The guys over at You Design It created an infographic stating 10 facts about t-shirts that you didn’t know. Check out this humorous and informative article.

DecoNetwork is the solution for anyone with a direct-to-garment printer, sublimation printer or embroidery machine wishing to go online, to sell both their own products and those their customers have designed on their site. We interview Brenden Prazner of DecoNetwork.

“…you can just see light bulbs going on for . . . → Read More: DecoNetwork]]> DecoNetwork is the solution for anyone with a direct-to-garment printer, sublimation printer or embroidery machine wishing to go online, to sell both their own products and those their customers have designed on their site. We interview Brenden Prazner of DecoNetwork.

“…you can just see light bulbs going on for people and they say, ‘this is like you’re reading my mind! I have been wanting to develop something like this but haven’t been able to!!’.”

TM: How did you go about creating DecoNetwork? What were some initial challenges that you faced in the early phases of doing business?

DN: DecoNetwork is the culmination of about 5 years of development. It was originally called Pikiware and created by PikiCentral. Wilcom has since partnered with PikiCentral to create what is now known as Wilcom DecoNetwork .

The initial challenge we had was that the majority of people in the apparel and custom goods industry didn’t catch the concept of online retailing and the benefits of having an online t-shirt designer for their customers. We spent a lot of time listening and finding ways to better explain the technology and the vision of how it can benefit a business. In the mean time the GFC seemed to have sparked growth in online retail business, especially in the apparel market, proving more resilient than traditional retail. Compared to 12 months ago, this year we have seen an incredible increase in people really seeing the need for selling online and interest in DecoNetwork. People also realize that it’s really hard to try and commission someone to create this kind of technology from scratch!

TM: Is DecoNetwork more catered to t-shirt brand owners, t-shirt designers, or just any body who wants a custom t-shirt made?

DN: DecoNetwork is for everyone from consumer to t-shirt printer. In terms of the people who actually subscribe to DecoNetwork though – this is the person/business responsible for actually creating the products and shipping them out. We call these “fulfillment centres”. They have their own store and they can set up an affiliate network – offering free stores to t-shirt designers or those wanting to sell t-shirts, without the hassles of printing them and managing stock.

Of course, all these stores are designed for the end consumer who wants to order shirts online!

TM: At what point did you realize that DecoNetwork was taking off and on its way to become successful?

DN: The technology and the way people use it is changing so rapidly and we just realized that we have a solution in perfect timing. Just the responses we have when we demonstrate the capabilities of DecoNetwork – you can just see the light bulbs going on for people and they say, “this is like you’re reading my mind! I have been wanting to develop something like this but haven’t been able to!!”. It’s a real game changer for the custom goods and t-shirt industry.

TM: The DecoNetwork seems like an all-in-one service provider for t-shirt brand owners. How do you manage to maintain and handle all of these services? How many people are on the team?

DN: Yes! It’s very comprehensive and aims to cover all aspects of the business from providing a professional website you can manage yourself, to product catalogs, order management, marketing, production and shipping. We don’t have a huge team but we have a very passionate one. There are about 10 people committed to the research and development and then a team of service and support people to ensure people are getting the most from DecoNetwork.

TM: Out of all of the shops on DecoNetwork, what are some of your favorite ones?

DN: Hmm that’s a hard one.  I like Purpose51.com because of their goals for their site – they give 51% profits to charity. I also think that MyVisualpromotion.com is an excellent site. A cool Affiliate store is http://www.mscolbyart.deco-threads.com – cool tattoo inspired tees.

TM: I checked out the many other solutions offered on your main site, Wilcom. Which of these solutions would be best used in conjunction with Deco Network for serious clothing line owners?

DN:Wilcom is famous for our embroidery design software. Since partnering with Corel back in 2007 we now have two fabulous products for multi-decoration design. Whether you’re designing print, embroidery, appliqué, sequins or a multi-decorated design, DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio are essential for production ready artwork. You can visualise the layers of print and embroidery effects on screen using the best of CorelDRAW and Wilcom combined. Wilcom is used by most fashion labels, sports apparel, right down to the start up or small business user.

