Live airbrushing can work on far more than T-shirts. 3JS has customized hats, shirts, canvas bags, hoodies, jerseys, towels, koozies, fanny packs, bandannas, baseballs and soccer balls at events across the country.
The right choice depends on who is attending, how the item will be used, how many guests you want to serve and whether you want a company or event logo added in advance.
Product comparison for event planners
| Product | Best for | Why it works | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trucker hats | Most event types | Adjustable, wearable and highly visible | One-size format simplifies ordering |
| T-shirts & hoodies | Universities, festivals, youth events | Large design area and familiar keepsake | Collect sizes before or during the event |
| Canvas bags | Conferences, campuses, family events | Useful, size-free and easy to carry | Natural or light colors show designs well |
| Bucket hats & bandannas | Summer events, concerts, themed parties | Fashion-forward and easy to personalize | Choose colors that support the paint palette |
| Jerseys & rally towels | Sports and fan activations | Strong team and venue connection | Confirm fabric and branding space in advance |
| Baseballs & soccer balls | Sports, sponsorships, conferences | Unexpected display-worthy keepsake | Use suitable paintable surfaces |
| Koozies & fanny packs | Large campuses, festivals, giveaways | Compact, useful and easy to distribute | Test the surface before final ordering |
| Client-provided merchandise | Branded corporate and sponsor events | Connects personalization to an existing campaign | Send a sample for approval and testing |
1. Trucker hats: the easiest all-around option
Trucker hats work especially well because most guests can wear the same adjustable size. The foam front panel creates a visible area for names, lettering, flames, flowers, school colors and event-themed graphics. Finished hats also become part of the atmosphere immediately as guests wear them around the venue.
3JS has used custom hats for Google’s Atlanta anniversary event, a Nike event in Memphis, university programs and a graduation party in Virginia Beach.
2. T-shirts and hoodies: maximum design space
Shirts and hoodies give artists more room for names and larger graphics. They are a natural fit for university programming, festivals, youth events and celebrations where the merchandise is intended to feel substantial.
The tradeoff is sizing. Planners need enough of each size without overbuying. A clear distribution system also helps guests receive the correct blank before joining the artist line. See how students selected custom apparel during the University of Pikeville event and Radford University activation.
3. Canvas bags: useful and size-free
Canvas bags combine the broad painting surface of a shirt with the simplicity of a one-size item. They work well at conferences, college welcome events, family programs and sustainability-minded activations. Guests can use the bag during the event and take it home afterward.
4. Bucket hats and bandannas: strong theme pieces
Bucket hats and bandannas are useful when the merchandise should reinforce a summer, western, music or fashion theme. They also give planners another one-size alternative. The item color matters: white and lighter fabrics usually provide the most flexibility, while darker merchandise may require a more limited paint palette.
5. Jerseys and rally towels: built for sports crowds
Sports merchandise makes the activation feel connected to the game instead of added beside it. 3JS has personalized football jerseys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and fan merchandise for university events. A name, number, team-color background or approved graphic can turn a standard item into a personal game-day souvenir.
6. Baseballs and soccer balls: unexpected keepsakes
Sports balls attract attention because guests do not expect to see them personalized live. They work especially well for tournaments, fan zones, athletic sponsors and sports-themed conferences. At a Trustpair World Cup event in Brooklyn, personalized soccer balls supported the event theme. For Ernst & Young in Boston, guests received custom baseballs as well as hats.
7. Koozies and fanny packs: compact event giveaways
Smaller accessories can be a smart choice for festivals, large campus events and sponsor giveaways. They require less storage space and are easy for guests to carry. Because the materials vary, 3JS should review the exact item before the order is finalized.
8. Client-provided merchandise: useful when tested first
Clients may provide their own products when those items are already part of a campaign or sponsor package. The key is advance approval. We need to confirm the surface, color, quantity and available painting area. A test sample helps avoid problems with coatings, texture or designs that do not show clearly.
A company, school or event logo can often be screen printed or heat applied before the event. The live artist then adds each guest’s name, colors or artwork around the prepared branding.
How to choose the right product
- Start with the audience: Will guests actually wear or use the item?
- Match the event: Sports merchandise fits game day; bags fit conferences; hats work almost anywhere.
- Plan the quantity: Decide whether every guest receives one or participation is optional.
- Reduce decisions: A focused menu of event-ready designs keeps the line moving.
- Consider sizes: Hats, bags and accessories simplify inventory; apparel requires a size plan.
- Approve branding early: Leave enough room for the personalized portion of the design.
For streamlined designs, 3JS generally plans for approximately 25 completed items per artist per hour. Use our guide to estimate how many artists your event needs, then review the setup checklist for power, tables, space and guest flow.
Browse our full customizable product selection, see more past event examples or tell us what you are considering in the event quote form.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best product for a live airbrush event?
Trucker hats are the most versatile option for many events because they are adjustable, visible and simple to distribute. The best choice still depends on your audience and event theme.
Can guests bring their own items?
Client-provided merchandise can work when the exact material, color, size range and quantity are approved before the event. We recommend testing a sample first.
Can our logo be added before the event?
Yes. A company or event logo may be screen printed, heat applied or otherwise prepared in advance when appropriate, leaving room for live personalization.
How many items can one artist complete?
For streamlined event-ready designs, we generally estimate approximately 25 completed items per artist per hour.