I’m researching options and potential inventory concerns (aka WHERE DO I PUT SHIT OMG WHERE) and have a quick poll for you. What swag interests you most? When I launched the GelaSkin store, many, many people said “Shirts!” “No, mugs!”
So, what’s your pleasure?
I voted for tote bags, one can never have too many, but one of my prized possessions is my Nancy Drew girl detective notepad, which I carry with me all the time. The SB’s graphic on something like this—or journals, note cards, stationary, bookmarks, magnets—would be awesome.
I like the cover idea; covers for Kindle, Sony, etc. Those would be cool.
Also, bi-fold wallets are also cool (like to hold business cards or credit cards or for those in NYC/NJ area, to put Metrocard/PATH tickets in).
I voted for T-shirts, but I’d like to note here that I would not buy a hanes men’s T-shirt with a big stiff rectangle image on the front. I hate those ones. The image always cracks and peels, and never looks right on the shirt. The shirt is ugly and boxy, and it never looks good on me or anyone I’ve met. On the other side, those awful baby doll tshirts, despite being tshirts, require I have well shaved pitts (who wants to shave if they’re having a tshirt day??) and make me feel like I’m wearing my teenage sister’s clothes.
If you do go for tshirts, I’d say go with American Apparel, and get a design you had done specifically for wearing on a shirt. It’s seriously the best brand of tshirts out there for quality, style, and comfort, and it’s pretty much the uniform for youth tshirt swag nowadays (esp. in the indie music industry). I sound like an advertisement, but it’s true. I know American Apparel’s founder is a total asshole, treats women around him like shit and his advertisements don’t even pretend not to exploit us. On the other hand, he pays women a living wage in his American factories, which keeps money here in our sinking economy and doesn’t pay companies to treat foreign women like expendable resources. It’s a feminist toss-up.
Uh. Yeah. I don’t have a car anymore so I can’t use bumper stickers, but I would be pleased to used a tote bag. I need something for carting around my knitting.
Oh god, I just sounded like political-feminist barbie.
I think t-shirts are going to be the biggest headache.
I want v-necks, color options (hate white tees!), the right shape, length, sleeves, fit, et cetera, et cetera. Then there’s the design… Right image, right size, right placement, no cracking and peeling… (Not that I’m picky or anything. *eye roll*)
Good luck with them!
*blush* And I figured that I could use lijit to find the Trashy Store. Though I still think that if you want to divest people of their money, you should make it as easy as possible with a direct, easily spotted link. (Shutting up now. For now.)
I already HAVE a Smart Bitches totebag, featuring the lovely black-footed ferret, as well as a “ferrets against plagiarism” mug. But I would probably buy another one, as I use multiple totes and mugs, or a t-shirt, magnet or button. I don’t put bumper stickers on my car, but I’d buy a window cling for sure.
I second (or third, or forty-seventh) the idea of quality t-shirts with graphics that won’t wear/wash off. Girl shirts, in color(s) other than white and pink. V-neck or scoop neck would get my vote, too. And I’m currently very fond of t-shirts that have screen printing on the sleeves or even down at the bottom on the sides—takes extra print runs, but looks very cool.
Oh, and I really hate mugs where one side is blank!
Can I say books? If not, then pens.
I second the vote for using Canada Post and not a courier if you ship to Canada. Our household can’t afford to buy from international vendors that insist on using couriers (they really do charge in body parts for fees!).
Now why didn’t I think of beer cozies with mantitty? Oh, fer sher!
I voted for mugs, but I love the idea of keychain and mousepads. I’d also love a business card holder with the SBs on the front 🙂
I voted mug. But I’d buy a nice black t-shirt, cut with extra length please. And a pen. And a keychain flashlight. And a personal alarm. And earrings.
So many options.
(I love your Gelaskins, btw. I’m currently offering them as a name-my-story prize on my blog—that’s how much I love them. But not everyone has iPods or laptops so I’ve had to offer an alternative prize too. If you’d been selling mugs all my prizes would have come from the SB store. Truly. And normally I just go with chocolate.)
I just had a thought—what about a calendar with 12 months of LOL cover art. You could even have a contest for the best 12 submissions. (Maybe the winners could get bragging rights and a free calendar.)
My goal is digital art (not screen printing) on American Apparel shirts. The question is cost and sales price, etc. American Apparel is AMAZING. Softest shirts ever.
As for calendars of LOL Art: I would LOVE to – but permissions would be a bear. All the art for romance novel covers belongs to the artist and they are not too crazy about lending out such images for reproduction and profit. Oh, the things I learned while researching and writing The Book.
I voted “Other”:
Personally,
I’m a sticker/pin/patch kinda’ gal…that way, I can ‘show the love’ on any surface I choose.
oooh window clings!
This may sound a bit odd, but how about necklaces? Simple chains with an SB dangly (hur hur) logo-ey thingy. Like a silver chain with the SB logo in a small square (perhaps in poly/resin for cost efficiency?) Plus they’d be really easy for you to store- practically no room needed! All you really need are two chain lengths.
Anyone vote for a bouncy castle? I want a Smart Bitches bouncy castle. Man-titty Manor
eight69….. No need to be greedy!