8 Best Merchandise Ideas for Small Events and Conventions

Gift bags, mugs, and caps displayed together as simple merchandise ideas for small events and conventions

Small events run on two things: energy and margins. Good merch can fuel both, but only if you pick the right mix of products and price them smartly. The real key is stocking items that fit in a backpack, sell at a glance, and donโ€™t wreck your cash flow.

In 2025, the promotional products industry is still growing, live experiences are booming, and superfans are more willing than ever to spend money on physical goods. Hereโ€™s a field-tested guide to building a small but mighty merch table that actually moves units.

What to Sell

Think light, flat, and useful. Below are eight product categories with clear use cases, low transport weight, and proven staying power.

1. Stickers and Mini-Packs

Stack of custom stickers and a mini-pack displayed on a wooden table for event merchandise
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, Instant add-on, impulse price point, nearly zero sizing risk

How to Execute

  • Offer a simple menu by size or bundle: 1 for $3, 2 for $5, 5 for $10.
  • Use kiss-cut or die-cut for clean edges.
  • Print-on-demand (POD) suppliers can fulfill small runs if you donโ€™t want to stock inventory.

Pro tip: Design for high contrast and readability at three feet. Keep pack headers tall so they pop above your table lip. Always check per-unit costs on POD pages before setting your sticker price.

2. Buttons, Enamel Pins, and Small Badges

Collectible behavior plus easy tiering with limited colorways. Many small vendors source their custom acrylic pins from trusted online manufacturers to offer show-exclusive variants without big upfront costs.

How to Execute

  • One โ€œcoreโ€ pin all year plus a show-exclusive variant.
  • Place both on the same card to anchor value and drive upsell.

Pro tip: Use a visible counter card for limited editions to create urgency.

3. Lanyards, Badge Ribbons, and Key Fobs

 

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Theyโ€™re the perfect fit for conventions because people already wear badges and want to personalize them.

How to Execute

  • Pre-pack popular sayings or colorways.
  • Offer a build-your-own bundle at a small discount.

Pro tip: A multi-pack with inside jokes or fan references doubles as a conversation starter.

4. Drinkware That Fits Carry Bags

Long retention and high impressions per ASI.

How to Execute

  • Favor lightweight bottles or collapsible cups to minimize haul weight.
  • Keep one premium option and one budget option to appeal to different buyers.

Pro tip: Add a sticker or small card explaining the eco-benefit if the item is reusable or recycled.

5. Notepads, Writing Instruments, and Desk Accessories

A blank spiral notepad with a pen placed on top, ready for use on a white desk
Highly used during sessions and after the event

Writing instruments deliver thousands of impressions over their lifetime.

How to Execute

  • Bundle a pocket notebook with a pen and a sticker for a tidy $15 set.
  • Keep designs clean and functional for mass appeal.

Pro tip: Choose paper that is at least partially recycled and note it on the packaging.

6. Tees in Tight Size Runs

Tees still generate massive impressions and remain a merch staple.

How to Execute

  • Bring S to XL in your top colorway and push less common sizes to preorder or ship-to-home.
  • Consider POD for post-event fulfillment to avoid returns.

Pro tip: Use soft-style blends that pack small and feel premium.

7. Limited Mini-Prints


Art forward, flat packable, frames easily.

How to Execute

  • Offer 5ร—7 and 8ร—10 only.
  • Sell loose in a clear sleeve with a backing board, plus a two-pack discount.

Pro tip: Sign and number your mini-prints at the booth to add perceived value.

8. Digital Codes with a Physical Carrier

No inventory risk and instant delivery.

How to Execute

  • Sell a QR card that unlocks a digital wallpaper pack, an audio bonus, or a tutorial PDF.
  • Use Square to take payment on the spot from a small device.

Pro tip: Print the QR code on an attractive cardstock or mini poster so it still feels like merch.

Sustainable and Ethical Options That Buyers Want

A reusable cotton tote bag with a phone displaying a green recycling symbol on the screen
Consumers increasingly prefer environmentally friendly and locally made merch

ASIโ€™s study shows that about 46 to 50 percent of consumers would feel more favorable toward an advertiser if the promo product is eco-friendly, and more than half feel the same for Made in USA items.

PPAI data also shows sustainable products growing steadily in market share.

Practical Moves for Small Events

  • Choose recycled or responsibly sourced materials for at least one anchor product.
  • Offer refills or replacement parts for higher-end items like reusable bottles or planners.
  • Add a small placard explaining the material choice and care instructions.
  • List end-of-life tips on your product card (e.g., โ€œpaper sleeve is curbside recyclableโ€).

