2009-11-05T21:22:17-05:00 Some advice for tee merchants on linking within your site to your design variations 1571 Advice For Tee Shops: Link To Your Design Variations 84851 3 2009-11-07T05:36:21-05:00 http://blog.teenormous.com/some-advice-for-tee-shops-link-other-colors/ 63 2009-11-04T21:20:28-05:00 It is what you think it is. 1561 Gym Shorts Mock Up 4171 2 2009-11-07T06:12:56-05:00 173 2009-10-30T18:33:33-04:00 I ask Eric Terry and Liz Fulghum about the aspects of creating an eye catching brand. 1551 Creating an Eye Catching Brand 9212 3 2009-11-07T06:13:22-05:00 http://t-shirtmagazineonline.com/creating-eye-catching-brand/ 416 2009-10-29T23:34:21-04:00 Learn how to follow people on Twitter and how to cultivate a community of dedicated followers. 1541 How To Follow People On Twitter 7038 3 2009-11-07T04:24:40-05:00 http://www.cotygonzales.com/2009/10/29/how-to-follow-people-on-twitter/ 140 Originally posted on www.livethescene.com. Thanks to Ernie at Toaster Br00tal Clothing for this interview. <img src="http://livethescene.com/lifestyle/images/promo%20picture%202.jpg" /><img height="255" src="http://livethescene.com/lifestyle/images/promo%20picture%201.jpg"> <b>How long has the clothing company been going? How did it all start?</b> TB: The company is relatively new. It started in the summer of 2008 as an interest to start a clothing company with a different approach to things. <b>What were your main goals when you first set out?</b> TB: To get the name out as much as possible, sponsor a few bands, and get a decent amount of shirts printed. Have you achieved or surpassed these? I have achieved some and surpassed others.Promoting the company and getting the name out will always be a progressing goal. As for sponsoring bands, we now have over 100 bands that we partially sponsor. <b>What message do your clothes give out?</b> TB: Stay br00tal. Don’t let anything get you down. Stay strong. <b>What is the ethos behind your company?</b> TB: Although the company is mostly about heavy music such as hardcore or metal, we are all about supporting every style and type of music. A motivation that drives the company is giving underground bands the ability to be sponsored by a clothing company. <b>How do you make sure you stand out from the crowd?</b> TB: We strive to create something that is original, tasteful, and different. With eye-catching designs, we want the shirts to pop out and send a positive message while being stylish and having vibrant color schemes. <b>How do you come up with designs?</b. TB: Designs tend to hit me when I least expect it. Sometimes they are inspired by personal experiences or ideas that get thrown around. When they do hit me, I go straight to a computer and draw out rough versions of the designs to work with. If I’m not at a computer, I sketch it out on paper. I always keep an open mind and I’m always glad to hear ideas and suggestions. <b>Could you please explain the design process from idea to product shipment?</b> TB: First I design the shirt which is the hardest part of this process. The designing stage takes anywhere from 8 hours to a few months. After the design is done, it is sent off to our printers and they print it on blank shirts. Then they send the finalized shirts back to us ready to ship out. <b>Do you feel band endorsements are key to getting you noticed?</b> TB: Yes they sure are. Having an endorsement relationship with a band is a great way to promote both the company and the band. It’s a useful way to get exposure by having the bands wear our shirts or pass out fliers at shows. <b>Which of your current or past ranges has been most popular?</b> TB: So far it would be the Spring Line and now the Summer Line. It’s interesting to see some of our shirts posted up on various clothing reviewing sites by supporters of the company. <b>Have you found anyone trying to copy your designs, if so what have you done about it?</b> TB: Nothing major has happened yet. I’ve noticed slight details that others have copied, but nothing major. <b>What would you say to people thinking about starting their own clothing range?</b> TB: It’s a lot of very hard work. It takes a lot of time and dedication. Just don’t give up on it if you’re really passionate about it. But in the end, it’s very rewarding. <b>Anything they need to watch out for?</b> TB: People that ask you for free shirts!!! <b>Finally, plug your current range:</b> TB: The latest line out is our Summer Line! We’ve got three exciting shirts, including our first V-neck! All printed on American Apparel, this current and diverse line can satisfy virtually anybody’s taste. So pick one up, rock it, and keep it brutal! 2009-10-29T08:30:34-04:00 LiveTheScene.com "Thread Heads" Interview Feature by Shane Richardson 1531 Interview with Ernie Slenkovich of Toaster Br00tal Clothing 69151 1 2009-11-07T05:45:06-05:00 402 2009-10-28T15:10:32-04:00 We had the change to link up with 1/2 of Bookoo Clothing, Dominic Turner for a interview. 1521 Interview With Dominic Turner of BooKoo Clothing 59671 3 2009-11-07T06:13:48-05:00 http://www.complexfashion.com/blog/2009/10/28/interview-with-dominic-turner-of-bookoo-clothing/ 141 2009-10-28T05:23:22-04:00 http://emptees.com/posts/93031-free-cd-mockup 1511 CD Mockup Kit 8909 2 2009-11-07T06:00:24-05:00 360 2009-10-27T17:23:14-04:00 We chat with artist Mr Gauky 1501 Interview with Mr Gauky 10347 3 2009-11-07T04:24:14-05:00 http://iamthetrend.com/2009/10/27/the-wonderful-world-of-mr-gauky/ 123 I noticed several people on here that used <a href="http://nodbod.com/">nodbod.com</a>, but i never heard anything about their printing quality. My little brother is a big star wars fan, so i decided to get him something a little more unique this year. (crappy pics) <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj42/birdie3431/storm-trooper-test-print-1.png" /> Their stock shirt is a little wider than i prefer, and has a kind of silky feel. (cotton/high-tech poly blend) <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj42/birdie3431/storm-trooper-test-print-2.png" /> The artwork uploading center on their site isn't very good, which made it hard to line up the front and back designs. <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj42/birdie3431/storm-trooper-test-print-3.png" /> Some discoloration around the collar on the back. <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj42/birdie3431/storm-trooper-test-print-4.png" /> Small smears around the armpits and shoulder seams. <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj42/birdie3431/storm-trooper-test-print-5.png" /> Overall, $29 for a single all over print is a great deal. It's not perfect, but i guess im pretty picky. I would recommend <a href="http://nodbod.com/">nodbod</a> to anyone that needs a small run of an all over print design. 