if a label is selling 1000's of t-shirts, how do they get them out there? i guess if you're selling a few hundred, go to the post office yourself is more feasible. dumb question maybe...
if a label is selling 1000's of t-shirts, how do they get them out there? i guess if you're selling a few hundred, go to the post office yourself is more feasible. dumb question maybe...
Welcome, don't worry we are all nice here
Well I think labels that sell thousands of tees probably either have their own warehouse with a staff, that put all the tees in mailers, and probably usps, fedex, etc come to their warehouse and pick up the packages to ship, Also some actually just outsource the shipping to another company, this is especially good for independent lines that sell allot of tees, but don't want to have a warehouse and and a staff to ship just their tees.
thank you. any names of these types of companies so i can look more into this...
If you google "shipping outsourcing" or "shipping fulfillment" you would probably get results. I know that Amazon does shipping fulfillment and I have read people have been happy with them.
If you are just starting out, I suggest you use the post office (cheapest option) and do them yourself. After a while, if it gets too much, or you don't like the shipping aspects of the business, then look into alternatives.
at first its best to just handle the shipping yourself.....
from my experience working in large print production houses, most printers will do "blind shipping". Say a large chain store does a 100,000 piece order. In most cases they will have you ship directly to their distribution center and they will take it from there.
For an extra fee your printer will "Blind Ship" your print order directly to your customer, and make the shipment look like it came from your company. The buyer will never see any info on the shipment other then yours and theirs.... hope this helps a bit....
Fedex or UPS both handle that kind of thing fairly easy- you can check out their websites for more information.
Small volumes, drop them off.
Slightly larger volumes, get quantity discounts through fedex or ups.
Much larger volumes, get quantity discounts through fedex or ups and have them come pick them up each day for shipments (You can automate the label printing and the such fairly easily using their online software- it can also interface with databases.
Good size volumes- now they are picking them up from your location/warehouse, and you can contact them via their business number to negotiate shipping rates.
Huge volumes- They will literally bring you an entire truck to fill when you get there.
Here is an example of what a fulfillment center charges:
79.95 per month Base Fee (includes tracking numbers to your clients)
25.00 per month per pallet storage
45.00 per month packaging fee (you may supply your own packaging, but you will then be charged per pallet storage.
1.85 per order shipped, plus .40 per item. Example: 2 item order 1.85 base fee + (.40x2 Items)= $2.65 (this is easily accounted for when calculating costs, because most companies make money off of shipping. This is easily passed on to the consumer)
If you're just starting out, your volumes might not be heavy enough to pay someone to do it. You can have your own UPS/FEDEX account or USPS account and ship yourself. All you need is some boxes (these companies usually provide for you) and a scale!
Here is an example of what a fulfillment center charges:
79.95 per month Base Fee (includes tracking numbers to your clients)
25.00 per month per pallet storage
45.00 per month packaging fee (you may supply your own packaging, but you will then be charged per pallet storage.
1.85 per order shipped, plus .40 per item. Example: 2 item order 1.85 base fee + (.40x2 Items)= $2.65 (this is easily accounted for when calculating costs, because most companies make money off of shipping. This is easily passed on to the consumer)
Shellie,
This does not include the actual cost to ship, correct?
Correct, this is only what the fulfillment center charges for handling the order(s). Generally, you have your own shipping account setup, and they will ship using your account. Shipping costs are generally paid for by the company seeking the fulfillment--and then charging the customer those fees.
For some of our clients, we have a small box van and a large truck that we use to deliver to the distribution center. Even though I am the color separator, I've been known to drive a load now and then. You wouldn't believe how good I am at lining up the truck with those yellow lines on the loading dock. It took a while though...
Other clients send their shippers to our location. I find it amazing how these 18 wheelers can shimmy their way through all sorts of obstacles in order to load.
We also have Fed-Ex and UPS come through picking up and delivering every day. On occasion, I will have to run to them to ship a sample off although lately, we've been getting approvals via the email.
__________________
Weigh the world and pry asunder all things to their inmost core.
You will find them made of wonder, everything is something more.
how do the t-shirts get out there? 
