The Backpack: Issue #61

Friday, May 16

• Trend Alert: Are AI-generated images the future of merch?
• Top commonsku News: Tariffs, Tech, and Teams
• Vibe Check: Weather merch
• Can’t Miss Content: ACL’s Sweet 25 merch

Are AI-generated images the future of merch? Gaga thinks so.

Is this a trend we’ll continue to see? Lady Gaga releases a Rio merch set, and all the images are obviously AI-generated, and yet still rad as hell. TBH: We’re surprised no one (to our knowledge) has called this out yet, we just kinda noticed it because it’s obvious but also surprising. When a fan gets a t-shirt that doesn’t look like a Pixar image will they care? Regardless, this might be the future of merch shops, rendering merch in whatever style you want. How about you backpackers, are you using AI for your merch shops? Hit that reply and let us know!

The movie Jaws just dropped the best merch for its 50th

Gotta be the raddest popcorn bucket ever: This Jaws popcorn bucket could take a limb. Alamo Drafthouse does some really rad merch, on the A24 level of cool merch, case in point is this 50th anniversary hat, “Quint’s Shark Fishing, since 1975.” The t-shirt is hella creative. But the best product just might be the innertube. Some creative merchandising Alamo — just missing a bigger boat!

 

commonsku + Zapier + PromoPilot

commonsku + PromoPilot have partnered to help distributors automate operations through the ultimate no-code solution: Zapier! PromoPilot, led by Zapier Solution Partner Eric Granata, helps distributors automate workflows. commonsku users get 25% off PromoPilot’s coaching services for automation with Zapier. What can you do with this? Track low margin orders, track sample orders, and much more, check out these top 9 use cases with the new Zapier integration!

Top 9 use cases with the new commonsku + Zapier integration

What can our new integration do? Automated personalized emails to clients, CEM sync for pipeline visibility, track low margin orders, track rep performance, even track sample orders! Check the full list here - and mad props to our friend and integration partner Eric Granata at PromoPilot!

AI workshop added to skucamp!

The AI revolution is here, and leading distributors and suppliers are using the power of AI in their daily work to drive growth and create efficient workflows. But how are distributors and suppliers using AI now? In this workshop, we'll unpack survey results from attendees on how they are using AI to shape their business. And in a hands-on, peer-to-peer discovery-share, you'll gain actionable insight, discover powerful new tools, and leave equipped to lead your team into an AI-powered future! It's time to level up together, only a handful of tickets left, grab yours today.

Does your city’s weather have its own merch collection?

I mean, your city’s cool and all but does its weather pattern have its own merch collection? The fog in San Francisco has its own IG handle and name, Karl the Fog. And now, Karl the Fog has its own merch collection and it’s CAF too. “The Bay FC Fog 2.0 Collection features new designs in sleek, fog-toned shades that reflect the cool and moody energy of San Francisco’s most famous weather.” We’re mad crushing on this beanie, this tee, and crew. Talk about drip.

Dolly Parton has a her own university program, Dolly U (with merch!)

Belmont University announces an immersive educational experience: “Dolly U. " The program will celebrate and amplify the life and music of Dolly Parton and “foster and inspire creativity, innovation, and character development in a rising generation of entertainment and community leaders.” The school’s offering four project-based courses (for credit!) for Fall 2025 (in case you wanna sign up) or, you can just hop over and check the official merch, which is rad, like this “Studying 9 to 5” sticker, or Dolly U tote (cool design).

Inspired by The Backpack? Take It Further.

Issue #60 got your wheels turning? We've curated a bold, playful commonsku Collection packed with on-trend merch inspired by The Backpack—featuring standout pieces from top partners like HPG, Gemline, and more.

New to commonsku? Let’s chat about how Collections (and tools like Shops, Presentations, and CRM) can help you win more business, faster.

⛪ “For the first time in history, the head of the Catholic Church is from the United States, and that can mean only one thing: The merch is dropping.” (Inc.)

🏀 Celtics playoff merch is kinda boring, no?

☀️ Have we hit peak catch-phrase merch? This Summer House collection says: maybe.

⚾ Merch deep cuts: Sports + bands rallying together for cool merch collabs: Baseball farm team Jersey Shore BlueClaws + The Gaslight Anthem (cool caps). And Austin FC footballers + Urban Heat.

👕 Interesting 3PL, Selery. Not an endorsement, we just haven’t seen that brand before. We heard about them here.

🎩 If it’s on a hat maybe that makes it official? Trump 2028. Reminder: We don’t vote folks, we just report on the merch!

🔥 Austin City Limits drops their first “sweet ‘25” merch, love the rich brown colorway on this tee! And crop tees!

🤖 AI fashion: If this is the future of fashion (your own personal AI stylist), can merch trends be far behind?

🖥️ AI and search: AI is obliterating SEO as we knew it. Here’s an example: product recommendations are now a part of ChatGPT’s engine. Bye-bye SERPs.

🐶 Um, Korn’s Jonathan Davis drops a merch collection for pets “Freak on a Leash” and honestly it’s rad as hell. Here’s Davis talking about it.

👀 COMME des GARÇONS is in the merch biz, drops a collection with A$AP Nast. Here’s Nast talking about it, dropping exclusively at Dover Street Market.

☕ Say what you want about Starbucks but they have some cool international collabs, like this one with FARM Rio > some great maximalism design inspo there.

😎 Do you call it swag? Promo? Merch? Regardless, here’s prob the best definition of “merch as truth.”

🤔 “Are digital merch vending machines the future of event-based retail?”

🏈 Posty’s merch is so sick. Need this football. And one of these best concert tees ever.

⛺ Pssst. You heard about our new AI workshop at skucamp right? Join us!