[cecih]

I just paid for my 1st vendors booth at a 4th of July festival. I have a 10 x 20 space, there is an estimated attendance of 10,000 people and the event is 9 am to 10 pm. I was wondering a few things.
1. What method should I use to make the shirts?
I can use plastisol transfers, I can out source the job to a screen printer or I can use heat transfer paper using Cobra inks and vinyl with a vinyl cutter.
2. How many t shirt designs should I have?
I already have 5 designs.
3. How many shirts should I make?
4. What else should I sell/bring other than t shirts?
Thank you and advance.

 

[KristineH]

First, what kind of festival is this and what are you planning on selling -
Custom shirts or are you a brand?

See if you can print and sell the official festival shirt. That will be pretty popular.

 

[VeeLove]

Maybe start with a few plastisol transfers and definitely take the vinyl cutter and heat press. Folks eat up customized items. Plus if your transfers aren't moving fast enough you can design on the fly. Try to cut out a few bling (glitter, foil/metallics) beforehand if you can.

Equally important is your set up. Don't make too many price categories, keep it simple (i.e. child-adult xl $15.00, 2x and up $18.00) also keep the personalization simple, (flat fee vs per letter/location fee). I'd like to know what others suggest, but I recommend not having too many t-shirt colors either. You will go nuts trying to remember what sizes in what color you have left. Unisex vs ladies cut is another consideration. You want them to quickly see what you have, be able to add it in their heads, order and give you the money.

Search the forum for fair layouts or booth layouts, there are some great ideas floating around.

Have lots of singles and download Square to your smartphone to take credit cards. You can even load the transfer images into your Square account and know exactly what you sold.

Have fun and let us know how it goes.

 

[cecih]

First, what kind of festival is this and what are you planning on selling -
Custom shirts or are you a brand?

See if you can print and sell the official festival shirt. That will be pretty popular.

The festival is for 4th of July, I plan on selling 4th of July related designs on t shirts.

 

[cecih]

Maybe start with a few plastisol transfers and definitely take the vinyl cutter and heat press. Folks eat up customized items. Plus if your transfers aren't moving fast enough you can design on the fly. Try to cut out a few bling (glitter, foil/metallics) beforehand if you can.

Equally important is your set up. Don't make too many price categories, keep it simple (i.e. child-adult xl $15.00, 2x and up $18.00) also keep the personalization simple, (flat fee vs per letter/location fee). I'd like to know what others suggest, but I recommend not having too many t-shirt colors either. You will go nuts trying to remember what sizes in what color you have left. Unisex vs ladies cut is another consideration. You want them to quickly see what you have, be able to add it in their heads, order and give you the money.

Search the forum for fair layouts or booth layouts, there are some great ideas floating around.

Have lots of singles and download Square to your smartphone to take credit cards. You can even load the transfer images into your Square account and know exactly what you sold.

Have fun and let us know how it goes.

Thank you for your reply. You have given me a lot more to think I about than I originally did before posting the thread.

 

[VeeLove]

The Stahl's family of companies (TE/former GGG) did a couple of videos on booth layout and a checklist. If I can find it, I'll post the links.

It's sometimes better to be over prepared than to realize you left the cover sheets back at the office lol.

 

[cecih]

The Stahl's family of companies (TE/former GGG) did a couple of videos on booth layout and a checklist. If I can find it, I'll post the links.

It's sometimes better to be over prepared than to realize you left the cover sheets back at the office lol.

Okay, thank you. I will really appreciate that.

 

[VeeLove]

Okay, thank you. I will really appreciate that.

Here's the webinar, Play Video | Transfer Express

 

[KristineH]

The festival is for 4th of July, I plan on selling 4th of July related designs on t shirts.

I didn't see that in the first post - speed reading at its finest.... Maybe some state or town designs for where the festival is located. In our area tourists eat that right up.

Good luck and I'm going to check out the webinar that was posted.

 

[cecih]

Here's the webinar, Play Video | Transfer Express

Thank you!! I use TE all the time and I never once heard about this webinar. Thanks!

 

[cecih]

Maybe start with a few plastisol transfers and definitely take the vinyl cutter and heat press. Folks eat up customized items. Plus if your transfers aren't moving fast enough you can design on the fly. Try to cut out a few bling (glitter, foil/metallics) beforehand if you can.

