I was wondering if any of you guys had an issue with the company that screen printed your shirts stealing, then selling your shirts to companies without your permission?
Do you think it may cause friction if I requested that my screen printing company sign a contract stating that they are to destroy copies of the prints and not sell any shirts without my permission?
You hired them to print the shirts for you, look on the billing and see if there are any statements on who owns the rights to the artwork. I set-up 2 different prices for artwork done for a customer. If they want all rights for their artwork, and no part of it used on any other customer's work, then it's an additional charge. Most customers I get are ball teams and very few retain the rights to the artwork, because they change it every season.
I was wondering if any of you guys had an issue with the company that screen printed your shirts stealing, then selling your shirts to companies without your permission?
I've never had any issues with this. In most cases, printshops value their business enough not to want to get caught selling copyrighted material. They probably also value you as a client as well. And if they are a good enough printshop, they are too busy making money printing shirts, that trying to illegally sell copyrighted material to other companies just isn't worth their time.
So it really comes down to how much you trust your printer. If you do, then don't worry about it. If you don't, then find another printer.
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Originally Posted by AECompany
Do you think it may cause friction if I requested that my screen printing company sign a contract stating that they are to destroy copies of the prints and not sell any shirts without my permission?
I don't think it will cause friction to have them sign something, I'm sure you aren't the first to make that request. But it may make more sense to have them sign a disclaimer that your art is copyrighted material and that they are only authorized to print it for you, and they cannot keep any extras. Destroying films or screens may hurt you in the long run if you intend to re-print those designs, because you will always be paying film and screen charges.
I know as a designer it's concerning that someone can steal your art, but you will never make money off your art if you keep it under wraps. You have to release it to the world and take some risk.
I was wondering if any of you guys had an issue with the company that screen printed your shirts stealing, then selling your shirts to companies without your permission?
Screen printers are in the business to print t-shirts, not to sell t-shirts
They probably print t-shirts for companies much larger and more established. Generally speaking, you shouldn't have to worry about a printer taking your t-shirt designs and selling them to someone else.
I know it's natural for us t-shirt sellers to feel like our designs are worth stealing, but it wouldn't be worth it for a printer who's doing big jobs for large corporations, big brands, 1000+ pieces at a time to get known for taking customer designs. It's just not good business
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Do you think it may cause friction if I requested that my screen printing company sign a contract stating that they are to destroy copies of the prints and not sell any shirts without my permission?
As long as you don't approach it with an "accusatory" attitude, it shouldn't be a problem. Many screen printers have NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) type forms on hand.
Agree with everything each of you said so far. Plus I wanted to add, if you had the printer "Destroy" the screens films and artwork, how do you know they will actually destroy them? And you know if they did throw away the films and etc, they can easily reproduce it again.
Just have them sign a NDA if that makes you feel more comfortable.
We had a customer come into our embroidery shop, looking to do some garment printing, and the lady had all of her artwork in a folder. She had me, and one of my employees sign a confidentiality agreement before she would show us the artwork. I didn't have a problem with it. If they are professionals, neither should they.
Besides, like Rodney said.. They're in the business of printing shirts for other businesses, not selling the designs or the tees themselves. And they probably do have more established businesses they deal with on a regular business.
My parents had a t-shirt business a few years ago, and had a local Screen Printing company print+ over 15,000 shirts for them, in one month... No confidentiality agreements, no papers, nothing. And they never had a problem.
If they're smart, they wouldn't want to do something as stupid as steal their clients designs anyway. They should have more important things to do
My company has been printing for 25 years. We know that if we violate customers trust we will be out of business quickly. Companies that resell others tees or go after the end user don't last long.
It's terrible business practice and lowly. I do not know of any screenprinter who prints for a living who would steal a paying customers work. It's not worth it. They could make many times more by just printing more jobs.
I had the same thoughts once and talked to their customer support about it and they mailed me the copy of the agreement that i agreed for before signing up with the website.
It was stated that i have no rights on it.
So, i guess the whole argument or discussion concludes.
Trusting your screen printing company 
Re: Trusting your screen printing company 
