You would look up wholesale licensed t-shirts or band merchandising.

Here's a company that does a lot of wholesale brand names:
http://www.backstage-fashion.com/

 

You would look up wholesale licensed t-shirts or band merchandising.

Here's a company that does a lot of wholesale brand names:
Worldwide Wholesale Distributors of Licensed Rock, Indie, Latin, Metal, Reggae and Novelty T-Shirts, Stickers, Patches, Flags and more!

Rodney, many thanks!!
i was just thinking to post a questioning thread about that. i own a record store but business aren't so high these days so i am looking for another field. if you know somemore companies like backstage fashion that would you please let us know about?
kind regards
ilias

 

Wow, that's a pretty cool link Rodney. It makes me wonder how they can get licensing rights to all those bands.

 

From what the site says, they're not doing the printing. They're getting stuff from end-of-tour, overstock, etc. and reselling it wholesale.

 

Were can I get licensed trendy rock and punk teeshirt transfers for resale?

 

They usually don't sell band designs as transfers, they are usually sold wholesale as printed shirts by places like newworldsales.com and the link above.

 

I don't do licensing but from what I have been able to gather usually you have to pay a fee for the use of whatever images the licensor is allowing you to use.
An acquaintance of mine has a license to do a lot of punk rock and trendy rock shirts like Germs, Ramones, Clash, etc. so I don't know how well it'll go over with him if he finds out someone else is doing transfers of his license! LOL!

John

 

In general, to get licenses, contact the artist management. Not easy to get thru and it most cases someone else may already have the zone merchandising rights.

I guess when their contract runs out, you can always try to get the licenses then. Anythin *ROCK* is a Big Business that involves a lot of money and risk of course.




:

 

Remember, the artists get residuals from the sale of their stuff. No matter how long ago they started. It all adds up in the end so you will be able to find a seller. That's the hard part, finding an "in". Do the legwork, and it might pay off. Selling "Pink Floyd" is easier than selling "Joe and the Tornados." Even though it only makes you a couple of cents a tshirt, it's better than nothing a tshirt. Those pennies add up. Finding the connection is the hard part. That's what all those infomercials are about.

 

Remember, the artists get residuals from the sale of their stuff. No matter how long ago they started. It all adds up in the end so you will be able to find a seller. That's the hard part, finding an "in". Do the legwork, and it might pay off. Selling "Pink Floyd" is easier than selling "Joe and the Tornados." Even though it only makes you a couple of cents a tshirt, it's better than nothing a tshirt. Those pennies add up. Finding the connection is the hard part. That's what all those infomercials are about.

True but those pennies better add up to some big unit counts otherwise it's not worth doing. I had someone offer me the license for Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines to do belt buckles. They wanted $250,000. Was it worth it? It would seem so on the surface but after having researched it my return on investment would have taken 3 years. 1 year longer than the license timeline was for. Imagine, after having put in all that hard work building up the buckle business, the licensor would have taken it back and cashed in on all my hard work. Do your homework if you want to get into the licensee game.

John

 

I have not done this - but have ALWAYS thought that - if done right - could be a fairly lucrative avenue.....

 

I feel like you could create your own designs around Rock Bands, maybe just a "Rock and Roll" theme of shirts? Yeah it isn't supporting someone's favorite band, but it does support the genre of music they love. I am sure you could create a line that peaks a lot of interest and would have no licensing obligations.

 

Here's a really great selection of rock band tee's:
http://www.rockworldeast.com

They wholesale too.

 

Firstly, contact the artist's management (record company) and negotiate with them. I have first hand experience of this, and I can tell you it is a very expensive process. Band merchandise is a very lucrative business. To buy exclusive rights to band merchandise, will cost you thosands, if not millions of dollars.
Secondly, don't be tempted to print pirate (unlicensed) merchandise on a large scale, as you will be subjected to expensive lawsuits and fined a huge amount of money, if you are caught.
Thirdly, you can buy official merchandise from official outlets, avoiding any copyright problems. My recommendation to you is, to go through those channels.
Printing and selling (or perhaps not being able to sell) is an expensive and very, very time consuming pastime. A six coloured separation silk screened t-shirt will give you an enormous headache, if you don,t have much experience of printing or have the right machines for the process.
Sorry to sound negative, but I am offering you sound advice, from my own first hand experience in this matter.
Good luck with your business!!!

 

Licensing can be lucrative, but I don't think it's as simple as it sounds. I can imagine that if they're a band (or brand) worth buying because of an existing clientele, then the license will probably be pretty expensive. It doesn't seem like the kind of business venture you can immediately live of off, unless you have an tremendous amount of initial capital or and immediate avenue for distribution.

 

It is the same a reproducing a "disney" t-shirt; you can't just start making Mickey T-shirts and selling them. Whoever has permission to reproduce the artwork must pay a royalty to do so and has an agreed contract. I know first hand that there are agencies out there in cyberspace that monitor on-line stores and if you get caught with an unlicensed product, you will totally get in trouble. First time, you just have to stop selling, but continued offenses I am sure there will be lawsuits.

 

I think that it's a crazy idea. EVERYBODY sells rock band tees. The work is not worth it competition is too strong.
I would suggest side stepping the actual band and play off of their music. I do very well with titles of very popular songs. Here's an example.
let it be : Let It Be

 

Be creative and think of things that a band is known for.
There are no copy-right laws to be concerned with. Take the Let it be t-shirt I just used the same font as the Beatles did but different words. I wore one to work and people where all over it. I think that is more of a logical way to cash in on the rock world worry free.

