# Merch Design Brief > Creates merchandise design briefs for branded swag with product selection, design placement, vendor specs, and budget planning. Use when producing branded merchandise. - Skill: `reaperinvest/merch-design-brief` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/merch-design-brief` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/merch-design-brief/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Finance & Business - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/merch-design-brief --- # Merch Design Brief ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Plan branded merchandise for customers, employees, or events - Brief a designer on merch artwork and placement - Select products and vendors for a merch production run - Create specifications for print-on-demand or bulk merchandise orders **DO NOT** use this skill for product packaging, retail product design, or promotional campaign strategy. This is for branded merchandise (swag) design and production planning. --- ## Core Principle GREAT MERCH IS SOMETHING PEOPLE WANT TO USE, NOT FEEL OBLIGATED TO KEEP — DESIGN FOR WEARABILITY AND UTILITY, NOT JUST BRAND VISIBILITY. --- ## Phase 1: Brief ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Purpose** | "What is the merch for? (customer gifts, employee welcome kit, event giveaways, online store)" | Customer appreciation | | **Audience** | "Who receives it?" | Customers | | **Budget** | "Total budget and target cost per item?" | $500 total, $10-20/item | | **Quantity** | "How many units per item?" | 50-100 | | **Brand guidelines** | "Brand colors, logo files, fonts?" | Must be provided | | **Product preferences** | "Any specific items in mind? (t-shirts, mugs, notebooks, stickers)" | Open to suggestions | | **Timeline** | "When do you need items in hand?" | 4-6 weeks | **GATE: Confirm brief before proceeding.** --- ## Phase 2: Design ### Product Selection Framework Evaluate products on: - **Utility** — will the recipient actually use it daily? - **Brand fit** — does the product align with your brand personality? - **Perceived value** — does it feel premium relative to cost? - **Logistics** — easy to store, ship, and distribute? ### Recommended Product Categories | Category | Items | Best For | Cost Range | |----------|-------|----------|-----------| | Apparel | T-shirts, hoodies, hats | Loyal fans, employees | $8-30/unit | | Drinkware | Mugs, tumblers, water bottles | Daily use, office visibility | $5-20/unit | | Stationery | Notebooks, pens, stickers | Low-cost, high-volume | $2-10/unit | | Tech | Phone cases, webcam covers, cable organizers | Tech audience | $5-15/unit | | Stickers | Die-cut, vinyl, laptop stickers | Lowest cost, highest distribution | $0.50-2/unit | ### Design Rules - Logo placement: subtle and stylish beats giant logo across the chest - Use brand colors but consider what looks good on the product (white logo on dark shirt, not dark logo on dark shirt) - Design for the product shape — what works on a t-shirt does not work on a mug **GATE: Present product selection and design direction before finalizing.** --- ## Phase 3: Build ### Deliverables **1. Merch Design Brief** - Product list with design placement per item - Artwork specifications (dimensions, DPI, color mode, file format) - Print method per product (screen print, DTG, embroidery, sublimation, pad print) - Color specifications for each product/design combination **2. Vendor Specification Sheet** - Product SKUs, sizes, colors, and quantities - Artwork file requirements per vendor - Proofing requirements (digital proof, physical sample) - Shipping and delivery timeline **3. Budget Breakdown** | Item | Unit Cost | Quantity | Setup Fee | Total | |------|----------|----------|-----------|-------| | T-shirts | $12 | 50 | $30 | $630 | | Stickers | $1 | 100 | $0 | $100 | | Mugs | $8 | 50 | $25 | $425 | **4. Distribution Plan** - How items will be distributed (shipped, handed out, included with orders) - Packaging considerations for shipping - Inventory tracking for remaining stock --- ## Phase 4: Polish ### Quality Control Checklist - [ ] Pre-production sample approved for each product - [ ] Colors match brand guidelines on actual product - [ ] Print quality verified (no bleeding, cracking, or misalignment) - [ ] Sizes verified (especially apparel — check actual measurements) - [ ] Packaging protects items during shipping ### Feedback Collection After distribution, note: which items get the most positive feedback, which items are seen in use (social media posts, video calls), and which items gather dust. --- ## Example 1: Customer Welcome Kit ($25 budget per kit) **Items:** Branded notebook ($6), sticker pack ($3), enamel pin ($5), thank-you card ($1) in a custom kraft box ($4). Total: $19/kit + $3 shipping materials. ## Example 2: Event Giveaway Bag ($10 budget per bag) **Items:** Cotton tote bag with screen-printed logo ($4), die-cut stickers x3 ($2), branded pen ($1.50), postcard with CTA ($0.50). Total: $8/bag + tote serves as packaging. --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Giant logos on everything** — nobody wants to be a walking billboard. Subtle, clever branding gets worn more often. - **Cheapest option always** — a $2 pen that breaks immediately reflects poorly on your brand. Quality matters. - **One-size-fits-all apparel** — only ordering mediums excludes half your recipients. Offer size ranges. - **No sample before bulk order** — 500 ugly t-shirts cannot be returned. Always approve a physical sample first. - **Overordering** — 500 units for 50 people means 450 units in a closet for years. Order realistic quantities. --- ## Recovery - **Budget is very tight:** Focus on stickers and digital items (wallpapers, templates). High perceived value, low cost. - **No design skills:** Use vendor design services (many print shops offer basic design) or Canva templates adapted for merch. - **Leftover inventory:** Repurpose as social media contest prizes, referral rewards, or include with future orders. - **Rush timeline:** Use print-on-demand services (longer per-unit cost, but no minimums and fast turnaround) for urgent needs.