A Better Way to Run Your Merch Program
Start Your Merchandise Program
If you’re exploring merchandise for your organization and want a system that handles production, e-commerce, fulfillment, and support, our team would love to talk.
Inquire about our Merchandise-as-a-Service model HERE
Or reach out directly: custom@locallaundry.ca
If you run a business, nonprofit, sports team, or organization, you’ve probably thought about launching merchandise at some point.
T-shirts. Hats. Hoodies. Branded apparel your community can wear proudly.
The idea is exciting. The reality, however, often becomes complicated.
Inventory has to be ordered upfront. Boxes need to be stored somewhere. Orders need to be packed and shipped. Customer emails start coming in about sizing, exchanges, or shipping updates.
What starts as a simple merch idea can quickly turn into a full operational responsibility.
That’s exactly the challenge Merchandise-as-a-Service was built to solve.
At Custom by Local Laundry, we’ve developed a model that allows organizations to launch and operate merchandise programs without taking on the operational burden themselves.
What Is Merchandise-as-a-Service?
Merchandise-as-a-Service is a model where a partner manages the full lifecycle of your merchandise program.
Instead of ordering inventory, storing products, and handling logistics internally, you work with a partner that manages the system behind the scenes.
At Local Laundry, this means we handle:
-
Product development
-
Manufacturing
-
E-commerce setup
-
Inventory management
-
Warehousing
-
Order fulfillment
-
Shipping
-
Customer support
Your team focuses on your brand, community, and mission.
We manage the machine.
How the Local Laundry Model Works
Custom by Local Laundry provides a complete infrastructure for organizations that want to run a merchandise program professionally.
1. Product Development
Our team works with you to design merchandise that aligns with your brand.
This can include:
-
Custom Hats
-
Custom T-shirts
-
Custom Hoodies
-
Custom Sweatshirt Crewnecks
-
Custom Jackets
-
Custom Tote bags
-
Custom Accessories
We offer both Made in Canada production and responsibly sourced global manufacturing, depending on the needs of the project.
2. E-Commerce Setup
Once products are ready, we set up your merchandise storefront.
Our team manages:
-
Shopify store infrastructure
-
Product uploads and descriptions
-
SEO optimization
-
Launch support
Customers can browse, purchase, and check out just like any modern e-commerce store.
3. Warehousing and Fulfillment
Inventory is stored in our facility, not your office.
When customers place an order, our team handles:
-
Picking and packing
-
Shipping label creation
-
Shipment tracking
-
Order delivery
High-volume shipping accounts allow us to access better shipping rates and faster logistics.
4. Customer Support
Customer emails are part of running a merch program.
Sizing questions, shipping updates, exchanges, these are all handled by our team.
Your organization doesn’t need to manage the support queue.
A Model Built for Growth
Merchandise-as-a-Service allows organizations to scale merchandise without building an internal operations team.
This model works particularly well for:
-
Sports teams
-
Nonprofits and charities
-
Events and conferences
-
Corporate teams
-
Educational institutions
-
Creators and community brands
Many organizations want to launch merchandise but don’t want to become a fulfillment company.
This model allows them to participate in the merch economy without the operational overhead.
Pre-Sale Campaigns: Eliminating Inventory Risk
Another powerful tool within our system is the pre-sale model.
Instead of producing inventory first, a pre-sale campaign allows customers to order merchandise during a defined window.
Production begins only after the campaign closes.
This approach eliminates inventory risk while creating urgency around the product launch.
It also allows organizations to validate demand before committing to manufacturing.
Several successful campaigns using this model have sold hundreds of units within short launch windows. If you’re curious about how that campaign worked, you can read the full story HERE.
Made in Canada Apparel Options
Local Laundry is widely known for its Made in Canada clothing, and this remains a core part of our custom offering.
Organizations can choose domestic production for items such as: custom T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirt crewnecks, premium outerwear and accessories.
For projects that require different price points or product categories, we also offer responsibly sourced overseas manufacturing.
The goal is flexibility while maintaining quality.
When Merchandise Becomes More Than Merch
The most successful merchandise programs are not just about selling products.
They create identity.
They strengthen community.
They allow supporters, employees, and fans to wear something that represents what they believe in.
When merchandise is done well, it becomes part of how a brand shows up in the world.
The challenge has never been the idea.
The challenge has always been the logistics.
Merchandise-as-a-Service solves that problem.
Start Your Merchandise Program
If you’re exploring merchandise for your organization and want a system that handles production, e-commerce, fulfillment, and support, our team would love to talk.
Inquire about our Merchandise-as-a-Service model HERE
Or reach out directly: custom@locallaundry.ca
