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T-shirt Designs For My Boutique
Posted By: majic2* on 6/20/2006 1:44 PM (CST) 750 Points
Hi,

I want to have some t-shirts made up to advertise my boutique. I want something very appealing. My boutique sells formalwear; pageant, prom, and bridal.

Thanks

Posted by: Whet* Member Response
6/20/2006 2:03 PM (CST)
It's a great idea. I'm toying around with doing the same thing.

It sounds like you're looking for someone to design the shirt for you? If that's the case there are a couple of things you can do.

1. You can post a project here at Marketing Profs. (Right-hand navigation - "Post a Project")

2. You can search up a screen printer / embroiderer who can design something for you. I did a quick search (earlier today) on yellowpages.com for "silk screeners" and came up with a bunch. Here's one I thought looked good, and might work for you. http://www.noovoodoo.net/tshirts/

They do small quantities, and can do the design for you.

Have fun!!!

Cheryl Oppenheim Waters
 
Posted by: Whet* Member Response
6/20/2006 2:05 PM (CST)
Whoops, I meant to also include the link for yellow pages.

http://www.yellowpages.com/sp/yellowpages/ypresults.jsp?v=3&st=NW&rType=hea...

Cheryl.
 
Posted by: majic2* Author Response
6/20/2006 2:08 PM (CST)
Thanks Cheryl,

You are right, I was wanting one designed. I just wasn't sure which area to put it!

Thanks
 
Posted by: Frank Hurtte Member Response
6/20/2006 2:11 PM (CST)
For your business... I suggest the t-shirt with a picture of a tux or evening dress on it. They are very popular with young people (definitely a target market).

I see tshirt with tux on one side... logo and saying on other side

"my other t-shirt is a tux...."
 
Posted by: ShannonD* Member Response
6/20/2006 2:56 PM (CST)
Look up Pattio Boo, Inc out of North Carolina. They are very good and they work with you on pricing and shipping. I highly recommend them. They work with many different brands and will do you great justice. They are a very strong company and can produce mass quanities in little time, or little quanities in your time.
They will sit down and work out ideas and colors for you. They will also help you focus your message and wording. If you have a predesign, he will work up a graphic for you. I can't recommend them enough for the work, and the price.

www.pattibooinc.com
 
Posted by: darcy.moen Member Response
6/20/2006 3:39 PM (CST)
I had a friend in the drycleaning business who made t-shirts that said: This man wants to clean your clothes.

I made my own t-shirts for my dry cleaning shop that said: (in very tiny letters) shirts.... (big letters) Starched Stiff and Well Hung. Amazing how many of those shirts we sold.

Why not do a twist on it: This shop wants to rent you a tux?

Could try the funny side: I rented my entire bridal party tuxes at XXXX and I got this funky t-Shirt.

Have some fun with it. Let your mind wander. Creative sells.

Darcy Moen
Customer Loyalty Network
 
Posted by: Focus Fields Member Response
6/20/2006 4:09 PM (CST)
I think we need a bit more information about your store. What is your brand all about? Do you want your t-shirts to be funny or more serious? The mere fact that you are going with t-shirts tells me that people shouldn't take your brand too seriously, which is great if you want a fun, relaxed attitude. If this is not what you want, then t-shirts probably are not the answer.

Assuming t-shirts are the right path, then tell us a bit more about your store. Anything unique we should know about? Do you have a logo or tagline? These would all help with the design. Next, who are these t shirts for? How are you going to distribute them? Current customer, new customers, not customers at all? Where are you giving them away? In store, out of store? Each of these points would help to dictate what your shirt would say. I suppose if I could ask you one questions it would be: what do you want these t-shirts to accomplish?

If we know this, then we can help you figure out what needs to be on the shirt or if t-shirts are even capable of doing what you are hoping they will do.

JMR
 
Posted by: majic2* Author Response
6/20/2006 6:00 PM (CST)
JMR,

In response to your question, I would like the t-shirts to bring awareness to the boutique. If I see someone with a t-shirt (such as a day spa) I make it a point to read the name and number. This is what I was thinking (besides I have seveal of the younger kids asking why I don't have one.

My shop is a formal wear specializing in pageant and prom wear but also does bridal wear. The name Simply Elegant is script print with stars around it. Our tagline (provided by you guys!) is formal wear for a feeling of royalty.

