O-SEAN Magazine
Up 13% in the off-season? The merch secret behind this summer's sold-out Seongsu pop-ups
Four pop-ups across Seongsu, Gangnam, and Yeouido in July 2026, plus the PEACEMINUSONE × Toy Story collab. A merch maker's read on the functional-merch trends winning this summer.
O-SEAN Editor
O-SEAN Goods Letter


Up 13% in the off-season? The merch secret behind this summer's sold-out Seongsu pop-ups
Four pop-ups across Seongsu, Gangnam, and Yeouido in July 2026, plus the PEACEMINUSONE × Toy Story collab. A merch maker's read on the functional-merch trends winning this summer.

Why clients come back: Monad's 500 merch units in 2 weeks
A returning client came back to make white caps and die-cut stickers for Monad — 500 units across 2 items in 2 weeks. A project showing that nailing the details on the promised schedule is what brings the next order.

Two weeks with a first-time vendor: how 800 units across 3 merch items shipped on time
Two weeks before its event, global Web3 project DogeOS handed a first-time vendor 800 units across 3 items (acrylic keyring, keycap keyring, holographic sticker). We recorded how schedule and quality held up under a first order on a tight deadline.

Muhan Company & Toy Story collabs: a merch maker's read on the trends
From the Mom's Touch × Muhan Company collab to channel-by-channel Toy Story 5 merch strategy and upcoming pop-up schedules. A merch maker's read on the collab and pop-up flow — with data on whether collabs really turn into sales.

How to gather 6 conference booth merch items within 2 weeks
The story of bundling 6 items of varying quantities onto one schedule. Abstract's booth-merch case — 6 items they had to set up for their KBW meetup booth on a short timeline.

7 summer event merch items: name the item, we handle sourcing to production
A package-order case from global IP brand Pudgy Penguins, who had to prepare several merch items at once ahead of a summer event. We delivered 2,565 units across 7 items, all within 2 weeks.

Two new umbrellas arrived at the lab. We opened them up to see if they work as event merch
A 135cm long umbrella and a 350g folding umbrella, on our desk before the rainy season. Beyond the catalogue spec, here is our hands-on review after opening them up and carrying them around.

"We started half-worried, half-hopeful": ordering 180 short-sleeve tees for a summer workshop
We asked a manager who bulk-ordered 180 short-sleeve tees, straight from the source. Print, sizing, fabric, design, fit — an ordering story told through five questions.

Hoodie logo, print or embroidery? The choice that decides event merch finish
A production diary of 3 event merch items for Decipher, the SNU blockchain society, at its 'Difference' event. How an embroidered hoodie logo raised the finish of the event merch.

Paper coasters in just 3 days, and keeping 4 campaign items on a 10-day deadline
From a sublimation-printed soccer jersey to paper coasters rush-made in just 3 days. A record of how 4 campaign merch items ran in parallel within 10 days.
Merch ends up being the last line of a brand. We start over every day so that line never feels light.
— Curator's Notebook · Vol. 23
Merch stories, straight to your inbox.
Lab notes, the merch that made it through, and a preview of next season's plans. We'll round it up and send it your way.
No spam. You can unsubscribe anytime, and we store your details securely under our privacy policy.
Want your case
in the next issue?
From planning to global shipping, a whole season at once. If your project could feature in the next magazine, tell us.