gweedoh

I'm new to shirts and I have a potential customer with a large order.

What questions should I expect to be asked?

What are typical size ratios? For example, on a 10,000 order with sizes small-3x, how many of each size should I recommend? My intuition tells me it would be a bell curve with the height of the curve at about 30% each for medium and large, but I want to make sure I don't steer this customer wrong.

Anything else I need to know? I'm meeting with this customer early next week to talk turkey and want to make a good impression.

 

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splathead

If you recommend shirt sizes to your customer, and then they don't have enough for some sizes and have too many for other sizes, you'll get the blame.

Shirt size depends on who their market is. Your customer should be able to tell you what they want. They know their market better than you will. Smaller sizes for the young adult market vs. the market overall.

Here is a size survey done here on the forum in the past: T Shirt Size Statistics

The one very important piece of advice I can give you is to get at least your cost for the job up front as a deposit. You can then collect the balance upon shipment. So normally 1/2 down, the balance on completion.

Someone just posted a story where they had to eat a multi-thousand shirt order when the customer's plans changed and the order was cancelled.

 

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pwapparel

Like splathead said, I would not just simply tell them what sizes to print. Being the printer though, you are expected to have a particular knowledge in order to help your customers out. Using these number you can give a pretty good recommendation on what your customer should order. Be sure that they realize that they are only projections though and let them know that you can not be held liable for actual sales!


For the General Adult Population (about 50/50 mix of men and women, using all men’s sizes) here is our sizing ratio setup

Because this is a frequently asked question, we have added this topic as a post to our blog. If you would like to bookmark the blog post, or see numbers for additional markets, simply go here.

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SunEmbroidery

I agree about sizing. Your customer should have a good idea of needed sizes.

Other potential questions:

Artwork charges (if needed)
Accepted artwork formats (if they have artwork)
Turnaround time
Will you print samples (cost?)


If changes (artwork, mesh size) are needed how are they handled?

I would be familiar with the basic types of T's (advantages, cost) so you can discuss that if they want you to recommend a brand/style.

Its likely that they will tell you what they want because with that size order they've probably had shirts printed before.

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Custom Embroidery and Screen Printing In New Jersey

 

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