Key takeaways
- Memorial Day brings high-intent shoppers ready to buy, not just browse.
- Custom products help you stand out without relying on heavy discounts.
- Simple personalization (names, dates, short text) converts best.
- Start early and keep delivery timelines clear to avoid losing sales.
- Tools like Inkybay Product Customizer make it easy to set up and scale customization.
Most Shopify stores will run discounts this Memorial Day. And almost all of them will blend in.
Because discounts alone don’t make you different anymore.
If you actually want to grow your store during high-traffic holidays like Memorial Day, you need something more, something customers can’t get everywhere else.
That “something” is customization.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use custom products to turn seasonal traffic into real sales. From what products are trending to how to set everything up inside your Shopify store without needing design skills. So let’s jump in.
Why Memorial Day Is a Golden Opportunity for Shopify Merchants?
Memorial Day isn’t just another holiday; it’s a high-intent shopping event. For many US consumers, it marks the unofficial start of the summer season and the first major spike in seasonal online shopping.
This shift matters more than you think. People aren’t just casually browsing; they’re actively looking for Memorial Day deals and summer-ready products. Apart from that, here’s more reason to treat Memorial Day as a golden opportunity for Shopify sales:
Seasonal Demand: This holiday falls right before summer begins and sets the stage for seasonal shopping. The event-driven behavior makes shoppers buy more. Also, it is a planned spending, so you can be sure of the demand. Shoppers are already actively searching for products to buy on Memorial Day. This transaction-ready traffic already knows what they want to buy. You just need to show up with the right product.
Sales are expected, but differentiation wins big: Consumers expect to see Memorial Day sales and discounts. Big brands push aggressive promotions, and smaller Shopify stores often try to follow suit. But only if you do something different, like offer personalization on your existing products or offer event-ready customization options, can you very easily stand out and seize the event.
Urgency-led purchases: Memorial Day shopping happens in a tight window. The urgency leads to faster decision-making, higher conversion rates, and more impulsive purchases. When your store clearly communicates the occasional products, converting customers becomes even easier. You can unlock a long-term revenue spike from this season by retaining the new customers you get.
A strategic entry point before the holidays: It gives you a way into the holiday season before big events like BFCM arrive. The Memorial Day market is less saturated, less expensive, and more flexible for testing out new product ideas. Utilize this smart opportunity to: launch custom product offerings, test product personalization strategies, and validate what sells before big events.
What Custom Products Are in Demand This Memorial Day?
Focus on selling the right products for Memorial Day instead of selling more in one go. Before you include customized items in your store, think about how people actually spend Memorial Day, who they spend it with, and what activities are popular for the occasion. That’s when you will find products that work the best for this occasion.
To ensure an easy route, we have piled up all the top-selling custom products that stay in demand consistently and work the best.
Patriotic & military-themed apparel
This is the most obvious category, but also one of the strongest when done right. People naturally look for clothing that matches the holiday vibe and look for:
- T-shirts with subtle patriotic designs
- Custom hoodies or tank tops
- Apparel that honors military service in a respectful way
The key here is not to go overly generic.
If you want your apparel products to sell best on Memorial Day, you can include:
Personalized names, years, or messages
Clean, modern designs instead of loud, overused graphics
Options that feel wearable beyond just one day
Custom “Family BBQ Crew” t-shirts with names
Personalized “Proud Military Family” hoodies
Custom tank tops with short patriotic phrases
“Memorial Day Weekend” shirts with dates
Name-printed caps with subtle flag designs
Matching group t-shirts for trips or gatherings
When your products feel like your customers can wear them for a Memorial Day BBQ, and also the next day, you are on the right track. Apart from that, you can go all out and let your customers design their own and let their creativity shine.
Custom drinkware & accessories
Memorial Day means outdoor gatherings, family get-togethers, or friends' reunions.
And that means custom drinkware and accessories become a very easy win.
