the_urban_lemon
17 years ago
2 years ago
47
Creating my own t-shirts has been something I've wanted to do for a long while, now I'm financially able to I've started a brand (I use the term brand loosely atm, still early stages!) called "Glass Kings".

The concept behind the brand is that all men, no matter how powerful can be brought down, that nobody is untouchable in the end.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbp497D1Ta1rqbcwwo1_1280.png

I've got quantities of the shirt on the left in stock, the shirt on the right is a newer design which is currently being printed & will be available real soon...

Relevant links:
Tumblr
Buy
Facebook page
Deano
17 years ago
2 months ago
1,380
I've always been interested in starting my own Tshirt 'Brand'. How you transfer them onto the shirt, print? hot press?
the_urban_lemon
17 years ago
2 years ago
47
By Deano | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 14:50 PM
I've always been interested in starting my own Tshirt 'Brand'. How you transfer them onto the shirt, print? hot press?


The first one was printed direct to garment, so the t-shirt goes through a printer and the ink is actually inside the fibers of the shirt, the second shirt is heat pressed vinyl, really nice finish as well.
Telegram Sam
15 years ago
4 days ago
5,082
Premium
How does one go about such a venture? Sounds like a fun project, would like to do something similar in the future if I had a bit of spare cash flying around. How much did it cost to get things running?
Franck
17 years ago
4 weeks ago
4,255
By Telegram Sam | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 16:20 PM
How does one go about such a venture? Sounds like a fun project, would like to do something similar in the future if I had a bit of spare cash flying around. How much did it cost to get things running?

If you know how to print stuff yourself your only real expenditure will be the shirts themselves.

Don't believe it'd be too expensive to make the shirts even if you have someone else do the prints for you, particularly if you order a large amount.

The big challenge is to come up with designs that people actually want to buy and then establishing a way of getting your product to your customers, whether that is through a webshop, a stand on the street or a deal with a local clothing store or whatever you can come up with.
King Luis
17 years ago
2 months ago
3,111
Yeah i used to do it a few years back, was really cheap. Was selling shirts for £10/£15 and they cost like £3 to buy and print.
Tommo.
12 years ago
1 year ago
2,272
Usually prefer buying tshirts and stuff from small companys like yourself as you can guarentee that virtually no one where you are will have the same tshirt :L
the_urban_lemon
17 years ago
2 years ago
47
By Telegram Sam | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 16:20 PM
How does one go about such a venture? Sounds like a fun project, would like to do something similar in the future if I had a bit of spare cash flying around. How much did it cost to get things running?


I've probably spent about £200 at this point, gunna get stickers etc. done this week as well...it's a fun challenge, I've sold quite a few shirts so far.
King Luis
17 years ago
2 months ago
3,111
By Tommo. | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 16:57 PM
Usually prefer buying tshirts and stuff from small companys like yourself as you can guarentee that virtually no one where you are will have the same tshirt :L

Im the same, bought shit loads last month. Got about 10 i think and didnt spend more than £100, dont know why people bother buying ones from River Island/Topman, they're bloody expensive for a start
the_urban_lemon
17 years ago
2 years ago
47
By King Luis | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 17:29 PM
Im the same, bought shit loads last month. Got about 10 i think and didnt spend more than £100, dont know why people bother buying ones from River Island/Topman, they're bloody expensive for a start


How they can charge £30 for a thin cotton t-shirt with some washed out graphic on it is beyond me! affordable price is a must, even if you sell at a loss for a while.
Deano
17 years ago
2 months ago
1,380
By the_urban_lemon | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 15:25 PM
The first one was printed direct to garment, so the t-shirt goes through a printer and the ink is actually inside the fibers of the shirt, the second shirt is heat pressed vinyl, really nice finish as well.

Ah, I've worked with a lot of heat press in work but never printing onto the Tshirt itself. I'd imagine it'd need a specific machine or transfer?

On the River Island/Topman topic, half they're designs aren't even complicated. Could easily knock some up in a similar style.
the_urban_lemon
17 years ago
2 years ago
47
By Deano | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 17:42 PM
Ah, I've worked with a lot of heat press in work but never printing onto the Tshirt itself. I'd imagine it'd need a specific machine or transfer?

On the River Island/Topman topic, half they're designs aren't even complicated. Could easily knock some up in a similar style.


