I'm thinking I could offer my designs to everyone on the internet under a limited licence agreement so I would retain ownership of my designs, but buyers could use them as they wish.

Generally speaking, if you're going to offer a license, it should be a proven commodity. You're asking someone to essentially 'rent' your graphics when they can simply buy them from literally thousands of designers out there. If you are licensing NFL graphics, or Star Wars graphics, etc, then I could see the value. But are your graphics that much better than anyone else's that it is worth licensing them as opposed to buying them or buying from someone else?

But they would have non-exclusivity with my designs (i'll resell them to others)

This is gonna be a problem. If someone sees the value in your designs so much that they want to purchase a license, one of the greatest values they can get is exclusivity. So that they can truly capitalize on the value they see. But if anyone else can sell it as well, it dramatically decreases the value. Could you at lease offer exclusivity for a certain time frame... 6 months or a year?

The issue is: reselling my designs..and competing manufacturers would have the same design.

Yes, big big BIG issue.

and also, how to market my site so everyone can see it.

Another big issue. It takes money to market something. Whether it is t-shirts, cars or laundry detergent. So if not having enough money was an issue with your clothing brands, it's going to be an issue with your licensing business.

Obviously, my target market is T-shirt Manufacturers

Don't they already have sources for designs? Either they have their own designers, or outsource them to design firms or freelancers, chances are any existing t-shirt brand is already getting designs from somewhere. So it's the same question as before... are your designs that much better? And if they are, why license them? Just sell them?

and I have a plan to email all the sales reps in the industry (which know me and my art very well)

Couldn't you have done that with your own clothing brand? Why would this be any different? Oh and I thought sales reps sold product to retail buyers. There are reps that would sell your designs to t-shirt brands? Or are you just thinking that the reps have contacts to these brands?

and they will probably be up in arms about this and this idea will either blow the industry upside down or be a big giant fail again...

It's definitely an outside the box creative idea. Which usually, sales types just don't get. But in their defense, if they have a good thing going doing what they do, why turn it upside down and take risks? It would need to be highly lucrative for them to take the risk. And when I say highly lucrative, I mean you have to PROVE it to them, not just explain the idea. Have you seen the show Shark Tank? They don't invest in anything unless you can prove that there is money to be made in the business.

BTW: this idea is something I generally would hold a secret..but I just don't care anymore....I have nothing to lose...i'm broke and I'm tired of being under the hand of the industry...Ive been in it for so long, thats it's all I know...and I know it well.

You really seem to be a creative person. I understand things can be frustrating, but keep at it.

Have you ever thought of approaching a department store or clothing brand about a private label idea? This way you sell the idea - or licensing of the idea - but that company uses its resources to produce and market the brand, saving you needing the capital. You would just get paid royalties.

 

Thank you kimura-mma...to answer your questions...

yes, my designs are good...usually in the top ten every year. My designs are proven in the industry. Sales reps have known me and my designs for years. My intent to email the sales reps is only that of pushing the designs to the manufacturers. I am the source for their designs. I've contacted reps with my previous t-shirt company attempts...and they're behind me 100%, but I cannot produce or deliver product to them. The cost is too much for me initially, even when I try to outsource contract printing through personal friends in the industry. It's just too much...I cannot get started. This is why i'm thinking about this idea....I've already been selling designs exclusively to my clients for years...i'm tired of selling them outright for a single fee...when they are making millions off of my designs. I want royalties/residuals off of my designs (I deserve it...frickin!! 20 years!!! and I've got nothing.)...my clients are unwilling to negotiate. and yes, i am currently in talks about a private label with one of my clients....but I need money now...not net/90. so i'm thinking I could do both...offer designs exclusively to my existing clients...while offering different licensed designs as well...and maybe my private label will pan out someday.


here's the reasoning behind this idea..
My ex girlfriend is making a "killing" off of selling digital downloads of design templates to her target market in photography. Why can't I do that with my designs to my target market?