TM: What tips can you give to t-shirt designers and brand owners looking to gain more customers for their business?

DN: Just read up on online marketing and e-commerce. It’s such a promising area and perfect for people just starting out or with low overheads. There’s a wealth of information about how to create excellent online stores and build customer engagement. Building trust and making your site easy for your customers are key!

TM: What’s in store for the future of Deco Network? How will you guys keep up with the changing technology and continue to reach new customers?

DN: We are currently pushing forward with an ever-evolving development schedule, we’ve been releasing improvements every two months. The improvements are based on customer feedback through our forums and also looking ahead at technology and what is needed to help all DecoNetwork store owners improve their results.

Wish I could tell you all the things we have planned…

The 2010 NBA finals are finally here! With the Lakers winning game 1 against the Celtics already, things are looking up for the Lakers. But remember, the Celtics did win the championship back in 2008 against the Lakers, so Boston will be looking to do it again. Every NBA fan knows about the historic rivalry between . . . → Read More: NBA Finals 2010 T-Shirts]]> The 2010 NBA finals are finally here! With the Lakers winning game 1 against the Celtics already, things are looking up for the Lakers. But remember, the Celtics did win the championship back in 2008 against the Lakers, so Boston will be looking to do it again. Every NBA fan knows about the historic rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics; the two greatest teams in NBA history. The Lakers have made 31 finals appearances, while the Celtics have made 21 appearances. The Lakers have won 15 NBA titles while the Celtics have won 17 titles. The Lakers and Celtics have met in the finals 11 times, with the Celtics wining 9 out of those 11 times. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to a championship last year against the Orlando Magic, while Kevin Garnett and the Celtics took the title against the Lakers.

Enough of this history lesson of the L.A Lakers and Boston Celtics. Just check out these cool t-shirts in relation to the two teams in the 2010 NBA Finals!

Thriving Ink is a company that sells t-shirts designed by artists from around the world. In its online catalog, you will find tees from popular designers in the indie t-shirt world, including AJ Dimarucot, Pale Horse, and Hydro74. Not only does Thriving Ink have a web presence, it also has a brick and mortar store to . . . → Read More: Thriving Ink]]> Thriving Ink is a company that sells t-shirts designed by artists from around the world. In its online catalog, you will find tees from popular designers in the indie t-shirt world, including AJ Dimarucot, Pale Horse, and Hydro74. Not only does Thriving Ink have a web presence, it also has a brick and mortar store to boot! In the spring of 2009, Thriving Ink opened its first retail store in Pleasanton, California.

We interview Jenelle Dronkers, of Thriving Ink.

“There is nothing better than having someone walk into our shop and look through our hundreds of tees until they find the perfect one.”

BM: When was Thriving Ink founded and how did the business come together?

JD: Thriving Ink was founded in 2007 by my family. We were at a place where all of us knew we wanted to work together and we all wanted to create something. At the time we were just getting into t-shirts and graphics and could not find any information on our favorite pieces or the artists behind them. It seemed like a no-brainer to create a t-shirt company that really highlighted the t-shirt as a canvas and gave you all of the information in regards to how it was created and by who. Our ideas kind of took off from there and we began talking to artists who were totally on board with the idea.

BM: What’s the meaning behind the name “Thriving Ink”?

JD: We were just throwing out ideas for names and I knew i wanted it to be an active word of sorts. THRIVING is such a great word. INK is just a staple of most artists, whether it be digital or actual ink. Plus, it’s just catchy.

BM: I have read that Thriving Ink is a family-run business. What’s it like going to work with your closest kin?

JD: Oh man! Working with family is probably one of the greatest learning experiences. We have found that it all boils down to respect. You have to respect each others ideas, thoughts, suggestions etc. Without respect it would be impossible to work together. There are definitely times that are harder than others but we have a very close family so we always find a solution to our issues and move past them.