Equally important is your set up. Don't make too many price categories, keep it simple (i.e. child-adult xl $15.00, 2x and up $18.00) also keep the personalization simple, (flat fee vs per letter/location fee). I'd like to know what others suggest, but I recommend not having too many t-shirt colors either. You will go nuts trying to remember what sizes in what color you have left. Unisex vs ladies cut is another consideration. You want them to quickly see what you have, be able to add it in their heads, order and give you the money.

Search the forum for fair layouts or booth layouts, there are some great ideas floating around.

Have lots of singles and download Square to your smartphone to take credit cards. You can even load the transfer images into your Square account and know exactly what you sold.

Have fun and let us know how it goes.

Hey, about how many t shirt designs should I have and how many shirts should I bring pre-made to this event?

 

[joey1320]

It depends on what you think will move. I would say between 3-6 designs. Not too many to make it difficult but a few selections.

I would also premake 3 shirts of each size for every design. That way you are always a step ahead.

Sent from my HTC One X using T-Shirt Forums

 

[cecih]

It depends on what you think will move. I would say between 3-6 designs. Not too many to make it difficult but a few selections.

I would also premake 3 shirts of each size for every design. That way you are always a step ahead.

Sent from my HTC One X using T-Shirt Forums

Thank you, that's a good idea.

 

[ColorImageDsigns]

We specialize in events. Our product selection ranges from DTG printing on white, grey and black (sizes from newborn to 5XL) to custom printed dye sub iPhone cases, key chains, dog tags, license plates, etc. to vehicle wraps & signs. All custom made on location from a custom built 24 foot vending trailer. We display over 800 designs that are all customizable or customers can bring us their own designs. We keep our pricing simple & usually have a line.

Once people wear our shirts, they tell their friends & we get slammed. From the time our customer places their order to having it in their hands is about 5 minutes. We only use premium shirts so they have something that lasts. DTG prints look & feel great because the image is embedded into the shirt. Because of that we get repeat business at all of our events.

One thing that we would recommend is to setup your booth in your backyard to see how it would look to the general public. This will make it easier for your setup & breakdown as well as to see how well your workflow will be. Presentation is a key element. Try to look as professional as possible.

Are you working from a tent? Be prepared for bad weather. You don't want your equipment & supplies to get ruined.

Make sure you have plenty of lights as well as outlets for your computer, printer, vinyl cutter, etc.

If you have any questions we will be glad to help.

 

[cecih]

We specialize in events. Our product selection ranges from DTG printing on white, grey and black (sizes from newborn to 5XL) to custom printed dye sub iPhone cases, key chains, dog tags, license plates, etc. to vehicle wraps & signs. All custom made on location from a custom built 24 foot vending trailer. We display over 800 designs that are all customizable or customers can bring us their own designs. We keep our pricing simple & usually have a line.

Once people wear our shirts, they tell their friends & we get slammed. From the time our customer places their order to having it in their hands is about 5 minutes. We only use premium shirts so they have something that lasts. DTG prints look & feel great because the image is embedded into the shirt. Because of that we get repeat business at all of our events.

One thing that we would recommend is to setup your booth in your backyard to see how it would look to the general public. This will make it easier for your setup & breakdown as well as to see how well your workflow will be. Presentation is a key element. Try to look as professional as possible.

Are you working from a tent? Be prepared for bad weather. You don't want your equipment & supplies to get ruined.

Make sure you have plenty of lights as well as outlets for your computer, printer, vinyl cutter, etc.

If you have any questions we will be glad to help.

Hey, thank you for you reply. I apologized for just now responding to your post, it appears that you have a VERY NICE setup but unfortunately I am not there yet . At the events that you have already attended what are some of your top selling products?

 

[valleyboy_1]

I too am trying to get a trailer. I also do events but I target a niche market. Why pay a fee to sell at large events and compete with other vendors, when you can pay nothing, and sell at small events and be the only vendor there? 😆😆😁😁

 

[hayatiggs]

Thanks for the webinar post

 

[cecih]

I too am trying to get a trailer. I also do events but I target a niche market. Why pay a fee to sell at large events and compete with other vendors, when you can pay nothing, and sell at small events and be the only vendor there? ��������

That is a great question, Valdez!