DESIGNING THE T-SHIRTS + FINDING A MANUFACTURER

I've found that (quite obviously) in order for a product to sell you need to create something that isn't currently available where your target audience usually shop.

As The Prawn Shop creates t-shirts for 16-25 year olds i kept in mind (whilst designing) the types of t-shirts available where my audience usually shop such as topshop and urban outfitters

topshop

urban outfitters

I decided to go with a unisex fit for all the t-shirts, i decided what i wanted the designs to be based around (sexism, body image, consent, gay rights) as not only are these issues ones that i'm interested in, but they're current, especially to my target audience.
The current t-shirts available from leading high street brands are beginning to become more graphic, featuring typography and bright colours however there were few with illustration, and designs which addressed current issues, so i felt that their was a gap in the market for my designs.

When it came to finding a manufacturer to print the t-shirts, it became very stressful. You need to be prepared to spend money and time finding a company to print high quality designs, with good customer service. Quite a lot of cheap t-shirt printers will use iron on transfers- these will peel off and ruin the design after one wash. Be prepared to order samples from up to 10 different companies in order to find the one that meets your standards.
Try and build up a relationship with your manufacturer this way you will feel comfortable emailing them at 2 in the morning when you realize there's a mysterious yellow stain on 10 jumpers which are meant to be posted tomorrow morning.