MetaFilter Shirts. For real, this time. Let's make it happen. July 11, 2012 2:31 PM   Subscribe

In March, we talked about a new round of t-shirts being made, Mat said that he'd "found a new printer/fulfillment operation that could do it." and then radio silence.

What needs to happen to make these a reality? Should we set up a projects to lock down/crowdsource design thoughts or slogan ideas? Matt would you consider delegating the creation to someone, if you don't have the time to make it happen?
posted by softlord to MetaFilter-Related at 2:31 PM (136 comments total) 12 users marked this as a favorite

T SHIRTS FOR THE T SHIRT GOD

VESTMENTS FOR HIS THRONE
posted by The Whelk at 2:35 PM on July 11, 2012 [8 favorites]




We just need to add a little metastarter to the mix and then ...
posted by tilde at 2:38 PM on July 11, 2012


I do have a printing/fulfillment company I could use this time around, I just need some designs. Last time around we sort of solicited a few designs, there were only a couple I thought hit the right balance of MetaFilter-related and something for fans to appreciate without being so inside jokey that you'd get tired explaining to people what it meant. So basically the goal is a normal/amusing shirt that makes a little sense to outsiders and a lot more sense to insiders and looks good.

The next shirt go-round will likely have basic MeFi logo shirts and 1-2 other designs. I liked one design suggested by a user but we never could agree on a workable payment scheme. I'm open to mockups/sketches here and would pay someone a flat rate for a shirt design that I think is fair (I think we're only going to sell maybe 50-100 shirts, so $500/max/design feels about right to me, considering I only make about $7/shirt).
posted by mathowie (staff) at 2:40 PM on July 11, 2012


On Kruno Budiselic:

However, entering into Guinness Book of World Records is not something entirely new to him. This is because this extraordinary record breaker also holds the world record of opening beer bottles, in pushing cars, in moon walking, as well as in the highest number of push-ups in 60 seconds.

That strange loud noise you just heard was my heart strings being plucked like never before.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:41 PM on July 11, 2012


PLZ PLZ ARE WE GETTING THAT MEFI DINOSAUR THINGY PLZ
posted by elizardbits at 2:42 PM on July 11, 2012 [5 favorites]


What dino thingy?
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:47 PM on July 11, 2012


mefi dinosaur!
posted by elizardbits at 2:48 PM on July 11, 2012




@Mat: so where should people send their design ideas?
posted by softlord at 2:50 PM on July 11, 2012


If we're doing this, can someone with a better sense of design than I make a shirt that isn't just injoke on the front, party MetaFilter in the rear? Or get the plain blue logo shirt back out? I really would love a MeFi shirt, but I've grown out of Witty Saying t-shirts.
posted by griphus at 3:01 PM on July 11, 2012 [4 favorites]


What? Of course I read mathowie's comment. Ahem.
posted by griphus at 3:02 PM on July 11, 2012


We also need a tasteful Mefi polo shirt for those of us who use the professional white background.
posted by chrchr at 3:03 PM on July 11, 2012 [5 favorites]


so we need a special shirt for griphus that says LOL BUTTS

this is what i am hearing
posted by elizardbits at 3:07 PM on July 11, 2012 [5 favorites]


We also need a tasteful Mefi polo shirt

Only if it's made in China.
posted by tzikeh at 3:09 PM on July 11, 2012 [1 favorite]


"something for fans to appreciate without being so inside jokey that you'd get tired explaining to people what it meant."

With all due respect, MeFiSaur may fail on that account. But then, most of the best t-shirt designs are semi-obscure. I'm alerting Adam Koford, he's done half the shirts I've gotten from shirt.woot.com
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:11 PM on July 11, 2012


I do all my butt-loling in a three-piece bespoke, kthx.

