Questions for business/merchandise people?

[MoshJosh]

I have been interested in making merch (mostly apparel) with artwork that interests me for sometime. When I was younger it was band/music related, but now that I am a reefer, my interest in making merch has swung that direction. Problem is I know very little about it. . . Was hoping some of you guys might know a thing or two and can point me in the right direction and or help me figure out if I even want to do it haha.

Side note: I am not thinking of this as a get rich scheme or quitting my job to be a full time T-shirt salesman (haha), though breaking even would be nice (breaking even will be a must if you ask my wife). . .

Some of my questions:

Best way to obtain artwork? I can sketch and draw some of my ideas, but refining them into something worthy of a T-shirt and making them digital is outside my scope. I thought about getting a license through an AI. . . but after doing some research it sounds like this is frowned upon. . . so maybe I can source through Fiver? How much can someone expect to pay for art? I understand art is expensive, but I am not made of money, so this may be the lynch pin in my merch career haha

What is the best way to have merch manufactured? Back in my day, you would find a company and pay up front for X amount of T-shirts (or whatever), then turn around and sell them yourself. But now I see some companies (I think T-Spring?) will make products as they are purchased and handle most of the back end themselves? Is their a "best way"?

What kinda reef art would you buy on a T-Shirt???

 

[Reefing102]

I would look at what others offer and go from there, as far what style etc.

Like here’s some of Biotas offerings:

Dry Goods - Did you know Biota has merch?

Biota Felicia has been working hard designing cool merch for Biota's website using super high resolution images. We've got button ups, Hawaiian shirts, skirts, T shirts, leggings, board shorts, bucket hats, mugs, totes, even a cozy blanket. Does anyone have any particular requests for merch? I...

www.reef2reef.com

Then there’s these guys: https://reefstack.com/

Another option, would be to team up with people, like your local LFS or even sponsors on here for their contests/live sales.

It seems regardless, most don’t seem to put overly realistic imagery on the swag. Sure you can tell what it is, but it seems to have been “cartoonized” almost.

I don’t know. Just thoughts.

 

[affan]

I have been interested in making merch (mostly apparel) with artwork that interests me for sometime. When I was younger it was band/music related, but now that I am a reefer, my interest in making merch has swung that direction. Problem is I know very little about it. . . Was hoping some of you guys might know a thing or two and can point me in the right direction and or help me figure out if I even want to do it haha.

Side note: I am not thinking of this as a get rich scheme business or quitting my job to be a full time T-shirt salesman (haha), though breaking even would be nice (breaking even will be a must if you ask my wife). . .

Some of my questions:

Best way to obtain artwork? I can sketch and draw some of my ideas, but refining them into something worthy of a T-shirt and making them digital is outside my scope. I thought about getting a license through an AI. . . but after doing some research it sounds like this is frowned upon. . . so maybe I can source through Fiver? How much can someone expect to pay for art? I understand art is expensive, but I am not made of money, so this may be the lynch pin in my merch career haha

What is the best way to have merch manufactured? Back in my day, you would find a company and pay up front for X amount of T-shirts (or whatever), then turn around and sell them yourself. But now I see some companies (I think T-Spring?) will make products as they are purchased and handle most of the back end themselves? Is their a "best way"?

What kinda reef art would you buy on a T-Shirt???

Would love to get colorful coral patterns or abstract ocean vibes on a T-shirt

 

[FUNGI]

For apparel, (unless you have orders over 2,000 units) you are better of using a POD place. This way you dont own the blanks. NOTE some POD's require MOQ's.
For teh art, you can use AI, or pay someone to creat. I would use someone from Sri Lanka or Phillipines, or someone here who wants a side hustle.......good luck...its a tough industry....I'm in it.

 

[rtparty]

Everyone wants fun reefing shirts until you make them and charge for them. Then they all disappear when it comes time to pay

Finding good designs is extremely tough. Being able to print those designs can be a struggle as well.

My family has been in the industry since 1991. I grew up in and around it and now own my own business doing swag and merch.