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@viktor Well, merchandise requires you to have a fairly large fanbase (yes, a fanbase, normal users don't probably care).

Also, you need to make something that looks good. Mastodon's merch for example is art (probably commissioned), not just their logo.

Well, maybe you know better being part of ClassicPress Foundation, but for small open source projects just trying to start getting funding, ehh.

@raikas You're right. It's not for everyone.

But if you have a donation link on the project's page - you should have a merchandise link too.

1. You can set up a basic branded t-shirt & something else (stickers?) very quickly. Start with basics, and expand if it's growing.

2. It also helps with branding and promotion when users buy and wear/use merchandise.

3. There's no downside to having it, only an opportunity for additional income.

The more income opportunities you utilize the better

@viktor Have to say that I rarely see actually good branded merchandise that I would find worth buying with my own money. Getting them for free is okay. Talking mostly about T-shirts and hoodies, stickers are usually fine.

My personal favourite company/project/etc merch is 100% @dude 's KVLT (https://dude.fi/merch) from 2021-2022. The print is very nice, and not just the logo of the company/"free marketing". Also high quality materials, not just the cheapest T-shirt available on a POD platform.

Also a good one I "recently" got (well, free) was the Hacktoberfest 2022 T-shirt with a pretty nice print (https://dev.to/holiq/hacktoberfest-2022-t-shirt-4k93).

@raikas @dude Thanks for sharing. These look great. You're right. If possible, creating custom art for the merchandise is ideal. But it's not always possible. No graphics skills or funds to commission art.

PODs do have better quality products, but they also cost more. Without PODs, you would have to find a supplier, buy large quantity & hold inventory. Or you can do it yourself if you got skills and equipment. But that takes away from the project.

Find what works for you & do it, but DO IT

@viktor Haven't done any big projects monetization would be worth the bother for users. I do have a donation link in some.

@raikas any luck with a donation link?

@viktor Not yet. But my projects haven't had that much traction yet. But I have some projects coming up which might.