Things You'll Need:
- t-shirts
- labels
- computer
- artwork
- ideas
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Step 1
First, you need to open a business. This involves several things. Check with your local Score office for details on how to start a business in your city and state. Basically it will involve naming the business, obtaining the proper licenses, opening a bank account, obtaining a resale certificate (if required by your state) and coming up with a business plan.
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Step 2
Get creative. Research fashion trends (both people and dog trends)and come up with your design ideas. If you're an artist you can do your artwork yourself. If not, find a graphic designer to help you. If you are screen printing your designs, remember that each color of your artwork is a different screen. Check with the printing company you are using for further clarification. They can help get your artwork camera ready. If you know Photoshop, put each color or your design on a separate layer.
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Step 3
Get t-shirts. You may want to have the t-shirts manufactured yourself. This is a complicated process that I will not cover here (Involves finding fabric, a manufacturer, creating patterns, etc.) The easiest thing to do is find a blank apparel company that sells t-shirts for dogs. Many companies use t-shirts manufactured by someone else. When you find the company you want to purchase from, call them & set up a wholesale account. Be sure to keep in mind the minimums required for printing when placing your order.
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Step 4
Get labels made with your brand name on them. There are many different kinds of labels to choose from. Many companies will send you samples to help you choose. You can then sew the labels into the shirts yourself, hire employees to do it, or find a company that will do it for you. You can remove the other brand name labels, but be sure to leave the care labels in.
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Step 5
You are ready to go! Now you need to sell the shirts. You can sell to retailers or sell them straight to the consumer via your own store.
Comments
Thims said
on 11/9/2008 I can barely afford my own clothes, how do people afford them for their dogs?! I guess getting my dog
either a "Party Animal or Dog Gone" T-shirt would be nice.;-) Good ruff article.
Mindee94 said
on 10/27/2008 This is an idea to consider further. Thanks for the heads up! ~mindee