need mentoring from clothing companies

[afreekan]

hi guys, i am an artist/graphic designer, i am starting my own shit, pls dont hate, i have been doing this shit for a while for fun for years and now i want to take it seriously, i have a couple of designs posted in photoshop but i needed recommendations, what shirt or hoodie can i use, i heard american apparell plently of times but i prefered if i can get in contact with a factory and tell them to make my shit from scratch, pls i need help, if bobby hundreds, freshjive or anyone in the game is reading, your help is really appreciated, also i would like to make v neck sweaters, but thats later, are there any factories that can knit any sweaters and knit my designs on it, pls let me know what's really good, my clothing line which i will display later covers my expriences that i had in nigeria in the funniest, strangest and artistic manner, i just got a dell xps 600 with shit load of softwares and i am ready to get this shit done, i need advice, money isnt the issue, i got that i just want to know how yall get your shirts and hoodies done, i have designs

[ackbar]

you're gonna need a shit load of money to launch a clothing line with cut & sew hoodies and sweaters w/ custom knit designs.

[jjs home]

you'd prolly want a Mac instead of a Dell for starters

[afreekan]

i do know about the money issue, i have that in hand, but i plan on also getting a bank loan, but yeah mac is wack trust me, i am a pc guy, dells arent the best, i wish i got an alienware system but they were too pricy, i was able to get a top of the line dell xps 600, its mad wicked, i aint no starter trust me, i graduated from artinstitue and my drawing skills and graphic skills are on mad point, i just need advice as far as factories, clothing,legal advices and contract, keep on posting guys, i need it

[ackbar]

not at all true. i use a mac personally...and lots of people prefer them (especially in graphic design, video, audio, etc.). he can do anything he'd need with windows tho.

[afreekan]

true graphic desingers prefer mac especially in my school, but i am an animator (sorry for not disclosing) i have alot of graphic designer knowledge, and alot of animators hate macs, but if you use it more power to you, but i prefer pc, i would love to make my animes, i want to be the next watanabe or miyazake but in the mean time i am focusing on this shit

[M.E.M.P.H.I.S]

Yo son, start small or you're gonna look foolish. Just because jawns are getting on that cut 'n sew doesn't mean it's the right direction, at least not for someone just getting into the game. Hell, most of the brands that everyone hypes use/used stock t-shirts.

Don't worry about having a Dell either, but don't say that macs are wack, cause anyone that is seriously involved in the design field know that macs are standard issue. And coming from someone that uses a pc, I'll admit that macs run adobe software WAY more efficiently.

If you want my advice, get an internship. It's really that simple. You'll get more of that than asking around on hypebeast.

I think the most important thing is this. Don't put out some wack ass designs like all the jackers on this board are so incredibly adept at doing.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to shit out the 4-pack of cadbury eggs I devoured this morning.

[afreekan]

yeah true, but houston is so behind on this shit though, so would you recommend american apparell, the reason i ask is because i thought it would be wack if cut and sew was not your choice, but if you say so then what would you recommend, after reading bobbys shit, i felt good inside bcuz i am ready to splurge on some actual sweats and shit on am app, let me know tho

[Tronics]

If your in the US you have no excuse...

There hoards of brands begging for interns.....

Thats the best way forward really all the advice, and help you need you'll find there..

[tofuguy]

macs run adobe programs more effeciently because adobe programs are made for mac initially.

hey, im an animator too and I graduated from A.I. as well. Which AI did you go to?

[andrew3sixteen]

its funny how this thread degenerated into a mac/PC thread.

1) anyone who is a designer knows that you can accomplish whatever you need to on either a PC or mac. i dunno what this business is about "running apps more efficiently" but we're not rendering movies here. if you have a slow computer, that's the problem right there. its not what kind of computer you have. the tool has very little to do with design talent.

2) as for tshirt and printing recommendations. if you are just getting started, you've got to have a lot of money to go overseas to have custom stuff made. i'm talking 500 of a design before they will even pay attention to you. with that said, a lot of the big brands you think are getting stuff done overseas are still printing domestically because they've priced it all out and the convenience and turnaround time of having it done here in the states is better than the risk and upfront cost of having it done overseas.

why would you want to have some mysterious factory print your shirts if you've never done this before? find a local screen printing shop, print 50-100 of your shirts, amd get to know the process of sizing and prepping artwork inside and out. you'll need to know that no matter what. then see if anyone likes what you are doing. if they sell out quick, then keep at it for a bit and watch the company grow. if they dont, try again or reconsider it. why get stuck with hundreds of tshirts that wont move? thats how we started... our first season we printed 50 of each design just to see what happened. from there it was on.

hope this helps.

