I have a confession. I am TOTALLY drinking the kool-aid of the expanding t-shirt biz. Not only do I want to buy the funniest, most creatively designed tee, but I want to make my own. I have delusions that I am an artist and businesswoman (and novelist and screenwriter and piano player and corporate misfit) all wrapped up into one. This may or may not be the case, but it’s my renaissance and I’ll try if I want to (try if I want to, tryyy if I want tooo…)
I’ve been sitting here staring at my Wacom Intuos3, imagining all of the unbelievable artwork I am going to create with it (I’ve been staring at it for months though and so far, nothing. They really ought to put a visible disclaimer on the package that makes it clear that motivation and talent are not included). I even started researching wholesale t-shirt suppliers and silk screen equipment. I got even more amped when I saw this video - not only do I now know how to burn an image onto a t-shirt, but I know how to make it come alive.
If I suddenly channel Dali and get it together enough to launch my own store, you’ll all be the first to know. Until then, I figured I’d share some of my research on t-shirt sites in case you’ve got a hankering for creating your own or you want to selflessly contribute to the rehabilitation of our economy (it’s not just “shopping” anymore).
Oh, and of course this list isn’t comprehensive so if you have a favorite site that isn’t on this list, give it a shout out in the comments.
DO-IT-YOURSELF SITES
Create your own design, upload it to their site, and print it on one of their lovely t-shirts for your personal consumption. In some cases you can also create your own storefront and sell millions of them to your adoring fans.
GoodStorm (Now acquired by Zazzle)
CONTEST SITES
Submit your designs and pray. Users vote on submitted designs and a select few of the top submissions get printed on tees and put up for sale.
t-shirtcontests.com - If you’re a designer with your eyes set on a prize, check out this site for a rundown of all the latest contests and calls for designs.
T-shirt Countdown - Users vote to select the best t-shirts from around the web and winners are announced each month
READY-MADE TEES
Why make money by designing your own tees when you can just spend it on other peoples’ tees? So much easier.
Finally, for those who are eco-conscious and are looking for environmentally friendly/recycled/vintage tees, be sure to check out a great post featuring the top recycled t-shirt sites.
Now go! Shop! Design! Start a business! Enter a contest! Or at the very least watch that youtube video again because that wolf tee with the eyes and growl…i mean that’s just crazy!
In the ready-made section, I’ll throw my name in the hat. Check out http://www.RizzoTees.com. I am having a big sale - all shirts are currently on sale for $16.99. Plus, if you use the coupon code 3JBEE84C to save 20%, your shirt should be $13.60. That code expires on 12/31/08.
Peace,
Rizzo
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