Here's the thing about prices

I'm sometimes asked what I charge (for the t-shirts, baby creepers and bibs I make) and why I charge what I charge. As is the case with any business, I'm in business to make money. I make money by charging a price that covers the cost of goods used to produce what I'm selling, such as the t-shirt (creeper, bib, etc), the ink, bags, and tags, plus the cost of actual production and a little bit for my time and effort. Of course I have to be reasonable, but I can't operate at a loss or my business won't stay in business. No business survives much less thrives by "giving it away".

Some prices are negotiable, such as when I buy t-shirts in a large enough volume that my vendor passes along savings to me, which I can then pass on to my customer. But since that's not always the case, some customers have a hard time understanding why they can buy a t-shirt from one printer for $6.00 where I might charge $16.00

To understand the difference in price, you also need to understand the difference in production - was the shirt done by screen printing or digital direct-to-garment printing? What is the content and weight of the shirt? Is it tagged or tagless, mens, women's or unisex? Organic cotton or a cotton/poly blend? And then of course, there's where the shirt is made. If it's made in China, Vietman, India or Bangladash to name a few, it's very likely going carry a significantly lower price from a shirt made in America. And just who is making your shirt? A large print shop that produces banners, signs, packaging, hats, t-shirts, tote bags in volume? Or an independent business owner that's considerably smaller in size and sales than one of the large chain printers.

So many factors go into determining the price tag on the items you buy, that there's not always a simple answer to "why do you charge more than printer XYZ"?

Aside from all the items above, there is also this; QUALITY. To me, quality is about the commitment of care and concern I put into every piece I make. I'm a big believer in autographing my work with excellence. I think this quote by William A. Foster pretty accurately sums it up; “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.”

As a small business, I believe that I cannot and should not be all things to all people. I frequently turn business away because of this belief. But that also means that the business I do, is the best business I do, and I'm proud to do it.

When you give or wear an item of decorated apparel from La Petite Pilot or my new line INKRAGEOUS, you have the satisfaction of knowing it was made with my personal commitment to quality and care. And there's nothing cheap about that.

Lori


"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey." ~ John Ruskin

Branching Out

When I first began making t-shirts and baby onesies, I honestly thought it would be temporary. I truly believed I'd maybe have one or two orders, and be done. It really didn't occur to me that there would be repeat buyers or a demand for more items. It's not that I didn't think my work was good, but I thought to myself; "how many airplane t-shirts could one person want?" It took awhile for it to get through my thick skull that people who like aviation and especially those who fly planes LOVE, LOVE, LOVE wearing t-shirts with airplanes on them. ALL KINDS OF AIRPLANES!

Four years and thousands of t-shirts and baby onesies later, I'm still surprised when people request other airplanes or gliders or helicopters, things I haven't yet printed. Of course the answer is always an enthusiastic "yes", and I immediately get to work creating their vision (with my own spin).

It's clear to me now that what keeps my business fresh and exciting for me is the enjoyment I derive from the creative side of it. I can happily sit with my laptop for hours on end creating new designs both for customers, and just for my own satisfaction.

It's this enjoyment of the creative aspect of my business that's lead me to branch out and introduce a whole new design line.

Welcome to INKRAGEOUS

Inkrageous is all about t-shirts with a little class, a little sass, a little bad ass. Inkrageous designs are sometimes sarcastic, sometimes flirtatious, always fun and colorful. And while most of the designs are for women to wear, I think men will get a kick out of them too. Well, I hope so anyway.

Though my La Petite Pilot line is sold mostly through airport pilot shops (and private orders), Inkrageous designs will be available in my soon-to-be opened Etsy store (Inkrageous) and of course, through this blog (just send me a message/comment with your email address).

It's funny to think I spent more than 30 years in corporate America and I was never as contented or happy as I've been working for myself the past four years. That old adage really is true; "do what you love, and the money will follow." Who knew? I hope you'll enjoy looking through some of my new designs. I welcome all feedback and comments.

Life is Good ... make it outrageous with something from Inkrageous!

Lori