T-Shirt Forums - Business and Finance

State copyright versus Government Question

TenaciousTees — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:46:16 GMT

Hey folks, I was wondering if you can give me feedback based on experience. I have a design that I wanted to register with the uspto.gov office and come to find out that the name of the potential clothing line for the future is registered in the state. Have any of you encountered this before?, and if so what should you recommend? does the uspto.gov take presence over the states? Should I keep going with registering the design/name?. (PS: I know we are not attorneys but I still greatly appreciate your feedback).

DTG ecommerce business

PcFlyer77 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:16:29 GMT

Hello,
I've been putting a lot of thought into starting up my own t-shirt business, but I'm not too confident in my plans so I figured that I would run it by everyone.
My ideas is to buy a DTG printer and sell shirts online. I like the idea of a DTG printer because you can print custom orders much easier than other options such as screen printing. I was thinking of having a large list of designs on the website with the option for people to have custom orders kind of like on cafepress or zazzle.
I haven't put too much thought into actually financing this yet because I'm trying to decide if this idea is even valid. I know marketing plays a key factor into any business's success. If I went ahead with this business, I was thinking of giving free t-shirts and business cards to local business and ask them to spread the word to their clients.
I realize that there is an overwhelming amount of variables and I know the information I provided is spotty, but I thought throwing out the basic concept would be a good way to get the ball rolling to see if anyone thinks this idea would be successful. I'm really excited about starting up this business, but I just want to make sure that I'm not being foolishly optimistic. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

When does it officially become a business?

WackoWasko — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:20:17 GMT

Right now a friend and I are planning to buy the essential materials and start screenprinting clothes to sell to students at our high school. We have looked through all of our local laws and know what we need to start a business, but when does it go from being a hobby to a business?

We are thinking of obtaining a seller's permit as we sell strictly to students, and then if that goes well and we decide to continue on and maybe even try to hookup with local stores and retailers then fill out the paperwork and get a business license. Is there a certain net profit cut-off where we absolutely need a license? We are in California.

Thanks for any help!

legality of putting a building on a shirt

nowitsshowtime — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:45:46 GMT

Just wondering what the laws are in terms of putting images of a building on a shirt, the empire state building for example.

Of course if I use someone elses image/photograph, then Im sure I can't without the photographers permission. What if in this case I re-draw the image as a sketch.

Or better yet, what if I find an image of the empire state building from a long time ago, such as the 30s. Is it still copyrighted, can I use that, can I sketch that?

How many customers projected for firts year of business?

clevermoon — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:54:10 GMT

Hello,
I know the question of sales forecasting has been asked a thousand different ways. Although I recognize the hesitance to answer specifics about sales revenue; my question is a little different. I am enrolled in a program whereby the end product is expected to be a comprehensive business plan for an on-line T Shirt business. Notice, I said "expected to be" :rolleyes:.
Without certain information, I will never get out of this program. The instructor is insisting that I project the number of customers & repeat customers for the 1st two years. I have been able to provide "industry" statistics and have explained that most T Shirt businesses are hesitant to share revenues information. I agree with Lucy@ T-Bot in a 2006 post re to aiming towards 100K+ annually: that seems to be the only way to etch out a living. Although my 2-3 yr forecast aims at that - without further support (hopefully from this forum) the instructor will refuse to accept that as reasonable. The resolution is that, I do not have to prove my revenue projections if I can gather supportive information re number of customers the average site has. I hope this information does not seem intrusive, I mean no disrespect. Bear in mind, I am not asking how you get your customers just an understanding of how many an average T Shirt shop has.
Thanks for any help offered

Head Printer & Head Artist Pay?

clarkhaddock — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:47:45 GMT

Looking for some idea on what a very good printer and artist are making these days. What should a printer with 10+ years in the business, can work a auto press, can print full color, CMYK, simulated process, etc... Can do it all? Not just your normal printer. I have heard $15, $18, and someone told me $24 an hour.

The same questions for for a top of the line artist that can create retail quality designs you could see at Walmart. As well as nice custom school designs such as Field day or racing Nascar type designs? Any suggestions on what we should be willing to pay?

Just starting and confused

dwaton — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:46:25 GMT

Im super new to this and have a couple questions if anyone can help.....I just got a heat press and im ordering some plastisol transfers. Im going to start doing my own shirts as well as supplying my MMA school with shirts. Should I just see if I can get things going or shoud I really take all the legal steps whatever they may be to set up my own company.Appologize if i didnt post correctly, first time.
Thanx

Are celebrity names trademarked?

guitarca18 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:13:36 GMT

I'm considering doing a line using common celebrity names. I've done some research on trademarks but haven't found a definitive answer on this. Would it be trademark infringement to do so?

