{"id":57354,"title":"How to gamify your merch with Teemill ft. Mighty Merch & Cairn","description":"Merch for your favourite game is one thing - personalised, made to order merch based on your achievements in that game is next level. That\u2019s exactly what Mighty Merch created using the Teemill API for their client Cairn - a climbing and survival simulation game developed by The Game Bakers, released in 2026.","content":"<p>Video game merch is one thing - personalised, made to order merch based on your achievements in that game is next level. That\u2019s exactly what Mighty Merch created using the print on demand <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/teemill.com\/print-on-demand-api\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>Teemill API <\/u><\/a>for <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/mightymerch.store\/collections\/cairn?srsltid=AfmBOor7gXL8M-EoijCJkutD_suiRjMy4mE1VCfNb8WqzjCI5rPkcusV\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em><u>Cairn<\/u><\/em><u> <\/u><\/a>- a climbing and survival simulation game developed by The Game Bakers, released in 2026.<\/p><p>Once players complete the game, they have the option to purchase a customised t-shirt showing the route they climbed and their in-game stats. In <em>Cairn,<\/em> players can only win by reaching the summit via their own unique path, making every successful climb a genuine achievement. The result is more than merchandise, it's a personalised trophy.<\/p><p>In this case study, we\u2019ll break down how they made it happen.<\/p><h3>TL;DR:<\/h3><ul><li><p>Game developer The Game Bakers, creators of <strong><em>Cairn<\/em><\/strong>, a 2026 climbing survival sim, partnered with <strong>Mighty Merch<\/strong> and the <strong>Teemill API<\/strong> to produce a personalised trophy t-shirt featuring the player's unique, custom-mapped in-game climbing route and performance stats, unlocked only after completing the game.<\/p><\/li><li><p>The integration works through a frictionless, print-on-demand (POD) shopping experience integrated directly into <em>Cairn\u2019s<\/em> in-game menu.<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Sold 1,000+ units<\/strong> in the first 2 months, with a 13% <a href=\"\/blog\/?search=conversion+rate\">conversion rate<\/a>, generating <strong>\u00a315.8k<\/strong> in profits. <\/p><\/li><li><p>Zero upfront stock risk, global fulfillment, viral community sharing potential and sustainable manufacturing all in one, for a unique and seamless fan experience. <\/p><p><\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/zkoqwdqeiyseh2ypuyhdew6in4ajf632x6psb5llca0oino0.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"zkoqwdqeiyseh2ypuyhdew6in4ajf632x6psb5llca0oino0.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/><\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/hqyqlvxn3ijl2lptjlqbmsylil70gqzt3eiyzbpheyhieqow.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"hqyqlvxn3ijl2lptjlqbmsylil70gqzt3eiyzbpheyhieqow.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/><\/p><p><\/p><blockquote><p style=\"text-align:center;\">\u201cYour climb, mapped. Every route you chose, every crux where you struggled, and the final push to the summit, all printed on your own Cairn tee shirt!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote><p><\/p><h2>How the Teemill API integrates with Cairn<\/h2><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/swm8fj7lz6vyy4xfumt2fhbjhs3omt1rcylbvkldnfokj4jh.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"swm8fj7lz6vyy4xfumt2fhbjhs3omt1rcylbvkldnfokj4jh.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/>Once <em>Cairn<\/em> players have completed their ascent up Mount Kami, they can navigate to an 'Extra' section of their in-game menu and select the option to create a custom tee based on their specific route. Every decision is mapped onto the t-shirt through Teemill's API, in collaboration with Mighty Merch.<\/p><p>Players can choose from several colour combinations to suit their style. Thanks to the print-on-demand model, players get a wide range of colour and size choices without the need for the brand to invest in piles of stock. <\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ebyrzd6jzltmtpuftgafsl7fgwteot3tbmrhithgmyv96luv.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"ebyrzd6jzltmtpuftgafsl7fgwteot3tbmrhithgmyv96luv.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/k3y4tjddmbinfwjbciy7gamhv2onve11wsm48tktyhfyudah.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"k3y4tjddmbinfwjbciy7gamhv2onve11wsm48tktyhfyudah.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/><\/p><p><\/p><p>Smart CD Keys <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/smartcdkeys.com\/en\/blog\/cairn-lets-players-print-their-unique-ascent-route-on-a-real-t-shirt\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>wrote of the release<\/u><\/a>:<\/p><blockquote><p>\u201cThe t-shirt feature takes that data off the screen and onto cotton, turning a niche achievement into something you can wear in the real world. It is a low-friction way for a relatively small studio to deepen fan investment without requiring new game content.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote><p><\/p><p><\/p><p>The genius of the merch was picked up by media outlets like<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/techraptor.net\/gaming\/news\/hit-indie-climbing-sim-cairn-gets-unique-tshirts-based-on-how-you-played-game\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u> Tech Raptor. <\/u><\/a>helping to drive hype.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/uai9df9ihbrlost4opit4195kmufxqzg8batil2f6rot8nr6.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"uai9df9ihbrlost4opit4195kmufxqzg8batil2f6rot8nr6.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gcwe1d0fzesuqhub84jbu1l8xc3ciurp1rrs5m5lci2m85b8.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"gcwe1d0fzesuqhub84jbu1l8xc3ciurp1rrs5m5lci2m85b8.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/><\/p><p>The drop benefitted further from fans sharing their merch in the r\/Cairn Reddit community.<\/p><p><\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/e5xdno1olbxx3ya9kvnnu7tcewrneguetvbp3p8sqwldap71.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"e5xdno1olbxx3ya9kvnnu7tcewrneguetvbp3p8sqwldap71.