Hello All!
This is a Q & A Reply type of day! Let's jump right to it!
Okay, I recently received a Text Message from a New/Emerging Designer about "High Quality Shirts at Wholesale Prices" or should I say "referring some High End Blank Supplier to him."
This is for those of you who want to have a "High End T-Shirt Line," I am not too sure what that means, but I will tell you one thing I believe it involves a little bit more than just having a nice base or blank shirt to start from. Not taking away from the high grade blank, but I would like to reinforce the idea "more bells and whistles in one's mind equals more money." So, know you need some bells with that whistles!
If you have any insight on what a High End T-Shirt is or what makes it different from just your regular high priced t-shirt, hit me up! Email: outdatrunkshow@gmail.com, I would love to hear what you think that means.
High Quality Blank:
There are several companies I have worked with to supply me blanks that have many options in the world of higher graded fabric and nicely cut shirts. No, American Apparel is not one of them! Since I am not too clear on what info this person is looking for I will tackle this question from a few different angles. But before I start, I would ask that anyone who is interested in the apparel game become informed in the area of fabrics:
Does it shrink when washed?
How the color fades when washed or hold dye in general?
Does it stretch?
Comfort, is it comfortable? Durable?
What is the general use? Causal wear? Sports? Is it Breathable?
On the most basic level what 100% Cotton is or how it feels what are the advantages? and disadvantages? are to selecting this for your project.
Next why and when to choose a 50% Cotton 50% Polyester? How it feels? as well as the benefits and draw backs to choosing it over the 100%?
Is it in the Cut?
Since I am not too sure where this guy is coming from with this question. Let's talk about the cut of the shirt. American Apparel does a very basic square, box like cut. But if you look at brands like Ed Hardy (not on the top of my list of things to do), but you start to see more tailored cut shirts. They are tapered or a slimmer fit and the fabric is soft and fluffy, not hard like your commonly used brands. Now some of your Hanes, AAA and Gildan shirts have different line to offer a more quality fabric even a better fit, which the price will reflect these upgrades! I just don't think of the basic cut shirt as "High End!"
Now there are several companies I like, they are not in the order of my preference: Article.1, Continental Clothing Collection (They are on a Euro System) and Alternative Apparel. There may be someone else but this are generally the companies that I get blanks supplied. Alternative I believe have started to make tare-away labels and offer burnout tees, reverse seams and unfinished details, A1 has heavy weight shirts, euro fit and some unfinished seam options and CCC has tee, polos and hoodies that are distressed or the worn look the hoods are also doubled back (having the outer fabric as inner lining of the hood). Before I proceed you must have all you business paperwork in order. You can't see the clothing offered by some of this companies on their website without an account. You will need your BL and RP, got you all confused? You Business License and a Reseller Permit. If you can view the items you get the Retail purchasing price, not wholesale.
I am going to move on to What I think really makes a person think or say a brand is higher end.
I would like that with "The Works"!
Printing techniques with a little shine on top! Wow! I love it when someone whats to do something but has no knowledge of what it takes. So, they hit me up to give them just a taste of my knowledge. High t's are high end because they cost more to produce. You have to select you printer wisely and know that every printer works with the same materials. Many opt out of doing certain services or require larger volume to produce that run for you.
High end shirts use several types of printing techniques:
Discharge:
Commonly used on darker shirt, the shirt color is removed from the fabric and replaced with the ink color. Has a soft hand to it and you will need to inquiry with your printer about this service.
Water-base Silk Screen: This is for your light colored shirts and has a soft hand as well and shirt color will show through ink color almost like a dying process. The ink dries fast some many printer will offer it for larger volume runs.
Embroidery:
Getting you logos, icons, wording or artwork stitched into the garment to add texture and dimension to your design. Pricing based on thread count.
Foil Print:
I use some foil on some of my designs. This can cost based on size or amount of coverage or per placement. Every company doesn't offer foil prints, they may refer a Metallic ink, because this requires two steps. Applying the ink and than applying the foil, heat press and remove left over foil. Price is really effected by volume, for small runs can cost $5 to $10 a hit.
How about a little Bling! Bling!:
So you really want to get flashy? Rhinestones and studs are cool accents, but they can really add up as well as pick the application that is more successful for your line. Rhinestones can be fixed to garments with glue or with a fixture (the small metal case that hold it to the garment). I like the fixture, because they add something extra to the design, but the adhesive may be more cost effecting or the visual effect that yo may be looking for.
Patches:
I really like patches and badges. They can really be a cool way to upgrade that shirt, but they require vector art and are priced similar to your embroidery with thread count effecting the cost.
PVC Moldings:
Polo and Sean John use these. They are stitched to the sleeve of the shirt or are the rubber-like zipper tab shaped like the logo or with the logo cave out of it. You can pick PMS color or just go with one. The initial cost on the is the mold, than you go into you price count. Min is normally 1000 pieces.
Labels and Tags:
You don't even have your label yet. You can opt to have it imprinted in the neck (tagless) or you have to pick a higher grade of thread for your woven label. The high grade of the thread or the finest of it effects the about of graphic detail that can created and the softer the label is to the touch. Men this is a little longer than I hoped it would be, but I am going to close this out.
I hope that it has been helpful to those of you who are looking into, have started or are developing a t-shirt line. The list above of addition or options for techniques for your designs go far beyond that. I just wanted to list a few basic one on the higher end of the gage for street wear. But I would suggest learning more on your own and building your knowledge of what you want to produce. And please make sure you are really ready to go on the journey that you have stated. If you have no idea what that mission is how can you be successful at it. Look at brands you admire or that are targeting the market you want, see what they do and see if you can find sources that offer those same services.
Thanks, Che
If you have a question concerning marketing, building a brand, sourcing or just want some general input on your designs or creations email me at outdatrunkshow@gmail.com. I would be glad to sure my knowledge with you!
