AppId is over the quota
For clothing line start-ups and established brands alike, this is possibly one of the most frustrating and time-consuming topics. Where to source my t-shirts? Can I move beyond the t-shirt? What's the cheapest t-shirt? The softest? I give up.
While it's true that at the end of the day a t-shirt is really just a t-shirt, it's much more than just a t-shirt (confused yet?). It's profit margin. It's brand identity. It's predictability. And it's more.
Your t-shirt is your brand
While this isn't rocket science, the answer to this question is easier for some than others. If you decide a component of your brand identity is "earthy" and "organic", you've put yourself in a tight pinch. You pretty much have to go with organic, bamboo, recycled, or earth friendly cotton (which really could mean a million different things). If you are considering a more fashion-forward, slim-fit type of "look", then you've eliminated many of the boxy, heavy cotton t-shirts that aren't known so much for comfort as they are for savings. See where I'm going with this?
What you see is what you get
For our brand, predictability and comfort became an instant non-negotiable. We determined from the get-go that we couldn't have our customers experiencing inconsistency in fit and feel from purchase to purchase. It's like going to a restaurant, loving the meal, and upon return getting a less superior version of the first. You probably aren't coming back. How do you prevent this from happening to you? Research. Read customer reviews, order samples, wash them, wear them; pretend you're the customer. Be as critical as you can, while being fair. Many factors go into creating a t-shirt and all are certainly not created equal.
Protect your margin
If you don't know what this means, time to go back to the research phase of your business. Each and every cost that goes into producing the end product can have major impacts on what are likely already slim profit margins. You can't order the most expensive Alternative Apparel t-shirt out there if you are retailing them at $15. Considering your printing, shipping, packaging, re-tagging and art production costs, it's easy to see how the t-shirt can be your biggest investment. Buy wisely.
As you set out to source your initial product, take these and other factors into consideration. Also, be flexible. Be willing to move from one supplier to another as circumstances dictate. I've never used just one source before because honestly, at this stage in the game no one production facility is going to get you what you need.
Jason Revilla is the co-founder of Faith & Fortune, a lifestyle brand that seeks to motivate others through the power of art, fashion and music. Check out their limited edition apparel
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