(Open to LOL BUTTS tie clip or cufflinks.)
posted by griphus at 3:11 PM on July 11, 2012


This comment has been flagged.
posted by The Whelk at 3:12 PM on July 11, 2012


*sniff*

no rawr?
posted by likeso at 3:17 PM on July 11, 2012


The old "Please Hope Me" tshirt is annoying to explain, but it's a perfect shirt to wear to bed after a long night of drinking, only to wake up on an air-mattress that has a slow leak and deflated overnight, and you get up at noon and your head is pounding, so you stagger to your friends refrigerator only to find that it's empty except for some rotten Chinese takeout. So then you stumble outside into the sunlight and you realize, shit, you're in South Philly and don't know where the fuck you are, so you stumble around for a bit looking for a convenience store, and you find one and buy some Tea, but the Tea isn't working. After a few blocks you come to Passyunk and it's mostly empty, and it's still hot, and you don't know where you're going to eat, so you walk back 5 blocks to your friend's place and knock on the door, and he leads you to a diner where you order pancakes and just stare at each other going "this hangover sucks"
posted by hellojed at 3:22 PM on July 11, 2012 [8 favorites]


I think the shirt should say "MeFi's Own" on the front.

There should be two designs. One design should have the "Me Figh" phoenetic pronounciation on the back, and the other should have the "Meh Fee" phoenetic pronounciation on the back.

Colors should be blue, green, gray, black, and white, and sometimes Y.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:24 PM on July 11, 2012 [4 favorites]


"you're only getting a BHUTAN tonight because I'm on my period."
posted by vitabellosi at 3:25 PM on July 11, 2012


I prefer referring to it as the"Mee Fie" pronunciation myself.

And don't forget MeFi Little Pony as created here. (Anyone who can should feel free to improve on mine)
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:30 PM on July 11, 2012 [2 favorites]


I still like the I [ +] Metafilter thing.
posted by The Whelk at 3:30 PM on July 11, 2012 [17 favorites]


softlord, just post your ideas here in a comment, if you'd like to sketch something out, upload it to an image hosting service and link it up.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 3:33 PM on July 11, 2012 [1 favorite]


Well, as i'm sure the "Metafilter User # xxxxx" would be prohibitively expensive, I'd be fine with logo shirts in blue and green.

Also would love a "MetaFilter [+]"

Maybe "I'm a MeFite"

(i'm also too old for witty t-shirts, though it certainly doesn't stop me from wearing them).

In my mind, an ideal shirt would
1) Identify yourself to fellow MeFi-ers as being a tribe member
2) Provide something that curious folk could use as an opportunity to ask about.
posted by softlord at 3:38 PM on July 11, 2012


[Favourite added!]
posted by tilde at 3:38 PM on July 11, 2012


Now I've got a mefi blue polo in my head for non-suity funerals with a single period on the right breast pocket area. Or grey, since that's more where deaths of peeps we know are discussed.
posted by tilde at 3:41 PM on July 11, 2012 [1 favorite]


Hooray for having the Metafilter logo available again. My last shirt wore out in like 2008, please take my money. Also I would definitely buy other Metafilter logo products like coffee mugs, just throwing that out there.
posted by Kwine at 3:44 PM on July 11, 2012 [3 favorites]


Nursery rhyme in my head

Hey diddle diddle,
The Cat and the fiddle,
The Cow jumped over the moon,
The little Dog laughed to see such sport,
And the Dish ran away with the Spoon.

Maybe a remake of the image theme but the plate running away with the bean. Can't think of other replacement mefi specific players or things that get posted a lot.

Maybe instead of the cow jump over the moon, Whitey is on the moon.
posted by tilde at 3:46 PM on July 11, 2012


How about short sleeves?
posted by annsunny at 3:53 PM on July 11, 2012


My blue shirt with just the logo in white and yellow is getting a little ratty. Could I just get a reprint of that?
posted by ODiV at 4:09 PM on July 11, 2012


Personally I'd just love a white t-shirt in some womens' style that had the favicon MF box on it.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 4:10 PM on July 11, 2012 [10 favorites]


Please, please, please may a v-neck be an option? I love funny/witty tees but am strangled by the standard crewneck.
posted by PepperMax at 4:13 PM on July 11, 2012 [22 favorites]


Yes, take my money, sell me things!
posted by Occula at 4:22 PM on July 11, 2012


This in blue and yellow.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 4:25 PM on July 11, 2012 [1 favorite]


And large coffee mugs.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 4:37 PM on July 11, 2012 [18 favorites]


Is there a company that can do these on a decent scale with good quality? Maybe something with a charitable element? I know Cafepress is around but their stuff isn't exactly top-shelf.

