if you were or already have...

[jason-23]

started a line of shirts to sell what brand of garment would you use or did you use? Im thinking of starting a brand and i really like AA shirts but they come with such a sexual company that may reflect negatively on my brand. Any thoughts?

[Prosperi-Tees]

If I did it I would get something with a tear away label or remove the label and screen print the brand and all the info in the neck hence making it "your" brand.

[Sbrem]

That AA does have that rep, but Alternative Apparel might do the job for you. Also, there seems to be a new kid in town, blanksplus.net. Just got there catalog.

Steve

[Frog]

I'd say that it all depended on your target market and your designs.

"Trendy" stuff aimed at party girls and girly boys fits the AA or it's many imitators. (everyone now seems to have thin men's shirts cut too small.)
Hip-hoppers and gang-bangers like the Allstyle, and I still find that the old-schoolers find Beefys a known, easy-to-market name.

If you are going to re-label, you don't want any "tagless" like the Hanes.

[Gilligan]

My buddy started a clothing line with some designer friends of his... they share space in his print shop and they do VERY well.

It's all Lafayette, LA culture type of stuff, like "plate lunches" and the louisiana flag, accordions and such as imagery.

Anyway, point is that they use AA for their stuff... and they aren't looking to sell on "sexy" by any means.

[alan802]

I don't like AA, what they stand for, the guy behind the company or basically anything about them so I wouldn't be using them for my stuff.  There are a lot of really good tees out there to choose from that look and feel as good as an AA without lining the pockets of a company that doesn't share the same principles and ideals as me so I'd go another direction.

I guess maybe I shouldn't be so hard on them since the guy has never been convicted of anything, but there sure seems to be alot of "smoke" around him.  You don't see any other owners of t-shirt brands being accused of some of the things this guy has been, but maybe he's just an easy target and very misunderstood.  This scenario sounds eerily similar to one we have experienced in our little industry the last few years doesn't it?  Don't answer that, thread derail would quickly ensue...

[tancehughes]

Jason, we just started a brand and we are working with Keya Tees. They are ringspun, super soft, have tearaway labels, and the pricing is right in line with Gildan pricing. They are limited on color selection, but we really like them so far.

[Dottonedan]

AA sounds like American Apparel.    Are you guys talking about American Apparel when you say AA?

[jason-23]

AA sounds like American Apparel.    Are you guys talking about American Apparel when you say AA?

I meant American apparel I don't know about anyone else...

[jason-23]

Jason, we just started a brand and we are working with Keya Tees. They are ringspun, super soft, have tearaway labels, and the pricing is right in line with Gildan pricing. They are limited on color selection, but we really like them so far.

Do they have a minimum and can I get samples?

[Sbrem]

AA sounds like American Apparel.    Are you guys talking about American Apparel when you say AA?

Yes, I meant AA to be American Apparel, which is why I spelled out Alternative Apparel...

Steve

[brandon]

Not waving the AA flag here but correct me if I am wrong (I probably am) they do create a lot of jobs here in the States, promote sexual equality, provide fair pay and benefits. Not sure for all of their employees (probably not the retail store ones). And they make actually make the garments in the States. And you can take a free tour of their facilities. Give them a call to set up a date the next time you are in LA. For the sex in advertising remember Kate Moss and Guess jeans? Didn't hurt her career or Guess Jeans by a mile. I bet someone on here has some in their closet or kids closet. I have never met the owner so I can't say anything about him. We are a small shop but print easily anywhere over 10,000 AA blanks a month if not two or three times that some months. And we use Gildan, Hanes, AAA, FOL, Anvil, Ports, Alternative, and a zillion others and except for Gildan they are one of the few we can count on for quality and print consistency with discharge inks. I like Canvas but damn, run a discharge job and you get all sorts of different results on every size. We can't discharge them anymore because of the wild difference between sizes. Oh well. Getting off topic but I don't think AA is any worse than any of the other companies out there. I like them better than Next Level, that's for sure!

[brandon]

Sorry for the above rambling. Delta and I believe  LAT also offer tear away tags. Cheap and ringspun.

[ScreenPrinter123]

Stopped using American apparel about 4-5 years ago - liked the shirt, but don't want to support a company that has porn on their website - pitiful. I'd write more but I'm on the iPhone.

[Screened Gear]

American Apparel is the only shirt for a fashion clothing line. The rest all have down falls and people that know will expose you for trying to save some money on a cheaper item. I print a few clothing lines and they are all on AA. Not as many problems with them compared to the knock offs. (I said not as many problems).

My advice to you is buy a few and test them before and after washes. Alot of the knockoffs are fine until after you wash them. I have had some shrink up 4 inches in length. Some where only one arm shrunk. I also had one twist so bad that the side seams were in front. Buy two of each shirt and compare them before and after washing one. You will be amazed.