** Hey guys, I just got myself a screen printing setup and I am gonna start making T-shirts. This is strictly low volume that I would take with me to cycle shows. I am just getting started and I have been messing around with a few designs and I would like your input to figure out if I am headed in the right direction and producing something that riders (like you) would be interested in. Here's 4 of my initial designs. tell me which ones you like /don't like. I'm looking at the layout / fonts and graphics more than the colors at this point. Please be honest in your critique, but tell me why you like/hate something....don't just say "They all suck..." lol Fronts and backs are interchangeable as well...
Thanks for your input guys
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I'd wear the shirts if I knew the shop. Not a fan of the logo though. Too OCCish. Not a fan of the font either but it doesnt bug me. Picking a font can be a huge pain in the ass. Can you do long sleeves that look like cool biker tatoos? Just playing.
If the logo and font were different and I knew the shop, I def rock one.
Get rid of the GHC logo for one it looks like a wanna be OCC thing, use a logo without letters I'd go for something like this:
OR
Don't plagerize this one but this is the look I'd go for not a couple letters that spell out GHC
and get rid of the lame ass cycle-therapy stuff, its neither edgy or original. The bikes look like something dropped off from bulk clip art, go shoot some real choppers / bikes you've built with nakked or very close to nekked chicks chalked full of bad ass tats (get a Suicide Girl to model on the bike)
Maybe use colors instead of black and white stock. I don't know maybe just shit can the whole thing and rethink this before you pour money into it and do something to stand out, and I mean really stand out.
its all cheesy as fuck. the logo, font, little sayings. dont get me wrong, some people might love the physco therapy shit. but thats the same people that wear live to ride/loud pipes save lives stuff. so you might have a market. most likely not this market.
if you have your own screen printing shit, do shit that you couldn't do with walmart iron-ons.
also spend some time fucking around in illustrator or photoshop. the one with the two ugly bikes looks like you made it in Microsoft word.
You need to lay down more ink on your screens. Are you doing double or single pass? What type of drying medium are you using? Are these true velum screens that you are burning or transfer/printer stuff. Looks like transfer stuff to me.
The "dirt rock" font that you used in some of them doesn't look all that great to me. Try to stay with lettering that is easily readable.
What size runner are you using? Your platen may be a little small for what you are trying to accomplish.
Try to stay away from really thin lines when only doing a 1 color process (like #2) ....thin lined ink does not last, and I have seen them crack from just sitting waiting to be sold.
What type of graphics program are you using? Windows Paint/Word won't cut it. You at the very least need AI.
If you are attempting to create a brand label, you will need to do more than make some shirts to sell at a bike show.
Do you have a mobile screen set up yet? If you can't make custom stuff at bike shows, you're done before you got started.
Also, for best screen applications, don't use a cheap shirt....cheap/lightweight cotton does not hold ink as well as say, a Beefy-T or some of the Gildan/Eagle lines.
Not trying to be a douche bag man - but I know a little about this kind of thing and wanna make sure you have all the angles covered.
I appreciate the input guys... I knew this would be a tuff-sell crowd
These are just mock-ups of my design images in jpeg format thrown onto Zazzle just to get an idea of what the layouts look like. So yeah... the quality of pic and graphic is a little shitty, sorry 'bout that. I know AI would be the ideal software to use since that is vector based, but all I have to use is photoshop. I am using 600-900 dpi when creating my graphics to minimize pixelation. As far my screens...I'm not sure what velum or transfer print is.. I am thinking my process is the transfer type since it uses an emulsion media on the screen which is UV cured.
Thanks for the input Tim, that's all good to know as a first time printer. I can tell by your questions that you have some first hand knowledge of the process and I'll keep that in mind as I tweak the graphics. I'm not concerned about a mobile set-up at this juncture...just want to get some decent looking prints made that people want.. This is intended more as a side item for fun than a money making venture...at this point.
I appreciate the input guys... I knew this would be a tuff-sell crowd
These are just mock-ups of my design images in jpeg format thrown onto Zazzle just to get an idea of what the layouts look like. So yeah... the quality of pic and graphic is a little shitty, sorry 'bout that. I know AI would be the ideal software to use since that is vector based, but all I have to use is photoshop. I am using 600-900 dpi when creating my graphics to minimize pixelation. As far my screens...I'm not sure what velum or transfer print is.. I am thinking my process is the transfer type since it uses an emulsion media on the screen which is UV cured.
