That's how I did it. Most independent artists handle their own merch, so getting in touch with their manager is the best bet. The only snag I've ever run into is when they already have a company 'handling' their merch. I emphasize the word 'handling' because it seems as if none of these companies actually even sees the finished product in person.
The groups I work with now have been happy to switch to ordering straight from me because I take the time to sit down with them and work with their ideas. When they were using the big companies, they were told 'no' or 'sorry, we can't do that' more often than not. The best reason I can figure for that is the fact that most, if not all, of those companies do nothing more than farm out all the work. They hire an artist to make the designs and a printer with multiple automatics to churn out the tees... and they basically just provide the service of getting a completed product to them.
Not knocking it... I've wondered several times if I'm in the wrong end of the business... but it seems to really move the creative process a lot farther from the people who should be most involved.
But the bands really seem to like being able to put whatever wacky idea they come up with on the road at 4am on a t-shirt. That's the cool part... you never hafta tell them 'nope, we can't do that'
Then... once you get your toe in the door with one of them... a lot more doors start opening for you. They all have opening acts or open for other artists almost every gig... and they all see each other's merch... and word will spread among them pretty fast.
And there is no slow period in music. No summer vacation or Christmas slowdown...
I'm still confused. Do I make the shirts and sell them, or do I make them and send them to the band. Do I have to pay the band because I am using their logo, or is it more like I am sponsoring the band and doing more of a favor by supporting them.
I'm still confused. Do I make the shirts and sell them, or do I make them and send them to the band. Do I have to pay the band because I am using their logo, or is it more like I am sponsoring the band and doing more of a favor by supporting them.
The bands I work with buy shirts from me and sell them at their concerts. They pay me 'x' amount of dollars and sell the shirts for a significant markup. They usually have a designated person running their merch counter at the shows.
Another option would be to offer to take the risk... especially if it's a band that's just starting out. You could print up however many shirts you can handle and then actually set up and run the merch table. Then you would pay the band a percentage of the night's sales.
I really don't have time to set up a table 2 or 3 nights a week... but it could work if you have the time.
The bands I work with buy shirts from me and sell them at their concerts. They pay me 'x' amount of dollars and sell the shirts for a significant markup. They usually have a designated person running their merch counter at the shows.
Another option would be to offer to take the risk... especially if it's a band that's just starting out. You could print up however many shirts you can handle and then actually set up and run the merch table. Then you would pay the band a percentage of the night's sales.
I really don't have time to set up a table 2 or 3 nights a week... but it could work if you have the time.
Get ready for some travel though...
I planned to do this from my house. I am a huge supporter of death metal and I just want to help out by printing some quality shirts for them. I was going to sell them. I'm printing on AA and if I were to sell the shirts for cheap, I'd make like 2 cents.
Last edited by Darkodarko; December 21st, 2008 at 02:26 PM.
I just got an order from a band, a grateful dead tribute band, and they are ordering the shirts themselves and selling them. I have done several band's shirts and that is usually the way it works for me.
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
I just got an order from a band, a grateful dead tribute band, and they are ordering the shirts themselves and selling them. I have done several band's shirts and that is usually the way it works for me.
What are you printing them on? and how much are you selling them to the bands.
If the bands prefer a more expensive tee, then they need to pay more for them. You can be profitable at $6-$8.... they will sell them for around $20. If you're looking to help out a band that needs a push, chances are they won't be terribly picky about which blank tee you use.
I've printed on AA for a few bands... but most don't care. When folks storm the table after a show, they don't take the time to nit-pick the shirt. It's usually grab-n-go. Most of my bands are more than happy with Hanes or Gildan... 50/50 or 5.6oz cotton.
The thing is, I was going to have these shirts on my brand and not have them be just an untitled shirt. I'd ratehr be known for supporting, then making crappy band tee's. Has anyone done this before?
As far as what you are trying to do, it would pretty much be the same as marketing your shirts to a retail outlet. Your price to them is what they base their retail price on. It will just be a matter of finding a band (or several) that wants something extra to market.
And for the record... Hanes, Gildan, Fruit, Anvil, etc. are widely used and with good results. A 'crappy tee' is usually the result of a 'crappy screenprinter'.... or at least one who is just trying to shoot as many cheap tees out the door as possible. I've personally put some really nice tees out the door on some inexpensive blanks.
Best of luck to you... I hope you are able to work out some great merch ideas with some bands. It's a really great niche to get into.
As far as what you are trying to do, it would pretty much be the same as marketing your shirts to a retail outlet. Your price to them is what they base their retail price on. It will just be a matter of finding a band (or several) that wants something extra to market.
And for the record... Hanes, Gildan, Fruit, Anvil, etc. are widely used and with good results. A 'crappy tee' is usually the result of a 'crappy screenprinter'.... or at least one who is just trying to shoot as many cheap tees out the door as possible. I've personally put some really nice tees out the door on some inexpensive blanks.
Best of luck to you... I hope you are able to work out some great merch ideas with some bands. It's a really great niche to get into.
Thank you But do you think it would be weird to have my brand with my shirts and also have shirts made for bands. Most of the bands I listen to don't have shirts and I would really like to "handle" their merch. I would be glad if I could help the scene out.
Haha... well.... as far as I can tell, there is no weirdness in the music industry. Actually, there's plenty of it... so that makes it 'normal' :P
I would think that having your stuff alongside the band's stuff would be a good fit. I've never seen it before... but if you outfit the bands in a few different designs of yours, I'd think it would go a long way toward moving your stuff after the show.
It is what you make it.... come up with a good plan... make it so that everybody involved makes a good profit... and run with it! The only folks who fail are the ones who don't take a chance.
I would think using your brand with the bands shirts, you will need to make sure they are ok with that and go from there, to figure out something that is beneficial to you both.
The band shirts I am making are strictly as a contract print job with my dtg. The pricing is based on the shirts they choose and the color of shirt choice, as that makes a big difference for me with a dtg. I give them a choice of a cheaper tee such as gildan or Hanes, then a higher end shirt choice of american apparel. It really depends on the band and what they are looking for. I do agree though that most will go towards the cheaper tee as most band shirts are printed on these. At least the ones they sell as souvenirs of their shows.
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
Selling band merch 
But do you think it would be weird to have my brand with my shirts and also have shirts made for bands. Most of the bands I listen to don't have shirts and I would really like to "handle" their merch. I would be glad if I could help the scene out.
