{"id":15188,"date":"2019-09-25T14:15:59","date_gmt":"2019-09-25T12:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"\/blog\/?p=15188"},"modified":"2025-11-25T14:50:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T13:50:48","slug":"merch-digest-13-q4-prep-silhouette-design-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/blog\/merch-digest-13-q4-prep-silhouette-design-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Merch Digest #13: Q4 Prep &#038; Silhouette Design Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 data-start=\"288\" data-end=\"322\"><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"324\" data-end=\"654\">With Q4 approaching, this edition focuses on using off-season content and a proven visual approach -silhouettes- to create fast, versatile designs that sell. You\u2019ll also find a recommended research tool and a handy list of October niche opportunity dates to plan uploads and promos.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"661\" data-end=\"700\"><strong>Graphic Style Spotlight: Silhouettes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/images.vexels.com\/media\/users\/3\/192532\/raw\/5b54683d9373a51c820ac52e3e598324-cat-silhouette-design-pack.jpg\" width=\"958\" height=\"564\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"702\" data-end=\"800\">Silhouettes continue to be high-demand graphics thanks to their practicality and broad appeal.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"802\" data-end=\"826\">Why silhouettes work<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"827\" data-end=\"1173\">\n<li data-start=\"827\" data-end=\"892\">\n<p data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"892\"><strong data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"843\">Practical:<\/strong> easy to source and simple to apply in designs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"893\" data-end=\"972\">\n<p data-start=\"895\" data-end=\"972\"><strong data-start=\"895\" data-end=\"907\">Neutral:<\/strong> no race, color, or specific features, usable in most scenarios.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"973\" data-end=\"1050\">\n<p data-start=\"975\" data-end=\"1050\"><strong data-start=\"975\" data-end=\"989\">Versatile:<\/strong> as shape-based elements, they can fit virtually any niche.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1173\">\n<p data-start=\"1053\" data-end=\"1173\"><strong data-start=\"1053\" data-end=\"1067\">They sell:<\/strong> their \u201cfaceless\u201d quality helps buyers identify with the design.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"1175\" data-end=\"1201\">How to use silhouettes<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1551\">Silhouettes can take center stage (e.g., people silhouettes) or work as supporting elements behind or around text and hero imagery (e.g., sunbursts or geometric shapes). If you\u2019re short on design skills, leverage Vexels\u2019 Online T-shirt Maker to create original designs using ready-made graphics.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1553\" data-end=\"1587\">Silhouette design leads to try<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1588\" data-end=\"1817\">\n<li data-start=\"1588\" data-end=\"1605\">\n<p data-start=\"1590\" data-end=\"1605\">City skylines<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1606\" data-end=\"1626\">\n<p data-start=\"1608\" data-end=\"1626\">Sunburst effects<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1649\">\n<p data-start=\"1629\" data-end=\"1649\">People silhouettes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1650\" data-end=\"1679\">\n<p data-start=\"1652\" data-end=\"1679\">Ornate borders and frames<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1680\" data-end=\"1701\">\n<p data-start=\"1682\" data-end=\"1701\">Hobby silhouettes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1702\" data-end=\"1722\">\n<p data-start=\"1704\" data-end=\"1722\">Geometric shapes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1723\" data-end=\"1739\">\n<p data-start=\"1725\" data-end=\"1739\">Blank badges<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1740\" data-end=\"1757\">\n<p data-start=\"1742\" data-end=\"1757\">Blank ribbons<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1758\" data-end=\"1769\">\n<p data-start=\"1760\" data-end=\"1769\">Flowers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1770\" data-end=\"1817\">\n<p data-start=\"1772\" data-end=\"1817\">Animals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1824\" data-end=\"1858\"><strong>Merch Tool Pick: Merch Momentum<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1860\" data-end=\"2264\">Michael Essany\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/merchmomentum.gumroad.com\/#mIuN\">Merch Momentum<\/a> Monday Strategy newsletter is highlighted as a top research utility. It\u2019s packed with weekly research and design leads that can inspire months (even years) of sellable products. Subscription is $10\/month. Note: this is not a paid advertisement; Vexels and its employees receive no compensation for the feature.