The place I got my first shirts done have a huge specially made machine that does the direct to garment printing, as far as I know they're the only place that does it. Was tempted to screen print my own but it seems like a lot of hassle and expenditure if you cock it up.
King Luis
17 years ago
2 months ago
3,111
By Deano | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 17:42 PM
Ah, I've worked with a lot of heat press in work but never printing onto the Tshirt itself. I'd imagine it'd need a specific machine or transfer?

On the River Island/Topman topic, half they're designs aren't even complicated. Could easily knock some up in a similar style.


Funny thing is they've been caught ripping of designs as well, as have Urban Outfitters. Few designer friends of mine have had to get lawyers involved to stop them selling shirts.

You shouldn't need to sell at a loss UL, always made a profit when i was doing it just got to find the right place to get shirts and the printing
Carroll.
15 years ago
3 years ago
3,361
Love the idea of designing your own clothes but don't think I'd know where to start. Plus I'd be a crap designer.
Justicar
17 years ago
4 weeks ago
549
Premium
By Carroll. | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 18:03 PM
Love the idea of designing your own clothes but don't think I'd know where to start. Plus I'd be a crap designer.


No point starting a brand and then being deported is there...
Tommo.
12 years ago
1 year ago
2,272
By King Luis | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 17:29 PM
Im the same, bought shit loads last month. Got about 10 i think and didnt spend more than £100, dont know why people bother buying ones from River Island/Topman, they're bloody expensive for a start


Dont think I have ever brought a thing from River Island or Topman due to the prices :L


I like the Logo you made for your design also mate
Carroll.
15 years ago
3 years ago
3,361
By Justicar | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 18:16 PM
No point starting a brand and then being deported is there...


Are your digs going to get funny?
Deano
17 years ago
2 months ago
1,380
By Carroll. | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 18:27 PM
Are your digs going to get funny?


He could get them translated into Polish for you at least.
Ninja
14 years ago
7 years ago
5,341
By the_urban_lemon | Permalink | On 13 October 2012 - 17:38 PM
How they can charge £30 for a thin cotton t-shirt with some washed out graphic on it is beyond me! affordable price is a must, even if you sell at a loss for a while.

That's retarded.
the_urban_lemon
17 years ago
2 years ago
47
By Ninja | Permalink | On 14 October 2012 - 14:00 PM
That's retarded.


which bit?

EDIT: I'll preempt actually, I sell for what I feel is a 'fair' price, I might be making a small loss/breaking even but I'm no better than the rip off merchants if I'm selling a t-shirt for £30...I'm driven by creativity more than money, which is 'retarded' considering what business is based on, but that's just me..
Ninja
14 years ago
7 years ago
5,341
By the_urban_lemon | Permalink | On 14 October 2012 - 17:04 PM
which bit?

Selling at a loss. Even if you're doing it as a hobby to begin with at LEAST try and break even.
Obtuse
15 years ago
3 years ago
1,338
I think he may have meant making a name for yourself in regards to quality/price and then gradually increasing price as more people come.
Telegram Sam
15 years ago
4 days ago
5,082
Premium
People love to hate.
the_urban_lemon
17 years ago
2 years ago
47
By Obtuse | Permalink | On 14 October 2012 - 17:23 PM
I think he may have meant making a name for yourself in regards to quality/price and then gradually increasing price as more people come.


This.
King Luis
17 years ago
2 months ago
3,111
By the_urban_lemon | Permalink | On 14 October 2012 - 17:04 PM
which bit?

EDIT: I'll preempt actually, I sell for what I feel is a 'fair' price, I might be making a small loss/breaking even but I'm no better than the rip off merchants if I'm selling a t-shirt for £30...I'm driven by creativity more than money, which is 'retarded' considering what business is based on, but that's just me..

You shouldn't have to sell at a loss at all tbh, can easily make money if you get the quantities right
Obtuse
15 years ago
3 years ago
1,338
If the lass pic didn't have a cig in her mouth I would have been interested in it
Tommo.
12 years ago
1 year ago
2,272
By Obtuse | Permalink | On 14 October 2012 - 23:33 PM
If the lass pic didn't have a cig in her mouth I would have been interested in it


This. Thought it was a decent shirt til I see it
Franck
17 years ago
4 weeks ago
4,255
Oh, and the UK shipping only sucks!

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