Turn Your Designs Into Products You Can Sell

Mike Sandoval shares some tips that will help you turn your designs into products people want to buy

Whether you are thinking of creating a line of T-shirts with your illustrations or just want your designs to flood the streets as stickers, these tips are for you. Mexican illustrator and graphic designer Mike Sandoval (@mike_sandoval_) has transformed his work into silkscreen prints, T-shirts, prints, bags, pins, skateboards, stickers and any other product you can imagine. These years of experience have helped him realize what any creative should consider if he wants to turn his designs into successful merchandising.

Define your style

We are not talking only in terms of aesthetics, but also about the themes you focus on, as well as the causes you support with your designs or illustrations. In order to market products with your design in them, it is highly recommended that potential buyers recognize your work as yours. Having a clearly defined style is essential.

Focus on concept

Make sure your ideas have a good foundation and even a social message, if possible. If your designs are able to transmit an idea other people can connect with, they will be much more likely to wear them on a T-shirt, a tote bag, or hang it on the wall of their house, for example.

Synthesize

The concepts and designs have to make sense in the sizes and materials you are going to use. That means you might need to sacrifice some small details. If you want to turn a watercolor illustration into a small pin, for example, keep in mind that the colors will not be the same and that some elements will get lost.

Take care of the product quality

If possible, look for good suppliers and make sure that the products you will show your designs on have good quality. The people who decide to spend their money on the products you design expect the best. It is your responsibility to meet their expectations, thinking about the aesthetic aspect and the final product as a whole.

Mike Sandoval teaches the Domestika course, Illustration: From Idea to Concept, where you can learn the creative process that leads to excellent illustrations starting with simple concepts.

English version by @angeljimenez.

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