Products like:
Personalized tumblers
Custom mugs
Engraved bottles or cups
Name-printed insulated water bottles
Custom patriotic pint glasses
Monogrammed wine tumblers
Personalized travel mugs
Custom shot glasses with dates or names
Engraved flask sets
Custom can coolers (koozies)
Personalized drink pitchers
Works best, and shoppers actively look for such items.
These items work because they are:
Practical
Easy to customize
Great for both personal use and gifting
As people love showing up to gatherings that feel personal, custom accessories or drinkware are the best products to add to your store. Even if it's something small like a name or short phrase, added to the accessory can make an extraordinary gift for their beloved. The practical and the emotional aspects together make custom drinkware and accessories a perfect Memorial Day product to sell in your store.
Outdoor & lifestyle products
These products would be best to help shoppers spend a memorable weekend. When placing custom orders for Memorial Day, consider picnic or BBQ-related items, tote bags for trips, and beach- or travel-friendly accessories.
Customization here doesn’t have to be complex. In fact, simple works better.
A clean design, a short phrase, or even a date can turn a basic product into something people associate with a memory.
You can offer things like:
Custom picnic blankets with names or family initials
Personalized BBQ aprons or grilling sets
Tote bags for trips with short phrases or location-based designs
Custom beach towels or mats
Personalized camping chairs with names
Custom outdoor throw pillows (patriotic theme)
Engraved stainless steel water bottles for travel
Custom cooler bags with family or group names
Personalized picnic baskets
Printed travel backpacks with short quotes
Custom folding stools for outdoor events
Name-printed BBQ tool holders
You can easily attract customers looking for lifestyle-based products. Since customers can personalize based on their preferences, you won't have to worry too much about designs.
Home décor & keepsakes
There’s more than the party side of Memorial Day.
There’s also a quieter, more meaningful side, and some customers are shopping with that in mind.
This is where products like:
Custom wall art
Memorial-themed prints
Personalized keepsakes
Comes in play.
These don’t need to be overly emotional or heavy, but they should feel thoughtful and respectful.
It’s a smaller segment compared to apparel or drinkware, but it’s often higher-intent and higher-value.
To ensure your customers get the exact home decor they are looking for, you can include products like:
Custom wall art with patriotic themes or family names
Memorial Day-themed canvas prints
Personalized wooden signs with quotes or dates
Custom photo frames for remembrance
Engraved plaques honoring service members
Custom decorative pillows with short memorial quotes
Engraved glass jars or candle holders
Personalized tabletop signs for home display
Custom photo collages in modern frames
Memorial-themed wall clocks with names or messages
Printed ceramic tiles for shelf or table décor
How to Set Up Custom Products on Your Shopify Store?
At this point, you understand the necessity of including custom products in your store. If you really want to stand out among all the typical discounts, there’s not really any other easy route.
Many sellers assume product customization is too technical, requires design skills, or think it’ll slow down their store.
And in some cases, it might have been true, but only until you found InkyBay. With this amazing product designer, you can turn your customers into designers, match your products for every occasion, and keep everything straightforward. So let’s get to know InkyBay.
What is Inkybay
Inkybay is a product personalizer built specifically for Shopify. It lets your customers customize products directly on your product page. This compact product customizer turns your store into a makeshift design lab, where customers can play with elements or upload their vector designs directly.
You can handle designs without manual work at the same time. Instead of going back and forth with the customers, you can let them design exactly what they expect from their custom products. So if your customers want a t-shirt with half the side printed with a flag this Memorial Day, or if they want to design their bicycle parts in different colors, they can do that.
So what exactly does InkyBay give you? Almost everything needed to run a personalization business:
Text option, so your customers can add their desired text.
Rich clipart library, so you can provide occasion-friendly clipart anytime.
File upload option to help your customers turn their vision into reality.
Dynamic pricing (e.g., size, color, area, or options) to ensure you can be paid for every element.
Custom printing area setup to ensure perfect print every time.
Unlimited product options to make your store a limitless customization hub.
Print-ready files (JPG, PNG, SVG, PDF) that bring manual file handling to zero.
