How many do u buy event shirts?

[Osborne]

Im thinking about adventuring in the shirt business, printed and embrodered. And we also goin to be able to do trophys. I was just wondering do you buy event shirts, like bbq events, blue grass festivals,etc. Thanks

[MaverickBBD]

What's the saying? Been there, done that, have a shirt to prove it.

[Just Because]

I believe I would do more research than here.

Years ago when I ran King Mackerel Tournaments, we would buy any where from 15 to 50 dozen tee shirts each year. The competition for our business was extreme. Almost daily we would be sent a sample from the small MOM & POP operations trying to land the contract. Unfortunately, their buying power was not great enough and I could buy a printed 4 color, top quality tee for what they were paying for just the shirt.

What ever you do, make sure you sell the top of the line, first quality tees, rather than the import that you can read a newspaper through the fabric. After all..... it's your business riding on that shirt.

As for trophies, I think it's great for the kids, but the adults would rather have the check. We all have a closet full of this item.

Poppy

[scenic route]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Because What ever you do, make sure you sell the top of the line, first quality tees, rather than the import that you can read a newspaper through the fabric. After all..... it's your business riding on that shirt. Poppy

Yep, I agree. It also depends on the event. I've been known to buy over priced items if the proceeds go to a good cause...support for a NP or maybe a lighthouse preservation, something of that nature. To me, 'T's are somewhat like souvenirs, if it's made in China or of "rip off" quality, I didn't need it anyway. Bob

edit: OR...if the "T" is really stupid. IE, we were in 'beautiful downtown' Chicken, AK. last summer, business was looking grim. I bought two items. A 'T' with a pic of a bear holding a knife and a fork in his paws and had a checkered bib on sitting at a table. The caption..."Send More Tourists, The Last Ones Were DELICIOUS"!...$15.95. The other related to keeping one's beer cold.($5.95) Like I said...stupid stuff...

[PyrateSilly]

Depends on the material of the T-shirt, the price, the cause and if I need any other shirts cause some of the olders ones are now falling apart.

[jzick]

I do not know if the same situation exists today or not, but 30+ years ago we ended up involved in a T-shirt printing business (we were forced to take over when owners could not repay our investment). What we found then was that there were a few large companies that dominated and controlled any venue that offered enough volume and profit to be worthwhile. The business at that time was so cut throat that it was very hard to even get blank quality shirts if one of the big guys thought you might offer some serious competition to them. Even with what we considered superior art work and lower costs, we were unable to break into the market in a profitable way. We ended up closing the company and selling equipment for pennies on the dollar. All I can suggest is research the market. Good luck.

[catonine]

You really need to take heed to what is being said. The screen printing, sign, banner etc market is very difficult to break in and make a decent profit. Competition is usually very fierce. My wife has been in the graphics business for several years and does many thousands of T-shirts yearly for various activities. She also makes all types signs and just about anything that is wanted for all kinds of promotional things, as well as a ton of all kin of decals for several large trailer manufactuers. She and her staff work very long hours, produce top-notch products and it is still hard to make a profit. I tell her she is just in business to give her employees a job because she sure does not get rich. But she loves it so she keeps at it. If you get in the business just be prepared for long hours, hard work and minimal return. Me, I would not touch it with a stick. I'll just stick to my role as her personal loan officer.

[justaroamer]

I do not pay to be a billboard. Do not buy anything with a noticable label. Wearable billboards/advertising should be free. If one needs a conversation starter talk about the weather.
However from a business standpoint, there is money to be made, same as those that buy the lottery.
Best of luck in your venture, might try say...selling LED's, much less competition and more $ potential.
JMHO

[lllkrob]

None ever

[frederick w]

I rarely buy event shirts any more. Don't have the bucks. Plus
I'm starting to wear the 40 some shirts that I do have.

Now days, I barely can afford the gas to get to the car show
with my 74 Merc.

Well.... the 460 in the Merc. does get a little better mpg than
my MH.

Chevron loves ME !

[njs42]

Tough business as you have heard. Brutal competition, easy to be priced out of the market, T-shirts on every corner,

I like em' I buy em' just gave bags of them away to the Goodwill

and you would go broke depending on my business.

[ronspradley]

DW, always. Me, never.

ronspradley

[historyljc]

I don't know if this will helpful, but I'm more likely to a buy a cap.

[dieselclacker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by historyljc I don't know if this will helpful, but I'm more likely to a buy a cap.

I can relate to the cap purchase also, the size of my belly isn't exactly suited for a T shirt, even a colorful one!!!