register” is enough. No pressure needed.

How Much to Charge for Your Custom Merch

Price your merch to make money, not just break even. Customers expect to pay a premium for branded items from a place they like. Underpricing can actually hurt sales by making items seem cheap or low-quality.

• 2-3x markup on cost: This is standard for retail. A shirt that costs you $8 should sell for $20-25.
• Bundle deals: “Shirt + Koozie for $30” moves more inventory and increases average transaction value.
• Premium pricing for premium items: Hoodies and hats can command higher margins than basic tees.
• Round numbers: $25 is easier to process than $23.99 and feels more premium.

How to Encourage Social Media and Word of Mouth Mentions

Every customer who buys your merch is a potential marketer. Make it easy for them to share and give them reasons to do it.

• Photograph customers in your merch: Ask if you can take their photo for social media. Most people say yes.
• Create a hashtag: Something simple like #YourBarNameMerch makes it easy to find and reshare customer posts.
• Repost customer photos: Sharing their content rewards them with attention and shows other followers that real people buy your stuff.
• Announce new designs: Post about new merch on your social channels. Treat it like a product launch.

Add Limited Editions and Seasonal Drops to Your Merch Lineup

Scarcity creates urgency. If customers know an item will always be available, there’s no reason to buy today. Limited editions give them a reason to act now.

• Anniversary designs: Celebrate your 5th, 10th, or 20th year with a special edition shirt. Regulars will want to own a piece of that history.
• Seasonal versions: Holiday designs, summer editions, or event-specific merch gives customers reasons to buy again.
• Collaborations: Partner with a local artist or another business for a limited run. It creates buzz and reaches new audiences.
• Retired designs: When you discontinue a design, announce it. “Last chance” messaging drives sales.

Donutville USA created custom shirts that became popular with both customers and staff: “These are some of our employees with Donutville USA owner, Mark, showing off their shirts. Our customers and crew love these shirts. It is our third time reordering them!” (Source)

How to Order Custom Merch for Your Bar or Cafe

You have enough on your plate. Bringing your brand to life shouldn’t be another source of stress. Custom Ink handles the entire process from design to delivery, with no hidden fees and free standard shipping on every order, so you can feel confident at every step.

1. Choose your products: Browse the restaurant and food service collection or explore categories like t-shirts, hats, or Koozies.
2. Create your design: Open the Design Lab and upload your logo, start from a template, or build something from scratch.
3. Get expert help (optional): Custom Ink’s design experts are available seven days a week through chat, email, or phone.
4. Choose quantities and sizes: Bulk orders get better per-piece pricing, but there’s no minimum for many products if you want to start small.
5. Place your order: Review your proof, confirm the details, and complete your purchase. Standard shipping is free and delivers within two weeks.

For businesses that want to offer multiple sizes without stocking inventory, Custom Ink’s group order feature lets customers choose their own sizes and have items shipped directly to them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does it cost to create custom merch for my bar or cafe?

Pricing depends on the products you choose, the quantity ordered, and the complexity of your design. Custom Ink offers transparent per-piece pricing with volume discounts for larger orders. There are no hidden setup fees, and artwork review is included at no charge. You can see exact pricing in the Design Lab as you build your order.

Q: Do I need to order a minimum quantity of custom bar or cafe merchandise?

Many products have low or no minimums, so you can start with a small test order before committing to larger quantities. Check individual product pages for specific requirements, or filter by “no minimum” when browsing.

Q: How long does it take to receive custom bar or cafe merchandise?

Orders arrive within two weeks with free standard shipping. Rush options are available for an additional charge. Check the delivery options page for current turnaround times.

Q: Can I upload my own logo for custom bar or cafe apparel?

Yes. The Design Lab accepts PNG, JPG, PDF, and AI files. If your logo needs cleanup or conversion to a print-ready format, Custom Ink’s design experts can help at no additional cost.

Q: What if I don’t have a logo for my bar or cafe merchandise?

You can create a design from scratch using the Design Lab’s text tools and clipart library, or start with a template. Custom Ink’s design experts can also help you create something original based on your ideas.

Q: Can I get help designing custom merchandise for my bar or cafe?

Yes. Custom Ink’s design experts are available seven days a week to help you create the right design. They can refine your artwork, suggest improvements, or help bring your vision to life. This service is included at no extra charge. Contact the team through chat, email, or phone.

Q: What products work best for bar and cafe merchandise?

T-shirts are the most popular option, working for both staff uniforms and customer sales. Trucker hats and baseball caps are good add-ons with high perceived value. For bars, koozies and pint glasses are natural fits. Coffee shops do well with mugs and tote bags. Stickers work as low-cost impulse buys.

Q: How should I price custom merch to sell at my bar or cafe?

A 2-3x markup on cost is standard for retail. Consider what similar businesses charge and what your customers expect to pay. Premium designs and quality products can command higher prices. Underpriced merch can actually reduce perceived value.

Q: Can staff wear the same merchandise we sell to customers?

Yes. Staff wearing your merchandise serves as advertising and shows that the products look good in real life. Many businesses use the same designs for both staff uniforms and retail sales.

Q: How do I know what sizes to order for bar or cafe merchandise?

For customer sales, order more of the middle sizes (medium, large, XL) and fewer of the extremes (XS, XXL). For staff uniforms, collect sizes in advance. Custom Ink’s group order feature lets each person select their own size before you place the order.

Start Creating Your Bar or Cafe Merch Today

Your customers already like your business. Merch gives them a way to show it, and it gives you a new revenue stream. Custom Ink’s Design Lab and free expert assistance mean you don’t need design skills or a big budget to get started.

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