Oh Noes!!! Another New T-Shirt Line - Need Help/Opinions

[Manny Calavera]

OK, so I know there is a huge glut of little boutique t-shirt labels doing crap on American Apparel. That's fine, I don't care. A friend and I have been wanting to do this for a long time, and now that I have money and time to throw at it, it's getting done. All in fun. We're going to do a limited run of 10 shirts, giving five to locals and five to some semi-famous friends. If there's interest, we'll continue to do more.

(And I'll post the designs here once we're ready.)

I wanted to go cut & sew but I think basic AA is just fine. Design-wise, I think we're going to focus on a very naturalistic, hunt country theme with an emphasis on typography to tie into our location. The main thing with the designs is that I want to use the t-shirt as its own medium and not a generic canvas. I see way too many shirts with a lame design just plastered onto the chest. We're trying to utilize the shirt for what it is. We want to use texture, and utilize everything from the seams to the interior of the shirt. We also want to avoid making "art" shirts though. On most artists' AA shirts the symmetry is not there and the piece is unwearable. So we have to think about the balance of art and traditinal design. I don't want logo-trash either. So now that you have a (broad) idea of what I'm shooting for, I have some questions:

- Are there any screen-printing techniques I should avoid? Any helpful resources on the internet?

- Any design techniques I should avoid? You know, just trite stuff that has been done?

- We want to make our own label. We have a neat logo, and I'm not sure whether we should screen-print it on the inside of the shirt or have a traditional label. If we go the traditional route, how would this be done? (I know nothing of labels)

And that's pretty much all, though all suggestions are welcome. Remember, we're in this primarily for fun so don't discourage.

 

[knucks]

My only word of advice is to find a good screenprinter. I didn't read your entire post, so I don't know if you plan to screenprint your own shirts. If not, I don't know of any places that are GOOD that won't charge an arm and a leg for such a small order.

 

[minya]

Most importantly:

- Why would anyone buy your t-shirts as opposed to any number of others? I guess your main advantage will be availability, but beyond that, your ideas don't sound very interesting or unique. So what will separate your product from the rest?

oh, wait -- if you're just doing it for fun (and not actually intending to sell them), then just do whatever you want!

 

[Manny Calavera]

I've become quite efficient at screen-printing the last 6 months or so and I'll be doing it by hand, knucks.

Originally Posted by minya

Most importantly: - Why would anyone buy your t-shirts as opposed to any number of others? I guess your main advantage will be availability, but beyond that, your ideas don't sound very interesting or unique. So what will separate your product from the rest?
That's a great question, and something I'll have to step back and evaluate once I've seen a finished shirt. I actually wanted to start this project during the summer and got discouraged because of the fact that you can only do so much with a t-shirt. It's really a staid medium. However, in my mind, the intricacy of the designs and whimsical use of the tangible features on the t-shirt sets apart what we have on the plate. Also, our designs are definitely more rural/outsider art and less Victorian than the current t-shirt zeitgeist. But you have to remember I'm doing this for myself, so I don't know how the fashionistas will perceive it, and I haven't really considered it as I don't plan on pandering to a niche. That said: I know I'll be able to sell a bundle locally and probably to the few decent Richmond and DC boutiques, on regional favoritism alone. *EDIT*: minya, yeah, I'm doing this merely for fun but would like to eventually sell them. I don't think I'll lose money on it, but if I did then so be it.

 

[chronoaug]

Sounds good to me. Definitely post some designs when you come up with them. I wouldn't mind buying an original if I was comofrtable with the design.

That said, I hate shirts with stuff written on them. I hate hate hate when people are reading my shirt. I don't like drawing attention for stuff like that. It makes me uncomfortable. A subtle, simple design is usually good. I definitely like that you have a theme and not just random stuff. I'm glad you're not going with all the crazy victorian stuff with random latin words that department store house brands and other companies are selling.