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Shirts for a large target audience

141 Views 3 Replies 2 Participants Last post by  NoXid
My target market is mostly large people. Where I live, people tend to be not only quite tall, but also obese.

I'm targeting the families of kids in youth sports. The people like to wear the kind of shirts that advertise their kid is out there playing. They even tend to have the same shirt as a family, or in friend groups. So, I have some basic designs, but will also customize by putting names or numbers on the shirts, or the team roster (which is popular).

I personally like other brands better, but am choosing Gildan now for the following reasons:

1. Our area is almost 25% at the poverty line. Price does matter to many of these families.
2. As I said, we have a high population of large people, and I think the Gildan blend works with that body type and chemistry.
3. Almost every sporting store/print shop I've walked into is heavy on Gildan products, which tells me it's a preferred product in this area.

I am admittedly new to this area. The tee shirt/printing side of my business is growing out of requests. I have ordered shirts and printed materials for my clients from others, so I want to capture that money to grow my business. It's also another way to generate revenue during slower months, because my business is cyclical.

Yes, I know I have a lot to learn. It's been a few months now that I've been working on getting on equipment, deciding on a market, testing products, etc. So any comments will be helpful, even the negative feedback. Thank you in advance.
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If you want to offer an upgrade option, Hanes Beefy-T (5180) is ringspun cotton, so softer feeling than a Gildan Ultra Cotton. It is 6.1 oz, Gildan is 6 oz, so the same weight, but the 5180 is a finer weave. The cut is very, very similar, 5180 being a bit more generous in length. The 5180 black is a nice looking black; the Gildan black looks a bit weak by comparison, but looks okay on its own. 5180 is available in size 6XL in white, black, and I think one of the gray colors. Other 5180 colors stop at 5X, 4X, or 3X depending on how popular they are. Gildan seems to offer all colors in Sm to 5X.

S&S has decent inventory and pricing on Hanes 5180.

Having a few options tends to be good business, as long as it isn't a burden for you logistically.
Thank you for the tips on the Hanes Beefy! I like that for two reasons -- that it's a little longer and the black is better. I'm going heavy on black shirts, and people around here tend to be tall!

Much appreciated.
Thank you for the tips on the Hanes Beefy! I like that for two reasons -- that it's a little longer and the black is better. I'm going heavy on black shirts, and people around here tend to be tall!

Much appreciated.
They also have a Tall version of that shirt, but the price point is significantly higher and it only runs up to 4XL.

"Extra 3" in body length, and 1" in sleeve length"
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