Also not sure about the 'cache of a limited number of shirts being released' vs 'making them available to all who want them'. But obviously that's up to Mat.
posted by softlord at 4:53 PM on July 11, 2012


I'd buy a "BALLS LOL" or "LOL BUTTS" t-shirt...
posted by palbo at 4:59 PM on July 11, 2012


i'm going to repeat my (most likely improbable) request for one cloth bag design.
posted by nadawi at 5:07 PM on July 11, 2012 [3 favorites]


Can we please have some bigger sizes for us who like big things?
posted by govtdrone at 5:10 PM on July 11, 2012 [4 favorites]


I would like to express a preference for long sleeves.

Also, I have had a completely fantastic experience with CustomInk for making various shirts for work. No connection / financial interest; I am just in awe of their customer service and the quality of their products.
posted by charmcityblues at 5:17 PM on July 11, 2012


Slogan ideas:
Note: Everyone needs a hug.

If you are not paying for it, you're not the customer; you're the product being sold.

Yay! Someday, I will fuck all of you as thanks. Yes, it probably won't happen, due to the language, but we can dream

It is a mystery.

Because I can tell you, if you think having one fake spouse is bad, having thirty of them will be worse.

Please Stop The Asshattery

Man am I relieved this is parody.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:30 PM on July 11, 2012 [1 favorite]


that says LOL BUTTS

It's butts lol. butts lol. The order matters. Jeph Jacques is a thief and/or a philistine.

Personally I'd just love a white t-shirt in some womens' style that had the favicon MF box on it.

A big favicon MF shirt would be pretty keen, yeah.

And large coffee mugs.

I made my own a while back! Just as a dorky one-off from one of those vendomatic websites. It came out okay, but I'd rather a bigger mug and better printing. If we could manage to affordably do a run of a hundred mugs with fulfillment I bet we could sell those out without too much trouble.
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:30 PM on July 11, 2012 [1 favorite]


Whoa, trademark infringement!

*flags mug for lawyer followup*
posted by ODiV at 5:38 PM on July 11, 2012


I'd love another t-shirt, but please choose a vendor whose size charts aren't based on skinny people. I ordered a XXXL last time, and the shirt was actually smaller than my wife's XL Jerzees brand t-shirts. My normal XXXL shirts are baggy on me, but I had to lose over 50 pounds before my MeFi XXXL shirt even came close to fitting.

I'll also throw in a vote for a coffee mug, and since we're making suggestions, I'd really love a hoodie or a sweatshirt.
posted by ralan at 5:48 PM on July 11, 2012 [3 favorites]


While it would be good to expand the range of available sizes, speaking as somebody on whom size "small" shirts usually wind up baggy, I very much appreciate that my "I [+] MetaFilter" shirt actually fits me.
posted by Lexica at 5:53 PM on July 11, 2012


Please make more of everything I want, tailored to my unique, demanding tastes. Thx.
posted by slogger at 6:53 PM on July 11, 2012 [3 favorites]


jessamyn: And large coffee mugs.

Extry large'd be most favorite. But even more so 2XL shirt...pleeeeeze!
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:59 PM on July 11, 2012


Jed - That only happened like five times and those pancakes were fantastic.

