By Patrick Chakmakchian • Curly & Spike
know-how can make the process run a lot smoother. If you, the customer, can eliminate issues that may come up on your
end, you'll have the best buying experience. Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to getting what you want, when
you want it, and at the right price.
1. Rush Orders.
Try to avoid rush orders at all costs. The more you plan ahead, the more time and money you'll save. A rush order only
adds problems to the production of your order, and with time being so tight the last thing you need is your order being
delayed. Just plan ahead and everything will turn out great. A two week lead time for production is about right. Don't
wait till the last minute and everything will run smoothly. Plan ahead and save.
2. Right Artwork.
If you don't know the first thing about artwork, find someone who does. It's not a bad thing that you don't know about
artwork; many people don't. But if you know how to create T-shirt artwork, make sure it's at 300 dpi at actual size.
Don't pull stuff off the Internet and use it in your artwork. Most online artwork is at 72 dpi. Try designing artwork from
scratch in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or Corel DRAW. Theses programs are what the pros use and will give you the
best results. Web forums are a great place to get help with design questions. They are free, use them.
3. Right Size.
You'd be surprised at how many people are not sure how big or small they want their design to look on a T-shirt. This is
the first thing you should consider when ordering custom merchandise. Most print shops charge by the color and not
size. It's always a good idea to know the size of the design you want ahead of time to avoid delays. To get the actual
size of your artwork, print your file out of your home printer at 300 dpi, cut out the image area and hold it up to a
T-shirt. This will give you an idea of how big it will look on a shirt.
4. Crazy Artwork.
Having complex designs is not a problem. What may turn out to be a problem is how your file is organized. If you have
an intricate design, your layout must be clean and clear. Make sure things are not hidden and all graphic components
are where you want them to be. The more organized you are with your design the less likely it will get misprinted. If
you know how to use the “Layers” tool in Adobe Photoshop it will make things much easier for you. When sending
artwork to a print shop, send two files if you can, the original file and a flattened .jpg file.
5. Know Your Budget.
If you have a budget of $500, don't forget there are also setup, artwork, and shipping fees. If you know your exact
costs, you can find ways to stretch your budget. If your budget is small, buy higher quantities and select fewer colors.
This will stretch your dollar. If your budget is large, don't go crazy; take your time and ask questions. The more options
you have, the better bang for your buck. If you want to read more about budgeting your merchandise, click here.
6. The Right T-Shirt For The Right Job.
Having the right T-shirt means everything. If you have a business and are giving away T-shirts, don't opt for the most
expensive T-shirt. You're just throwing your money down the drain. A standard T-shirt will work just great. Your
customers are not going to know the difference between a high end American Apparel T-shirt or a standard Hanes
T-shirt. On the other hand, if you're planing to start a clothing line, then by all means go for the higher end T-shirt. The
right shirt can make all the difference. Evaluate your needs and pick the T-shirt that will work best for you.
7. Shipping Times.
When ordering custom merchandise don't forget about shipping. Production time is separate from shipping, so don't
forget to factor that in your order. For example, if you have a deadline set for the end of the month, don't wait till the
last week to place your order. Shipping carriers are pretty good with their on-time guarantees, but don't always count
on them. If you live in New York and you order from a company in Los Angeles, expect your shipping time to take
4 to 5 business days. You can have orders overnighted, but they cost an arm and a leg.
8. Make Sure Everything is Explained.
When ordering custom merchandise make sure everything is explained to you by your merch company. If you don't know
what a technical term means, don't be afraid to ask. The company you choose is working for you, not the other way
around. Ask as many questions as you want. You don't want to end up paying for something you didn't want because of a
misunderstanding. Any respectable company will answer all your questions without hassle. In fact, they want you to ask,
to make sure you get what you want.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed, feel free to send me an email at info@curlyandspike.com.
Thanks and good luck!
Patrick Chakmakchian
Curly & Spike
www.curlyandspike.com
Baseball Caps • Trucker Hats • Beanies • Tote Bags • Buttons • Patches • Guitar Picks • Lighters • Mouse Pads
Shot Glasses • Mugs • Business Cards • Postcards • Posters • Banners • Samples • Eco-Friendly Merch • Merch 101
Custom Printing Since 1999
©2009 Curly & Spike, All Rights Reserved. Please Read Our Privacy Policy.