[JDT]

Hello,

Trying to get a concensus for how many shirts of each size are needed. The target market is males 15-60.

I was thinking out of 300 ordered shirts the size breakdown should be

20 XX Large
70 X Large
70 Large
50 Medium
30 Small

But again that is my un-educated guess that is why I turn to you .....the Tshirt gurus to gear me in the right direction

JDT.

 

[jacenuby]

JDT -

I'm going to piggyback on your post because I was about to post a similar question, although not as specific and more concerned with controlling cost. But your question is great...how many shirts per design should one have at start-up?

I hear that costs go down with quantity....and I'm ignorant about the improvements I will see as I buy more.

I have 6 designs that average 5 colors of ink. Currently I'm producing 24 total of each because of a deal I made with my screen printer. and this costs about $6.30 per shirt. I know this can get better with more quantity...how much better?

I am using Anvil Chromosone at about $3.40 a piece and Basic tees by Anvil and Gildan at about $2.00 a piece....how much cheaper can these get if I am buying several dozens at a time?

 

[badalou]

A lot cheaper. I just bought Gildan 2000 on sale at san Mar for 1.16 each. Normally I pay 1.42.
So you got 300 tees sold.. that is nice.. If not Plan on having a lot of shirts to wear. I am totally against buying inventory (that large) unless I have orders for them or I own a retail store.

 

[badalou]

Oh and I get the price weather I am buying one or 24

 

[jdr8271]

There is no formula. If your selling to men, you probably wont sell very many smalls at all. For men, I would think XXL would be more popular than small. Anything is just a guess though.

For screen printing, prices go down the more shirts you order. They will go way down if you are ordering hundreds.

For blanks, ask your supplier to give you case prices. Tell them that you used to buy from someone else, and they gave you case prices. You just need to ask, and they will deliver.

 

[Rodney]

Trying to get a concensus

Not sure you'll get a total consensus , but I like your breakdown based on your market description.

how many shirts per design should one have at start-up?

As with most things: it depends

If you are starting up with a big budget and a big bang product launch (advertising in major media, press, website setup, links ready to go), then you might need a lot of t-shirts on hand (500-1000)

If you plan on starting small and growing, I think 25-50 per design isn't too bad. Anything smaller and the screen printing costs aren't going to be worth it (and you'll have a harder time managing size inventory).

and this costs about $6.30 per shirt. I know this can get better with more quantity...how much better?

Is that just the cost of the printing or the garment and the printing?

The best way for you to answer the "how much better" question would be to call around to local printers and ask for their quantity price breaks for your job type.

I am using Anvil Chromosone at about $3.40 a piece and Basic tees by Anvil and Gildan at about $2.00 a piece....how much cheaper can these get if I am buying several dozens at a time?

I usually have my printer source the blanks for me and include it in the price of the job. I don't have the time or desire to source blanks and have them shipped to the printer. But I've seen prices from under a dollar for white garments (during special offer periods with major distributors like SanMar, SSActivewear, etc).

 

[badalou]

At a recent event I worked with my client to sell the shirts I made for them. I was amazed the the first shirt size to sell out was 2x. We had sizes from small to 2 x. The size that was left over were small and xlarge even though there were few. We in the booth watched the crowd (Blues festival and lots of beer) and noticed the sizes.. these people were not fit.. so know your event.. if it is a weight watchers convention be careful.. If your selling as I did to a first time event your client may depend on you to tell them what they should order.. get details... Lou

 

[MotoskinGraphix]

At a recent event I worked with my client to sell the shirts I made for them. I was amazed the the first shirt size to sell out was 2x. We had sizes from small to 2 x. The size that was left over were small and xlarge even though there were few. We in the booth watched the crowd (Blues festival and lots of beer) and noticed the sizes.. these people were not fit.. so know your event.. if it is a weight watchers convention be careful.. If your selling as I did to a first time event your client may depend on you to tell them what they should order.. get details... Lou

I totally agree!!! If you do events or retail...know your clients! I can order blanks for shows based on previous events in the area and what market I am serving. If at a tuner car event...not many 2xl,,,if at a drag event...many 2xl.

 

[JDT]

Thanks for the replies....another question, wondering at what count (of shirts) the screen printers(if you go that way) usually waives all the setup fees? Bascially, if you print over X number of shirt for 1 screen then the setup of ???50-100 is waived?

 

[Rodney]

wondering at what count (of shirts) the screen printers(if you go that way) usually waives all the setup fees?

I don't know if there is a "usual" there, but it's something you can talk about and negotiate with your printer. Each printer is different.

 

[neato]

And DO NOT pick a printer based solely on price. Ask to see samples of thier work. Their are good and bad printers.

 

[Solmu]

Ditto what Neato said.

Also, don't make the mistake so many people do and get hung up on setup charges. Some printers will never drop them... but their per piece prices will be dropping at a faster rate than the competition, so they still work out cheaper. Just factor in the setup charges when you compare quotes. For some reason people are philosophically opposed to paying setup charges - some printers will use this to their advantage by having much higher rates, but generously dropping the setup charge...

Setup charges are there because they represent fixed costs (screens, emulsion, film, etc.) - if you are asking a printer to waive them you are asking them to eat that cost. The general rule of thumb with negotiating (in other sectors, I'd just also apply it to screen printing) is to try and get something else that doesn't cost them money (or as much money) lowered/included for free - not to concentrate on breaking their backs over a fixed cost they don't want to remove (and ultimately might not help you as much as you think).

 

[tshirtq]

Hi, how can I find San Mar's contact information? Is that the name of your supplier? Thanks, Sonia

 

[Rodney]

Hi, how can I find San Mar's contact information? Is that the name of your supplier? Thanks, Sonia

Just visit sanmar.com and all the information is there.