 

For some reason, when I saw this thread title I thought: Rock Band

I suppose that means it's time for me to take a break from the PS3.

 

In my opinion, it is better to opt for wholesale before you get your own license. I know an online punk rock garment store where you can buy wholesale punk rock merchandise at best rates. This company actually makes shirts for other retailers within United states.
Here you'll get more information
Punkstuff

 

Greetings from India!

I would like to start a band t-shirts store here in Bombay, India. There is huge demand for it, but unfortunately (fortunately for me) no stores that sell licensed band tees. Which would be a better option for me? Getting a license so that I can produce my own t-shirts in Bombay or buying from a wholesaler in the US? Buying from a wholesaler in the US would be pretty costly for me because of the currency and the import duty, and I would have to keep a margin that is sky high. If someone could give me info on how to go about with the licensing or if anyone could do it for me (of course, I would pay if it turns out to be cheaper than the wholesale option), that would be great!

 

There's an awesome Rock T-shirt in this weeks woot derby but it won't get made unless we vote on it!

vote here

I want this shirt so bad!

 

In these days of illegal downloading and falling record sales, bands need other areas of income and T-shirts are one of these. It also seems that when a band signs a contract these days the merchandising is much more important. You only have to go to a larger gig to see the amount of t-shirts sold to those attending (and also the counterfeit sellers round the corner selling their fakes!). Unless you're already a large player it maybe best to start small and approach small unsigned bands. That way you can become the exclusive seller of their t-shirts and maybe they will be the next band who makes it big.

 

www.liquidblue.com

 

Does liquidblue have an affiliate program?
I like the site.

 

I've been thinking about this thing too but I know that it will cost me lots.

But, high risk high return, right?

Keep going man!

 

Awesome stuff...but... does anyone know a good supplier of licensed band stuff in Canada?

 

where are you located?
ARTIMONDE - The Largest distributors of licensed music apparel in Canada ... too bad their site looks like it's stuck in the 90s

 

What about your own designs and the use of lyrics?
I have found an untouched area of band/music clothing and know there is a good market for it and know it will sell. The designs are my own drawings and sketches of the artist/band and the use of some lyrics but not in mass amounts (not entire songs on one sleeve)

I've seen a lot of shirts on ebay where people have slightly changed the official/promotional pictures and then painted/printed them onto another shirt and sold them, and others who have cut up old licensed shirts and made new, different clothes with the bits of the old shirt.

Are they legal or will they end with a huge law suit?

 

What about your own designs and the use of lyrics?
I have found an untouched area of band/music clothing and know there is a good market for it and know it will sell. The designs are my own drawings and sketches of the artist/band and the use of some lyrics but not in mass amounts (not entire songs on one sleeve)

It doesn't matter if it's your own design. The use of an artist or band without license or permission is infringement and can get you sued.

I've seen a lot of shirts on ebay where people have slightly changed the official/promotional pictures and then painted/printed them onto another shirt and sold them

This is infringement. Basically, you can't reproduce intellectual property and sell it.

and others who have cut up old licensed shirts and made new, different clothes with the bits of the old shirt.

Tough one. I don't know if it requires a license to do this, but the one situation I know about is licensed.

Industry Rags does this in conjunction with Majestic Athletic. IR buys closeout logo tees from MA and cuts them up, sews them into new styles and adds swarovski crystals and custom trims. Then sells them as a high price point item. It is considered an official licensed product since it's all managed under MA's licenses.

Are they legal or will they end with a huge law suit?

Any time you design, produce and sell something that utilizes intellectual property that you don't specifically have license to use, you are at risk to be sued.

 

What about shirts that are of a person.. but no one in particular just a person someone has drawn.. can't you just use that excuse say you had no idea it looked like [artists name] but now they mention it, it does kind of resemble them


and how do the people on ebay get away with it then?

 

What about shirts that are of a person.. but no one in particular just a person someone has drawn.. can't you just use that excuse say you had no idea it looked like [artists name] but now they mention it, it does kind of resemble them

Sorry, but I'm not really sure what you are getting at. There are no laws that I know of that make it possible to "legally infringe" without any risk of being sued. If you are selling a shirt with artwork that resembles an artist or person, you are violating their right of publicity and are open for legal action. It doesn't matter if it was intentional or not.

If you create an original character, that would be ok. But if there is someone out there that believes the character looks like them, they can sue. 2 Live Crew did a song called F*** Martinez and were sued by dozens of people named Martinez who claimed to be the person from the song. Todd McFarlane's Spawn comic book featured a character Antonio Twistelli who went by the nickname Tony Twist. Well there is a real NHL hockey player named Tony Twist who sued and won $15 million.

IP infringement is pretty serious. If you really want to toe the line, consult an attorney and learn more about it.

and how do the people on ebay get away with it then?

Some people get caught, some people don't. It's up to the IP owner to take action if and when they know it's happening.

It's not so much that the people on eBay are getting away with it, as if what they are doing is actually legal and they are shielded from being sued. They are in fact infringing, they just haven't been caught... yet.

 

wow, lighten up!! you need a better sense of humour..

 

wow, lighten up!!

Sorry, I was just trying to answer your questions on the topic of intellectual property.

you need a better sense of humour..

Why? Did you say something funny? Cause I must have missed it...