I'll see if I can coerce my graphic designer girlfriend to whip up something fun.
posted by Diskeater at 7:11 PM on July 11, 2012


A fitted small would be nice.
posted by griphus at 7:14 PM on July 11, 2012



FLAG IT
AND
MOVE ON

posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:42 PM on July 11, 2012 [18 favorites]


MeFi tshirts with a pocket for $20 would be good. I too would buy one of everything in each size since I kept missing previous sales.
posted by arcticseal at 7:57 PM on July 11, 2012


A mefisaur v-neck tee would make me very happy.
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:07 PM on July 11, 2012


Holding out for the MF invisible backpack
posted by Existential Dread at 8:34 PM on July 11, 2012 [1 favorite]


MeFi tshirts with a pocket for $20 would be good.

Yeah, I love t-shirt pockets. People don't realize how useful an extra pocket can be, especially up top.
posted by fuq at 8:43 PM on July 11, 2012


But those have been around forever!
posted by ODiV at 8:43 PM on July 11, 2012


Could we possibly have non-t-shirt items would be great. Bucket hat? Satchel bag? Coffee mug? Patches???

Or, you know, proper large sizes for those of us with bodacious ta-ta's who can't squeeze into a 2XL without looking like an angry wurst with eyes pornographic.
posted by ninazer0 at 8:46 PM on July 11, 2012 [7 favorites]


Yes, t-shirt (seconding ninazer0's request for ample-boobage-friendly options...although it might make us popular at meet-ups...). Love the [+] idea with MetaFilter on the back.

Wild pony request: the coffee mug is printed with that heat-sensitve ink so that when the mug is hot, it reads [+] and when it's cold, the symbol changes to [!] and the text "fill it and move on" appears.
posted by smirkette at 8:56 PM on July 11, 2012 [6 favorites]


Also, t-shirts without pockets because boobs.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:09 PM on July 11, 2012 [2 favorites]


It would be cool to have a shirt with a selection of some of the tagline jokes that have been made over time.

The hard part would be trying to pick which ones to include.
posted by Start with Dessert at 9:14 PM on July 11, 2012


I would just vote for not using Fruit of the Loom shirts again. My gray Royal Apparel MeFi shirts still fit just fine, but my blue Fruit of the Loom shirt has sadly shrunk to the point where it's just on the unwearable side. Royal Apparel, Anvil, Hanes Perfect T's, and even Gildan are better, although of course it may be a question of color availability.
posted by limeonaire at 9:15 PM on July 11, 2012


The t-shirt god, Kruno Budiselic.

Ha, no longer!
posted by Devils Rancher at 9:25 PM on July 11, 2012


Can you still get that Meta shirt that looks like the Mets? I regret not buying that.
posted by milarepa at 9:27 PM on July 11, 2012


This suggestion from the previous meta seems like a goer.
posted by Start with Dessert at 9:33 PM on July 11, 2012 [2 favorites]


I've never quite gotten over missing out on the "Special Snowflake" shirts. If this could happen, I'd promise to be very, very good.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 9:48 PM on July 11, 2012 [3 favorites]




How about MetaFilter: Flag and Move On , with the blue logo at MeFi front page?
posted by the cydonian at 11:12 PM on July 11, 2012 [1 favorite]


It's probably too much to make separate shirt for each sub-site, but I would love a grey MetaTalk shirt with an "Everyone needs a hug" tagline.
posted by benito.strauss at 11:40 PM on July 11, 2012


It's hard to pick the right catch phrase. I mean, I like "Flag and Move On" as a slogan, but it's associated with people making dickish comments — that's not what I want to think about.

So what if we use the "Note"s that are under the comment live preview on each sub-site:
  • MetaFilter: Help maintain a healthy, respectful discussion.
  • MetaTalk: Everyone needs a hug.
  • AskMetaFilter: As useful as you make it.
  • MeFiIRL: You're going to see these people in real life.
(apologies to the other sub-sites)

They're not the wittiest things in world, but I think they reflect the spirit of the site(s) very well. I could almost argue that they are at the heart of the MeFi experience; we've put them at the most important location on each site.

I can't figure out how we fit them all on one t-shirt. Though the true bon ton de MeFi would of course have one for each, in their respective colors, and choose to wear the one that best fits their mood and the season.
posted by benito.strauss at 11:59 PM on July 11, 2012 [2 favorites]


i would really love patches! or totes!