[yimmy]

true graphic desingers prefer mac


your an idiot

[Tofu Salad]

american apparel shirts aren't very good, they're thin and shrink a great deal. the same goes for they're hoodies. i think that a lot of companies use Hane's Beefy T or other 6+ ounce t-shirts. but i'm not sure about hoodies. are you planning on silk-printing yourself?

[SLFMD]

Yeah not to hate on american apparel cause they got a lot of nice stuff but we tried out some styles and it just wasnt what we were looking for. Thin material, expensive, wasnt durable, and it shrank.... alot. However, it works for some other folks. We found that the only people who enjoyed Am.APP. were the ladies cause of the softness and the fitted feel.

[zeon33]

yeah im trying to start up with some friends too. :D
even though there is a lot of competition in the industry, i still wanna start up.
i mean i been drawing most of my life and i wanna put my designs on clothes as a memento.

hopefully my friend could get me a internship for the guy that designed the jeans for true religions. my friend told me hes doing his own thing now, cause problems with levis saying they took there style.

as far as stocked shirts, which one uses good material?
i like what triumvir uses, there really soft and comfy but there still pretty thick.

[sincerelyEric]

we order through am app for some of our girls stuff, girls love um. The mens is not really our style because of the shrink. we actually ended up returning a shipment of their shirts because of the fit. a lot of people still use them though. it depends on the market you're trying to hit. do they rock tight shit or more baggy?

[Tofu Salad]

yeah, AA does have some soft tees but the fit is small. as far as a thick shirt goes, hanes beefy tees are 6.1 oz and don't shrink at all. i heard that one of the partners from american apparel started his own company and its basically the same fit but the quality and thickness is better, i can't remember the name though. i know that franco shade uses them.

[brice]

tofu salad, can you find out what the company is called?

[charlie brown]

i've used the hanes beefy t myself for printing at my house but they are alot more expensive than other brands. i'm with everyone else in the american apparel shirts are way to small unless you like the club kid fit or you're a female. don't use the gildan shirts unless you like a bad fit. they are pretty cheap but the fit and some colors aren't that great. do a search on the net for blank t providers and there will be a slew of them to choose from. what i did was do that and order blanks from different companies and then choose which is best for me with fit, color and shrinkage. good luck

[Diamond]

www.alstyle.com

AAA are the best blank tees in the game. Good quality, perfect fit.

[KillaKate]

^ditto

[sincerelyEric]

AAA are good. Almost no shrink and the neck line is real clean. Decent color selection too.

[2Fresh2Clean]

I have been having alot of trouble finding a silkscreener that can make large prints, like all over prints or anything wider than 12 across. Printers seem to only be able to screen corny company logos. Has anyone else had this problem?

[sincerelyEric]

the problem is you nee oversized palets, oversized frames and a machine that can fit them. alot of smaller silk screening places don't have them because of the price and they don't get a lot of people walkin in looking for allover prints. just keep looking even go out of your area if you have to. or try to get a printer to work out something where you buy some of the equipment if they'll run your designs.

[zoidanum]

best way 2 do all over prints is to go to the shop with your raw fabric let them print your design on it and cut / sew by yourself. Thats the way I do it but I guess it only works if u're into cutting and sewing.

[2Fresh2Clean]

My cut and sew skills are nonexistant... I really don't want to limit my designs to the standard height and width thats BORING, and I don't have the money to buy all new equipment either. There seems to be no clear solution!

[dblockdosmil]

for cheap supplies go 2 artsupply.com its this art shop here in chicago u can order off line and they're mad cheap!!

[2Fresh2Clean]

Well what equipment will I need in oder to do larger an normal prints (over 12" wide) or all over prints on shirts?

[brice]

the problem isnt getting large silk screens. problem for me is finding a place that does large acetates to print graphics. is there a way to do that by yourself?

[sincerelyEric]

equipment depends on if they're runnin manual or auto machines. auto machines usually need special mounting brackets on their palets, that can be some bank. but 1st you need screens large enough, then for allovers non cut n sew: some people use the palets with the sleves on them and have a different palets for each size shirt you're printing. this can be $$$. but if you can concince your printers that other people will start ordering shit once they start offering this kind of printing, they might spring for that shit.

or tell them you'll run a million shirts with them once they get it (probably not an option huh)

[M.E.M.P.H.I.S]

AAA are good. Almost no shrink and the neck line is real clean. Decent color selection too.

That's bullshit. I know that AAA have nearly become the standard for most companies printing on blanks, but lately the cut of the sleeves has been weak and yes, they do shrink. Too much in my opinion. I've got several AAA shirts, and the recently their cut has just been smaller. It's pretty fucking weak.

