[CLOTHING LINE] Advertising what "blanks" you use, to your cutomers.

Re: Advertising what "blanks" you use, to your cutomers.

If you are retailing the shirts direct to consumer, then yes, I think there is some value to advertising that you use AA blanks. There is value in using a brand that consumers are familiar with and know how it fits and feels. Especially when selling online. Consumers are weary of buying a shirt without touching it and trying it on. But if they know it's AA, perhaps they will feel comfortable and confident in making the purchase. And after all, you are paying premium prices for AA, so you may as well get every advantage you can get. This theory only applies to premium blanks. I wouldn't advertise using Gildan. But I would advertise using AA.

But if you are selling through retailers, then I think it's important to give the perceived value of a custom style. I think retailers expect this as well. They don't want to carry brands that are simply "printed on blanks." It makes them look like they are carrying some knockoff, not an original brand. So I think brands owe it to their retailers to have the best perceived value possible.

Pricing is another factor here. If you're going to advertise using AA, then I think it's important to price according to AA. Don't expect to retail at $40 when AA sells at $20. Many consumers will be savvy enough to see through that. If your brand and artwork generate enough demand to raise prices to that level, then that's different. But chances are, by the time that happens, you will have upgraded to a custom style garment anyway.

As for consumer preference, it depends on your target market. Fashion conscious consumers will care about the fit and style, not just the design. But if you are targeting a niche, and your design focuses on that niche, then I agree that the design matters more than the fit or style of the garment.

Re: Advertising what "blanks" you use, to your cutomers.

AA is a bit different than other brands like say "Article1" or "Next Level Apparel" in that American Apparel does have a LOT of brand recognition outside of the designer/t-shirt world.

They have retail stores in some of the busiest shopping places in the world where they sell their "blank tees" for $20 with NO design.

So mentioning that you use a familiar blank t-shirt brand that has spent time marketing itself as a "cool" brand can have its benefits if your customers are in that demographic.

Generally speaking though, if you're selling slogan t-shirts to middle America, it might not make a big difference, but in that case you may want to mention that your t-shirts are Made in America which might be a benefit.

Another benefit of mentioning what t-shirt brand you use is for sizing. A customer buying online can't try on your t-shirt, but if they do have another t-shirt in their closet from American Apparel, they will know which size to buy, which helps you with the sale.

Hanes is also another familiar brand of t-shirt, so if you're using Hanes Beefy tees, it can help customers get an idea of the t-shirt fit and style.

Hey guys, thanks for taking the time to write a response. You all make some very good points.

I agree that selling t-shirts (or any clothing) online is a totally different ball-game because customers can't touch, feel, try on the garment they're buying. Which is why printing on an established brand will give the buyer peace of mind because they're familiar with the AA fit.

That said though, what if you're not a fan of the American Apparel fit? I am actually one of those people. A few weeks ago I saw a t-shirt on Threadless.com that I really liked, but was turned off buying it because it was printed on AA.

The thing I find with AA (and I know other people who feel this way too) is that if you're not built like the AA models in their adverts, i.e... tall, stick thin, washboard stomach..etc.. then their t-shirts can actually be quite un-flattering. Not to mention that there's people who just hate American Apparel as a company. That's why I think having the 'WE USE AMERICAN APPAREL' banner on your website can have a negative effect as well as positive.

TopseyCret said:

Don't leave any traces of another company on your shirts.

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I personally think that's the best policy. What I don't want is customers looking at what blanks I've used, figuring out the cost of the blank, getting their calculator out, doing the maths in their head and deciding whether my t-shirt is good value for money or not, based on that.

That said though, what if you're not a fan of the American Apparel fit? I am actually one of those people. A few weeks ago I saw a t-shirt on Threadless.com that I really liked, but was turned off buying it because it was printed on AA.

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If you are using American Apparel, but don't want your customers to know because they may not like the fit, then you'll probably have more returns than necessary.

I think it's better to be transparent about it. If the customer doesn't like the brand of t-shirt you're using, then they probably won't like it when they get it home.

I think it's better to have an excited customer than one that isn't 100% happy with what they got.

The thing I find with AA (and I know other people who feel this way too) is that if you're not built like the AA models in their adverts, i.e... tall, stick thin, washboard stomach..etc.. then their t-shirts can actually be quite un-flattering.

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I am definitely not stick thin and don't fit the typical "AA" look, but I think the AA 2001 t-shirts fit very well (and I wear a XXL or XXXL). I prefer the longer length.

Some of their other styles are more slim fitting, but that one isn't as much.

Not to mention that there's people who just hate American Apparel as a company. That's why I think having the 'WE USE AMERICAN APPAREL' banner on your website can have a negative effect as well as positive.

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Those people probably wouldn't want to be your customers anyway if they knew you were using a brand you hate.

Why not let them make the decision before they buy instead of having them find out later some other way and have them spread the negative word about your company?

I was under the impression that AA didn't like people designing on their garments...from what i read somewhere, someone approached their flag ship store in central london with regards to purchasing a bulk lot, and were informed that this was against AA'd protocol and wasn't allowed. Not sure if this applies to each country or if that was just the store being arsy... I obviously know that many people on here do print on AA's, but from what i find, most of you are based in the States or outside of Europe, which is why AA is that much harder to import direct, and so far there don't appear to be any suppliers dealing with AA in the UK, apart from AA themselves whom don't sell to the public.

But maybe i'm wrong...

As has been said already...it's nigh on impossible to find a tagless t-shirt of a high calibre and design. The best you would come across is Continental...i say best for quality, but i know many have issues with their size, and they also include a tag with their logo inside the garment...and whilst not a neck label, is still a label so isn't entirely tagless since their brand can still be seen. To get an unbranded/tagless t-shirt designed to your specification means you really have to go bespoke, and that would mean getting yourself over to a country where they can manufacture your tees. However, as said previously, this means purchasing MOQ's which usually are 600 pieces per size/colour, which to be honest, unless you have orders on hold is going to be hard for an up and coming label. Every label started somewhere, and i would say, testing your designs on a branded shirt, ie Gildan/FOTL, getting your sales and then moving on from their....Dont' start running before you can walk as the t-shirt printing is a saturated market.