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"2268\" data-end=\"2394\">Bonus: Keep an eye on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vexels.com\/blog\/\"><strong data-start=\"2294\" data-end=\"2309\">Vexels Blog<\/strong><\/a> for actionable merch tips and ongoing updates.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 data-start=\"2401\" data-end=\"2437\"><strong>October\u2019s Niche Opportunity Dates<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2439\" data-end=\"2503\">Use these dates to time new uploads, promos, and social content:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2505\" data-end=\"2880\">\n<li data-start=\"2505\" data-end=\"2544\">\n<p data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2544\"><strong data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2517\">Oct 1:<\/strong> International Coffee Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2545\" data-end=\"2568\">\n<p data-start=\"2547\" data-end=\"2568\"><strong data-start=\"2547\" data-end=\"2557\">Oct 4:<\/strong> Taco Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2569\" data-end=\"2594\">\n<p data-start=\"2571\" data-end=\"2594\"><strong data-start=\"2571\" data-end=\"2581\">Oct 6:<\/strong> Noodle Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2595\" data-end=\"2625\">\n<p data-start=\"2597\" data-end=\"2625\"><strong data-start=\"2597\" data-end=\"2608\">Oct 11:<\/strong> Coming Out Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2626\" data-end=\"2652\">\n<p data-start=\"2628\" data-end=\"2652\"><strong data-start=\"2628\" data-end=\"2639\">Oct 13:<\/strong> No Bra Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2653\" data-end=\"2690\">\n<p data-start=\"2655\" data-end=\"2690\"><strong data-start=\"2655\" data-end=\"2666\">Oct 18:<\/strong> Chocolate Cupcake Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2691\" data-end=\"2716\">\n<p data-start=\"2693\" data-end=\"2716\"><strong data-start=\"2693\" data-end=\"2704\">Oct 21:<\/strong> Apple Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2717\" data-end=\"2758\">\n<p data-start=\"2719\" data-end=\"2758\"><strong data-start=\"2719\" data-end=\"2730\">Oct 25:<\/strong> International Artists Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2759\" data-end=\"2787\">\n<p data-start=\"2761\" data-end=\"2787\"><strong data-start=\"2761\" data-end=\"2772\">Oct 29:<\/strong> Internet Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2788\" data-end=\"2818\">\n<p data-start=\"2790\" data-end=\"2818\"><strong data-start=\"2790\" data-end=\"2808\">Oct 29 (too!):<\/strong> Cat Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2819\" data-end=\"2880\">\n<p data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2880\"><strong data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2832\">Oct 31:<\/strong> Magic Day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"2887\" data-end=\"2901\"><strong>Final Notes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2903\" data-end=\"3086\">All information, ideas, and keywords are to be used at your own discretion; always check eligibility and compliance for your preferred platforms.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3088\" data-end=\"3217\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Want the full details, visuals, and examples?<br data-start=\"3137\" data-end=\"3140\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/images.vexels.com\/files\/digest\/pdf\/september2019.pdf\">Download the complete Merch Digest<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview With Q4 approaching, this edition focuses on using off-season content and a proven visual approach -silhouettes- to create fast, versatile designs that sell. You\u2019ll&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":15182,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1376],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15188","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-merch-digest"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Merch Digest #13: Q4 Prep &amp; Silhouette Design Tips - Vexels Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vexels.com\/blog\/merch-digest-13-q4-prep-silhouette-design-tips\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Merch Digest #13: Q4 Prep &amp; Silhouette Design Tips - Vexels Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Overview With Q4 approaching, this edition focuses on using off-season content and a proven visual approach -silhouettes- to create fast, versatile designs that sell. 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