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T-Shirts Printing - Any tips?

by ddDonPaul
23 replies
hi guys
so the online money making system is not for me maybe...and i decided to start a custom t-shirts business in my city. i think it will work well, because there are a lot of students here.
i`m a student at medicine so i will start by creating tshirts with funny medicine messages. i hope it will work.
i`m planning to sell them via facebook by creating a fanpage and spreading the word with friends.
i just need the start to be good, to give me that moral push.
what do you guys think? i would really apreciate any advice.
thanks
#printing #tips #tshirts
  • Profile picture of the author Ray Erdmann
    My only 'tips' would be:

    * Use teespring.com
    * Use a good slogan/image
    * Promote, Promote, Promote!

    Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author MrFume
      Do you have any direct experience with Tspring.com-is this model cheaper than investing in a second hand hot press and transfer paper using public domain images and a wholesale Tshirt supply?Am considering T shirts as a sideline myself.
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      • Profile picture of the author ddDonPaul
        Originally Posted by MrFume View Post

        Do you have any direct experience with Tspring.com-is this model cheaper than investing in a second hand hot press and transfer paper using public domain images and a wholesale Tshirt supply?Am considering T shirts as a sideline myself.
        I don't have any experience with tspring.com because I live in Romania, Europe. I also want to invest in a hot press and a printer (I found these new to buy for about $700,$800 both, cheap ones but it does the job). Buying tshirts from another website then sell them will just slow down the process and profit. I want to be able to instantly deliver the custom tshirts that customers wants.
        Custom tshirts sell here between $8 and $15, depending on the quality of the tshirts and printing. I can buy a quality cotton tshirts for $3, the transfer paper between $1 and $2 and the color for each printing will cost about $1 let's say. So that about $5,6 to made a custom tshirts. If I cod sell them for $12 that's $6 profit.
        My whole marketing plan lay on the fact that medicine students like funny medical quotes, so they will like my tshirts. After this, if all goes well, I will upscale this. I have some good ideas.
        What's the cost for you to buy custom tshirts? And to create them yourself?
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    • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
      Originally Posted by Ray Erdmann View Post

      My only 'tips' would be:

      * Use teespring.com
      * Use a good slogan/image
      * Promote, Promote, Promote!

      Good luck!
      I am trying to figure out why everyone pushes teespring.com because from what I can see, there are better platforms for dropshipping teeshirts and other clothing items. Teespring.com seems like a gimic (IMO) since if I read it correctly, they don't print and ship shirts until your "goal" is met and you are only allowed to promote for a certain time. It seems perfect for maybe a school fundraiser but not for running a tshirt business.

      Can someone explain where I am wrong?
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

        I am trying to figure out why everyone pushes teespring.com because from what I can see, there are better platforms for dropshipping teeshirts and other clothing items. Teespring.com seems like a gimic (IMO) since if I read it correctly, they don't print and ship shirts until your "goal" is met and you are only allowed to promote for a certain time. It seems perfect for maybe a school fundraiser but not for running a tshirt business.

        Can someone explain where I am wrong?
        Your not wrong. Its designed for a no money down option.And for what it is, its a great tool.

        To make shirts and sell them right then and there... not a good option. I just make my own!
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      • Profile picture of the author Arzak
        Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

        I am trying to figure out why everyone pushes teespring.com because from what I can see, there are better platforms for dropshipping teeshirts and other clothing items. Teespring.com seems like a gimic (IMO) since if I read it correctly, they don't print and ship shirts until your "goal" is met and you are only allowed to promote for a certain time. It seems perfect for maybe a school fundraiser but not for running a tshirt business.

        Can someone explain where I am wrong?
        That's because it's a crowdfunding platform for clothing. People set their goals and can change them when appropriate to anticipated demand.
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        • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
          Originally Posted by Arzak View Post

          That's because it's a crowdfunding platform for clothing. People set their goals and can change them when appropriate to anticipated demand.
          Or you could just use something like spread shirt which is an on demand and print company (dropshipping) that operates worldwide as well as others. I have just haven't figured out why you would want to use Teespring over spread shirt.
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          • Profile picture of the author Arzak
            Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

            Or you could just use something like spread shirt which is an on demand and print company (dropshipping) that operates worldwide as well as others. I have just haven't figured out why you would want to use Teespring over spread shirt.
            Or maybe they're just very different. TeeSpring isn't meant to be used as a business. It's meant for crowdfunding and campaigns. There's a social aspect. It's also cheaper and simple to use (from what I can tell).
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            • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
              Originally Posted by Arzak View Post

