Grant, ever thought about merchandise?

Post by **Ayres** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 2:48 am

The VCOI ( http://www.vizslaclubofillinois.org ) has an off-site shop where they can sell merchandise such as clothing, hats, mugs and other stuff. It's based on a site called: http://www.cafepress.com

I'm sure there are other sites just like that cafepress site. Basically you just submit your graphics and pick the merchandise, and whatever is purchased you get a bit of the profit (no overhead or shipping to worry about, they do it all). Ever thought about putting up some Gun Dog Forum merchandise?

I come to this site every day I get online, and it has quickly become one of my favorites to visit. I'd sure buy a shirt or something (I don't mind promoting something I like!), especially if some of the proceeds went to helping keep this site running.

Post by **grant** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 11:52 am

I've thought about it... I'm always doing online stores for customers, so if I can find the time I would love to do it...

I need more hours in a day! =)

Post by **grant** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 11:52 am

Maybe I could start off with stickers, shirts, etc...

Post by **Ayres** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:19 pm

I definately feel the same way about needing more hours in the day. If it were up to me, we'd have 30 hour days instead of 24 hour days, just so I can go nonstop for 24 hours and still get 6 hours sleep.

Shirts and stickers would be a great start. If you could find anything specific, maybe even trying to break into a bit of hunting apparel would be cool too. It sure fits the theme here.

Post by **grant** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:51 pm

I called about shirts. Hmmm, what would be a good slogan?

Get to the point!
My bitch has shorthair... hahaha

Can anyone think of a good slogan?

Grant

tfbirddog2 · Post by **tfbirddog2** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:39 am

How about "Whats your point?", GUNDOGFORUM.COM on the front. Then you could get what ever birddog you run or prefer pointing a bird on the back? What do you think Grant?

Post by **grant** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 10:21 am

I like!

I was also thinking the silver GDF logo up top could go on the front of the shirt. Then maybe on the back have www.gundogforum.com across the top with the pointing dog thing....

Thanks for the ideas! Keep'em coming!

Now, I need the cash....

Post by **grant** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 10:55 am

Trying to raise money, by selling Bells body:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... otohosting

What she doesn’t know won't hurt her.

Colleen · Post by **Colleen** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 8:28 pm

Am I a disgrace to my gender for having laughed out loud about the "my bitch has shorthair" slogan? I do think it's absolutely hilarious, but I have to admit if I saw someone actually wearing that saying, my only thought would probably be "What a redneck pig!"

sudiegirl · Post by **sudiegirl** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:06 pm

yes colleen, but wouldn't you STILL have to laugh at the shirt

? i LOVE tf's idea about "what's your point?" that is TOO GREAT!! you could even do "what's your point?" on the back with the gundogforum.com logo right underneath it. then on the front on a pocket (or where a pocket would possibly be) do your gun dog forum logo that is at the top left of the forum screen when our dogs aren't there blocking it

... just a general shirt so that you would not have to be breed specific to keep things simple when starting out... you could expand later by offering it in a variety of colors... white, grey, navy, camo, blaze orange... bla bla and then later on, once you were able to get the shirts in bulk pretty cheaply, you could add the specified breed of dog to the back of it

Post by **Ayres** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:11 am

I love the "What's your point?" slogan idea. We still need to come up with slogans for the non-pointing breeds though. Don't wanna leave anyone out.

tfbirddog2 · Post by **tfbirddog2** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:56 am

Thats true Ayres i thought of that when I got off the site yesterday.I have been thinking on it and maybe for flushers like a lab or springer flushing a pheasant on the back with "Royal Flush" or,"Crash 'N' Mash".Just some thoughts. Colleen I understand what you mean its like the shirt I have it says "Become one with nature, Then marinate it" or " There is a place for all gods creatures,and its next to the mashed patatoes an gravy."You can probably cheaper by just having the breed name on the back of the shirts with out pics on the back.

Colleen · Post by **Colleen** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:04 am

How about "Don't forget to flush" for the non-pointing breeds?

Post by **grant** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:06 am

hahhahahaa

tfbirddog2 · Post by **tfbirddog2** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:14 pm

Good call Colleen I was leaning that way,but I didn't want anyone to think my mind was in the potty HAHAHAHAHA!

Post by **grant** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:53 am

I need some pics to work on the design of the shirt... See the album section for details:
http://www.gundogforum.com/album.php

Colleen · Post by **Colleen** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:28 pm

Are you doing a "What's your point?" T-shirt for several different pointing breeds, or just one? For example, will there be a "What's your point?" with a Viszla, one w/ a GSP, one with an EP, etc? Or to start are you just gonna pick the best-looking point of one dog?

Regardless, I nominate that picture of Cooper for a shirt (as long as 12 Volt is OK with that), you don't see a much nicer looking point.

tf, you see where my mind is...poker didn't even cross it!!!

Post by **grant** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:33 pm

I guess we'll vote on the pics and slogan...

So, everyone, give your best slogans and pics if you want to participate.

Oh, yes that pic of Coop does rock....

12 Volt Man · Post by **12 Volt Man** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:59 pm

We'll have to talk to Cooper's agent and see if he will agree. Cooper will need at least 40% of all royalties. Etc..... Etc...