TOTES WOULD BE FUCKING AWESOME, I FUCKING LOVE TOTES!

ALSO, IF I HAD PATCHES, I COULD SEW THEM ONTO THINGS.

THAT'S WHY GOD MADE PATCHES!
posted by PinkMoose at 12:15 AM on July 12, 2012 [3 favorites]


right, pinkmoose? i eagerly wait each new weekly woot sale to see if more totes are available. love them.
posted by nadawi at 12:36 AM on July 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


THAT'S WHY GOD MADE PATCHES!

If I had any drafting ability, I'd make something similar to this for The Wheel as a patch. Or would a simple circle suffice?
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:49 AM on July 12, 2012


I like "Note: Everyone needs a hug." for a t-shirt in a nice subtle white on grey...
posted by Karmakaze at 5:26 AM on July 12, 2012


"I was smart from the very beginning."

Red on black.
posted by ZsigE at 5:40 AM on July 12, 2012


If you make the hug shirt, please make another type as well -- I already have this weird problem where strangers like to hug me.
posted by theredpen at 5:42 AM on July 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


You know what would be great? ONESIES for babies/toddlers! With a [+] on them! Baby Mefites, there are a lot of them!

Unfortunately, West is now too old for onesies, but if he was not, I'd also ask that the [!] be placed on the onesie's butt.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:52 AM on July 12, 2012


"IMAGINARY INTERNET FRIEND"
posted by The Whelk at 5:59 AM on July 12, 2012 [4 favorites]


I think this thread is a perfect example of why no more t-shirts have been made.
posted by slogger at 6:05 AM on July 12, 2012 [2 favorites]


I think it's important that we get it exactly right this time, because there will never be another opportunity to do this again in the future.
posted by mimo at 6:41 AM on July 12, 2012


Coffee mugs +1. As we discussed at the meet-up last night, one needs coffee and the reading of metafilter before one has the wherewithal to talk to people in the morning.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:44 AM on July 12, 2012


What about a t-shirt with a picture of a mug on it?
posted by griphus at 6:50 AM on July 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


I'd prefer a mug with a picture of a t-shirt on it.
posted by Grither at 7:18 AM on July 12, 2012 [2 favorites]


I think it's important that we get it exactly right this time, because there will never be another opportunity to do this again in the future.

I think it's important that we get it exactly right this time, because T-shirts are forever.
posted by chavenet at 8:03 AM on July 12, 2012


tshirts to fit female people; 'petite' sizing a bonus. And, much as I love the "everyone needs a hug" note, wearing it would be problematic.

Would love a patch. PinkMoose, do you have info on getting them made?

The more varied the stuff, the more of a pain for Matt, or his designated MeFiCrap Procurement Specialist.

Possibly add 1$ to each order to fund the MeFi Contingency Fund (or for Fiona's pony).
posted by theora55 at 8:21 AM on July 12, 2012


Fuck tshirts, let's get tattoos! I mean, what kind of gang is this?
posted by villanelles at dawn at 8:25 AM on July 12, 2012 [15 favorites]


And tea mugs.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 8:26 AM on July 12, 2012 [6 favorites]


How about a deadline for mock-ups? Then votes on the mock-ups? Because a thread full of suggestions is keen but not moving the thing forward. I would like to maybe submit something, but require a deadline (and I suspect this might be true of others).
posted by Glinn at 8:43 AM on July 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Maybe a staff tag style gold box over the breast pocket which says [mefite], or just [user]? A bit like a name tag.
posted by lucidium at 8:45 AM on July 12, 2012 [4 favorites]


I like Lucidum's idea
posted by The Whelk at 9:12 AM on July 12, 2012


For the London MeFi vs Reddit Trivia Smackdown™ last year, Grangousier (I think? apologies if it was someone else) made some [+] buttons that were just awesome.
posted by phunniemee at 9:37 AM on July 12, 2012 [2 favorites]




    [!]
  FLAG IT
    AND
  MOVE ON

Minor tweak to httrt's design above.

