TFO Clothing w/QR Code?

[NamedNut]

*Sorry if this is the wrong location to post this*

@Littleredfootbigredheart and my local reptile Zoo post has had me thinking about different ways we can spread TFO to the general reptile community. The idea of tastefully TFO branded shirts/hoodies with a tastefully placed QR code, same with stickers. Would be a very easy way to give people a “link” to reach the forum while at shows etc. then us less experienced keepers could help direct folks here… even passively while just walking around looking at booths, or shopping…. Or even walking into the local big box store… or grocery store; or pub on a Saturday night… mmm beer.

Thoughts?

 

[Tim Carlisle]

*Sorry if this is the wrong location to post this*

@Littleredfootbigredheart and my local reptile Zoo post has had me thinking about different ways we can spread TFO to the general reptile community. The idea of tastefully TFO branded shirts/hoodies with a tastefully placed QR code, same with stickers. Would be a very easy way to give people a “link” to reach the forum while at shows etc. then us less experienced keepers could help direct folks here… even passively while just walking around looking at booths, or shopping…. Or even walking into the local big box store… or grocery store; or pub on a Saturday night… mmm beer.

Thoughts?

Hmmm. I might get paranoid if ppl were scanning me all the time. lol

 

[EppsDynasty]

Our problems with merch (merchandise for the older folks) is the $1000 up front to purchase a bunch of each item. Then there's the work of shipping and handling the payments which becomes quite a bit on it's own. Just our experience.

 

[NamedNut]

Hmmm. I might get paranoid if ppl were scanning me all the time. lol

LMAO!!!! that is also a very solid point. I’m not a big in front of the lens kind of person either.

 

[NamedNut]

Our problems with merch (merchandise for the older folks) is the $1000 up front to purchase a bunch of each item. Then there's the work of shipping and handling the payments which becomes quite a bit on it's own. Just our experience.

There are options for drop shipping, the entire process is handled third party, no stock, everything is made to order.

Yes the costs would be slightly higher, but for those that would support it probably won’t mind. I have no idea the financials of TFO but the proceeds could maybe go to charity… charity meaning one of the great groups represented here on TFO like Galapagos Tortoise Alliance for example.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

LMAO!!!! that is also a very solid point. I’m not a big in front of the lens kind of person either.

Lol. Not that I'm dismissing your idea. I just know how I'd get.

 

[EppsDynasty]

There are options for drop shipping, the entire process is handled third party, no stock, everything is made to order.

When we looked into this option the shirts became over $40 to even make a $5 profit, just another time sucking activity.

I would LOVE TFO merch .... maybe someone here would volunteer their time though.

 

[NamedNut]

Lol. Not that I'm dismissing your idea. I just know how I'd get.

I think for this reason along with would be important to offer alternate solutions. Maybe without QR codes, stickers, magnets, “business cards”.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

When we looked into this option the shirts became over $40 to even make a $5 profit, just another time sucking activity.

What about iron-on's? Patches?

 

[NamedNut]

When we looked into this option the shirts became over $40 to even make a $5 profit, just another time sucking activity.

I would LOVE TFO merch .... maybe someone here would volunteer their time though.

Then maybe the solution is to find someone with the skills on TFO that has graphic design skills so the designs are tasteful. And maybe not try to profit. I bet someone here would step up. Even if it were one simple design with the logo and name on the back.

I have no clue what the drop shipping setup process looks like on an initial and ongoing maintenance perspective so maybe it would be a waste of time. But just a thought.

I’m no graphic designer but I’d happily look into drop ship options.

I’d honestly pay $50 for a shirt to wear if I thought it would direct even one person here. I don’t have the years of experience to talk with them and convince them so maybe a tshirt can LMAO.

Maybe this is all wishful thinking.

 

[NamedNut]

What about iron-on's? Patches?

Great idea!

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Great idea!

Just thinking smaller size items would cut down on cost for materials and shipping. Question becomes: whats the minimum order to make this (or anything) cost effective?