BM: Do you print all the t-shirts in the Thriving Ink line yourself?

JD: We print our tees using Storenvy and Oaklandish from Oakland, California. We love to print locally most of the time but send things over to Storenvy when we need something special. Both are awesome to work with. We always recommend supporting your local businesses and that’s why we always try and print through Oaklandish.

BM: Thriving Ink operates both online and offline. What are the biggest differences in running an online shop versus a physical store? Which do you prefer more?

JD: I have to say I prefer running the store more than the online store. Working in the shop allows me to directly connect with the people wearing our tees. There is nothing better than having someone walk into our shop and look through our hundreds of tees until they find the perfect one. I am also able to answer everyone’s questions and tell them about each piece whether it is a Thriving Ink tee or from another indie brand.

BM: Do you plan on opening up any other retail shops? If so, are you thinking of opening them outside of California?

JD: We would eventually love to have more stores both in the Bay Area and beyond.

BM: Your retail location sells an array of products, including clothing and accessories from other companies. Do you plan on expanding the range of merchandise in your online shop to mirror the store in Pleasanton?

JD: Yes! We are currently setting up our very own photography studio in our garage so we can take photos of our new products and put them up on our site right away. Before we would have to schedule a photo shoot, wait to get the photos, upload them to the site and hope we still had inventory at the shop. Now we will be able to get a new product and photograph it immediately and not wait on anyone but ourselves. We are kind of impatient that way. We will soon be adding a line of dresses and tops that are made in Los Angeles that we cannot keep on the shelves here in Pleasanton as well as a selection of brands we carry in store.

BM: From reading your posts on Twitter, I’ve noticed that you often have community events. When did you start doing this, and do you feel that it is part of what Thriving Ink is all about?

JD: We opened a shop not knowing how it would be received here in Pleasanton. We are a small town about an hour from San Francisco and there is nothing like us around. As soon as we opened the doors it became very clear that this was going to be a community hub. We host many events in store that center around art– We have a live artist who comes out all the time to paint in the store. We are lucky to be part of a community that likes to come together and hang out. We work closely with Wente Vineyards from the Livermore Valley to host events in store that help our customers discover Art and Wine and Music in a really cool atmosphere. Our customers are the best!

BM: Can you give us an inside scoop on what Thriving Ink will be up to this year? Are any new artists or collaborations in the works?

JD: This year we will continue to focus on the success of our shop and continue to host community-driven events. We now have a resident artist, Cody Williams, who will continue to create pieces for us. We hope to expand our line to include more locally-designed art and help the community understand the importance of “shopping local” and supporting local businesses.

BM: Do you have any final thoughts to share with the readers?

JD: We would be nothing without our customers. It is not easy starting a t-shirt company and we are so blessed to have a family that can just go with the flow and tweak aspects of our business as needed.

Visit ThrivingInk.com to shop for some cool Thriving Ink tees.

Brought to you by the design and developing team at Indie Labs, Big Cartel is a site that is home to many fully customized shops selling items ranging from band merchandise, to jewelry, to clothing. With many of today’s popular clothing companies such as 410 BC, Linty Fresh, and Ugmonk utilizing Big Cartel’s storefronts, it is . . . → Read More: Big Cartel]]> Brought to you by the design and developing team at Indie Labs, Big Cartel is a site that is home to many fully customized shops selling items ranging from band merchandise, to jewelry, to clothing. With many of today’s popular clothing companies such as 410 BC, Linty Fresh, and Ugmonk utilizing Big Cartel’s storefronts, it is undeniable that Big Cartel is taking the lead as a webstore provider.

We interview Matt Wigham, co-founder of Big Cartel.

“We had no idea it would get this big, and we have no idea how big it’ll get in the future.”

BM: How did you come up with the idea for Big Cartel and when did the site officially launch?