 

There are several places that do exactly what you are talking about such as great dane graphics, Go Media and T-shirt factory. If your designs are unique and people like them you can do good, several companies do. It just comes down to is what you design, what is current in the market? One thing to think about when making these designs on licensed use is to make them vector, with easily separated elements, as alot of times people will buy these designs and take them apart and use only certain elements. Just a few things to think about

 

It seems like you have the connections and experience to give it a shot. It does seem like a good idea, and as BobbieLee mentioned, there are companies that do it. I guess it's finding the right client that sees the value and willing to pay you royalties rather than the flat fee. You said your current clients are unwilling to negotiate, maybe test it out with any new clients. They may be more willing if this payment structure is being used from the beginning.

 

Yeah, I tried the vector art packs idea...didn't work out so good..but thats probably because I didn't think it out thoroughly....thanks Sunnydayz and kimura-mma for the suggestions.
I guess I need to rethink this idea.

 

ok...my vector clip-art pack site is now functioning offering raster and designs as well

 

site is looking good.
for the raster images, i'd suggest putting in info regarding size and resolution. Allot of our artists use clip art sites and one of the biggest complaints is that more often then not raster clipart is of poor resolution and we can't use it for what we intended.

 

Thanks for the suggestion Red514!

now to get people to go to my site!!!

I have done the countless hours of free search submit
and i'm ready for google ads and facebook ads as soon as I can allot money towards the pay per click thingy.
and I plan on emailing everyone I know in the industry too.
went on a few forums as well.


Sadly, not one purchase yet.
any other ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

I hope you don't take this offensively, but if you feel that your idea is a 'lame loser idea' then you probably won't be successful with it.

I don't know who the author is, but there is a saying "The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can't are both right".

Good luck!

 

I agree...and normally I subscribe to that ideal.
It's just that when I first posted this topic I had a different idea in mind...and trying over and over again for years to establish my own company...and getting beat down every time, I start to get contemptuous about my own endeavors.
I feel good about what im doing now....and my hopes are high.


thank you for you reminder!

 

Some of the designs have multiple images. Maybe break it down into single images. One turtle, shark, etc. You would probably end up with alot more designs than you think. Price it out per image. There is a growing market for these guys getting digital printers. They need high quality full color images. Also sign guys might be interested in some.

Good luck

 

I went to your website,, and I like what you are trying to do,, I would have no problem buying a vector pack for $10.00 or more, if it had what I needed to do my designs,
How about putting a suggestion button on the site, so we can suggest what we need?
good work, go for it,,
MMM

 

I'm new on this field, and I have a question about this vector pack and his designs, can I use them to do t-shirt with sublimation (heat press)
Thank you

 

yes you can!...assuming you can digitally print these out onto your heat transfer paper.
it's actually easier to do that than to have someone manually separate the design out with 4 color process or spot colors.

 

Ok that sound good for me, because I'm not a designer, just give me some time and I will buy some from you.

Do you have any christian or religious design?

 

Your artwork is really great... put up a facebook fan page... It only takes a couple of minutes and i will spread the word on my facebook personal page... and i imagine others will also...

Also if sales are slow and your motivation is low... Re-invent yourself...
Use your feelings to think of an idea to explain how you feel about the economy and life challenges... and use the ideas for tshirt design.
Maybe some pics of people rising above their troubles... or optimistic shirt designs that people can wear and relate to... and most of all... don't give up

 

Hey man,

Since you have been designing t-shirts for 20 years you should team up with a manufacture so you dont have any overhead cost. WOOO!

-Adam

 

Hey man,

Since you have been designing t-shirts for 20 years you should team up with a manufacture so you dont have any overhead cost. WOOO!

-Adam
/quote]
I'm not the one who post this message: e: another lame loser idea..

 

I saw your website and I agree, your designs are wonderful. Have you heard of the power of FCF (Free cash flow), which means money derived from your profits are invested to create additional inventory. I would suggest you to buy and print your designs only on as many tees as you can afford and sell them for atleast 2x your cost (both fixed and average variable). Now with the money you get by selling these tees, you are able to generate 2x the tees in your first run. So there is a multiplication factor involved in this abd this FCF concept can actually fulfill your dream of starting up your own firm.

 

I know the feeling, I am interested in trying to start up a t-shirt line, I know it's a challenging field but seems interesting. My challenge is I have not found anyone interested in being a partner yet, friends don't want to waste time "trying".

