New Business Model

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Anton@demonseed
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Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:54 pm

New Business Model

Post by Anton@demonseed »

Hi ladies and Gentlemen

I am looking at doing a different business model. I'm from South-Africa, our company specialises in band merchandise(especially T-shirts). The music scene is massive and there are tons of bands, the problem is everyone is broke. No one has the capital outlay to order that 1st batch of shirts, even when they do, they end up spending the profit before they can reprint. Sigh.
I want the bands to have great merch, not just a white logo on a black shirt, at an affordable price. I have Separation Studio/Accurip and charge the same for Simulated Process as normal Spot Colour jobs.

What I'm considering doing is the following: Do the design/setup and print with no capital outlay from the band, selling their T-shirts online on our website via e-commerce at retail price, keeping +-75% of the money and giving the band the rest. That way the band's merch is out there, they make free money and we make money.

I was thinking that for it to work there would have to be a minimum order of at least 20 shirts(they can pre-order and we can limit it to one month, so it's an exclusive shirt).

I know No Ordinary Outfit(UK) does something similar, but I believe they require an initial buy in from the band for setup etc.

Have any of you worked with a similar business model before? Any advice, hints, tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance to all responders.

Have a great day!
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Catspit Productions
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Re: New Business Model

Post by Catspit Productions »

Unfortunately, that is a bit our of my area of expertise. Sounds like a very interesting idea though.
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
Anton@demonseed
Screen Trooper
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:54 pm

Re: New Business Model

Post by Anton@demonseed »

Hi Jonathan, I would just like to thank you for all of your great videos and advice, they have helped me immeasurably through the years. :D

The idea is mostly there, I just need to find a way to secure the minimum order, the last thing I want to do is have say 17 people pay, not getting the last 3 people and then having to refund. That would end up being a lot of admin and I'm worried that I might think I have more cash flow than I actually do.
I want to put the onus on the bands to get the minimum order, but the problem is also that everyone always says they want Merch and might pu in the pre-order but not have the money when it comes to actually paying...
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Catspit Productions
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Re: New Business Model

Post by Catspit Productions »

Thanks for watching my videos. I’m glad I can help out through them. Thanks for watching and you’re very welcome.

That's very true. Even in my store when someone comes in with a "great idea" for a tee shirt, I always warn them that the people who are saying that the idea is great and want a shirt may change their mind when you actually ask them to pay for the shirt.... LOL ;)

I have been there myself when people said if I made a certain shirt they would buy it. Then they came short on the cash when the shirts were actually made. So your concern is real. I would only take pre-orders WITH full payment. So you may have to invest into printing at least 12 pieces maybe to get the listing and have people get interested. So you sell as many as you can up to 12 and then see where the demand takes you.
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
Anton@demonseed
Screen Trooper
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:54 pm

Re: New Business Model

Post by Anton@demonseed »

Thank you Jonathon I really appreciate your input!

Ps. Do you know if 200micron inkjet film is any good? I currently use 100 micron films with my Epson 1440(with accurip and separtionstudio).
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Catspit Productions
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Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:47 am
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Re: New Business Model

Post by Catspit Productions »

You're welcome, glad to help out where I can.

You know I don't really know about those small details on inkjet film. I use a standard type product I sell here in the States that works in Epson printers. It's "5mil" as we call it here. I don't know about microns.
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
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