I’ve been working on a logo design for a while and think I finally am getting close to something that might work. I want to have it done on some t-shirts, I guess screen printed one color. The polo shirts that I had embroidered were just too expensive for daily wear.
I’ve got two potential suppliers, one who hasn’t given me a firm price but sounds like she might be 5.00 plus on a shirt. (She’s out of state and there would be shipping.)The other one (a local guy) says its 2.00/shirt minimum order 72 pieces, and he gets a set up fee of around 50.00. He said his shirts are 5.6 ounce. I’m thinking these just sound like they are going to fall apart the second time they are washed based on the price.
I’m not sure what that weight means, what to look for or how to compare the shirts. Anybody have shirts done that can offer any advice?
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations – New Construction – Rentals
Replies
That does sound a bit light... Hanes Beefy Tees are 6.1 ounce and they're used a lot around here. I think they're even available in long sleeves if you want that.
I did check - it looks like they're around $7 each, but you'd think that somebody that does screen printing would get a better price.
I'm with you on the embroidered polo shirts. Nice but too expensive.
Edited 12/6/2005 3:37 pm by Greg
Thanks guy, the 6.1 oz is something I can compare it to. I was kinda floatin' in left field. (I know I can drive out to the printer and see what it feels like, trying to get some kind of heads up before I do that.) You hit two nails on the head - I was also torn between white with a maroon/brown design or a maroon shirt with a light design. Your prices gave me a sense of comparison. (Obviously, I don't shop much for clothes. My other half makes that part of my life easy.)
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Just don't buy the cheap grade.
Had a long sleeve pullover given to me. Never worn or washed before. First day of wearing it I went to tug up a sleeve to pull it up away from the wrist and it ripped. Cracked me up. Brand new and a gentle tug.
I wouldn't want my logo on one of those.
'Nemo me impune lacesset'
No one will provoke me with impunity
Edited 12/6/2005 3:57 pm ET by razzman
Razz - That is exactly what I did not want to happen. My Dad used to pick on Fruit of the Loom - said they were made out of cheesecloth with lots of starch that washed out the first time. For some reason, I got a couple of their shirts and he was right. They were great in the summer, it was like wearing nothing.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
I ordered a bunch once for a company I worked for. I asked for heavy shirts, and I think I asked for abd bought a blank sample so I could see what they were like.
I think I paid $7.50 each for 2XL shirts when I ordered 75 or so with a one color logo on them. (front only) But that was several years ago.
Sorry I don't have any more intelligent thoughts than that. (Not that you expected any, right ???)
Boss - Thanks for the info on the pricing. (When you going back to Laurel?)
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
I told 'em I wasn't coming back to Laurel. I figured I did my part of the puzzle and would leave it at that. But if you and/or others from BT were going back, I would consider it.Actually I *AM* toying with the idea of going to Arkansas later this month. Vernon Crowe has a project going the wek after Christmas. Carl would be able to go to that one, as he would be off school. But it's definitely still up in the air.I attached a pic of a T-shirt I recently saw that might give you some inspiration for yours.
Save a tree. Wipe yer butt with a spotted owl. (Beak side down)
Boss - I hope we get to work together again. Maybe if it's real hot I'll actually get to see you break a sweat! LOL
Unfortunately, I really need to get this job moving again. I got caught up with the exterior work for a while, then putting in a real living room (this getting civilized stuff sucks), and got involved with a few of the remaining cases, and I lost momentum. As much as I enjoyed Laurel, two weeks away from here didn't help.
Cute pic, but my overalls cover my butt.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Everyone who contributed to the thread gets a shirt... right?
David - I've been looking at the screen for 90 minutes and didn't hit this thread 'til now. (Taunton didn't send me the alert.) Last thing I expected was your note. Thanks for the chuckle - you extortionist. I'll tell you what - We'll see who comes to the next Fest (at Andy's?) and horse trade there.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
If you want Shirt That Don't Suck then I would recommend the Longtail Tees from Duluth Trading Company. Absolutely the best shirts I have ever owned. I recently went thru the t-shirt drawer and removed everything that was not a Duluth Longtail Tee and put it in the rag box. They are heavy and hold their shape and size. When I get company tees I'm going to investigate getting a carton of these at a discount.
