# Mass producing T-shirts **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 15, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-producing-t-shirts/603022 "2011-11-15T17:31:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TNWPsycho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-producing-t-shirts/603022/1 "2011-11-15T17:31:55Z")
My company has been releasing CDs for bands for about a year now. Finally we have decided to take the next step and start touring and merchandising. What is the cheapest way to produce t-shirts and other merchandise for my bands. Right now we use Cafepress, but the pricing seems to be pretty high. Any insight? ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-producing-t-shirts/603022/2 "2011-11-15T17:44:06Z")
How many bands, and how many shirts? My guess is that you can get a short run made locally for far less than what Cafe Press quoted you, but I have no idea how big of a job you have or where you live and what companies serve your area. ---
**Author:** ![TNWPsycho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-producing-t-shirts/603022/3 "2011-11-15T17:46:22Z")
I have at least 3 bands i need this done for. Not really sure, maybe 75-100 shirts each band. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-producing-t-shirts/603022/4 "2011-11-15T18:01:35Z")
Also, what type of color process are you using? Are you going with a 4 color CMYK photographic separation process, multiple spot color (separate screen for each color) or a single color? I find that internet vendors are much cheaper than local silk screen shops for multiple spot color. Photographic separation seems to require a very tight registration tolerance and not many mom and pop silkscreen shops actually have the technology. The huge advantage with a local shop is that you can proof the print before production which is not really possible using an internet vendor. I notice that there can often be fuckups during the process of color separation that can only be caught by checking the proof. Also, you can check the actual t-shirt construction, material, and color from a local vendor. These t-shirt characteristics can vary widely between manufacturers. And almost any alternative will be cheaper than Cafe Press, which is good for one off types of shirts. ---
**Author:** ![TNWPsycho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-producing-t-shirts/603022/5 "2011-11-15T18:04:34Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > Also, what type of color process are you using? Are you going with a 4 color CMYK photographic separation process, multiple spot color (separate screen for each color) or a single color? I find that internet vendors are much cheaper than local silk screen shops for multiple spot color. Photographic separation seems to require a very tight registration tolerance and not many mom and pop silkscreen shops actually have the technology. > > The huge advantage with a local shop is that you can proof the print before production which is not really possible using an internet vendor. I notice that there can often be fuckups during the process of color separation that can only be caught by checking the proof. Also, you can check the actual t-shirt construction, material, and color from a local vendor. These t-shirt characteristics can vary widely between manufacturers. > > And almost any alternative will be cheaper than Cafe Press, which is good for one off types of shirts. These are black metal bands, everything will be black and white. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-producing-t-shirts/603022/6 "2011-11-15T19:17:54Z")
Do a google search for “(your city) corporate logo clothing”. You should get a few local companies that will print tees with your image on them. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-producing-t-shirts/603022/7 "2011-11-15T19:41:58Z")
> [@TNWPsycho](#): > > These are black metal bands, everything will be black and white. I’d check prices at 3 local silkscreeners, and a couple of internet vendors. There’s not much people can fuck up on a white ink on black t-shirt (except coverage and resolution issues). Keep in mind that the cost differential between a Hanes 100% cotton Beefy-T and a Chinese 50-50 poly blend will be considerable so remember that when getting quotes. Also sizes seem to vary considerably between manufacturers. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-producing-t-shirts/603022/8 "2011-11-15T22:45:48Z")
> [@TNWPsycho](#): > > These are black metal bands, everything will be black and white. And in an illegible font? 😃 Don’t forget, you’ll need L and XL.