              Or maybe they're just very different. TeeSpring isn't meant to be used as a business. It's meant for crowdfunding and campaigns. There's a social aspect. It's also cheaper and simple to use (from what I can tell).
              Yes I agree with everything you say, but since the OP wanted to start a t-shirt business, I was curious why people were suggesting Teespring, since by your admission, it's not mean to be used as a business.
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              • Profile picture of the author Arzak
                Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

                Yes I agree with everything you say, but since the OP wanted to start a t-shirt business, I was curious why people were suggesting Teespring, since by your admission, it's not mean to be used as a business.
                I guess a better word would've been "intended" :p. OP mentioned using Facebook pages to sell the shirts and I suppose TeeSpring was what came into mind. There's a lot of courses lately about TeeSpring + Facebook.
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    • Profile picture of the author aptohosting
      Originally Posted by Ray Erdmann View Post

      My only 'tips' would be:

      * Use teespring.com
      * Use a good slogan/image
      * Promote, Promote, Promote!

      Good luck!
      I co-sign on the teespring idea, we have used them and they are great!
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    • Profile picture of the author aptohosting
      Originally Posted by Ray Erdmann View Post

      My only 'tips' would be:

      * Use teespring.com
      * Use a good slogan/image
      * Promote, Promote, Promote!

      Good luck!
      I co-sign on the teespring idea, we have had clients use them in the past with good results.
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      AptOHQ specializes in search engine optimization and web development for small/medium sized businesses. Give us call today at 866-404-9090 to learn how we can grow your company today!

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  • Profile picture of the author watsonovedades
    use instagram aswell to build branding
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  • Profile picture of the author rafsco
    I hav3 an idea about tshirts but I luck the knowledge to build a website to make the idea a reality.
    Anybody interested drop me a PM. Cant disclose it publicly.
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  • Profile picture of the author Arzak
    So many people seem to be jumping into TeeSpring... one thing I'd suggest is to get a nice design made. Not junk from Google images results that you paste in.
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  • Profile picture of the author timpears
    Yes OnlineStoreHelp, that was my thinking too. Not that you can't make money with them, but it doesn't make sense for an online store type business. CafePress would be more along the lines of doing that, but they changed their set up and make it not so attractive from what i heard. There have to be more instant print type drop shippers for t shitts though.
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      I have a vinyl cutter right next to me. And my clam press is in the office/garage. try looking up US CUTTER on ebay. you would be surprised how inexpensive they are. Roll t-shirt vinyl comes in 15in wide roles. so you will need a 28 inch plotter/cutter. ( $218 on ebay )

      If you are doing phrases you only need a single color black or white vinyl. The small rolls 5yrds I think. you can probably get 45 shirts out per roll. the shirt costs $3 you want to sell for $12. So before printing you are making $9 Sell 45 shirts, that's $405. all your equipment would be paid for.

      The next 45 shirts shirt and lettering will cost you $4.00 you are making $8. So that's $360 profit.

      The other thing with going this direction is you can do those same phrases as car window stickers. Same $12 sale. the equipment is paid for and the product cost you $1 or even less! <-- no I'm not kidding

      I have a 34 inch cutter and do trucks all the time. your average truck decal job is $450 ish and I have like $30 in vinyl, that's it.

      If you go this route and need help setting up and getting going just PM me!
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      • Profile picture of the author ddDonPaul
        Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

        I have a vinyl cutter right next to me. And my clam press is in the office/garage. try looking up US CUTTER on ebay. you would be surprised how inexpensive they are. Roll t-shirt vinyl comes in 15in wide roles. so you will need a 28 inch plotter/cutter. ( $218 on ebay )

        If you are doing phrases you only need a single color black or white vinyl. The small rolls 5yrds I think. you can probably get 45 shirts out per roll. the shirt costs $3 you want to sell for $12. So before printing you are making $9 Sell 45 shirts, that's $405. all your equipment would be paid for.

        The next 45 shirts shirt and lettering will cost you $4.00 you are making $8. So that's $360 profit.

        The other thing with going this direction is you can do those same phrases as car window stickers. Same $12 sale. the equipment is paid for and the product cost you $1 or even less! <-- no I'm not kidding

        I have a 34 inch cutter and do trucks all the time. your average truck decal job is $450 ish and I have like $30 in vinyl, that's it.