[jobeboje]

Does anyone know what Mishka prints on? I assumed AAA but it seems a little different.

[brice]

i like the asian shirts that lmac prints on. i know they use these shirts in asia a lot. really thin close knit shirts. LMAC!!!!!! what do you use!!!!!!

[2Fresh2Clean]

I hope that someone schooled in the business drops some more knowledge ( or personal experiences) on us about the following topics:

1) How to do all over prints
2) Best shirts to use (that won't shrink)
3) What programs are best to format art work on (Illustrator,Draw,Photoshop?)

[Diamond]

1. All over prints need to be screened by someone with a belt printer and they are very hard to come by.
I only know of 4 places in Cali that do belt printing and they are all in LA.
I know thr are a few places in NY too.

2. All 100% cotton shirts shrink..... AAA shirts have a good fit and only shrink if you put them in the dryer. Hang dry them and you are good.

3. 99% of printshops work off of Adobe Illustrator format files only.

[andrew3sixteen]

what nick said.

belt printers are hard to find and the results can come out crappy..... its just not the ideal setup. i've seen some brands with allovers that came out nice, others came out really shoddy looking. printing onto flat fabric is the only real way to get a pro result.

i've been using gildans and they havent shrunk even when thrown into the wash. i do notice that AAA's tend to run a bit smaller and shrink more. but thats just my preference.

you can give artwork to printers in all different formats - they just might charge you for artwork setup fees. the best way to go is to provide ai vector-based artwork.... then you know that it will come out the way you submitted it. i learned about this the hard way.

[orisue]

Done said it Andrew ( ; You are the man.

[M.E.M.P.H.I.S]

2. All 100% cotton shirts shrink..... AAA shirts have a good fit and only shrink if you put them in the dryer. Hang dry them and you are good.

Dude, first of all, get real. How many of us really have the space or time to hang dry our laundry. I know that cotton shrinks, but I also know what to expect in regards to shrinkage. Lately, every AAA shirt I've gotten has shrank up in the sleeves particularly, leaving me looking like a damn groupie for fall-out boy. I have Alstyle shirts from a year or two ago and they didn't used to shrink up like they do now. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. It's just annoying because now I have to buy larges now, and the length and width of the torso doesn't fit as well as the mediums.

[2Fresh2Clean]

Why don't more people use 50/50 blends instead of 100% cotton. I know the feel is different but the shrinkage should be much less!

[contaygious]

How many of us really have the space or time to hang dry our laundry.

I've never dried anything in my life except boxers, socks, and towles.......shrinking = bad

[2Fresh2Clean]

I wonder why none of the many companies on here have not given some insight into these topics??

[Mackland]

good thread

t's just annoying because now I have to buy larges now, and the length and width of the torso doesn't fit as well as the mediums.

^ same probs, ok something serious now

I have some Surrender, Maharishi and Criminal shirts in size MEDIUM and they fit perfectly, unlike shirts of the Hundreds, Reasonate, Plain Gravy etc. (USA/MEX MADE) only fits me in size LARGE for the width, while the length is too long..

indeed there is a clear difference within the price (despite the quality, the brand I stated first are of thicker fabrication) of both type/brands of shirts, but I'd like to know is the difference really that big and what shirts does Surrender etc. use?

and im not looking for a 100%-cotton-shirt answer

[orisue]

You guys should take a stroll down the detergent aisle at convenient superstore or something. Because there are a lot of special washing fluids that will keep your clothes brand new, especially if you're paying tons of $$$ for them.

Oh yeah, my recommendation is the fabric softner, oh lord... That thing rocks! And if you guys have a lot of black shirts, theres this certain type of fluid that will keep the colors on your black shirts ( ; Check check check check it out... What what what what its alllll about. ( ;

[2Fresh2Clean]

I went to my local shop and asked about them possibly getting new equipment for larger screens, and they quickly said NO! I guess I'm going to be stuck using regular dimension screens... oh well, I tried!

[shersher]

I hope that someone schooled in the business drops some more knowledge ( or personal experiences) on us about the following topics:

1) How to do all over prints
2) Best shirts to use (that won't shrink)
3) What programs are best to format art work on (Illustrator,Draw,Photoshop?)

1. Best to bring in the fabric and then cut and sew
2. AAA or hanes beefy t's (but on the real, until you can go overseas and capable of buying quantity that is when you can get whatever you want)
3. Best format is vector based illustrator


Wish you the best!

