Band T-shirts

[BryanM]

I'm looking for any advice touring bands have on t-shirt printing, where has the best deals, what shirts have the best fit for something lightweight and slim-fitting but durable. I'm in Pittsburgh and we'll probably be doing our own printing on the shirts unless we can find a spectacular deal on a supplier.

I know a lot of people recommend American Apparel but their prices are a bit steep, coming to about $7 after printing costs. We aim to keep our prices as low as possible (somewhere in the $10-$12 range.) Thanks in advance for any advice and I apologize if this is in the wrong forum.

[mikerophone]

i think i've heard positive things about hanes beefy tees.

[DanAleks]

I work at a small brewery & we sometimes have shirts we use as promotions.

These shirts IIRC were about $4 each, printed but not including initial artwork. These are very lightweight shirts, but they also do more expensive shirts of higher quality.

I'll ask who the supplier is, but these will probably need to be ordered in quantity.

PM me if I don't get back to you in a day or 2.

[tom once dead]

most of the band shirts I've got and even the ones my old band has gotten printed are all Guildian I think it is.

[Mo'Phat]

Originally Posted by BryanM

I'm looking for any advice touring bands have on t-shirt printing, where has the best deals, what shirts have the best fit for something lightweight and slim-fitting but durable. I'm in Pittsburgh and we'll probably be doing our own printing on the shirts unless we can find a spectacular deal on a supplier.

I know a lot of people recommend American Apparel but their prices are a bit steep, coming to about $7 after printing costs. We aim to keep our prices as low as possible (somewhere in the $10-$12 range.) Thanks in advance for any advice and I apologize if this is in the wrong forum.

www.alphashirt.com I believe they're based in Pennsylvania, and have about 400 different T-shirts available, including American Apparel, Gildan, and Hanes.

You will have to speak to customer service for pricing, though.

I bolded your sentence because you should consider the type of shirt your audience will want to buy. American Apparel has a certain reputation. More of a 'style' t-shirt, and less an 'athletic' t-shirt like Hanes or Gildan.

[Lazylion]

Originally Posted by BryanM

...what shirts have the best fit for something lightweight and slim-fitting but durable.

Are all your fans slim?

I doubt it. You'll sell more with standard fit.

[MNAirHead]

I've tried to do it on price.. cut corners on the shirt quality and artwork.. I ended up with a bunch of rags that are now for cleaning the car.

The bought higher quality shirts and artwork.. sold out in just about a month (same shirt count) ...

Depends if you're trying to make $5 per shirt OR net profit

[newwavefrank]

Gildan are good inexpensive cotton t's. District Threads is a good thin slim fit shirt, but of course more expensive. Keep in mind that the factors involved in pricing your printing are first, how many locations, and second how many colors. A one color, one location print should be very cheap, depending on how many you buy. For the record I own a screen printing/embroidery business.

[fractal0243]

We went with American Apparel. Like you said, it was a bit pricier, but the quality is really good. We get compliments all the time on them. I've been wearing them for a year now, and they hold up nicely. We're not really in it to make money, so we sell them for a buck or two above cost.

[MatticusMania]

I had some good shirts made for my old band from www.def-star.com, not sure if theyre still around though. $100 for 25 shirts.