        If you go this route and need help setting up and getting going just PM me!
        Thanks for the nice reply!
        That's exactly what I want to do - to use a cutter/plotter and vinyl. I want to start a simple brand with a medical message on the tshirts. Only black tshirts with white writing and white tshirts with black writing. And snapbacks. If you know cocaine&caviar, I just want to do something similar.
        I didn't search for the cutter and the heat transfer press on eBay. If you say about $400 will do the job, then it's great! I found here in Romania the cutter/plotter for about €400 and the heat transfer press (tshirts + snapbacks) for about €500. Will definitely look into it on eBay. My only concern is the very long distance between me and the us
        Thanks again for the great reply! Will pm you later when I get home with some questions.
        Have a great day!
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  • Profile picture of the author John Jonas Phil VA
    Looks to me you already have contacts with your market since you're a med student yourself. If you're already friends with your schoolmates on social media, I think the most cost-effective way to promote would be through social media. Create a fan age and build a fan base. Joining fairs and bazaars is also a good start.
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    • Profile picture of the author ddDonPaul
      Originally Posted by John Jonas Phil VA View Post

      Looks to me you already have contacts with your market since you're a med student yourself. If you're already friends with your schoolmates on social media, I think the most cost-effective way to promote would be through social media. Create a fan age and build a fan base. Joining fairs and bazaars is also a good start.
      This was my first thought also. I will start with a contest, something like "share it to wear it" or something similar. Will offer a couple of free tshirts. I have several best friends, also students, who will share it and so on. That's how I want to start.
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  • Profile picture of the author henrycalvin
    When marketing, remember the basics of marketing are the 4 P's.
    1. Product
    2. Price
    3. Placement
    4. Promotion
    When advertising, you need to make sure that your customer knows that what you are selling, which in your case if T-shirts.
    Then it is very important that you tell your customer a price that would attract them, not make them run from you. Because when it comes to pricing, a lot of people see if your product is worth the price.
    Placement is where your business is settled, which in your case is facebook.
    Then in promotion there are lots of variables that need to be looked into. Like what kind of customers you are targeting, which area, which age group. Meaning that a lot of demographics need to be looked in to while you are going to promote your product. When promoting, remember that you have to make sure of the demographics.
    And as an advice, since your market is students, you can also target elderly if they want to buy a gift T-shirt for their grand children or their children.
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    • Profile picture of the author ddDonPaul
      Originally Posted by henrycalvin View Post

      When marketing, remember the basics of marketing are the 4 P's.
      1. Product
      2. Price
      3. Placement
      4. Promotion
      When advertising, you need to make sure that your customer knows that what you are selling, which in your case if T-shirts.
      Then it is very important that you tell your customer a price that would attract them, not make them run from you. Because when it comes to pricing, a lot of people see if your product is worth the price.
      Placement is where your business is settled, which in your case is facebook.
      Then in promotion there are lots of variables that need to be looked into. Like what kind of customers you are targeting, which area, which age group. Meaning that a lot of demographics need to be looked in to while you are going to promote your product. When promoting, remember that you have to make sure of the demographics.
      And as an advice, since your market is students, you can also target elderly if they want to buy a gift T-shirt for their grand children or their children.
      Thanks for the tips, that how I will get it done!
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      "At the end of pain is success." E.T.

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    • Profile picture of the author ddDonPaul
      Originally Posted by henrycalvin View Post

      When marketing, remember the basics of marketing are the 4 P's.
      1. Product
      2. Price
      3. Placement
      4. Promotion
      When advertising, you need to make sure that your customer knows that what you are selling, which in your case if T-shirts.
      Then it is very important that you tell your customer a price that would attract them, not make them run from you. Because when it comes to pricing, a lot of people see if your product is worth the price.
      Placement is where your business is settled, which in your case is facebook.
      Then in promotion there are lots of variables that need to be looked into. Like what kind of customers you are targeting, which area, which age group. Meaning that a lot of demographics need to be looked in to while you are going to promote your product. When promoting, remember that you have to make sure of the demographics.
      And as an advice, since your market is students, you can also target elderly if they want to buy a gift T-shirt for their grand children or their children.
      Thanks for the tips, that how I will get it done! although I was thinking about creating a quality tshirt and a quality snapback with a nice tag line and maybe sell them a little higher? What do you think? Quality over price?
      Signature

      "At the end of pain is success." E.T.

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