2008
Hard Time Finding Where I Can Get Some Good Quality Shirts
Posted by: Fashion06 in Starting your own line |
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The following questions were posted on the Dobizo Answers page and if you would like to see your question answered on the front blog then post it on Dobizo Answers page and it will be answered soon as possible more in-depth than a simple email reply.
The following question was asked by Big Game James:
“So..I’m trying to start a clothing line. I’m still in research mode, but I feel I’m ready to at least produce some small quantities of T-shirts just to “test the waters” so to speak. Now here’s my problem. I’m having a hard time finding where I can get good quality shirts. I guess I just have this thing of putting my logo on a ill quality shirt. I mean look at Sean John, Mecca, etc. their stuff isn’t printed on some ” Jerzees” (no disrespect) or anything like that. I just believe in quality sells. And I just want to start off right. So, I was hoping maybe you or any aspiring entrepreneur in this industry might have some avenues I can go down.”
Now usually I would just say go to this article or the industry links page, but it is becoming highly competitive in the t-shirt startup arena and retailers are requiring more and more from new brands (I know Thom will agree 
). So I highly suggest unless you have a truly unique idea for your t-shirts you should learn as much as possible about marketing and promotions or have your own custom t-shirts constructed, because it is now easier than ever to have your own cut and sew shirts without that much knowledge in garment construction not that I condone going into it blind, but I wouldn’t even consider just everyday screen printed t-shirts as a starting point anymore.
Not to discredit anyone that is doing it, but there aren’t many that are doing it at a profit and actually making a successful business model off of it. That is unless they started with a sizable budget and a celebrity following to super charge the promotional side of the business.
These run of the mill t-shirt businesses come & go everyday and it is mainly because a lack of true creativity, financing, and the market is growing tired of seeing the same thing. We as designers and business people have to step it up.
Since this is Dobizo Answers I will still give you a few links to get some quality t-shirts.
These are some of the company’s I see being used most often:(In no particular order)
Popularity: 10% [?]
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June 4th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Now that’s some sage advise right there…take heed people!! I’d like to piggyback on that and drop a few pearls of wisdom of my own. Assuming you’ve read the piece above, if you still feel like you want to do it, then do it. You may be just what the industry needs at this time; a complete paradigm shift or even a gradual change is better than no change at all. But, make no mistake, coming out the gate, it should not be about the money. If you need money then get a job…UPS is hiring, lol. As the above piece suggest, there’s plenty “run-of-the-mills” coming and going everyday. I, too, aspire to one day develop a line, but first, i choose to study this thing and study it with laser sharp precision and focus. What i’ve learned thus far, you might ask??!!…that would be a lack of “PASSION”. It is my belief, thats what 95%+ of the lines that are out or have rumors of coming out are lacking, there’s just no “PASSION”. It ain’t hard to tell, it comes across in the design/quility/creativity. Not to sound all esoteric or something, but “PASSION” resonates with all of us, it permeates the soul, if it’s present, it can’t be denied…by no one!! Don’t believe me?? Buy a front row ticket to see your favorite celebrity/sports figure do their thing, on a good night of course, and see if you don’t get goose bumps or whatever from just the hum of a few bars or a simple slam dunk. Don’t sleep. In my opinion, there’s not too many lines out there, they’re too many people who are in it solely for the money. Money follows passion, failures follow money.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
That’s sum real talk. “Money follows passion, failures follow money”. Sounds like a t-shirt idea. I agree with that sentiment fully. If the passion is there, and the little hairs on your neck stand up when living your passion, then nothing else matters, and everything will fall into place.
June 8th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
If you want high end blanks, check out http://www.bareapparel.com
Same shirts used by high end retail lines like affliction and ed hardy etc. You can buy some samples there.
June 8th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Does anyone know any good quality manufacturers who produce cardigan sweaters?