MW: The idea for Big Cartel came about when I needed a simple way to sell my bands merch online. I wasn’t too thrilled with any of the existing shopping cart systems out there, so being a web guy I decided to make my own. Pretty soon I realized that a lot of my other friends could use this for their bands, tees, art, etc. and Big Cartel officially launched in October of 2004.

BM: How many individual shops is Big Cartel currently home to?

MW: We have a little over 71,000 registered stores right now and we’re growing like crazy. Some of our stores are listed in our directory at: http://directory.bigcartel.com.

BM: Do you recall the first company to ever sign up for a Big Cartel storefront?

MW: I definitely do, it was Rob Dobi of Fullbleed. I’m not even sure if he knows he was the first.

We had a brief beta period where we had a lot of our friends and people we knew using the system, but Rob was the first person we didn’t know to sign up for a paid account on our first day. We couldn’t have picked a better first user either, Rob’s a great guy.

BM: How has Big Cartel changed since its first year? Did you ever think that it would be as widely used as it is today?

MW: The biggest change is that it has gone from a dorky little side project to the flagship product of a company of 6. We had no idea it would get this big, and we have no idea how big it’ll get in the future. The coolest part for us is that we’ve never done any paid advertising for it either, it’s all been from people telling their friends about how much they like it.

BM: What are some of the biggest lessons that you’ve learned from running Big Cartel?

MW: We’re learning new stuff every day, but I’d say the biggest thing we’ve learned is to work on things you love with people you love to work with. You never know what ideas are going to take off and take up all of your time, so be sure you’re working on things you’re proud of.

BM: Are there any new additions and/or improvements in store for Big Cartel this year?

MW: We’re very selective about the features we add, because adding too many features is what complicates and ultimately ruins good products. That said, we’re looking to improve and refine a lot of our existing features (store customization, discount codes, shipping, etc.) and we’ve got some great new stuff on the way too, like the ability to sell digital products (more on that very soon).

BM: Taking both shop aesthetics and product offerings into account, what are your top five favorite shops on Big Cartel?

MW: Oh man, that’s tough. Here are a few off the top of my head, in no particular order:

* Little White Lies – UK film magazine, the best mag I’m subscribed to
* Furni – really great handmade clocks
* Ligature, Loop & Stem – really cool store design
* Boompa -  another really great store design
* Sing Statistics -  great design and great posters

BM: What’s the most interesting item sold on Big Cartel that you’ve come across?

MW: Heh, well the first thing that comes to mind are the really naughty ones. Stuff like a spray to make erections go away, or some really intimidating S&M garb, but I’d say the most interesting might be a diamond encrusted skull.

BM: Is there anything else that you would like to share?

MW: Thanks a lot for the questions. To anyone not familiar with Big Cartel, we’d love to have you check us out at http://bigcartel.com. And to anyone interested in selling digital products, holler at us on Twitter at @bigcartel. Thanks!

————————————————————————-

*Finally, Big Cartel themes available for sale at Theme Fiend! Check them out!*

When you think about New England, a city that inevitably crosses your mind is Boston, Massachusetts. One of the best known tee companies founded in Boston is Johnny Cupcakes, covered in T-Shirt Magazine’s first Boston article. Although there’s one major player in the Boston scene, there are plenty of other growing companies that I would . . . → Read More: National Scene: Boston (Pt. 2)]]> When you think about New England, a city that inevitably crosses your mind is Boston, Massachusetts. One of the best known tee companies founded in Boston is Johnny Cupcakes, covered in T-Shirt Magazine’s first Boston article. Although there’s one major player in the Boston scene, there are plenty of other growing companies that I would keep my eye on!

Huzzah Goods

If you like video game inspired tees, then Huzzah Goods is a great place to browse game-related designs! Not only are there t-shirts, but Huzzah Goods also sells their designs on long sleeves and hoodies. If you’re a fan of Nintendo products or old-school games like Pac-Man and Tetris, then you may find something that suits you at Huzzah Goods.