The shirts will be for purchase in the shop or given away with the purchase over a specific dollar amount.
 
Posted by: stlubahn Member Response
6/20/2006 8:55 PM (CST)
Have you thought of anything beyond T-shirts? For young people, how about cell phone holsters, bandanas, sunglasses, notebooks, or other giveaway items that might be useful and seem by other, possibly more often than T-shirts.
 
Posted by: warren Member Response
6/20/2006 9:50 PM (CST)
Need help with t-shirts,packaging and merchandising.I can help you email address and URL deleted by staff
 
Posted by: s.konidari* Member Response
6/21/2006 7:58 AM (CST)
http://www.screenking.co.uk/pages/main.html
http://www.jamnart.com/index-yes.htm
 
Posted by: vicki* Member Response
6/21/2006 12:00 PM (CST)
Majic2, have you considered how the t-shirt you propose will tie to the rest of your marketing? What you might want to consider is making certain that the design you select is coherent in terms of style, color, and message with all of the other elements that represent your business.

For example, when you see your signage, your business card, your receipts, your promotional pieces, even the packaging in which apparel items leave your store (dress bags, shopping bags, etc.), do they consistently communicate the message "This came from majic2, and it was a wonderful experience"?

The t-shirt is just a single element within this whole mix. I realize I've posed a larger problem for you, and that just buying some t-shirts and hoping for the best is a lot easier proposition, but give the question of what they will ACCOMPLISH for your entire business image careful thought before you make the expenditure.

Vicki and Michael Stammer
JUMProductions
 
Posted by: rbauman* Member Response
6/21/2006 12:51 PM (CST)
You can also look for independent contractors on www.guru.com - they are a no cost clearinghouse that puts companies in touch with contractors.
 
Posted by: jpoyer Member Response
6/21/2006 8:03 PM (CST)
A great place to find design services also (and I hate to say this because they are my competition!), is http://www.getafreelancer.com. There are some quality freelancers who are looking to jump start their businesses, and do pretty solid work for little cost. I would check the portfolios, though, and feedback.

There are a few other sites like this one around, but I've heard good things about this one. ...

Best Wishes,
Jennifer
XPRT Creative
 
Posted by: nmuqbel Member Response
6/22/2006 7:07 AM (CST)
I think that if you want people to wear your T-shirts, they should be very simple. Personally I wouldnt wear a T-shirt if it has a guy or a girl wearing a tux. Many suggested getting a designer to do it for you. I totally agree. you can have the name of your boutique written in small letter (readable) on the front side and have a nice logo or design at the back (or vice versa). Design it in a way that when people see someone wearing it. they'd want to get close and find out what brand it is or what's written on it. I also think that you should give some of them away for free to your most valued or regular clients. Therefore, you'll create more awareness and people will start buying it... Hopefully ;)

Good Luck :)

Nader
 
Posted by: MANSING Member Response
6/22/2006 12:01 PM (CST)
Hello,

If i am not wrong you want to advertise your business through T shirt? Whenever i go to shop i always prefer to buy big brand. If you want to design your own T shirt then you can advertise your business.

Best way i think to advertise your business through donating t shirt to non profit organisation (which will reduce the cost of advertising) , Promotion offer , find a best place- Location to advertise, Press relese, samples, desing new logo and theme people can remember easily, running contests, media contests and partnership.


I hope this will give you new ideas to advertise your business.

Regards,

M Bhor
 
Posted by: Focus Fields Accepted Answer
6/22/2006 3:14 PM (CST)
My one big concern with the t-shirts is that it doesn't fit with what your brand is supposed to stand for. You have a formal wear store, but are giving away t-shirts. It just doesn't fit. It would be my guess that having t-shirts would actually dilute the power of your brand. Picture a bride looking for a dress. She wants the best (regardless of her price range), she wants to be beautiful and elegant, and treated like royalty (like your tagline). When she sees your brand advertised on a t-shirt, what happens to her perception of your brand? In my opinion , her reaction is negative. As in: "Jeez, a t-shirt from the place I was going to get my wedding gown? I thought they were more upscale than that." Even if you aren't going for upscale, your business demands it. You can't have a low-end formalwear shop (lowER end compared to others, maybe, but not low-end). My suggestion is to not do this.