2009-10-26T21:31:18-04:00 A review of the on demand all over printing company, nodbod. (with pics) 1491 Nodbod Review 1876 1 2009-11-07T05:53:02-05:00 386 2009-10-19T14:07:39-04:00 Interview into the lifestyle, art methods and inspiration with college artist Zack Davenport. 1471 Interview With College Artist Zack Davenport 2186 3 2009-11-07T04:25:51-05:00 http://www.rethinkclothing.com/2009/10/19/college-artist-interview-with-mr-davenport/ 269 2009-10-16T14:15:27-04:00 We are interviewing owner of Elusive Apparel, Kiet Le. 1461 Interview With Elusive Apparel 59671 3 2009-11-07T06:00:49-05:00 http://www.complexfashion.com/blog/2009/10/16/interview-with-elusive-apparel/ 296 Yes the economy has seen signs of improvement but nobody is in the clear just yet. Clothing retailers and brands across the globe have felt the effects from what has occurred over the last year and a half. Lots of clothing lines are thinking of ways to shave costs right now just to keep their head above water. Most of you will be tempted to make drastic changes but remember that decreasing the quality of your product in order to save some money will be detrimental to your brand in the long run. As a clothing brand owner you will be enticed to plunge in quality with your clothing items knowing you can save a few bucks per piece, is it really worth it? Take a step back and think about what this can do for your brand in the long run. Sure you might be able to see some short gains quickly but over time even your loyal shoppers will abandon your product. There is most likely a good reason why they became loyal shoppers in the first place, because they loved your clothing. Do you know how difficult it will be to win these customers back if they leave due to shotty material used for your tees or other clothing items? It is not easy to keep a commodity selling in rough times but it is important as a designer and clothing entrepreneur to continue to stay true to your word even during a recession. There are other creative ways to shave costs for your company but your product is your golden egg and once your customer feels that they have been cheated it will take double the cost to actually get them back. As an entrepreneur you will figure out where to shave these costs in other areas. Most of the time when a customer leaves because they just washed your tee and half the screen is faded out they will not come back no matter how much new marketing you throw at them. Remember, don’t piss where you eat. The internet has allowed everyone to have a voice and you better believe that a few customers who feel your product has gone downhill will kick and scream online through one of the many outlets available. When consumers make a decision to start spending again they will keep in mind the brands that they trusted. All it takes is one or two bad experiences shopping and many will turn towards your nearest competitor. Don’t give them a reason to head in the other direction. It is all about the fine points that keep customers coming back to your brand. There are some products that consumers will continue to purchase even when times get really difficult because of the fine points. Some customers know that no matter how bad things get they will still enjoy buying themselves a new t-shirt to put on their back from your brand. As long as you keep these customers happy your brand will continue to grow. Continue to keep your customers blissful through this period of time and when things get well again their devotion will tag along as well. By focusing on growing your clothing brand through any means possible and by keeping things distinctive your brand will thrive during dreadful economic times. As a business owner you need to keep things moving forward at all times, stalling never leads to anything good. If a products packaging could get your shopper excited and smiling before they unwrap the package than you’re that much closer to having a lifelong customer. For any company who sells a commodity like t-shirts you have to figure out ways to really stand out from the crowd. The more you stand out the higher your chance of surviving any downturn in the economy. About the Author: <img src="http://bostonknucklehead.com/wp-content/themes/foliotastic2/graphics/topimage.jpg" /> Maciej (ma-chi) Fita is a 20 year skateboard veteran who has launched a Boston based urban clothing brand representing the pride, history and culture of all aspects of Boston life. Products include cleverly themed t-shirts and hoodies but they will be launching many new things in the future. To learn more please visit the <a href="http://www.bostonknucklehead.com">Boston Knucklehead Clothing website</a>. 2009-10-13T20:49:07-04:00 An article dedicated to staying true to your clothing brand during a rough economy. 1451 Don’t Sacrifice the Quality of your Clothing Brand because of the Economy 13506 1 2009-11-07T05:25:11-05:00 1280 2009-10-10T22:34:23-04:00 We discuss how to create designs you personally like, but still sell well to the general public. 1441 Designing T-Shirts for Passion and Profits 9212 3 2009-11-07T05:36:35-05:00 http://t-shirtmagazineonline.com/designing-passion-profit/ 1022 2009-10-09T15:12:37-04:00 We are going to be giving away a cool t shirt business start up package from UPrinting.com. 1431 Free Tee Business Startup Package from UPrinting.com 77081 3 2009-11-07T05:24:03-05:00 http://www.youthedesigner.com/2009/10/09/free-tee-business-startup-package-from-uprinting-com/ 1109 2009-10-07T18:50:20-04:00 A couple of insights into high twitter counts, and why they're over-rated. 1421 Why Twitter Followers are Worthless 7615 3 2009-11-07T06:15:24-05:00 http://www.assaultblog.com/why-twitter-followers-are-worthless/ 524