Simple Math and Real Inputs

Profit margins for POD sellers often sit in the 20 to 40 percent range. On-site, you can price a bit higher because of immediacy, limited supply, and the in-person experience.

Combine base cost, event fees, and processing fees to set the sticker price.

Know Your Fees

A person holding and counting dollar bills in their hands
With a $15.50 cost and a 55% margin, set the price at $34

Popular on-site processing like Square charges about 2.6 percent plus 15 cents per in-person transaction, and the core POS app is free to use. Hardware is inexpensive and portable.

Example: Tee Pricing

  • Base cost from a POD supplier for a soft-style tee: low teens.
  • Add packaging and card reader fees.
  • If your all-in cost is $15.50 and your target margin is 55 percent, price at $34. Round to an even $35 for simple cash handling.

Example: Sticker 3ร—3

  • POD unit cost can start at a couple of dollars, depending on size and quantity.
  • With table space at a premium, set a ladder like 1 for $3, 2 for $5, 5 for $10. That moves volume and keeps math fast.

Blended Margin Math

Carry at least one low-cost impulse item to offset slower-moving, higher-priced goods. If your sticker margin is 70 percent and your tee margin is 45 percent, your blended take can still land near 55 percent on a typical basket.

Inventory Planning for Small Spaces

@ratasenzelo How do you set up yours?? Usually we bring lamps but this space didnt need to #merchtable #newyorkpunks #newyorkpunkscene โ™ฌ Condena – Las Ratapunks


Even the best merch lineup can stall without a clear plan for how much to bring. A tight, thoughtful inventory strategy helps you travel lighter, stock smarter, and still meet demand on the floor.

Start with 80โ€“20

Expect 20 percent of your designs to produce 80 percent of sales. Pack deep on two to three designs. Bring shallow quantities of the rest and capture demand with ship-to-home QR cards.

Pilot Runs

Bring 12 to 24 units per SKU for a first-time event unless you have reserved preorders. For tees, bias sizes toward M and L. Offer QR preorder for XS, 2XL, and 3XL so no one gets left out.

Sell Before You Arrive

Offer a โ€œpick up at boothโ€ preorder that closes one week before the show. Use your ticketing or store platform to estimate sizes and quantities.

Eventbrite data shows strong attendee enthusiasm for live experiences in 2025, which supports pre-commitments for limited runs.

Table Layout That Sells

  • Put your top three items at the front edge and at eye-level on small risers.
  • Use one price board with large numbers. Add a show special line to anchor bundles.
  • Keep visual noise low. Use one color tablecloth and a single banner.
  • Show one open sample and the rest sealed. People shop faster when they see unopened stock behind the sample.

POS, Fulfillment, and Receipts

Running a smooth checkout matters just as much as having great merch. A simple setup for payments, fulfillment, and receipts keeps your line moving, your team relaxed, and your customers happy.

Payments

Use one phone with Squareโ€™s contactless and chip reader. Processing is straightforward, and the fee structure is predictable.

If you expect lines, look at a handheld POS. Squareโ€™s compact handheld launched in 2025 and supports tap-to-pay and barcode scanning, which is handy for barcoded price cards.

Receipts

Offer email or text receipts only. It speeds the queue and keeps your bag light.

Post-Event Shipping

For sold-out sizes, take paid orders on the spot and fulfill through a POD partner when you get home. Shopifyโ€™s print-on-demand guide is a solid primer if youโ€™re new to that flow.

Legal and Tax Basics You Should Not Skip


Sales tax rules apply even for weekend gigs. Requirements vary by state:

  • Texas: Out-of-state and temporary sellers must hold a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit and collect and report tax for local jurisdictions when operating in Texas. The Comptrollerโ€™s site provides the rules and registration.
  • California: Temporary sellers usually need a temporary sellerโ€™s permit. Event planners and pop-up vendors are directed to register, and some venues require a sub-permit for the event location.

If you sell in multiple states, create a simple spreadsheet with permit numbers, filing frequency, and due dates. That one habit saves headaches later.

Bundles and Price Ladders That Actually Move Units

Bundling is a way to boost value for attendees while increasing your average order size.

A few smartly planned bundles and clear price ladders can make buying faster, easier, and more tempting on a crowded show floor.

Good, Better, Best

  • Good: $10 bundle. One sticker, one button, one mini ribbon.
  • Better: $25 bundle. Notebook, pen, sticker sheet.
  • Best: $45 to $55 bundle. Tee, sticker pack, lanyard.