David - Not familiar with that shirt. I typically get Hanes when I can catch them on sale. I may look into Duluth for the next batch.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Edited 12/6/2005 8:46 pm ET by DonK
davidmeiland,
you are absolutely and perfectly correct about the Duluth T's----just a fantastic product. I have 5-6 long sleeve green ones--- ( 3 years old) other than some fading--- still good as new
Assorted short sleeve ones---also good as new but only 1 year old
Really---we should start a seperate thread----- ( simple Things done well)
these T's would lead the list of simple everyday items---that are just done really well and at a reasonable cost
a lot of carhartt stuff would just miss that list as I am not sure it can be classified as " reasonable"---perhaps in-expensive is a better term.
Just wish I could get my logo on the Duluths.
Stephen
I pay $14.50 for Champion brand T-shirts screened with a four color logo. Small logo on front breast and bigazz logo on the back.
They're not cheap but they hold up unbelievably well for construction. They're nice and thick so they absorb a lot of sweat. I highly recommend grey. It's hides the stains well and isn't too hot in the summer sun.
I also had a bunch of Champion's heaviest hooded sweatshirts made up. Those are holding up really well too.
I think Gunner scored one of those off me at Riverfest now that I think about it!
I think Gunner scored one of those off me at Riverfest now that I think about it!
Ive heard hes like that . <G>
Tim
Diesel - Your info on pricing is also helpful, maybe more current than Boss'. My shirts will be printed one side I think, one color too. If I started doing 75 shirts at $14.50 each, that would definitely put a hurtin' on my milk money for a few weeks.
By the way, the cheaper guy said he will do sweatshirts for $3.99 each. Maybe I should buy the sweats and pretend they are t's?
As far as colored vs. white, I'm kind of partial to a colored shirt myself. White shirts never stay that way very long.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Don,I can get medium quality shirts with a 4" logo on front and about a 12" logo on the back for $7-8. Quantities are usually 24. The logo is a heat transfer with black and blue colors.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Jon - Price sounds reasonable. How do the heat transfer shirts hold up long term - 6 months plus? The lady I was talking to in Michagen does them and she offered that as an option (no price yet).
I may be calling you back for a referral. I pass thru your neck of the woods every time I go back and forth to the Clarksville area. At least I could eliminate shipping cost.
Don
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Don,If you're on 95 then you're in luck. Right off exit 126 (massaponax) there is a store near the Cracker Barrel called the "Hat Barn". They cater to the stream of traffic going up and down the coast.During the week the owner, Justin, does non-hat related things (like T-shirts) to fill the time between the vactioner rush.As to the heat transfer, they seem to be durable enough. We had one bad batch but they were replaced no questions asked.Email me if you want more info.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
We buy JerZees heavy weight blend. 50/50 Cotton Polyester. We have the log done with a heat transfer. We have some shirts that are probably 3 year old with no transfer failure and have never worn a tee shirt out. Usually we replace them due to stains and such.
We like the light gray and have a single color company name with the first name of the shirt wearer on the right side. 7.50 a shirt, mine are a buck more cause they are XXL. I also give all the guys 2 golf shirts with the same logo on them for when we go to a show or business function and I use them for sales calls. 11 bucks each. DanT
We buy JerZees heavy weight blend. 50/50 Cotton Polyester. We have the log done with a heat transfer.
I prefer the 50/50 over 100% cotton. They are more comfortable to wear, and the transfer really bonds to the polyester. I've been wearing the same 6 shirts for almost 2 years, and the logos don't show any wear.
Bought mine from http://www.nebs.com. I don't remember how much they cost.---------------------
Swimming through the ashes of another life, no real reason to accept the way things have changed. Wrapped in guilt, sealed up tight.
