So… About Those Free T-Shirts

Right, this is something I’ve been thinking about for a while.

Since starting Nobody Apparel, I’ve had a few relatively new bands get in touch asking if I can produce T-shirts for them.

For free.

Now, I honestly don’t blame them for asking. If you’re in a new band, you’re trying to get your name out there, you need merch and you’re probably skint. I get it.

But I don’t think everyone realises just how expensive producing a T-shirt actually is.

It’s not simply a case of grabbing a blank T-shirt, sticking a logo on it and handing it over.

There’s the actual shirt, printing, artwork, samples, packaging, postage, website fees, payment fees… and then there’s my time.

And believe me, there is A LOT of time.

Sometimes I’ll spend hours working on a design before we’ve even got anywhere near producing a shirt.

Then you’ve got the risk. I have to actually pay for those shirts before I can sell them.

So when someone says, “Can you knock us up a few for free? We’ll tag you,” I completely understand where they’re coming from, but a tag doesn’t pay the printer. 😂

And I’m not saying this to have a pop at bands.

Quite the opposite.

I LOVE working with bands.

The alternative scene is built on collaboration. Bands, artists, designers, photographers, promoters and independent brands all helping each other is exactly what makes this scene interesting.

If a new band contacts me, I’m more than happy to have a chat and see if we can work something out.

Maybe it’s a smaller run.

Maybe we split the costs.

Maybe we do a limited collaboration.

Maybe we work out a profit share.

There’s loads of ways to make it happen.

But there has to be something coming from both sides.

Because the reality is that Nobody Apparel isn’t some massive clothing company with a warehouse full of free T-shirts.

It’s basically me, trying to build something from scratch, paying for stock, paying for printing and hoping people actually buy the bloody things. 😂

Every shirt costs money before it ever gets sold.

So to all the new bands out there — keep contacting brands. Keep asking. Keep creating.

Just remember that the small brand you’re contacting is probably trying to build their dream too.

Let’s work together rather than expecting someone to pick up the whole bill.

That’s where the really good collaborations happen.

Nobody Apparel is here for the underground.

Just don’t ask me for 50 free T-shirts. 😂