Questions about Printing/Designing Tee Shirts/Sweatshirts/etc (Lunch Line)

Hey I'm in the process of starting a brand. I already have the website/logo finished and will post links at the bottom of this post. But I've finally got enough money to start getting some stuff printed up. I want to get very good quality printing, much like Diamond Supply, 10 deep, Mighty Healthy, etc. I'm not trying to be one of those brands that have 10 dollar shirts that look like they got printed up in the mall.

First question. When designing, do you suggest using a tee shirt template, or just make a graphic. And when I go to a screenprinter, do I just need to show them a graphic or do I need the graphic on a template of the shirt/sweatshirt/etc.

Second question. Anyone know of any good screenprinters in LA or the socal area in general.

Third question. I have photoshop and I'm trying to design this stuff myself, I have all the ideas ready for the first season, but I'm not so good with photoshop/illustrator so how much do most designers charge per piece for graphics for a tee shirt.

Fourth question. Do I need to find a separate manufacturer to get clothing tags on my shirt. I want something on the inside/back of the shirt, and I would like something on the sleeve. I'm wondering do screenprinters handle this or is it someone else.

If you can help in anyway I would really appreciate it. And you can check our site and twitter below. We've had the blog running for a few months now and have been getting a good bit of hits.

http://thelunchxline.com
http://twitter.com/thelunchxline
(i know the logo on the homepage is pretty corny but I'ma add our lookbook video there when I get some stuff printed)

Your design sucks so much ass. You are very untalented.

Hey,

I'm not too much far from where you are. I currently have 6 designs done and the 7th design is being finished up as i write this.
Right now I need to get my logo's, names and designs trademarked and copyrighted.

My friend put together some some funny quotes a while back and got them screen printed somewhere in riverside. I'm going with him once i have my shirts.

I want some good quality shirts and tags (also looking into stickers).
The way i want to do my tags is screen printed on inside and a back tag to go with it... and a little tag on the bottom.

If you don't possess the drive and savvy to teach yourself how to design and do all the necessary research to figure out all those questions on your own.....Stop. Stop right now because you'll never make it.

Definitetly hire a designer, if your unexperienced in designing do not design it your self. if you're planning on printing that current tee, don't, it be a waste of money. not trying to be mean, but it's the truth.

You're an ass. who are you to tell him his shit is whack or not. What brand do you run, who the fu*k are you besides a hater. If you're going to critique have something constructive to say you dumb fu*k.

Hey thanks for all the feedback everyone. And yeah those tees up in the shop are just templates the designer had up there. I'm in the process of getting the first season designed. I'm doing a few , and I got a designer to do a couple. Everything's coming out good so far.

lol i was trippin' out the first time i visited your online store. the shirts you had there had Crooks & Castles descriptions lol but then i came back and read the posts, then finally understood why those shirts were there. good luck, i'm planning on starting my own brand sometime in the near future. i had a lot of similar questions like the ones in your first post. one question though, how much did it cost you to hire a graphic designer/get your design made? thanks