posted by gauche at 9:54 AM on July 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


i know nothing about making patches or totes. :(
posted by PinkMoose at 10:15 AM on July 12, 2012


As villanelles at dawn awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself branded with a tattoo of a mug with a t-shirt on it bearing a patch with a website logo.
posted by griphus at 10:26 AM on July 12, 2012


Please save your apples for pie.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 10:33 AM on July 12, 2012


pinkmoose - totes are often something offered at places that do tshirts. patches are a wee bit more in depth.
posted by nadawi at 10:53 AM on July 12, 2012


Please oh please can we bring back the personalized MeFi baseball jerseys?

I am STILL kicking myself for not getting one. Matt, I know you mentioned they were a pain to make, but would you be interested in outsourcing the work maybe? I bet there would be quite a few takers, if MeTa comments every time this comes up is any indication...
posted by widdershins at 11:14 AM on July 12, 2012


I'd mug someone for a mefi mug.
posted by captaincrouton at 12:13 PM on July 12, 2012


Mug would be cool, and that should be a very simple straightforward design.
posted by thirteenkiller at 12:56 PM on July 12, 2012


Perhaps, if there isn't a clear consensus, someone could do a small survey? After the suggestions are vetted, of course.

Also, the mug idea appeals to me, and there wouldn't be fitting problems either.
posted by annsunny at 1:00 PM on July 12, 2012


Patch pricing after two Google searches: http://www.stadriemblems.com/embroideredpatches.html

Is this representative? No idea. But I bet a low color-count and small physical dimensions would keep it pretty cheap.

(Note that people with fancy-schmancy sewing machines -- like a Janome -- can use some fabric and contrasting-colored thread and simple whip up a simple patch. Here is an example.)
posted by wenestvedt at 1:25 PM on July 12, 2012


Everyone needs a mug.
posted by bonehead at 2:40 PM on July 12, 2012 [3 favorites]


How about a mug or a T-shirt with a picture of a banhammer?
posted by Melismata at 2:41 PM on July 12, 2012


"Flag Me and Move On"
posted by Danf at 3:35 PM on July 12, 2012


Yes, please, MeFi Dinosaur
posted by (Over) Thinking at 3:39 PM on July 12, 2012


And/or a plate of beans, except you know, with the right logo and stuff. And yellow on blue instead of black on white.
posted by (Over) Thinking at 4:03 PM on July 12, 2012


Everyone needs a mug.

YES. TAKE MY MONEY.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:28 PM on July 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Who the hell needs a mug? Unless I decide to open a bed and breakfast, I've already got more mugs than there will ever be people in my house drinking out of a mug at one time. I've got more mugs at work than I have pencils and shit to put in 'em. And I pretty much use the same two mugs all the time anyway.

Oh, wait, never mind, I get it.
posted by box at 5:30 PM on July 12, 2012


I know this is a pony request but could we get a mefi pony please?
posted by rebent at 8:30 PM on July 12, 2012




For an AskMe shirt, I humbly suggest:


~~
\_/

SHOULD
I
EAT
THIS?



[It's a cupcake, OK? I'm doing my best here.]
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 11:48 PM on July 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Suggestion: A grey shirt just like the plain blue logo shirt, with "staff" on the back in a little rounded yellow box.
posted by oulipian at 7:05 AM on July 13, 2012


Mefi Car Magnet?
posted by cashman at 8:07 AM on July 13, 2012


Maybe one of the oval car stickers, black on white, that indicate a country, like these, but with MF, or MEFI. I am sure that Cafepress could handle this. . .
posted by Danf at 8:11 AM on July 13, 2012


You might move in politer circles than I do, but I'd hesitate to drive around with an "MF" sticker.
posted by benito.strauss at 10:14 AM on July 13, 2012


I have one of the gray "Everyone needs a hug" t-shirts. The fears upthread about being over-hugged as a result of wearing this shirt are totally unfounded.