Now you and Dan went and talked about 50-50 blend. Between that and SHG telling me to brand myself, I knew this was going to get complicated. LOL Thanks to both/all of you for the input.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
I to like the blend better. I always felt like cotton just sticks to me when I sweat and doesn't dry quickly and the blend does wear well. DanT
Everything sticks to you with that big gut. LOL
http://www.hay98.com/
Back to making fun of the fat guy I see. Well let me tell you something Mr. Slimfast, I happen to be in the season of my being able to get some pretty steady second job employement and I don't need a damn pillow! DanT
Yea.....I can see the value in that. LOL
http://www.hay98.com/
We used to sell fabric inks to teachers to use with our stamps so kids could make their own t-shirts in Math Club. One of the things we learned in researching those inks was that a 50/50 poly/cotton blend holds ink far better than 100% cotton does. I have some t-shirts from back then that have been washed many many times, maybe 100, and the inks haven't faded.
Anyways, if you do end up screening 50/50 will look good longer than cotton.
I have to disagree about the cost of embroidery. It all depends on stich count of the design. But for people's names on their breast, or a company name on a few hats, I have found embroidery to be far cheaper than screening, which requires set up and color change fees that can kill you for small orders.
To add to Jim Blodgett's notes on embroidery....
I'm a big believer in "look like a pro, act like a pro, get paid like a pro". That means "uniforms" of some sort. Even if it's just bluejeans and a company t-shirt.
A lot of guys have the idea that buying company shirts means $1000 and big box of T-shirts they'll never use up. It doesn't have to be like that.
I've ordered 1/2 dozen embroidered T-shirts from Gempler's in the past. You can forward them your own logo or choose from a couple hundred generic ones. With their choices of generic logos, choices of lettering styles, and choices of thread color you can come up with a pretty decent logo on a handful of shirts for an affordable price. At one time, I placed an order for two polo-type shirts, two T-shirts, and two jackets. The small orders are no problem for them.
They also offer a lot of choices in apparel. I bought Carhart pocket t's and Carhart Arctic work jackets and had them embroidered but you can also get affordable 50/50 t-shirts as well as polos, hats, sweatshirts... just about anything you want. And in small orders.
Diesel - By chance do you have a way to reach Gemplers? I haven't heard of them before, and I've done my hats and most of my shirts through a local guy in the mall.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
I just go to http://www.gemplers.com myself.
If this works, here's your link...
http://www.gemplers.com/
I use them often too, good company...
Buic
The fellas have already pointed you in the right direction. They've got a great selection of all kinds of stuff from outdoor work apparel to safety equipment. I think, but could be mistaken, that they are somehow affiliated with Duluth Trading Co.
Okay guys - that qualified as a "duh"...
Consider me slapped upside the head.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Jim - thanks for the info on the ink. I will keep that in mind. I also intend to look at all my old t's to see whch hold up the best.
On the embroidery, I know what you mean about names, etc. My shirts are more than that. I've attached one that was just done a few months ago. (This was an old design that I just picked out of the catalogue, changed colors and added the name. I had 2 other designs too.) I paid $25-35 per shirt, depending on quantity and can't justify that for daily use in the field when I'm working. I also can't afford to give them away as easily.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Edit - Sorry about the photo size. it was bigger and I got it down this far, it lost some quality already.
Edited 12/11/2005 4:02 pm ET by DonK
Yes I did and it's my favorite by far. Heavy duty and looks damn good. I love it. The t shirt you sent me a couple of years ago is still one of my favorites too. I love the logo.
http://www.hay98.com/
Don,
You KNOW how much branding is worth around these parts. For a few bucks extra, it gives that level of comfort that can make all the difference with the locals and create a comfort level that justifies big numbers. I've seen gardeners put some very classic names and logos on day laborers and sell them at unbelievably big numbers. It's all in the branding. So don't skimp on quality. A good name and logo on cheap T won't cut, and the few bucks difference will pay you back many times over.
Scott
For every complex problem, there is a solution that is clear, simple, and wrong.
-H.L. Mencken
That is so true. Guys ask me all the time why I "waste" my money lettering the truck or the machine..... or me and my guys for that matter. I ask them if they know how far $1000 will take a small crew in four color logoed T-shirts and sweatshirts? Far enough to charge an extra $1000 on every job I do for the rest of my career, is my answer. And I don't think I'm too far off the mark.
That does sound a bit light... jerzees Tees are 6.1 ounce and they're used a lot around here. have a look https://www.apparelshopusa.com/jerzees-21m-dri-power-sport-100-polyester-t-shirt-153229.html