Thanks for the input Tim, that's all good to know as a first time printer. I can tell by your questions that you have some first hand knowledge of the process and I'll keep that in mind as I tweak the graphics. I'm not concerned about a mobile set-up at this juncture...just want to get some decent looking prints made that people want.. This is intended more as a side item for fun than a money making venture...at this point.
Velum is a true "silk" screen, whereby you use a purpose built light box to "burn" the reverse negative image on to the screen. Then, you use ink and a paddle to draw the ink across the image. The ink will bleed through the burned image, resulting in a screen printed design on the medium of your choice. You will need a dark room for true screen printing. You will need a flash dryer for this application. Flash dryers dry the ink quickly "flashing" before you actually let them dry in the belt driven drier. When using velum, you will need to be able to reclaim your screens - this involves some chemicals and a tub. Kinda like the old peanut butter crank without the smell and hallucinations, ya dig? Haha.
900 dpi is not even close. You will need around 1200 at least.
Your process is transfer type. You are printing an image on a piece of transfer paper, then heating said image (usually with a 24x24 heat press) so that the ink will basically melt off of the paper and onto your garment.
Be very careful just bringing a truckload of shirts/etc to a show. Do you have a vendor license for said show? If you think you are gonna sell 100 pcs - bring 50. If you go to a show, you would want to have a booth of some kind to represent yourself as a pro....those can get pretty costly.
I've not done cycle shows, but have done a good amount of motocross and offroad events. Trying to hit Loretta Lynns ranch this August. It's a tough gig man. If you don't have the right equipment right out of the gate you're finished. My mobile operation (which I sleep in with a blow up mattress and my bike) ran about 5k for the trailer, another grand setting up the inside, plus cost for all equipment (4 color process screen, light box, dryer, computer, etc.) and cost for materials. I am literally competing with companies that show up with a 53 foot rig for this shit, and at most of the major bike shows, you will be too.
Screen printing sounds like its all fun and games till you actually realize there is a fuckload of work involved.
If you are just trying to create a brand label - that's a completely different ball of earwax. You better send your logo/trade name off to get copy written and or registered.....Me and a buddy started a label a few years ago, only to be completely blown out of the fuckin water when we were issued a cease order.......from the people that stole our brand. But that's another story...
Now listen to me. Put a REAL motorcycle like a Shovelhead on a shirt and it'll be a definite hit. Everybody likes older bikes but not everybody has what it takes to own one. A shirt gives those folks a sense of belonging. And if you give me one, I will gladly wear around as advertising for ya.
Now listen to me. Put a REAL motorcycle like a Shovelhead on a shirt and it'll be a definite hit. Everybody likes older bikes but not everybody has what it takes to own one. A shirt gives those folks a sense of belonging. And if you give me one, I will gladly wear around as advertising for ya.
I thought a motorcycle had two wheels and a motor. Boy was I wrong
Yeah, there's motorcycles then there's other stuff. What can I say? You wanna run with the big dogs ya gotta piss on the tall trees. And the number 1 motorcycle company in the world stopped making them in 1984. 'Course that's just my feeling. You wanna ride something else, that's up to you. You can flap your arms and shake your fist in self righteous indignation but you can't lie to yourself. Inside you know. Inside they all know.
Yeah, there's motorcycles then there's other stuff. What can I say? You wanna run with the big dogs ya gotta piss on the tall trees. And the number 1 motorcycle company in the world stopped making them in 1984. 'Course that's just my feeling. You wanna ride something else, that's up to you. You can flap your arms and shake your fist in self righteous indignation but you can't lie to yourself. Inside you know. Inside they all know.
You probably still think segregation is acceptable too.
Good effort but...
your logo looks like a bicycle not a motorcycle
only use american V-twin bikes, no one will wear Jap crap even when they ride Jap crap
pun and sayings are overdone
Keep It Simple Stupid - millions of people wear shirts that simply say Indian, Triumph, Fender, Marshall, Ford, Ramones, Motorhead, STP...West Coast Choppers (don't infringe on copyrights - especially M/C's)
Study vintage clothing and then do a twist on it.
Study classic logos and learn to keep it simple and how the elements fit together like the chevy bowtie, HD bar and shield. etc
Selling at runs and rallies is a TOUGH sell. Why would I shell out $5-30 for tee when there is beer to be bought? We have venders set up outside the gate of our boogie and they don't even cover the gas money to get there.
Good effort but...
your logo looks like a bicycle not a motorcycle
only use american V-twin bikes, no one will wear Jap crap even when they ride Jap crap
pun and sayings are overdone
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Use only American V twin bikes? C'mon dude. Or are you one of those guys that won't ride with someone on a Vstar?
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