why is official band merch always so bad?
So the suggestion before was to buy official merch and support artists I like, which I agree with in principle. But in practice, these blanks are all terrible.
They usually print on stuff like Gildan Soft Style or similar featuring high armholes, very short and narrow sleeves and a long, slim overall cut.
Why is this almost always the case? I get that cost is a factor but these aren't necessarily the cheapest, they just don't fit well. There are a number of heavier, boxier blanks near the same price point, but bands never seem to use them. I guess I'm just ranting, but it seems like this shouldn't be such a challenge.
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Some are ringspun I think
better material but still the same cuts usually
I guess I'm looking for something more similar to the boxier ALstyle one or shakawear, but almost everything else out there is cut like 2015 American Apparel
Generally unisex costs less to produce and lowers effort in website design and production runs. Either than having runs and different stuff for men and women.
The general population does not care that much, or is not knowledgeable about t-shirt quality. Fans will buy fan merch to show in-group identity. Likewise with short limited runs in-person or online they're gonna get fear of missing out. Unless the merch is egregiously bad, they're gonna buy it anyway
As an aside I've never known really what to think about Gildan. Are they good? I guess so? It it more it's the best known standardised brand recognition from general consumers and start-ups known? Maybe. Reminds me of YKK being the well known zipper default - even though industry insiders know that other brands are better.
gildan softstyle longsleeves might just be the worst blank i have from a band shirt
been totally happy with heavy cotton though in long and short sleeves, but they're a bit long so i cropped one shirt
i also size up from L to XL in gildan both long and short sleeves
If you ever see american apparel those blanks are goated
I got one from the group lamp and its insanely soft
Only issue is yeah, the narrow armholes and longer hem
I don't know about the more recent shirts, I was just referring to how the ones from the actual store would fit when it was still around
It's also just a money thing, if your blanks are $10-15 and printing runs cost another $10-15 and your selling at $50 that's only $20-30 of profit before the venue takes their cut
If you use higher quality blanks the shirts have to jump in price to a level most people won't buy at
Just size up anyway most bands stock up to like XXXL and then it's fine
that's disappointing, the HEALTH one mentions in the description that they use gildan soft style and that's actually the one out of these that I want most
I have a health band tee its fine the blank is shitty but it's fine
It's not gonna fall apart
yeah, I have some other gildan shirts and they've held up decently, they just have that high, narrow sleeve and long hem design that I was complaining about
I guess I can just get the XL and take it to a tailor to shorten the hem
nah not worth tailoring, would look wack anyway. band tees are best when theyre 3x sized up with a DIY crop and muscle tee treatment. whole point is to lean into the grunge.
valid point, a cum metal shirt probably doesn't need to look neat and pristine
professionally tailored goregrind shirt