hey so if I’m trying to start a clothing line how exactly would I do it? So far this is my plans:
1.) Somehow figure out how I can get the actual t shirt I’m printing on (I need like a white long sleeve shirt but I don’t know if it’s legal to print on like Hanes or something)
2.) I live in the South Bay Area (Pv) and I wanna know if you have any suggestions on like suppiliers for the plain t shirts so it’s not cheesy if they look at the back of my shirt and see another brands tag.
3.) I wanna know how I can print my design cheaply, like I know I can do it online but it’s like 20$ and in person the few places I’ve seen have similar prices. Big question HOW DO PROFESSIONAL COMPANYS DO IT LIKE I KNOW THEY HAVE THERE OWN PRESSES BUT DO THEY ALSO MAKE THERE OWN SHIRTS?
4.) I have a designer but should I make a website to sell her designs or should I go to eBay or both?
5.)We plan to be sorta like a skating company so is Instagram good for that?
6.)Any suggestions?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
It is 100% legal to pring on plain pre-made tee shirts and many use the brand as a selling point For example MsAntimatter adversised that all her shirts were screen printed on high quality American Apparel shirts. Another compoany of a friend brags that they use big beefy Gildan shirts. If you go to artists alley at a comic con you'll see dozens of tee shirt vedors who do this. It is 100% legal to add your own tag to the maker's label of tee shirts. It's not cheesy and in fact it's what is reccomended. Do not remove the orginal labels -leave them on and add yours. For a simple words and pictures printed on a shirt there's no reason to make your own -many suppliers have a wide selection of black shirts suitable for printing. A company such as Gildan has long sleeve, shiort sleeve, no sleeve, and all sizes from baby to big and tall man.
There are far too many methods of getting things on shirts to list here. Do a simple google search of transferrring and printing graphics onto tee shirts and you'll find plenty of information. If you want bright multi color designs then some type of print and transfer is best. If it's with fewer colors then silk screen might be better. By researching all the methods you will be able to find you tube videos showing how ech process works and you can understand which one would work for your ideas.
It takes time, research and money to start even a simple pictures on shirts clothing business.
I make t-shirts, well I design, and I either cut and use HTV (i cut with a plotter & computer software) and apply using a heat press, or I do sublimation.
Some also screen print, which would be another option.
Few will make their own shirts, I am not Stateside but I do know many there who do the same as I do and they use Jiffy shirts (website)
You can print onto Hanes/Gildan etc, there are thousands already doing it (look on Etsy at "personalised t-shirts) and you will get a feel for price point etc
Use good quality HTV, anything less, wont give good results
Its costly to get started, as with any venture, so be aware you need a couple of thousand+ to start a basic operation however you decide to go