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.
Yes you will definitely make more retailing it on your own, but if you wholesale, this may drive your cost down, by increasing the quantities you produce.
The cost of production goes down the more blanks you buy, and it goes down the more runs you make.
That's a good point, too.
Shirt prices go down. Printing prices go down, and you're selling at the same price.
Pete, another thing is that maybe your product isn't fitting for local stores.
With what you're selling maybe it's better that you sell the way that you do.
You aren't going to get a HUGE market for your shirts outside of the community. So, doing it that way may be best for your product.
The design I did was enough to get the AD and the sports directors to email me and comment on it. The stores I approached loved it. What hurt me was the cost I was asking.
Because you can't get your shirts made in volume, you can't go any lower on your price.
The reason you wouldn't be able to get volume pricing is because it's not something that would appeal to a mass audience. Not because of the design is bad, but because it is such a niche market. Those that like the school/program.
That's why I said it's best if you sell it yourself. Or find a way to get your costs down. Maybe consider, plastisol transfers and applying the designs with a heat press.
It would get your costs down, but your volume wouldn't be so much that you couldn't fill the store orders, in your immediate area.
It would also raise the profit margin of the shirts that you sell retail.
Because you can't get your shirts made in volume, you can't go any lower on your price.
The reason you wouldn't be able to get volume pricing is because it's not something that would appeal to a mass audience. Not because of the design is bad, but because it is such a niche market. Those that like the school/program.
That's why I said it's best if you sell it yourself. Or find a way to get your costs down. Maybe consider, plastisol transfers and applying the designs with a heat press.
It would get your costs down, but your volume wouldn't be so much that you couldn't fill the store orders, in your immediate area.
It would also raise the profit margin of the shirts that you sell retail.
I wish I could do something on my own. Since I do not qualify for a Collegiate License, I have to use someone locally who owns one.
Do you know of any online companies that have CLC licenses? Since I am doing this as a second form of income, I only printed 100 T-shirts which are almost sold out. The local stores I approached wanted to order 130. Is that a common order?
$8 includes the 8% license fee that goes to Boise State. It also includes the sales tax. The shirts are around $2 each. The shirts are double sided. Which is what I have been told drives the cost. Correct?
Yes, the double-sided print will make the cost go up, so will the number of colors.
I'm hoping you've got a lot of colors. Otherwise, I still can't see $8 on an order of 100 shirts, unless you've got some other finishing services with it.
Labels, hang tags, or something like that.
Because I am not a register "business" in Idaho, I am responsible. I used two colors (blue and orange) The shirts are Haynes 50/50. My T-shirt is located through my website in my signature if you wish to take a look at my design.
Last edited by Bronco_Nation; February 22nd, 2008 at 09:51 PM.
Reason: removed url from post per forum guidelines...please feel free to place your url in your signature
Well, if you want to sell to retailers, I would start with registering.
That's going to save you money. You won't have to pay tax, or collect tax from the retailers.
Registering may also get you contract pricing on your printing, which could be better than what you're currently paying.
Dear Bronco,
I've read this whole thread through and would just like to add that I've agreed with every point Greg has brought up. Especially please consider Greg's advice regarding registering.
I read a different thread in which you link to the CLC home page. You said in that thread that you are registered as a sole proprietor. You also said you do not operate as a business, so I am confused.
What about your expenses and write offs? How are you handling these things? As Greg mentioned, your costs of goods is lower if in biz. These are direct benefits to your bottomline. Doing business "not as a business" is just too expensive. The costs are just too high that way.
I'm not really sure if any of this applies as your idea of being in business and mine may differ - but you said you are not operating as a business but are a sole proprietor. If you explain a bit more, and there are things you can be doing to lower your costs, maybe we can help you with that. It would be nice to make more for the same work, right?
I've read this whole thread through and would just like to add that I've agreed with every point Greg has brought up. Especially please consider Greg's advice regarding registering.
I read a different thread in which you link to the CLC home page. You said in that thread that you are registered as a sole proprietor. You also said you do not operate as a business, so I am confused.
What about your expenses and write offs? How are you handling these things? As Greg mentioned, your costs of goods is lower if in biz. These are direct benefits to your bottomline. Doing business "not as a business" is just too expensive. The costs are just too high that way.
I'm not really sure if any of this applies as your idea of being in business and mine may differ - but you said you are not operating as a business but are a sole proprietor. If you explain a bit more, and there are things you can be doing to lower your costs, maybe we can help you with that. It would be nice to make more for the same work, right?
Have a nice morning.
Absolutely kelly, you can never have to much profit for the amount of work you do Bronco, are Boise State football shirts all you offer or do you offer other designs as well?
__________________
Creativity is your vehicle, profit the destination.
Re: prices for selling to retailers? 