Cavata Clothing

Founded by musician Lori Kirk, Cavata Clothing has tees inspired by music and art. CAVATA stands for “Creating A Voice About The Arts,” and 10% of each sale goes to Boston-area public schools and non-profit organizations that support programs for the arts. There is a nice mixture of styles available at Cavata Clothing, with bright designs alongside one-color designs. If you’re into music or art in general, then be sure to hop on over to Cavata Clothing to see their full catalog!

Dance Party Massacre

Alex Dakoulas started Dance Party Massacre back in 2007. The designs offered at Dance Party Massacre feature horror components in combination with party-related elements. Now on its third full line, Dance Party Massacre has expanded its product range to include items such as fingerless gloves and ski masks. Take a look around Dance Party Massacre store today, and you might find something fun for your closet!

Finroo

Finroo is a design competition site that produces extremely limited tees. With four different lines, Finroo offers shirts that are limited to 200, 100, 50, and 25 pieces. All of the designs are printed on bamboo and organic cotton tees, and a majority of the designs are on white t-shirts. If the eco-friendly tees weren’t enough, a percentage of each t-shirt sold goes to a charity chosen by the artist!

Cashletes is a clothing company specializing in streetwear clothing for financial champions. We’re all striving to be successful and earn good incomes, so what better way to show that we’re working hard for the money than with official merchandise of the Financial Champions League? There are presently four teams within the FCL: the California Rushers, the . . . → Read More: Cashletes]]> Cashletes is a clothing company specializing in streetwear clothing for financial champions. We’re all striving to be successful and earn good incomes, so what better way to show that we’re working hard for the money than with official merchandise of the Financial Champions League? There are presently four teams within the FCL: the California Rushers, the New York Paper Chasers, the Atlanta Bank Heads, and the Washington Dead Presidents. At Cashletes, you will find t-shirts, outerwear, and accessories to represent your favorite money-making team.

I interview Cashletes co-founder, AJ Camara to get the inside scoop about the brand.

“A ‘cashlete’ is a person who is trained or skilled at money-making and contends for massive wealth on a journey to higher earning.”

BM: When was Cashletes born and where did the idea come from?

AC: I began developing the idea of Cashletes early 2009 and finally launched it by Spring. The brand started as a way to deliver the idea of the competition for wealth in the form of sports inspired merchandise. We’ve always been business minded and were always fans of sports, so the idea of a money themed sports league came natural. The brand also comments on the money side of the sports world; I mean you’ve got hundreds of sports teams tossing around a ball, but what are they really doing? Competing for money! Which is what we all do every day.

BM: For those who aren’t familiar with the term, would you mind explaining what being a “cashlete” means?

AC: A “cashlete” is a person who is trained or skilled at money-making and contends for massive wealth on a journey to higher earning. Anyone who plans on becoming wealthy one day will become a cashlete at some point in their life. If you have no plans of building your wealth and are content with being broke, then this brand is not for you.

BM: In your view, how is money-making paralleled to sports?

AC: The way I see it, the same principles and concepts of sport can be applied to the art of money-making. Five principles of a champion are coaching, teamwork, position, competition, and championship. These exist in both athletics and the practice of building wealth.

BM: I see that there are currently four teams in the Financial Champions League. Could you describe what each one represents?

AC: In general they all represent the same kind of money minded individual. The team names and mascots give an idea of what each specific represent. The Paper Chasers represent those on a constant money chase always looking for ways to make money. The Bank Heads represent those addicted to the bank, whether its going to the bank to cash checks or building on their account balance. The Rushers stands for ‘gold rushers’ and represent those who go for the gold, whether it be their financial goal or material luxuries. The Dead Presidents represent dollar bills and everyone who aims to collect as many dead presidents as they possibly can. Its pretty simple and even a little cheesy but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

BM: Which team do you belong to?

AC: I belong to every team, of course.

BM: How do you decide what to name different teams or what cities they belong to?

AC: We have alot of fun trying to decide on funky names relate to something about each city or state. For example, Bankhead is actually the name of an area of Atlanta, so the name Atlanta Bank Heads fits perfectly. The California gold rush of 1849 was inspiration for the California Rushers. And so on and so fourth.