 

[NamedNut]

Just thinking smaller size items would cut down on cost for materials and shipping. Question becomes: whats the minimum order to make this (or anything) cost effective?

If we go the route of “bulk” order to cut costs someone will have to take one processing orders and shipping.

That is where I start to think about drop ship sites that handle everything from processing, producing and shipping… again higher costs, but limited labor for whoever would take it on.

I can only imagine that this topic has been presented umpteenmillion times. I’m sure the long time members will roll their eyes at the post tittle (I mean this in a loving way).

 

[Tim Carlisle]

If we go the route of “bulk” order to cut costs someone will have to take one processing orders and shipping.

That is where I start to think about drop ship sites that handle everything from processing, producing and shipping… again higher costs, but limited labor for whoever would take it on.

I can only imagine that this topic has been presented umpteenmillion times. I’m sure the long time members will roll their eyes at the post tittle (I mean this in a loving way).

Right. Ultimately it comes down to Josh's decision, and he's the one you'd have to convince.

 

[Yvonne G]

I was in charge of selling a couple of these iterations and it was a pretty unsatisfying job. When we posed the idea to our group lots of you said oh yes!!! We'd LOVE to have a TFO shirt. But when we got them and tried to sell them not too many of you stepped up. It's costly to have the shirts made up, and then we have to charge enough to cover the postage and our costs of having them made. It comes out to a pretty costly t-shirt that not many can afford. (My favorite one was in the second picture - the red heart, I love Tortoise Forum)

 

[NamedNut]

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I was in charge of selling a couple of these iterations and it was a pretty unsatisfying job. When we posed the idea to our group lots of you said oh yes!!! We'd LOVE to have a TFO shirt. But when we got them and tried to sell them not too many of you stepped up. It's costly to have the shirts made up, and then we have to charge enough to cover the postage and our costs of having them made. It comes out to a pretty costly t-shirt that not many can afford. (My favorite one was in the second picture - the red heart, I love Tortoise Forum)

Well that sums this up! Haha

Do you know if Josh would be open to sharing the logo file so we could make our own if we wish? My wife has a small machine for doing one off projects.

Those are some great looking shirts. Thanks for putting in the effort in the past!

 

[Yvonne G]

Well that sums this up! Haha

Do you know if Josh would be open to sharing the logo file so we could make our own if we wish? My wife has a small machine for doing one off projects.

Those are some great looking shirts. Thanks for putting in the effort in the past!

You'd have to ask him, but I don't think it's copyrighted.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Love love love this idea!! I think if funding is going to be an issue, starting with things like stickers would be a great start! But yes ultimately Josh is the one to give the say so

I can definitely design things but I’m not up on graphic design, I’m very old school when it comes to artwork, I like using media that I directly use my hands for lol, I get lost on things like photoshopstill, I’m happy to be of help in anyway! If there’s a way to scan designs I’m happy to put in the work, with Josh’s approval of course

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

View attachment 387768View attachment 387769

I was in charge of selling a couple of these iterations and it was a pretty unsatisfying job. When we posed the idea to our group lots of you said oh yes!!! We'd LOVE to have a TFO shirt. But when we got them and tried to sell them not too many of you stepped up. It's costly to have the shirts made up, and then we have to charge enough to cover the postage and our costs of having them made. It comes out to a pretty costly t-shirt that not many can afford. (My favorite one was in the second picture - the red heart, I love Tortoise Forum)

Was gonna say I remember seeing you post these before, I’m thinking maybe if we do something like this, it’ll have to be non profit and just personal projects to promote the forum

 

[NamedNut]

Love love love this idea!! I think if funding is going to be an issue, starting with things like stickers would be a great start! But yes ultimately Josh is the one to give the say so

I can definitely design things but I’m not up on graphic design, I’m very old school when it comes to artwork, I like using media that I directly use my hands for lol, I get lost on things like photoshopstill, I’m happy to be of help in anyway! If there’s a way to scan designs I’m happy to put in the work, with Josh’s approval of course

Hmmmmm

Time to ponder!