Since you seem to know your stuff with 20 years experience, why not attempt selling your own designs "again"? If your designs are that good, you should be able to sell your own product as well as sell your design to others.

http://back2lifedesigns.com/home/affiliate?as=1

 

if it was easy everyone would be rich!

1) ideas 2)time & 3)costs... you pretty much get two out of three in any combination. You might be the best creative soul but it seems you lack one of the following...marketing ..... sales... money (the capital to float those brilliant ideas)

The people making millions on your ideas have spent millions getting their brand out; that is worth its weight in gold (TIME) they also fail many more times than you do!

no disrespect but what have you been doing the last 20 years if you were one of the best designers you should have saved some scratch? bought a home or ???

Your girlfriend, has a better idea. a direct to garment machine is not something everyone has laying in their living room, to buy your downloaded t. All humans have a printer and your gfs photos to download are only going to be printed on a laser printer... no real problems there. Dump your idea, and help make your gf's idea successful... why re-invent the wheel when you have a perfectly good wheel in your lap.

Marry your girl...change your world.

heheheehe good luck

 

@Edwards -I'm sorry, I do not have any.

@Catbook I allready have a group fan page on Facebook.. 'artistofdesign'

@Visceral - Agreed - apparently no manufacturer agrees with me yet.

@sunilbrahmavar - I wish I could start off with just a few shirts, but the problem lies in the target market I do my designs for..'resort industry' it's what I do best....and requires a lot more than a few shirts, it requires custom namedrops and also a timely turnaround. using industry reps...the orders are so random....it could be 3 dozen all the way to multiple gross orders.

@ ghanes14 - I know...I should! but easier said than done.

@ Darque - you hit the nail on the head...Im very bad at management....I need a partner to help me with that...and it's to late about the ex-girlfriend. but your right...her idea is better...obviously...she's making a lot of money from it...but her nitch market isn't mine...I'm not a photographer. heh maybe I should be.....but I am following her primary business model..and offering direct downloads for my designs....(woo!..no overhead!)...hopefully I can harness a nitch market too!


thanks guys for all your suggestions...they are very much appreciated.


Happy holidays to you all!

 

A bunch of things are easier said than done, but the only way to succeed is to push through the failed times and keep trying right? If you decide to give it a try my site has the "open store" link in the bottom right corner. It's only been live a few days and already have almost 200 views. I think the profiled descriptions on products helped out on the SEO or something...

Good Luck

 

i really like the site and your artwork. I wish you much luck!!

 

I was actually going to team up with a manufacture that did stuff for obey and volcom, but I decided the deal wasn't for me and I started my brand with 5 grand and now I am going to be in Metropark in the Spring. The law of averages are that if you knock on enough doors someone will say yes. Read some cold calling/sales books because believe it or not they really help. Once you make the product get a sales representative/showroom as well, once you have gotten all your products completed and have a line sheet.

-adam

 

You have some nice looking designs there. The one thing I don't care for is the contact tab. Why not include your e-mail address? Phone? Cell Phone? Heck, let me send you smoke signals if I want.

I've gotten some decent phone calls on my cell phone on Sundays. And during a year like 2009, I was not annoyed.

 

Ok heres a bit of critiscism(?). You wont sell those palm tree rasters for $25. Why? Because you can get them for free. Secondly, your skulls are great maybe try selling all of them on istockphoto.com,vectorstock.com or fotolia.com. With the licencising you could make a heap of money ...Im sure about that. Your other designs are perfect for these sites
goodluck
.

 

@ TheEdge - Thanks you for your suggestions..I have made adjustments to my website and added more ways to contact me...although maybe you aren't annoyed by spam as much as I am.

@Paulie73 - Thank you for the stock image site suggestions... although they take a significant percentage from sales, I still might consider submitting to them.
As for your statement about my not being able to sell my Raster Palm Tree art pack? Please tell me where you can find a raster art pack of palm trees like what I have to offer!?!?
I haven't been able to find anything, let alone for free.
I sincerely believe I can sell them, especially at that low price....if I colored and shaded them to be full color, id have to charge a significantly higher price.

BTW, I haven't sold a single item on my site yet.
but I'm not deterred, I have confidence that they will sell eventually. I know my artwork is good, I used to have many sales reps tell me so up until the economy fell.