As a haver of boobs, I also vote no pocket.
posted by jeoc at 12:35 PM on July 13, 2012


Matt (of mattdidthat) asked me to post a few of his creations.

Metafilter favorite shirt
Metafilter baseball tee 1
Metafilter baseball tee 2

posted by special-k at 11:25 AM on July 14, 2012


Because it is one big link!

also related: What flameout?
posted by special-k at 12:55 PM on July 14, 2012


jeoc, I will owe you a hug, then. (Seriously, I was hugged by two total strangers on separate occasions one day. If I wore the shirt I'd never get anywhere.) Let me know when you need it.

And special-k, I love the personalized baseball shirt design!
posted by theredpen at 1:24 PM on July 14, 2012


also related: What flameout?

That's awesome. We should do that one. The crown made out of exclamation points is a master stroke.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:45 PM on July 14, 2012


Please, I missed the last round and I'm not missing this one!
posted by clever sheep at 5:22 PM on July 17, 2012


Hey, just wanted to drop an update: I'm working with a tshirt printing/fulfillment company (we are at the stage of contracts needing to be drafted and signed first) and hoping to launch a couple designs (one by a mefite, the other design will be just the standard logo) whenever we can. I'm hoping they can start taking orders in the next couple weeks.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 9:04 AM on July 31, 2012 [7 favorites]


Hooray! I've been on a custom t-shirt binge recently, I just got the world's dorkiest workout shirt made
posted by The Whelk at 9:08 AM on July 31, 2012


Whoop! Won't be in time for my very first meetup, but I'll be set for the second.
posted by likeso at 9:32 AM on July 31, 2012


Hooray! Do you happen to know which brand shirts they use?
posted by griphus at 9:41 AM on July 31, 2012


We have shirts (soon)!
posted by arcticseal at 7:52 PM on July 31, 2012


Thanks for the update. Can't wait to see the new stuff.
posted by cashman at 10:27 PM on July 31, 2012


Do you happen to know which brand shirts they use?

As always, we'll go with Not American Apparel for previously stated reasons. Usually we go with Alternate Apparel or Royal Apparel (or all the other confusingly similarly named US shirt companies that make well-fitted tees).
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:03 PM on July 31, 2012 [2 favorites]


So, just to check...how can we keep on top of when t-shirts are available again? Check this post in a couple weeks? Will there be something posted on the sidebar? Thank you for setting it up again, mathowie!
posted by shortyJBot at 6:14 PM on August 2, 2012


I imagine we will have at least a nice loud Metatalk announcement when they're for sale and a sidebar mention to go with it.
posted by cortex (staff) at 6:22 PM on August 2, 2012


Plus smoke signals, fire dances, invocations of the spirit realm.
posted by The Whelk at 6:33 AM on August 3, 2012


mathowie, if you use Alternative Apparel, I will kiss you on the mouth.
posted by griphus at 6:49 PM on August 3, 2012


You should do it anyways, mathowie.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 7:56 PM on August 3, 2012 [2 favorites]


CONSTANT
CRAVING
posted by The Whelk at 7:58 PM on August 3, 2012


That Alternative Apparel Social Responsibility page is such a cop-out. Every line basically just boils down to "We won't exploit our workers to the point of actually breaking the law in whatever country they live in, but reserve the right to exploit them right up to that line." It's dressed up in very affirmative language but basically they say that they pay employees at least minimum wage, comply with legal overtime requirements, comply with local environmental regulations, and don't employ actual slaves. I guess they're a little better than most in that their non-discrimination policy is more comprehensive and maybe "legal age of adulthood" means that they don't employ kids in their sweatshops, although it'd be better if they just said "yo, you have to be over 16 to work in our factories" or something rather than getting all weaselly about it.

I mean I'm fine with using them as a supplier as I don't know of anyone who's actually materially better than that, but it annoys me when companies brand themselves as being all goody-goody and socially responsible without actually making a commitment to paying their workers a living wage rather than just the legal minimum in whatever third-world country they have their factories.
posted by Scientist at 9:52 AM on August 5, 2012 [1 favorite]


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