Discuss the process of getting your t-shirt line into brick and mortar stores and selling offline. Topics include industry tradeshows, events, line sheets, sales reps and other retailing tips and advice.
I will be participating in a tradeshow this October. I've never been to a tradeshow, are we supposed to bring tees to sell or are we only going on display?
I have a general question on this subject. I've got an online store and I think I have some really good unique designs for kids.
Would going to a trade show and showcasing my shirts/designs be a good idea? Is that where larger stores might find them and want to buy them?
Right now I'm heatpressing and could do screenprint to demo for a show but would a buyer understand that I'd just need the time to get them printed up to meet demand if there was demand?
Thanks for any info.
Last edited by Tshirtguy; June 13th, 2007 at 11:55 PM.
Reason: fixing some typos!
Would going to a trade show and showcasing my shirts/designs be a good idea? Is that were larger stores might find them and want to buy them?
Yes and yes. You would just need to find tradeshows for your market (kids clothing)
Quote:
Right now I'm heatpressing and good do screenprint to demo for a show but would a buyer understand that I'd just need the time to get them printed up to meet demand if there was demand?
I have the same question on how much to bring. Im planning to set up at some local trade shows and events but I am also on a budget. The worst thing would be running out of product well before the show is over. So for a 2-day show or event is 300 not enough? 500? Need a rough estimate please.
You didn't say how you "produce your shirts" but why not "press them" on the spot as they are ordered?
Why make up a lot of shirts that "may or may not sell" and after the show have a bunch of shirts left over.
Instead take "blank shirts" and your equipment and press as you go.
I would only make up a few samples of each design and then when they sell out make up some more.
If you can't take your printer then print the items on transfer paper and take blank shirts and yoru press. You can still press as you go and if you don't sell then you are only out of transfer paper (not shirts) as they are blank and can be used from something else.
If it's an outside show and they don't provide electricity you can look into renting or buying a "generator" (a quite model preferrably) and can still press on the spot. If you use a generator you may also need a oscillator (don't know how to spell it) to keep the electric crisp. You would plug the equipment into it and it into the generator.
More than likey the trade show is one where you take orders from retailers, then fill them at a later date. Not sell them the actual garments at that moment. So heat pressing them on the spot is probably not going to work!
I would suggest just taking maybe 3 or 4 of each design you have, and if you have them in more than 1 colorway, that would be a good way to show the different colors.
That is a good idea. I am considering buying a heat press for that purpose. How many blanks would be a safe number to bring? I dont want to run out. Nor do I want to have to buy so many up front that I hurts my pocket.
How much to bring to a tradeshow 