Complex customization that lets your customers personalize each part of a product.
Set up pre-made templates to speed up the customization process or give your customers a lead for shorter occasions like Memorial Day.
A Live Preview that ensures customer satisfaction by showing a real-time preview of their designs.
Quantity Discount to boost AOV and provide discounts efficiently.
Well, there’s so much more to explore in InkyBay; features that would make your customization journey effortless. You can always avail the 21-day free trial to test out and see what actually suits you. And the best part? No strings attached, and setting up custom products is super easy!
Here’s the step-by-step process of setting up a Custom Product with InkyBay:
Step-by-step Guide to Adding Customizable Products
You absolutely do not have to overthink the process. The setup is simpler than you might think:
Step 1: Install InkyBay
Start by installing the app and connecting it to your store. Go to your Shopify dashboard > Go to apps > search for InkyBay > click Install > Choose your desired subscription plan
Step 2: Choose a Product to Customize
Now that you have installed inkBay, you can create custom products in a few clicks.
Go to the InkyBay dashboard and select “create a custom product” by hovering over the Products option.
Step 3: Custom Product Settings
After clicking the “Make it Customizable” button, you will be taken to a new page. There, you will need to add all the necessary information needed to add custom products.
Add all the necessary information:
Once you are done with the settings, just click the Save button at the bottom. And move on to the next step.
Step 4: Activate on Store
Once you are done with all the edits and have clicked the save button. Scroll back up and select “yes” from the Active on designer option.
With that, you are all done with the process, and your customized product is up for the customer in your store.
Now you might wonder how InkyBay would be helpful for this Memorial Day?
The simple answer is: InkyBay will make your store stand out from the crowd. On Memorial Day, shoppers are looking to buy quickly, want something personal, and are not willing to go through a complicated process.
That’s exactly what InkyBay tackles. It keeps things simple on both sides:
Customers can personalize in seconds
You can manage everything without slowing down
Which means you can actually scale custom products rather than get overwhelmed by them.
Do I need design experience to offer custom products with Inkybay?
No, you don’t need design experience to offer custom products with InkyBay.
With InkyBay, anyone can start offering custom products. Because of its easy-to-handle approach and non-technical nature, you can start with InkyBay any day.
Most of the work isn’t about creating complex designs. It’s about setting up a simple structure that lets your customers personalize themselves.
With Inkybay, you don’t have to design every order manually. You’re just:
- Adding a clean base product
- setting up a few customization options (like name, date, short text)
- and letting customers handle the rest through the live preview
That’s it.
If you can pick a readable font and keep things simple, you’re already good to go. And for an occasion like Memorial Day, the simpler you approach it, the better you can cater to potential customers.
If you really want to level things up later, you can always:
upload pre-made templates
reuse popular designs
or test different styles over time
But to get started? You don’t need any design background.
You just need to make it easy for your customer to create something that feels like theirs.
5 Tips to Maximize Sales During the Holiday Weekend
Getting your products live is one thing, but how you position, price, and sell them during the weekend is what actually drives results.
Here are some tips to do it right:
1. Use Smart, Simple Pricing
You don’t need to run massive discounts to compete. In fact, that can hurt your margins fast with such an approach.
Instead, focus on perceived value. Slight discounts (like 10–15%) paired with customization feel more justified than deep price cuts on generic items. You can also price custom products slightly higher because they’re personalized, and customers expect that.
A simple approach that works:
“Memorial Day Special” pricing instead of aggressive markdowns
Round, clean price points (easy to process quickly)
Highlight the custom aspect, not just the discount
Pro tip: You can use InkyBay’s quantity discount feature to ensure smart discounts for Memorial Day.
2. Upsell with Add-Ons That Make Sense
If someone is already customizing a product, they’re much more likely to add something extra.
Keep the upselling approach natural and relevant:
Add a second item at a small discount (e.g., “Get another for 20% off”)
Offer premium options like better material, larger size, or extra print area
Suggest matching items (like a second tumbler or a tote to go with it)
The key is not to overwhelm your customers, just guide them toward a slightly bigger order.
