O-SEAN Magazine

O-SEAN · MagazineNotes on what we've learned in the space between brands and merch.Once a month, short and deep.Vol. 23 · 2026 May
Trends2026.07.10

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.

EK

O-SEAN Editor

O-SEAN Goods Letter

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Up 13% in the off-season? The merch secret behind this summer's sold-out Seongsu pop-ups
10 Articles
Up 13% in the off-season? The merch secret behind this summer's sold-out Seongsu pop-ups
Trends

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.

EKO-SEAN Editor · 2026.07.10
Why clients come back: Monad's 500 merch units in 2 weeks
Making Notes

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.

MNMonad Case · Jul 2, 2026
Two weeks with a first-time vendor: how 800 units across 3 merch items shipped on time
Making Notes

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.

DGDogeOS Case · Jun 20, 2026
Muhan Company & Toy Story collabs: a merch maker's read on the trends
Trends

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.

EKO-SEAN Editor · Jun 19, 2026
How to gather 6 conference booth merch items within 2 weeks
Making Notes

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.

ABAbstract Case · Jun 19, 2026
7 summer event merch items: name the item, we handle sourcing to production
Making Notes

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.

PGPudgy Penguins Case · Jun 18, 2026
Two new umbrellas arrived at the lab. We opened them up to see if they work as event merch
Goods Lab

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.

LBO-SEAN Goods Lab · Jun 18, 2026
"We started half-worried, half-hopeful": ordering 180 short-sleeve tees for a summer workshop
Interviews

"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.

HRHR team, IT services company · 2026.06.09
Hoodie logo, print or embroidery? The choice that decides event merch finish
Making Notes

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.

DCDecipher Case · Jun 9, 2026
Paper coasters in just 3 days, and keeping 4 campaign items on a 10-day deadline
Making Notes

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.

LMLimitless Case · Jun 8, 2026
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

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