Why Artists Need Product Research Tools to Sell More Merch

Written By Dean Rodriguez

When I first started as an illustrator, I thought finding inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest was the key to selling art, and that marketing tools were only for big companies.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Selling print-on-demand products has always been my favorite way to make money as an artist because it lets me focus on creating while someone else handles the printing and shipping. But the hardest part?

Figuring out which designs are actually worth turning into products.

For years, I guessed what to draw based on likes and comments, only to learn the hard way that what people love on social media doesn’t always translate into sales.

The real money maker? Knowing what people are actively searching for so you can create art that actually sells.

The Solution: A Merch Tool That Does the Guesswork for You

Enter Merch Informer, a new tool I just discovered that I’m excited to share!

Here’s what it does:

  • Etsy, Pinterest, and Amazon trend data → See what’s selling right now.

  • Keyword finder + keyword cloud → Discover search terms people actually use for product descriptions.

  • Trademark checker → Make sure your clever phrase isn’t already taken, don’t get sued people.

  • Competition analysis + listing scores → See what keywords are crowded and where you can stand out.

What used to take me hours of scrolling now takes 20 minutes. HELL YES! Use can even use code WOMENOFILLUSTRATION for 20% off any plan, for life. How cool?!

Real-Life Example: How I Created My Late Night Reading Club Bestseller

Let’s talk about the design that blew up recently for me: Late Night Reading Club.

Here’s how it happened:

I typed “reading” into Merch Informer and selected Etsy.

Right away, I saw designs with ghosts, bookshelves, and cozy fall vibes trending. One green sweatshirt ghostie reading design had almost 20,000 saves on Etsy alone.

As I scrolled, I noticed a simple sweatshirt with tiny embroidered text: “Late Night Reading Club.” The phrase was perfect, but I wanted to make it my own.

I ran it through the Trademark Checker to make sure it was safe to use (and kept running it to make sure no one claimed it later).

I gave it my signature twist: Gothic hand lettering, vintage textures, and a touch of Halloween mystery. The result? A hand-drawn piece that my audience LOVED and a design that started selling on my Shopify store almost immediately.

All because I wasn’t guessing.

How to Use Merch Informer Without Burning Out

Here’s my 3-step workflow for artists who want to work smarter, not harder:

1. Pick a Platform & Keyword

Etsy, Pinterest, or Amazon → Start with a topic, holiday, or vibe you like. See what’s trending and what phrases people search for the most.

2. Verify & Protect

Run your ideas through the Trademark Checker and keyword tool. Make sure your phrase is safe and that people are actually searching for it.

3. Make It Yours

Don’t just copy designs, use them as idea generators. Sketch from memory instead of using them as a reference, in your own style, and put your unique spin on it. That’s what makes it original.

Extra tip: Heart or favorite ideas you find for future projects so you always have a ready-made Favorites list in Merch Informer.

Why This Matters for Artists Who Hate Marketing

Most of us became artists to create, not to spend hours in spreadsheets.

But tools like Merch Informer give you back your time.

I work less than four hours a day now. And as someone who’s neurodivergent and needs extra breaks, that time is precious. This tool cuts my prep time so I can focus on the fun part: actually making art.

You know I love sharing the tools I use as an artst, and this company generously offered a lifetime 20% off any plan with code WOMENOFILLUSTRATION.

Let’s make more sales and art together, because nothing kills creativity faster than staring at blank screens, wondering what to make next.

Dean Rodriguez

Every day I combine my 10 years of design experience to create lettering that entertains, engages and inspires a community near you. The kind of design that’s custom-made to attract your audience through the combination of beautiful letters and handmade illustration.

Over the past five years, hand lettering has been the primary focus of my career. What started as a hobby drawing letters for a few hours every day, quickly turned into a full-time passion doing client work for companies like American Greetings, Wacom, and Penguin Books.

Since 2013, I’ve worked with over 300 carefully selected clients working on everything from apparel design to chalk murals for businesses all over the United States.

Early on I started teaching everything I know on lettering and freelance so I could better understand my craft to help others do the same. I started blogging, writing books, and began to live stream my work on Twitch twice a week so I could build a creative community around my hand lettering.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve named 2017 as the year of art education for my brand. I’ll be traveling the country teaching lettering and the business of illustration at design conferences like Creative South and Design Week Portland. I also recently landed an opportunity at the Pacific College of Fine Arts teaching Illustrated Lettering once a week.

All this teaching means I’ll be devoting my time and skills to just one new client a month. So if you are looking for an artist with a broad range of lettering styles with a proven track record of happy customers, then I invite you to fill out my Project Questionnaire to get started on your next creative idea.

https://womenofillustration.com
Next

What Every Artist Needs to Set Up Before Launching an Online Shop