Archive for January 2010 | Monthly archive page
Fifa is very strict about their registered trademarks and they have basically gagged local producers by preventing association of products with the upcoming event, unless they have granted permission . However, everyone can reap the benefits of selling clothing products at the Fifa 2010 world cup.Yes, a t shirt/cap from the 2010 world cup with all the Fifa branding is a great momento to have but it’s not the only kind of product that our international visitors will be looking for.
Here are a few tips on what to do, but I leave the creativity up to you:
Produce local
The key to making loads of cash is to be 100% local. Any locally produced products that have some kind of branding stating that its from SA, Cape Town, Jo’burg or wherever are great gifts to take back. Do not use imported products because the label will say made in China/India – and what’s the use of that?
Produce quality
Make sure that the goods are well constructed or manufactured and that the printing or embroidering is well done. It is a fact that our goods are cheap when compared to Britain,Europe and America. What we may perceive to be expensive is not when converted to Pounds, Dollars and Euros. Get the right suppliers and service providers that are reliable and quality conscious.
Package nicely.
Even if you are selling from a flea market, put your goods in a nice drawstring bag/ brown bag or even in a pizza box (with your branding of course). It all gives the perception of value for money. If your product is packaged well and you have your web address on it, you may reap the benefits long after the world cup.
Cater for all ages
Even though the majority of visitors will fall in a certain age bracket, you must cater for all ages because there are relatives all over the globe that are going to expect something from Mamma Africa.
I’ll end off by saying, be original and create an identifiable brand with a local flavour.
Selling t shirts can be a satisfying and lucrative exercise but you need to prepare well or things will go wrong. Here are a few points to remember when getting your design to print:
1. Design the artwork in the correct format.
When designing for screen printing one has to consider the end result of what the print will look like or what you want to achieve. Communicate with your printer for guidance before you start designing or you will end up paying more or having to redesign. Screen printing is not like digital printing as it is done in stages, thus the artwork needs to be prepared differently. More info can be found in this post of which software to use.
2. Convert all fonts to curves.
If your design includes fonts and you’re using a vector program, always covert to curves. This will ensure that the artwork will look exactly like you intend it to. Please note that this will prevent later editing so it is best to save a copy that is not converted to curves as well.
3. Do a print out or computer mock .
Get a set of t shirt models/ drawings and place your designs before doing your positives. You will get an idea of what your end result will be. Use it for scaling and positioning your artwork. If you have a physical sample of the t shirt, do a print out and position it on the actual t shirt. You can send either of these to your printer as a reference. More guidance = better results.
4. Provide your artwork in the correct size.
Do not expect the printer to be your desktop designer and scale things for you. Ensure that you scale the artwork yourself and state that the scale provided is as is.
5. Work with Pantone Colours.
Invest in a pantone colour chart and always design in pantone colours (if not working with photo images) so that you know what the colour will look like before it’s printed. This will ensure that if you need to do reprints that the colours will be the same as before. It also allows you to have your goods printed at various printers and achieve the same results. Never use the colours on screen as a reference because the printer’s screen may have a different setting/ calibration.
6. Ask for 2 physical sample prints of the t shirt.
You will be charged for setting up and positive costs but it’s always better to do 2 samples. Don’t let the excitement of doing a run make you cut corners. Print 2 samples and if you are happy with both of them, let the printer keep one and you the other. Sign an agreement that the samples is as the run should be.
The Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup is a great launch period for all you aspiring designers. We will have tourists that are eager to get great gifts for family and friends back home. Be sure to use anything and everything about South Africa in your designs but of course sticking to the rules regarding Fifa trademarks.
Its a bit late, but rather late……
In order of events; happy Hanukkah, Muharram , Christmas and New Year to each and everyone. May the new year be the best we’ve had in a long time Insha-Allah. May all of us prosper spiritually (whatever our faith or beliefs) and may we put our health and inner peace above wealth and what “Beyonce” and “Kanye” tells us is important. Last year was rough on many (financially) but I believe that it gave us some perspective and made us innovative and appreciative for what we have. Earn fairly and honestly and make it your new years resolution to help people whenever they need it.. especially children, orphans and Seniors.
Anyway, the holiday was humble but great because it was spent with familia!
Here are some scenery snapshots taken on drives during the holidays:
