Guide · Events
Event and Trade Show Merch Checklist: What to Order and When
Events Series·Checklist
Event merch has a hard deadline attached to it — the event date — which makes timing the most common way these orders go wrong.
The timeline
| Timeframe | Action |
|---|---|
| 8+ weeks out | Finalize design and confirm quantities |
| 6 weeks out | Place the order and request a sample |
| 3 weeks out | Approve sample, confirm shipping address |
| 1 week out | Confirm delivery, prep booth logistics |
What to actually order
Practical carry items — totes, backpacks — tend to outperform novelty items at events, since attendees keep using them throughout the day, extending your visibility for free. Save higher-end apparel for staff, not giveaways.
The biggest event merch mistake isn't the design — it's ordering too close to the date and losing the ability to fix a mistake.
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