will they throw out my tees? NIKE/ REI/ NorthFace

micromaui said:

If a person wanted to send a t-shirt they made to a large industry, sports or otherwise, for any reason (promotion, give away, no reason at all),

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This is the reason many of us are confused. There's no such thing as "no reason at all", but your motivations aren't clear in this case. I don't think we mean anything by it, it just makes people curious is all

You've more or less admitted in this case your reasons are ego based: you're hoping, on some level, that someone at the companies you respect will respond positively to your product, which would provide you with validation. Meanwhile you tell yourself, and especially others, that you have "no reason", because you are concerned that people will ridicule you for your hopes.

Both motivations are driven by insecurity, and both are very normal when starting out.

There's nothing particularly wrong with what you're doing; it just has us scratching our heads. Mostly because it comes across as a pointless gesture, and one at a financial loss.

micromaui said:

By reading the posts so far, apparently no one here has tried it.

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There's a reason for that

micromaui said:

I will be able after my experiment to let everyone know for sure the response. That way if its possible- I can tell others -otherwise we are all guessing. I hope my expermient is beneficial to at least someone. (some one has to try it?)- greggy

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Yes, but why should we care about the result? To what use could someone put this information? In short, why is the experiment worth conducting?

Are we simply missing the genius secret or not-so-obvious reason this is a beneficial idea?

You don't just accidentally send out fifteen promos to sportswear corps, you had a reason. The question is, was it a good reason?

micromaui said:

'A person is measured by not what they have accomplished in their lives- but how much it takes to upset their happiness.'

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It takes a lot to upset my happiness. I'm preparing to make hoodies for my granddaughter and a friend of hers. They both want it for their brothers local football team to wear to the games. She has no clue as to the amount of work that will be involved and of course I'm doing the printing for her free of charge.

She wants print (all lettering in foil) in 4 diffferent places - one of which will be personalized print. Then she wants clipart images in 2 other places and then more personalization in the middle of one of the images! Kids... It makes me happy to make these, knowing that other parents & siblings are going to see them and want them, too. Ah, but am I willing to do all that work for total strangers???? And will I still be happy when the orders start pouring in? I hope so.

I also hope someone sees your designs and likes what they see enough to order some from you. I think sending out samples is a good way to get your name and quality of work out there in the public eye when you don't have a ton of money to advertise with. My sister has volunteered to wander the shopping malls wearing a tee from me, just to advertise and get people interested in getting some. Granted the samples require work and money to make, but I can see your logic here.