Some people had some good ideas on how to appeal to the younger, prom-age folks. I would consider these. Also, unless you are a somewhat famous place, you can forget about selling t-shirts or any reminder item from your business, people just won't buy them. You have to give them away.

If you are trying to create awareness for your brand, think of something different that people haven't seen before. This takes a great deal of creativity, but this is where the great ideas come from. Think of your target audience, where they go, what they do, when they do it and find out a way to get your brand in those spaces. Think like this: go to a mall and get a display area for the day, have a local bakery make the biggest wedding cake they can possibly make, give out pieces with your card or your information on the plate. The mall can help you advertise "the world's largest wedding cake". The bakery should give you a break if you give them a fair mention as well.

Give it some thought and let us know.

JMR
 
Posted by: jeremy Member Response
6/23/2006 6:28 AM (CST)
I work for JEM Promotional Products - our company slogan is 'Your Company Logo on any Product' and we literally mean ANY product including merchandise items, uniforms, Corporate Gifts

If you're interested in a quote, you can use our online contact form

Why JEM?
- in house graphic design
- specialised marketing consultants
- competitive pricing, without compromising quality
- we strive to ALWAYS meet your deadline

Look forward to hearing from you!

Jeremy
URL deleted by staff Please read our Important Guidelines.
 
Posted by: dquijano* Member Response
6/25/2006 2:36 AM (CST)
If you'd like I'm a graphic designer and I also have a formalwear clothing line. check out my site and let me know if I can be of any help. I'd be happy to do what I can!

URL deleted by staff Please read our Important Guidelines about self-promotion.
 
Posted by: Evantech Member Response
6/27/2006 6:45 AM (CST)
what about a tie! instead of a shirt. different colors, symbols, or even slogans.
think about this way a tie, its sound cool especially when it has a symbol that reflects the character of the person who's wearing it.
call it the wearable tie, make a new fashion out of it!
or Express yourself with a tie!
you can use different symbols, for peace, unity or whatever or you even can use Chinese symbols! American Indian signs, anti-Semitic symbol , or whatever cross your mind, get creative!
just kick it and make this tie a new fashion that everyone wants to try, your talking about prom, parties, just the right place!!
mabye you can just go there ya to the party, give evryone there, this tie, and let them know , anyone whos come to you store wearing this tie, will get a special price!!
 
Posted by: Interlux* Member Response
7/4/2006 5:04 PM (CST)
For a superficial t-shirt design, to increase business by entertaining, create tshirts to look something like this:

For guys, White t-shirts. Company logo printed somewhere, either bottom of image, or at pocket location. Black tie down the front, with copy on back reading, "First base not included" or "Clothing-optional after party not included"

For gals, maybe pink or pastel hued shirt with tiara on front, along with company info, and on back, copy reads "Homecoming crown not included" or "Free dinner not included"

And on these taglines....depending on how conservative your boutique is, you could change 'not included' to 'optional' and get even more attention.

The concepts would be witty, and appeal to a teenage demographic, while the graphic design could be contemporary in nature and look. These shirts would be wearable anytime, because they are jokes in print, and not just advertising. And for your business, you would get attention and sales because people would find the shirt funny, and want to see what your store was about.

I do agree, though, with an above poster, that your name/logo ought to be rethought. It sounds slightly obvious and garish, not to mention a bit feminine (with the stars, and scripted business name) If you want to appeal to those without a 'girly' sense of style (while not excluding those that do) you might consider a different design and name similar to previously existing design.

The problem with the 'royalty' theme is that it isn't going to appeal to kids that want to look cool (as most youth do) That idea would be more suited to the mothers who are taking their children to your store (which could still work) but know that most of today's youth are not going to wear a shirt that links prom dresses and tuxedos to royalty. These youth won't care. They simply want to look good, be cool, or be different, which those shirts would contribute to.

Joel
Interlux Design
 
Posted by: majic2* Author Response
7/4/2006 5:17 PM (CST)
All,

First, let me apologize for the delay in answering and explain. My mother broke her hip and has been critical.

Now, I thank each of you for your input and resources. I will be going with Jonathan's response.

Again,
Thanks
 


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