Show Exclusive

Offer one colorway or one foil finish that is only available at that event. Limit to 50 or 100 units and display a visible counter card showing whatโ€™s left. Scarcity drives decisions when attendees have limited time on the floor.

Two-Fer Tees

A โ€œ2 for $60โ€ board can lift units per transaction and clear sizes before you head home.

Make It Custom Without Bringing a Print Shop

You can add personalization without lugging heavy gear.

  • Name cards: Sell small cards with printed art on the front and write the attendeeโ€™s name by hand on the back with a paint marker.
  • Badge add-ons: Offer a custom ribbon with printed first name or call sign. Simple, fast, and lines stay short.
  • On-site digital unlocks: A QR card that links to a personalized wallpaper or a signed digital mini-print. Zero inventory weight.

Event-Fit Picks by Audience Type

A group of people gathered at an event table, engaging in conversation and exchanging papers
Different crowds respond to different merch

A quick look at your audienceโ€™s habits and priorities can guide which products deserve a spot on your table.

Artist Alley or Indie Creator Table

  • Stickers, pins, postcard prints, a single tee.
  • One exclusive mini-print per day.
  • Digital wallpaper pack cards for fans who fly home with only a personal item.

Workshop or Training Day

  • Branded notebook and pen sets.
  • USB-C cable keepers, cord wraps, or cable labels.
  • A reference card tied to the curriculum, unlocked via QR at purchase.

Community Fan Meetups

  • Badge ribbons, lanyards, key fobs, and a sticker multi-pack tied to inside jokes.
  • One comfy tee and one soft dad cap if your crowd likes wearable souvenirs.

Local Business Expo

  • Useful desk items with a single, clean logo. ASI data suggests desk accessories and writing instruments are kept and used for a year or more, which keeps your brand in view.

Small-Event Merchandising Checklist

A woman in a white shirt holding a tablet and checking items in a store
A clear checklist keeps small-event merch from turning chaotic

Hereโ€™s a quick roadmap to prep before, during, and after the show so every sale:

Before the Show

  • Set a 6 to 8 SKU lineup with 2 to 3 depth items.
  • Pre-sell for pickup.
  • Prepare one page of sales tax notes and your permit copies for staff.
  • Test your POS and charge every device.

At the Table

  • Price board with round numbers.
  • Top three items up front.
  • Show an exclusive sign with the remaining count.
  • Offer a bundle just under $25 for impulse buyers and another around $50 for committed fans.

After the Show

  • List leftover units online the same night.
  • Send a thank-you email with a limited window for post-event orders.
  • Log sell-through rates by SKU and size to trim your next pack list.

What the Data Suggests

  • People keep and use practical items for a long time, which means repeat impressions and better ROI per unit.
  • Industry sales are steady, with more dollars flowing through online and sustainable categories.
  • Superfans buy physical merch at much higher rates than average audiences, so creator tables can confidently stock small, collectible goods.
  • Attendee enthusiasm for live experiences in 2025 remains high, which supports preorders, show exclusives, and limited drops.
  • Small teams can accept payments easily with lightweight POS hardware and predictable fees.

Sample SKU List and Target Price Ladder

SKU Why it Works Target Price
Kiss-cut sticker 3ร—3 Fast add-on, high contrast art $3 or 2 for $5
Sticker 5-pack Bumps AOV with minimal weight $10
Button or mini pin Collectible, tiny footprint $6 to $10
Badge ribbon pack Convention-specific and fun $8 to $12
Lanyard Daily utility on site $12 to $15
Pocket notebook + pen Useful all year $15 to $20
Soft-style tee High impressions over time $30 to $35
8ร—10 mini-print Frame-ready art $20 to $25
Reusable bottle Long retention per ASI drinkware data $20 to $28

Use local tax and card fees to fine-tune the final sticker number. Keep the board simple so buyers decide fast.

Final Tips from the Field

  • Design your table like a small storefront with a clear hero area, one price board, and one limited drop.
  • Pack a โ€œsave the lineโ€ kit: extra reader, extra charging cable, QR code for contactless checkout.
  • Photograph every SKU on the table before doors open. That becomes your post-event store listing.
  • Track sell-through percentages and reorder only the top third. The rest becomes print-to-order online.

Closing Thoughts

Merch at small events and conventions isnโ€™t about stuffing as many SKUs as possible onto your table. Itโ€™s about curating items that travel light, fit your audience, and hold their value long after the event ends.

In 2025, the data is clear: attendees are spending, superfans are buying, and practical, well-designed products still win. If you plan your inventory carefully, price it with real margins, and present it cleanly, youโ€™ll leave with lighter bags and a healthier bottom line.