Bundle Products Around Real Use Cases
Bundles work really well during Memorial Day because people aren’t just buying one item out of nowhere; they’re preparing for an event.
Think in terms of how the product will be used, and bundle them accordingly. You can include popular bundles:
BBQ bundle (apron + tumbler)
Beach set (tote bag + towel)
Family set (multiple shirts with a small discount)
When you group products this way, it feels more complete, and customers don’t have to think about what else they might need.
3. Be Clear About Delivery Timelines
This is one critical issue and is often overlooked by merchants.
Memorial Day is really time-sensitive. If customers aren’t sure their order will arrive on time, they’ll hesitate or leave.
Make it clear:
Order deadlines (“Order by X date to receive before Memorial Day”)
Production time for custom products
Shipping options, if available
Even a simple note like “Made and shipped in X days” builds trust and reduces friction.
4. Keep the Buying Process Fast
During holiday weekends, people don’t want to spend time figuring things out, especially when shopping for a short holiday like Memorial Day. There is less time to retain customers. Any inconvenience can make you lose the customer.
So your job is to make everything feel easy:
Keep customization options simple (don’t overload choices)
Make previews clear and instant
Avoid unnecessary steps in the buying process
The smoother it feels, the more likely they are to complete the purchase.
Pro Tip: You use InkyBay’s Product options to offer unlimited options and the quickest customization.
5. Create a Sense of Urgency
Memorial Day already has a very short timeline; you just need to highlight the urgency.
Simple approaches work best:
“Limited-time Memorial Day designs”
“Available this weekend only.”
“Order before (date) for guaranteed delivery”
No need to push too hard. Just remind them this is a moment, not something they’ll come back to later
Frequently asked questions
What are the best custom products to sell on Shopify for Memorial Day?
The best custom products for Memorial Day usually include custom t-shirts, patriotic apparel, personalized drinkware, tote bags, outdoor accessories, and Memorial Day-themed home décor. Products that are easy to personalize, like adding a name, date, or short message, tend to convert better because they feel more relevant and immediate for the occasion.
When should I start selling custom products for Memorial Day?
Ideally, you should start preparing your custom products 2–3 weeks before Memorial Day. This gives you enough time to set up your store, test your designs, and start attracting early shoppers. Most buyers begin searching at least a week in advance, so launching early helps you capture both early planners and last-minute shoppers.
How do I add product customization to my Shopify store?
To add product customization to your Shopify store, you need a product personalizer app like Inkybay Product Personalizer. These tools allow customers to personalize products directly on your store by adding text, uploading images, or selecting design options. Once installed, you can set up customizable products, define design areas, and enable live previews so customers can see their final product before purchasing.
Can I sell custom products in bulk for Memorial Day events?
Yes, you can absolutely sell custom products in bulk for Memorial Day events. Bulk orders are common for family gatherings, company events, and group celebrations. You can offer bulk products such as matching t-shirts, custom drinkware, or event bundles, and even offer small discounts for larger quantities to encourage larger orders. Using InkyBay, you can offer bulk products and discounts simultaneously.
Is Memorial Day a profitable occasion for Shopify merchants?
Yes, Memorial Day can be a highly profitable occasion for Shopify merchants, especially if you're selling custom products. The combination of high shopping intent, seasonal demand, and time-sensitive buying behavior creates strong conversion potential. When you offer personalized, relevant products instead of generic items, you're more likely to stand out and increase both sales and average order value.
Conclusion
Memorial Day is more than just another sales weekend; it’s a moment where timing, intent, and emotion all come together.
If you show up with the right products, keep things simple for your customers, and make personalization easy, you won't end up competing on price alone; you will be offering something that actually fits the occasion and sets you apart in your customers' eyes.
That’s the real advantage.
With the right setup and tools in place, you can turn a short holiday window into meaningful sales and build a model you can reuse for every seasonal event ahead.
