For the upcoming events, I’m currently trying to experiment with more variety of merch types. Mostly writing this for my own reflection of things, and maybe this can also be useful somehow to share others?
After further consideration and a lot of regretful thoughts, I decided to take a hiatus from commissions. For the upcoming future at the very least on this year, I plan to focus more on merch making and personal content growth, and taking time off to spend on personal matters as well (and touching grass lmao). My current schedule made it hard for me to commit to timelines as before – but I do hope I can get more time to develop more merch products in the future this way.
Spunbond bags or ecobags?
I like to carry a bunch of stuff with me (like ‘what if I need this?’ kind of thoughts). I like bringing additional spare foldable bags since they’re practical and can be folded into small pocket when not used, so I can have it ready as ’emergency use’. I’m happy I can make my own this time. I was considering like if people like tote bags or this kind of foldable bag more?
Foldable Ecobags
Sample of the first ecobag – at first I need to adjust the position of the design on the small bag version, since apparently the initial design file didn’t take into account the sewing lines that needs more gaps so the design won’t reach edges so much. It’s fun to customize the small pocket and big bag version!
Spunbound Goodie Bags
Another idea I have is to make more economical shopping goodie spunbound bags, which can be extra incentive for spending over certain amount. Washing it can be risky to ruin the print and folding it can risk to crack the print surface. I might think on canvas bag prints in the future, but need more research about the material and print quality.
@devpotata Yuk BEE-lanja dulu! Tas belanja lipat yang ringkas, foldable ecobag that is cute and durable! (Word play on bee and 'belanja' means shopping!) Available in my Tokopedia and for future events such as #chibicon #kirakiraartmarket and #comifuro ! . . . #ecobag #tasbelanja #taslipat #smallbusiness #artistoftiktok #tokopedia #bee #cuteart ♬ original sound - Devonazure
Here’s a quick video how it works to get folded and opened up!
Coasters
Another merch I wanted to try is to make coasters. Sometimes I make some tea or coffee, and thinking will be nice to have my own coasters!
Chilling with my favorite Kerja Anjing! mug from KITC 😉
I asked others of their thoughts on the coaster material they prefer. I tested out rubber, PVC, and wooden coaster materials.
I do like the rubber one, but the print has this ‘glowy’ blur outside of it sometimes and the print can crack when bent (which I guess, you shouldn’t bend a coaster anyway, but I was curious to see and can’t unsee it hahaha) . In the end I settled with the PVC one since the wooden one had some surface print issues and harder to wash. Personally I tested them to use for drinking hot and cold drinks and it worked pretty well for me, but I’d be still waiting for future feedback from others.
For next ones, I plan to experiment with wooden ones with engraved designs. I’m not really used to make designs with only the lineart, but it’s a challenge I’m quite curious about to learn.
Candy Bag Pins!
I have made several button pin or badge designs before, but I’m curious – what if we go more smol? I tried out 25mm and 32mm size pins, but settled with 32mm ones. I think they look like small candies, so I wanted to try to put them into candy bag seal packagings for fun to make them look cute like candies. I hope it’ll be an interesting addition to the merch! I’m thinking to make these into gacha for future events.
I used a heater sealing machine, as shown in the video below! I know there’s a smaller one that’ll be easier to use, but this is the one I have for now at home 😂
@devpotata Are these candies? 🍬 No, it's my HSR mini pins! Available in my Tokopedia and will debut in Chibicon event on August! Featuring 14 characters from Honkai Star Rail, Penacony edition! 💗 Careful not to eat them! Which ones do you like? #chibicon #honkaistarrail #honkaistarrailfanart #artistalley #merchandise #chbiis #fanmerch #artistsoftiktok ♬ original sound - Devonazure
Sticker Books
I’m happy to get to persuade others to use sticker books more hehe :p I made new sticker book designs this time, but now to experiment front and back designs to make them connected and different design. I couldn’t make up my mind to make separate MC Caelus or Stelle books, so I decided to make one book with different back and cover designs.
Random Blind Packs
Continuing my collab merch project with Kirara from Neko Fingerprint, we considered to create blind packs version besides the gacha ball ones when bringing them to Creators Super Fest Singapore since it is more difficult to bring the gacha machine for travel. I think it’s pretty fun too! I often see people trying to grab the pack and guess which one it is, sometimes they get it right and sometimes not, quite interesting to see them guess 😂
Transparent stickers!
I’ve made a bunch of stickers before like the resin squishy stickers to glitter and hologram stickers, but here’s one type of sticker I have yet to try – transparent stickers! Well to be fair, it’s not exactly transparent since the picture part has white ink behind so it’s not gonna blend to the background, but the border is indeed transparent!
Makes it nice to stick on tumblers or laptops and other objects. It’s a pretty fun new addition of sticker to try, and I wonder if people prefer this type of material over usual paper for certain designs, so I’m looking forward to reception and feedback for this type of sticker.
So yeah, here are my updates so far! Looking forward for the upcoming conventions and hope the new products will be received well and enjoyed by others. I’ll be spending my birthday on a convention event for the 3rd time and have 3 conventions scheduled until the end of the year (Chibicon, Kira Kira Art Market, and Comifuro), so it’ll be another interesting set of experiences to look forward to 😂 Wishing for all the best! Thanks for taking time to read this far and have a nice day, take care!