Examples: Megan Fox, Bruce Willis, Jackie Chan

What about first names only?

Examples: Jenna (Jenna Haze, Jenna Jameson, etc), Nautica

The shirt would be simple text..something along the lines of.."I'd mow Megan Fox's lawn", "I'd wash Bruce Willis's cars"...obviously those are not the ideas but I don't want anyone to steal my ideas. They would be clean and non-slanderous in any way.

thank you for your input

what dos PPA# and ASI# is

firering — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:21:55 GMT

Can any one thale me what PPA# IS
And ASI# IS THANKS

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Pwear — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:33:03 GMT

I thought this was a pretty good short video - I know I can relate, I'm sure many other members on the forum can as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz9ouvJIZXU

Okay.. Being laid back is not getting my anywhere quick.

gp1305 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:18:41 GMT

Well.. I thought being a little more easy going would help business. It's done nothing but hurt it.

I have a college that still hasn't paid for their order that I shipped to them 3 weeks ago (Albeit is only $80 but still). They tell me every week 'oh.. its sent its sent its sent' only to get an email today stating 'sorry we havent sent you a check yet' <-- IN THE TIME YOU WROTE THIS YOU COULDA SENT ME THE FREAKIN CHECK!! SHEESH.

I have another customer that thinks he should be able to name his own pricing. He wanted some XL hoodies.. I gave him a price.. then he turns around and orders XXL ones.. "I thought you said they were $xx.xx.." I've had enough of losing money and wasting time.

New policies for my company start today.

Payment up front (at least 75%)

I'll deliver free up to 15 miles. If you don't wanna pick it up, you will be charged shipping.

Prices are non-negotiable.

There will be an ink flip fee.

There will be a set up fee on small orders.

..Looks like it's time to do some Reinventing.

Gr.. Thanks for letting me get that out!! Haha.. now I just need to implement them..

Wasn't it Jerry that always said "Profit isn't a dirty word" ?

*sigh* Back to work.

Any user of T-works Manager shop management software?

baumanb — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:53:23 GMT

Hi,

we are in process of looking for shop management software. As from functionality and features this one does the best job. It creates artwork approval and technical sheet for production for screenprinting. It's loaded with Wilflex, Rutland and Union colorsets, does automatic coloring of shirt from Gildan or Russell preloaded color sets. Well it saves a lot of time all together and connects several stages on one place. At least for what i want & need.
But there is no manual. No help. Probably because it's new? Is anybody using using it? Would you share your experience?
From developer's rare appearance on forums and few users complaining of lousy support, maybe T-Works is not the best way to go?
They promise to have other languages beside English supported. Maybe this is funny to US people, but we need three languages and none of them is English. And this is a must for me. My question about other languages to big suppliers (Fastmanager, PriceIt, Shopworx) remained unanswered. They didn't even bother to reply with no.

Is there any other known Shop Management Software that would support multilanguage?

thanks for your input

Boris

what is the correct NAICS code 4 my new start-up clothing line?

skipcox3 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:43:42 GMT

i have created my own original design and i will have them screen printed. i will then wholesale 2 retailers. am i a tee-shirt manufacturer/wholesaler or both. what is the correct NAICS code 4 my new start-up. Thanx. Skip

At what point do you suggest using a tax adviser?

leapoffaith — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:10:17 GMT

I am just getting ready to start this new business. I will be making very little money to start, and I am on a shoestring budget right now.

Do you think I have a need for a tax adviser this early? Or would it be fine to wait until I am making money?

Would anyone be willing to give advice on whether a tax attorney/adviser/specialist would be helpful at this point? Should I wait until I am profitable (and can afford to get one) or would it be helpful enough in the start-up to be worth spending the money on that right from the beginning?

Any ideas on what could I expect to pay if I do schedule an appointment with someone to discuss the set-up of my business?

Thanks for any advice and opinions.

[CLOTHING LINE] How can I protect my designs from being stolen by others

skycityclothing — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:53:56 GMT

Hello, I'm a minor in NY, just starting off my line, with a friend.
We were just curious as the procedures were to make sure that nobody will steal our ideas and make sure that the person that is printing our shirts for us doesn't either.
Thanks!