[dblockdosmil]

i know a certain spot 2 get a pirated version of adobe illustrator ;)

[Tronics]

Lime....

Wire....

[contaygious]

isohunt.com + azereus works better than anything i have ever seen

[dblockdosmil]

azereus sucks dude, bitlord x the pirate bay is where its at

[Nawkternal]

bitlord and pirate bay is 5 days of waiting BUT at the end its allll good

[dblockdosmil]

5 days?? man my downloads go fast

[Mackland]

use mIRC x mIRC browser

[KillaKate]

You guys should take a stroll down the detergent aisle at convenient superstore or something. Because there are a lot of special washing fluids that will keep your clothes brand new, especially if you're paying tons of $$$ for them.

Oh yeah, my recommendation is the fabric softner, oh lord... That thing rocks! And if you guys have a lot of black shirts, theres this certain type of fluid that will keep the colors on your black shirts ( ; Check check check check it out... What what what what its alllll about. ( ;


haha michael your the best. I should have you come over and do my laundry.

[2Fresh2Clean]

This post just got waaaay to technical for me! Here's another question:
How can photoshop be used to create designs? I usually us it to change phots, I didn't know you can design (draw) on there as well (I'm not a graphic artist as you can tell)?

[dblockdosmil]

look at my thread named "which is better photoshop or illustartor"

[orisue]

Hahaha Kate, sweetheart... You cannot buy my time... My time/friendship is earned ( ; But you know I got love for you. We'll hang out soon dawg.

[Tofu Salad]

for larger platens, screens and any other supplies, visit http://www.silkscreeningsupplies.com/ they have everything you need. for adobe illustrator, you can go to http://www.journeyed.com and get the education version for like $100 vs $400.

[frank white]

the whole mac vs pc thing... i've been in the professional graphic design/printing field for about 6 years now (working at ad agencies or printing companies) and i have had a mac since i was 11. i love macs but the only HUGE difference i've ever noticed between the two is color calibration. speed really isn't an issue with graphic apps (especially now since the new macs will have intel chips and have to run all adobe products through rosetta). there used to be a huge problem with fonts and native files, but i would say almost 80-90% of graphic apps are now cross platform.

[P.U.R.E Inc]

this Books will help How to Print T-shirt for Fun and Profit by Scott & Pat Fresener ?

For which type of shirts is best to use its all depend on you, but if you would like to know which shirt are used there is a Web site where you can Check the RN # of the shirt to see which companies manf it. PM me on this if you would like to know the site.

there are site out there like T-shirtfourm.com where u can get alot of info.

Good luck,
Pure, INc
Progress-unite-respect-envision

[GORILLARMS]

I KNOW THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE USE AAA TSHIRT

[2Fresh2Clean]

Opinion question: For a new start up company w/ limited funds, Do you think it is better to buy the equipment and print shirts yourself, or have a company do it for you?

[Gyromite]

Do not buy the equipment. The price it costs to do screening is so cheap you are way better off getting the pros to do it. Ask yourself this, do you know how or how long will it take you to learn the following:
how to screen multiple layers, flash
Pantone matching
Proper placement
also think of the room it takes up in your crib, serious real estate.

Trust me lose the stress and get it done by professionals, and when they screw up you can yell at them, when you screw up you throw away the tee.

check out my site
www.finaledesign.com

Maybe we should start a post on how to start a t shirt company.

[2Fresh2Clean]

^^^ REAL TALK! I have heard the same thing from mad people, but it is fustrating to hear that no one in my area can do what I want, ya know?

[DestroyClothing]

It doesnt matter where you get your printing done. We are based in New York and all our printing gets done in LA. My suggestion, find a printer thats willing to do what you're looking for, no matter where they are and pay a bit more for shipping. Its only going to increase your cost maybe .20 per piece. There are lots of good printers in California that will do whatever you want and are a lot less expensive than say, NYC. Even after shipping.

[IneedMoney©]

^^^ what company do u use for ur printing???

[2Fresh2Clean]

I wish more companies did this kind of work... there is money to be made! Most shops don't even have any clue what I'm talking about!

[dblockdosmil]

yup yup

[ZOKU]

I'm also interested in knowing who is the best for screen printing...

[bnj]

while i agree that trying to fill your own huge orders by printing yourself is very tough, i think buying light-use equipment for yourself will help you prepare artwork for screening, and will show you what kind of artwork works best with that type of shirt/ink.

[2Fresh2Clean]

As someone stated before not everyone has the amount of space that you will need for your own equipment. I have priced all the equipment that will be needed for a small start up and it easily is over $1,500 (not including blank shirts). I guess I will have to start small for now, and go from there!