BM: Do your customers purchase goods for one team or do you see them picking up gear for multiple teams? Along this note, what are your most popular pieces?

AC: Our customers are surprisingly not biased when it comes to the team merchandise. We have people from New York buying Bank Heads stuff, people from Beijing who are fans of the Rushers, and then some people who like every team. Our most popular team has been the Paper Chasers though.

BM: I’ve noticed that Cashletes tees are quite unique in that their size and care labels are stitched onto the outside corner of the shirt. What is the reason behind this unconventional placement?

AC: We draw inspiration from professional sportswear, and if you look at a jersey you’ll notice a label stitched in that same location.

BM:  Do you plan on releasing merchandise for new teams soon? What about other types of products, such as jerseys?

AC: We definitely have new teams on the way. The upcoming summer collection is sure to be full of new team merchandise. Our current collection has products ranging from sweatshirts and jackets to belts and pennants, and we’ll definitely be expanding on that.

BM: Last but not least, do you have anything else that you would like to share?

AC: T-Shirt Magazine readers can get 15% off with discount code “TMAG” over at Cashletes.com, so be sure to take advantage of that!

Based out of Seattle, Washington, Jeepney is a well-established brand in the streetwear scene. Borrowing its name from the well-known public transportation vehicles found in the Philippines, Jeepney produces designs that are both artistically and culturally influenced. Today, you can find Jeepney’s range sold in popular online shops including Karmaloop, nationwide stores like Urban Outfitters, . . . → Read More: Jeepney]]> Based out of Seattle, Washington, Jeepney is a well-established brand in the streetwear scene. Borrowing its name from the well-known public transportation vehicles found in the Philippines, Jeepney produces designs that are both artistically and culturally influenced. Today, you can find Jeepney’s range sold in popular online shops including Karmaloop, nationwide stores like Urban Outfitters, and many shops and boutiques around the world!

“…the true test is if you can last through the tough times, take valuable lessons from those times – and make sure to remember those lessons when things are going well again……..Or sell crack.”

BM: Could you state who you are and describe a little bit about yourself and your role at Jeepney?

KR: My name is Karlo Reyes and I am the founder/CEO and Janitor at Jeepney.

BM: When was Jeepney founded? What led you to start the brand?

KR: I owned a design firm before with some of the other owners of Jeepney in 2003 and we were hired to create tees for a company that was going to sell them at a local community festival in Seattle. The person that hired us backed out but we just decided to do the event instead since I already created all the designs. Though Jeepney had a Filipino based name – we wanted to show the world dope and creative apparel but still promote our heritage in a non cheesy way…thus the name Jeepney was born since it applied to the artistic elements as well. We ended up selling out of the tees and getting mad requests for reprints. We made a quick website and started selling online and it just snowballed after that.

Later that year, we then decided to gather up a team and make the business official. None of us had any fashion background but we had hunger and vision on our side. We did our first fashion tradeshow in Las Vegas early 2005, called POOL tradeshow with a lot of brands that you see now including Obey, RVCA, Tokidoki, 10 Deep, etc, etc. Back then, the industry wasn’t as fragmented since categories like “Streetwear” or “Hipster” weren’t popular yet)….That’s when it really changed for us – not just in sales but getting the advice of the other established designers was priceless.

In 2006, we started doing MAGIC tradeshow (largest apparel tradeshow in the US) and that’s when Jeepney became international and was brought into the streetwear world.

BM: Can you tell us how you came up with the name for the brand and what the meaning is behind it?

KR: The Jeepney is a mobile assemblage of signs and decorative motifs found along the streets of Metro Manila. After World War II, surplus American G.I. Jeeps were converted into public utility vehicles and decorated with lavish art and color with each owner’s individual, distinct look.

Today, Jeepney clothing has carried this same concept of expression into the apparel world. Our brand represents a unique style that is universal in appeal and crosses over into a diverse mix of genres in the global street culture market.