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/><\/p><p><\/p><h2>Campaign results:<\/h2><p><em>Cairn\u2019s<\/em><strong><em> <\/em><\/strong>customisable tee sold over 1000 units within 2 months of launch with a 13% conversion rate, generating \u00a315.8k in profits for the brand.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h2>Why print-on-demand merch drives player engagement<\/h2><p><\/p><ul><li><p>Thanks to Teemill\u2019s <strong>international fulfilment,<\/strong> fans all over the world were able to get their hands on this unique merch.<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>No two are the same<\/strong>, creating a strong <strong>personal connection<\/strong> to the product and encouraging players to compare their designs.<\/p><\/li><li><p>The t-shirt is a <strong>physical marker of a difficult achievement<\/strong> - only those who make it to the summit can unlock the merch, generating<strong> exclusivity.<\/strong><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Seamless purchasing <\/strong>and fulfilment with a frictionless, in-game shopping experience that feels native.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/1ppl8urfn1jt7anmiymxoxedaegslphby2oeo2mycj8duloz.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"1ppl8urfn1jt7anmiymxoxedaegslphby2oeo2mycj8duloz.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/tu7c0l94akp69uvjfbrcpj18ctrnaijacsdohi52t9xswwbl.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"tu7c0l94akp69uvjfbrcpj18ctrnaijacsdohi52t9xswwbl.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/><\/p><p>With Teemill\u2019s print-on-demand API, the <em>Cairn<\/em> and Mighty Merch teams are able to offer an innovative and exciting product for fans that not only boosts revenue directly but encourages further engagement with the game itself.<\/p><p>There\u2019s no need to handle stock and Teemill\u2019s blanks are <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/circular-fashion-supplier\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>made with certified organic cotton, <\/u><\/a>printed with renewable energy and low-waste vegan inks. The Game Bakers can give fans a special experience whilst freeing up time to do what they do best - building great virtual experiences. <\/p><p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/teemill.com\/print-on-demand-api\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><u>Want to create your own unique merch experiences? Check out the API and get in touch with our team. <\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><strong>\ud83d\udcc5 Published:<\/strong> July 14th 2026<br \/><strong>\u270d\ufe0f Written by:<\/strong> S\u00e1ra Debreceni, Organic Marketing Manager<br \/><em>S\u00e1ra has multiple years of experience at Teemill, producing tutorials, video walkthroughs and providing key insights to help sustainable <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/blog\/?search=ecommerce\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>e-commerce<\/em><\/a><em> brands grow their online stores.<\/em><\/p>","urlTitle":"cairn-video-game-merch-with-teemill-api","url":"\/blog\/cairn-video-game-merch-with-teemill-api\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/cairn-video-game-merch-with-teemill-api\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/teemill.com\/blog\/cairn-video-game-merch-with-teemill-api\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1784022560,"updatedAt":1784034776,"publishedAt":1784034776,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":12,"name":"Teemill"},"tags":[{"id":46,"code":"design","name":"design","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/design\/"},{"id":347,"code":"ecommerce","name":"ecommerce","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/ecommerce\/"}],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/afl4wk1l8vefz9yuqqqkcaz2l3xvsqqnyltkyp6dqfra36xb.png","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/afl4wk1l8vefz9yuqqqkcaz2l3xvsqqnyltkyp6dqfra36xb.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/afl4wk1l8vefz9yuqqqkcaz2l3xvsqqnyltkyp6dqfra36xb.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"How Cairn gamified merch with Teemill","metaDescription":"The creators of Cain took video game merch to a new level with customisable print-on-demand t-shirts showing the player's route through the game.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":66,"title":"Generating T-Shirt Design Ideas: Ultimate Guide","url":"\/blog\/design-ideas-tshirt\/","urlTitle":"design-ideas-tshirt","division":12,"description":"T-shirts are timeless, and with their simple shape there\u2019s no limit to what you can do with print, colour and your message So how do professional designers create t-shirt designs that get thousands of sales?","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/o3duz3gsievowrhtult3icw9enodg8sscni8bme40bcs9h5t.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/o3duz3gsievowrhtult3icw9enodg8sscni8bme40bcs9h5t.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":101,"title":"Using AI to optimise e-commerce conversion rate","url":"\/blog\/ai-ecomerce-conversion-optimisation\/","urlTitle":"ai-ecomerce-conversion-optimisation","division":12,"description":"We're deploying algorithms in the background, from cart improvements, mobile optimisation, speed improvements, image optimisation, pixel pushing and more,  all driven by algorithms designed to find you the extra few percent improvements.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5da446bd74d386.89886378.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5da446bd74d386.89886378.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":112,"title":"11 incredible slogan t shirt design ideas","url":"\/blog\/slogan-tees-design-ideas\/","urlTitle":"slogan-tees-design-ideas","division":12,"description":"We're loving the return of campaign tees and with so many issues in the world today, there's never been a better time to use the power of fashion to change the way we want the world to be.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5dde9bd2b96268.38426840.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5dde9bd2b96268.38426840.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}