As soon as they hear "I print t shirts" out comes the idea. They're always pumped up about it and they all think they're going to make a million dollars with the scheme. So, here are a few opinions on the marketing of t shirt ideas.
Before the Internet, it was very expensive to do custom t shirts in small quantities.. The chances of anything happening were almost impossible. At best they would invest a few hundred dollars in art, screens, and production of a dozen shirts or so. They give some away and try to sell the rest.
In all the years I've been doing this subject, I've only seen a handful of achievement stories. Those were people who already knew a thing or two about marketing anyway. All the others got an expensive education in Marketing 101.
Going online things have changed. The knowledge has changed too. Now you can use any one of a number of digital Direct-to-Garment (DTG) companies like Cafe Press, Zazzle, or Printfection. These companies specialize in shortrunsand they'll even help with the marketing.
Second, before you go to all the cost of printing up a bunch of pricey samples do somebasic research to find similar products.. Start by doing a Google Search for (Your Design Idea) + T Shirt. So for instance do a search for: Funny Cat + T Shirt and see how many similar ideas are out there.
Here's an IMPORTANT TIP - you want to find competition.. If you don't find somebody who's doing something similar, it usually meansyou aren't going to connect to the market. If you find 50 Funny Cat T Shirts (and there will be a bunch,) you'll knowthere's a good chance other people are having success. This is a really GOOD sign.
If you're encouraged by what you discover, it's time to move aheade. In the initial stages of your business, it's probably best to go with digital DTG. With DTG, you go to thier siteand follow their instructions to upload your art. Many websites will now allow you to create your design online in their design lab. This is an efficientapproach, but you are much better off doing your design work offline and simply uploading it through their order page.
It is important that your art be in the right format. Here's a hint, DO NOT do your art work in Microsoft Word or Power Point. They're unacceptable formats. DO NOT do a screen capture from a web page. You'll get aweful quality. The pros will tell you what you need to do.
Go the added mile and get the art completed correctly right from the beginning. Great art is what sells shirts. When you have a great idea, you get their attention, but it's the art that closes the deal. If you need to, get a REAL graphic designer to do the art for you. Having youruncle, who has Photoshop, do the art for you is like doing brain surgery on the kitchen table. Results are not going to be good.
With a a small amount of shirts in hand, it's off to the races to see how many you'll sell and how quickly. Remember, the more people you can get your shirt in front of, the more exposure you'll have. YouTube and Flickr can be great for this. Be sure to link to your sales page url so everyone who sees it can buy it. Next
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By: easyarticles
Photograph by: Coudray Serigraphics
Mark Coudray is a respected author, speaker, and presenter in the screen print and decorated apparel industry. His companies have consistently produced and delivered awarding winning screen printed apparel for over 36 years. He can be reached at http://www.CoudraySerigraphics.com
This Great Idea For a T Shirt
Dress Based on Body Shape
With the wedding season upon us, many of us may have to go dress shopping in the coming weeks. This time, however, I'm not talking about fashionable day dresses, maxi dresses or trendy satin frocks, but
So, why not go for a classic little black dress? Or any other "real" dress for that matter, one that we can dress up or down by playing with various accessories, and which is not made from stretchy fabrics such as Lycra or spandex. Go for a medium-weight structured dress made from wool, cashmere, silk or even linen, and you'll be surprised at how well it will withstand the test of time, being the perfect canvas on which to build a glamorous "wedding guest" look. And finally, don't chose a dress that's too long or a mini dress, as they go in and out of fashion all the time, while a dress with a hemline that hovers just above or below the knee is timelessly elegant.
It's essential to select your classic party dress based on your body shape. Focus on the proportion between hips, waist and shoulders. If your shoulders are wider than your hips (this look can be associated with a more ample bust as well), chose a dress with a draped top and a pencil skirt-type lower half, that will compensate for your heavier upper half and enhance your hips and legs. Avoid plunging necklines, as they will place too much emphasis on your already heavier torso. If your body has a rectangular shape and there is small difference between your waist and your hips, you need a dress which creates the illusion of a more feminine silhouette. Chose an empire dress with a scoop or V-neckline that emphasizes the lower part of your ribcage and "raises" your waist.
If your hips are wider than your shoulders and you have a slim torso, the most flattering dress will be one which enhances the bust line. Go for a dress with a fitted top and a straight or even slightly cloche bottom half which skims your hips and thus minimizes and straightens out the natural roundness in a pear-shaped body. Finally, if your body is hourglass-shaped and you have a well defined waist with proportional upper and lower halves, a V neck cut suits you best. Choose a dress with a fitted top, a high waist and which flares gently wider toward the bottom, skimming your hips. Take time selecting the appropriate dress and don't be afraid to pay a little bit more for a good-quality model, since a classic-cut dress will hold for years, as long as you accessorize it smartly. Have fun! Next>>
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