BM: Where do you get inspiration for your designs? Do you create the designs yourself or do you have a special team of artists?

KR: We get our inspiration from many places. Everything from pop culture to the staffs dogs gives us inspiration. I use to do more designs but these days I take on the Creative Director role and use a team of talented artists

BM: What are some of the most valuable lessons that you’ve learned since starting Jeepney?

KR: Pressure makes diamonds. Its easy and exciting to get your business going when everything is going well and your making lots of money, but the true test is if you can last through the tough times, take valuable lessons from those times – and make sure to remember those lessons when things are going well again……..Or sell crack.

BM: Are there any brands or artists that you would like to collaborate with in the future?

KR: We’ve done a lot of collabs already but I really want to do one with San Miguel beer. If you don’t know what that is, then your not cool. Just kidding – it’s a Filipino beer so if you’re reading this San Miguel beer executives – let’s do a collab Yo! (Free beer for me!)

BM: What can we expect to see from Jeepney this year?

KR: Scientifically proven sexiness. If you wear a Jeepney tee – you WILL get laid. (Hopefully by the preferred sex). Actually you will see some dope designs that no one is doing right now so just make sure to keep an eye out on our website.

BM: Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for T-Shirt Magazine! Do you have any last remarks that you would like to make?

KR: Make sure to check out shop.jeepneyclothing.com and www.jeepneyclothing.com – it will reveal secrets to life’s questions!

Take a trip across the pond and you will find London, home to the British monarchy, The Clash, and the famous Abbey Road (just to name a few). This English city is ranked as one of the most fashionable cities in the world, so it’s no surprise that there are many companies in the graphic t-shirt . . . → Read More: International Scene: London (Pt. 2)]]> Take a trip across the pond and you will find London, home to the British monarchy, The Clash, and the famous Abbey Road (just to name a few). This English city is ranked as one of the most fashionable cities in the world, so it’s no surprise that there are many companies in the graphic t-shirt scene. If you’re unfamiliar with the tee shops in London, here are a few companies to look into:

Pandy Cane

What do you get when you mix pandas with candy? Pandy Cane! This brand features pandas on all of their tees, and the products have a lighthearted and fun vibe to them. Their logo tees show a panda carrying a huge candy cane. How fitting! If you like candy and you like designs with pandas, head on over to Pandy Cane and check out their amusing designs today!

Super Superficial

Having launched in May of 2007, Super Superficial is a t-shirt company that showcases artwork from many different artists. Because the designs are produced by various designers, the style range is quite broad. At Super Superficial, you will find design categories ranging from typography to abstract. The company does not stick to a few shirt colors for its shop, and there is a wide array of colors available. Along with t-shirts, there are also some designs available as long sleeves and hoodies.

Negrete

Negrete, pronounced “Ni-gre-tay,” is a brand based out of London that offers designs with social commentary. Many of the shirts have messages behind them, whether it be in words or images. Negrete also sells tees related to sports and music. Check out the shop to see all of the t-shirts that they have in stock!

Limited Ink

Limited Ink is a design competition site based in London that offers two lines of products: limited.ink and raw.ink. With the limited.ink line, each winning design is limited to 2,000 copies. On the other hand, the raw.ink line has tees that are on an unlimited run. If you love companies where you have a say in what gets printed, definitely take a look at Limited Ink and register to participate!

If you’ve been following the indie t-shirt scene this past year, then you probably have heard of 410 BC. 410 BC is a clothing company based out of New York that got its start a few years ago, operating from a dorm room. The name 410 BC was chosen because it signifies the year that democracy . . . → Read More: 410 BC]]> If you’ve been following the indie t-shirt scene this past year, then you probably have heard of 410 BC. 410 BC is a clothing company based out of New York that got its start a few years ago, operating from a dorm room. The name 410 BC was chosen because it signifies the year that democracy was restored in Athens, and the company believes in promoting ethical consumerism. Since its beginnings, 410 BC has noticeably grown and now offers a wide selection of products, including cut & sew garments. If you’re looking to add to your list of brands to watch in 2010, I’d recommend checking out 410 BC!

