[lousentdreem]

I'm new to the forums and in the process of starting a company that will initially focus on producing original art on tees. Hopefully expanding into
other mediums along the way offering alittle deversity of product; t-shirts however will be the focus.

I've had experience running companies that offered 24 hour service and was looking for a new outlet for income that has less overhead, was a one to two person operation, and allows for making money based on the art I create.
Since I can't leave the job that pays my bills to jump into an industry that I'm unfamilar with I'm hoping to gather some insight here.

I already produce my own art, am able to use photoshop and indesign (well enough) and have had a couple of designs produced and basically know the process. The details have me scrambling:

wether to use usps, ups, or fedex?

what size packaging?

Does using american apparel vs. foreign made cut into my profits more than it should?

what companies are making money selling tees and is the some unknown ceiling?

what ecommerce hosts are the best with respect to providing tools for you and holding your hand should you realize that you're stupid.

Nothing mind-blowing, just basic info...I'd like to know before I have too.

nice meeting you,

jacob

 

[Twinge]

wether to use usps, ups, or fedex?

Largely individual preference. USPS will usually be cheapest for small (1 short orders); UPS may be cheaper for larger orders. USPS is probably the most used by t-shirt websites I think, though some also offer several shipping options and let the customer choose.

what size packaging?

Again, it varies quite a bit. You'll probably want to try a few and see what works best. I am primarily using the tyvex envelopes you can get free from USPS, which hold up to about 3 t-shirts each and ship priority.

Does using american apparel vs. foreign made cut into my profits more than it should?

This depends primarily on your own feelings about the matter and your target market. Some markets will be willing to pay the difference (generally about $2 a shirt or so) for the better quality shirt; others may not be.

 

[Solmu]

wether to use usps, ups, or fedex?

USPS

what size packaging?

Um, whatever fits? I think you may be overthinking that one.

Does using american apparel vs. foreign made cut into my profits more than it should?

No.

what companies are making money selling tees and is the some unknown ceiling?

Many large companies making a lot of money (Threadless, T-shirt hell, Busted Tees, etc.), and while there's presumably a ceiling it really doesn't matter (Threadless make millions with less than twenty employees).

what ecommerce hosts are the best with respect to providing tools for you and holding your hand should you realize that you're stupid.

I suppose Yahoo, but personally I'd be more inclined to pay a developer than pay a host to give you easy to use tools that may not be that powerful.

 

[Rodney]

Hi Jacob, welcome to the T-Shirt Forums!

 

[T-BOT]

what companies are making money selling tees and is the some unknown ceiling?

nice meeting you,

jacob

nice to meet you too.

Companies come and go everyday.

Who's making money ?
Look at Joes T-Shirts down the street, there are always a few people waiting for his store to open the door, thru-out the day constant in and out traffic.
Online ? look at cafe press.

In other words, it takes time to build a client base that will make you money.

How much money can you make ? the sky is the limit.