American Apparel Grey Tri-Blend Shirt
The T-shirt has come a long way in the past couple of years. Although white 100% cotton basic cotton shirt such as the Gildan 5000 are still the top selling shirts in the business, the once non-existent designer t-shirts sector is eating away at it’s competition. Ring-spun cotton and poly-blends from American Apparel, Tultex, Article1, Alternative Apparel, etc. have opened America’s eyes to a whole new kind of fashionable wear.
Of course, the obvious choice to buy the basic cotton shirt is the price, and if you have NOT experienced the cut, feel, and overall quality of a “designer” or ring spun shirt, then it’s hard to understand the value.
We’ve all received that free shirt at an event or for work. What’s your memory of that shirt, better yet, that event or company that supplied the shirt? Just like any service or product your company produces, the promotional t-shirt is an extension of your businesses identity and a representation of the quality your product or in which you perform that service.
When I began Alternative Motive back in 2006, custom t-shirt design and printing was not even a goal of mine. I did not like that side of the business, and felt that it was an epidemic that was filling our drawers and eventually our landfills with crappy shirts. Maybe I was trying too hard to make a social statement, and by doing nothing at all to rectify the situation, my efforts were short-lived. Now, with more access to higher quality blank apparel, my goal is educate my customers and consumers alike as to why it is better to use higher quality products to promote, inform, and celebrate by Letting The Cotton Speak.
This is where the hard part begins. How to persuade a potential client to go with a better quality, more expensive shirt, when they can just go elsewhere and get that cheap shirt printed. For instance, I literally just received this inquiry from my website 2 minutes ago (absolute perfect timing):
Hi! You were recommended! So, I thought I’d email you to get some pricing. I belong to a pit bull group and we do events throughout the year. We are looking to get shirts printed to sell at our events to raise funds. So, we are looking for very reasonable pricing. Could you please send me some prices. We can do different styles, colors… don’t know if there is price difference for graphics or words only, etc. I have a few graphics in mind but we are just wanting to promote discrimination against bully breeds, etc. Thanks for your time!
What do I do here? From my first judgment, I know that this is an uneducated consumer in the world of t-shirts (and I’m not belittling anyone). They have probably printed shirts in the past for an event or similar promotion. More than likely, they chose the least expensive option. My goal, is to understand exactly what they are using these shirts for and how. Then, explaining my view on using better quality shirts. Then, I’ll tie it back to my potential customer, and how choosing a better shirt will in turn get more wear from their customers, thereby increasing their message life and marketing dollars.
Chances are, she may still want to go with the absolute cheapest. Which I will then give her those options as well. Hey, I don’t want to let an opportunity pass me by, right? Customers tend to change there habits over time, and if I can make someone happy with a great looking custom designed shirt that promotes a positive message, I’m in. At least I’ll have tried my best.
What color would you like?
So, whether it’s a custom job or a new shirt for your wardrobe, ring-spun or blended designer style shirts, will provide you with a soft, better fitting, and more fashionable shirt that will last longer and just out right make you smile when you put it on. Not to mention, most of the time you supporting more sustainable production and shopping habits, in addition to using American Made products. Just ask someone who owns one! If you’re looking to invest in custom shirts or buy high-end graphic tees, visit AlternativeMotive.com or email me directly at loganwallace@alternativemotive.com.
- Logan Wallace