“We’ve accomplished things we never thought we would and met so many great friends, artists and musicians along the way.”

BM: To get things started, would you mind introducing yourself and describing your role at 410 BC?

410BC: I’m Nicole. I’m one of 410 BC’s co-founders. I handle any press correspondence, write most of the blog entries and design for 410 BC.

BM: When was 410 BC founded and how did it all come together?

410BC: 410 BC was founded in August of 2007. We started out hand printing shirts and when people started inquiring about our stuff we realized we could actually launch a website. It was important to us to be able to create a brand that promoted ethical consumerism. When we made the decision to stop hand printing, we went to Blue Collar Press and sourced our shirts from American Apparel, staying true to our mission to produce sweat-shop free clothing. We started out with very little money, saving what we could from summer jobs. As the brand grew we reinvested the majority of the money we made back into the company. We’re still growing, but we’ve definitely come a long way!

BM: Who came up with the name “410 BC” and how did you decide that it was a keeper? Were there several name options before you set one in stone?

410BC: We didn’t really have any options before we chose 410 BC. I think that we just knew that we wanted the name to have some meaning behind it. I was taking a class in ancient Greek Philosophy when I got interested in Greek history. I read about how 410 BC was the date that democracy was restored in Athens, I thought that had a really deep significance, especially considering the political climate at the time. Basically, the meaning behind the date and the ideals we knew we were trying to promote with our brand made a lot of sense, so it stuck.

BM: Your new packaging is absolutely incredible! How did you come up with the idea for the boxes, wax seals, etc.?

410BC: First, Thank you! We drew influence from our new designs, focusing on Victorian Illustration and monochromatic color schemes. We really wanted our packaging to be an extension of our clothing, something that the customers can keep and appreciate on its own and reuse. A lot of people have told us that they reuse the boxes, which we love to hear.

BM: 410 BC recently began selling cut & sew items. Did you come up with and design these products yourself? Will there be even more in the future?

410BC: Yes, we designed the new cut and sew items ourselves and we absolutely plan to have more in the future!

BM: Are we going to see the return of loud, colorful illustrations in future releases (e.g., “Skate Wolf,” “Classic Wolf,” and “From the Black Lagoon” tees)?

410BC: You never know what can happen, but I’m going to have to say, probably not. With our newer lines we’ve tried to return to our roots with simple designs and limited colors. By returning to our roots I think we were able to grow as both a brand and as artists. We’ve definitely found our niche within a design aesthetic that we plan to continue working in.

BM: In your opinion, how has 410 BC grown? Has it been a difficult journey?

410BC: Absolutely. 410 BC has changed and evolved so much over the past 2 years. We’ve learned a lot and at times it has been difficult, but for the most part it’s been amazing! We’ve accomplished things we never thought we would and met so many great friends, artists and musicians along the way.

BM: Where do you see 410 BC in 2010? In 2015?

410BC: I still can’t believe it’s 2010! We never thought we’d get this far. I think we will know when the brand is past its prime, but right now we’re still just beginning. So who knows what’s in store for 2015? I think we would really hope to open a brick and mortar store by that time. Hopefully that will become a reality in the near future. As for 2010, now that we’ve found our niche within a particular design aesthetic we hope to continue evolving within that aesthetic and also branching into other goods as well. We hope to introduce, as I said earlier, more cut and sew items. Personally, I’d also really like to create more accessories for the brand, but I don’t want to give too much away!

BM: Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions. Do you have anything else that you would like to add?

410BC: Thank you for the interview! It was great answering all your questions. I’d just like to say that everyone at 410 BC truly appreciates all the support of our customers, without our customers, we wouldn’t have been able to get to where we are today.

For more 410 BC, check out the online shop! By the way, Check out the 410 BC Commercial!