Anyway Grant. That would be great to have Cooper on a shirt if others agree. You are a great photoshop expert. I have that picture in a 4 mega pixel if you want to work with it.

Thanks Colleen! For the Cooper compliments.

12 Volt Man · Post by **12 Volt Man** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 2:23 pm

Oh and I have been trying to think of a saying to go on it. I don't think the best one has come to me yet.

So far the best I can do is....

"Happiness is a Mouthfull of Feathers."

Post by **grant** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 2:57 pm

Would a free T work?

12 Volt Man · Post by **12 Volt Man** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:09 pm

His agent seems to think that would work...............as long as it is a fat man sized XXL.

Post by **Ayres** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:15 pm

Cooper likes big shirts, eh? More to chew on?

Post by **Ayres** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:18 am

I think we should have one picture of each breed available. Or, maybe even a semi-collage of all the breeds on the back of one shirt? That makes the "What's your point?" slogan even more on-target, because it's almost as if it's asking you to pick which one is yours.

Here's what I'm envisioning, an example for the pointing breeds:

Front: Gun Dog Forum logo on the "pocket" area.

Back: Top - "What's Your Point?" Middle - Collage of pointing breeds actually on point. Bottom - www.gundogforum.com

Whatcha think?

tfbirddog2 · Post by **tfbirddog2** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:27 am

Ayres that would be cool I totally see it!I would see it being lots cheaper to with a collage.

12 Volt Man · Post by **12 Volt Man** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:54 am

I also thought that we might could use "Get to the Point".

sudiegirl · Post by **sudiegirl** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:51 am

steven, that is the coolest idea yet!! that really makes the "what's your point" even better! plus you could have one design and make everyone happy!

Post by **grant** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:54 am

I think that would look good too, we would need to switch from the pointing dog to more of a facial shot wouldn't we???

sudiegirl · Post by **sudiegirl** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:12 pm

maybe... or just make the pics a little smaller and let them overlap some. perhaps a combination of head shots and body shots.... take the best shot of the breed and use it?

tfbirddog2 · Post by **tfbirddog2** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 7:19 pm

I agree with the over lapping of pics idea sounds good.

Post by **grant** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 10:40 pm

Here are the current color schemes I was looking at so far. Just a white and black. This would be on the front "pocket" side.

Post by **Ayres** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:42 pm

Looks good to me! I've got a few pictures of some adult vizslas on point that are really good (Dual Champ Vizslas, of course). I'll have to email the owners to see if they would mind me submitting them. I don't forsee any conflicts, but it's better to check these things out.

Country-Side Breeders · Post by **Country-Side Breeders** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:46 am

I like how the logo stands out on the black shirt, but I like the white shirt better. Where would you put the pointer/flusher...on the back??

Post by **grant** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:19 am

Yep, on the back.

sudiegirl · Post by **sudiegirl** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:46 am

i like white better too... or gray.... but that logo looks great!

Post by **Ayres** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:54 pm

I second the gray or slate colored shirt, if it can be done. It matches the color scheme of this website better, and you'll have to worry less about getting stains on it from muddy puppy paws. (white just seems to show everything :roll: )

llewgor · Post by **llewgor** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 6:34 pm

Why would you use other dogs, I think the best dogs are on the site. If you are going to use a collage. But what I like the most is just like the website Gun Dog Forum logo with a picture of somebody's dog and the dog's name.

tfbirddog2 · Post by **tfbirddog2** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 7:00 pm

I too like the black. Gray would be alright but the logo looks best with the black and green combo

Country-Side Breeders · Post by **Country-Side Breeders** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 7:03 pm

I thought about doing that, too. Grant could post all of the dogs used with the logos in the album and then we could vote on the one that would work out the best, for both the pointers and the flushers.

Post by **Ayres** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 8:53 pm

??? I thought the point of the collage was so that we'd have ALL the breeds on the shirt, thereby making it more likely that everyone will like it because it includes their chosen breed? If we put it down to a vote and include one dog (like in front of the GDF logo) then that means one breed will be selected to the exclusion of all the others.

I think it's a pretty cool idea to limit the dogs to only the ones that are owned by the members of the forum (e.g. on this site), but why break it back down to only one breed?

Post by **grant** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:06 pm

I was at Rick and Brenda's today. They had some nice shirts with a hunting scene on them. We'll probably do that with the shirt. From a nice scene, I can import the other dog breeds, and make it look real.....

Post by **grant** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:22 pm

I'm just taking a few min. to try some pics out. Here's what I have thus far. Its tfbirddog2's picture as the backgroud....

Post by **grant** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:51 pm

Ok, a bit more work into it....

Like, dislike?

Post by **grant** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 12:05 am

Here's with regular GDF font

QCBirddogs · Post by **QCBirddogs** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:18 am

Looks Great so far Grant!

Phil
REO

Post by **Ayres** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:40 am

It sure is coming along! Lookin' good. Do you use Adobe Photoshop?

Country-Side Breeders · Post by **Country-Side Breeders** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:51 am

I like the regular GDF font better than the other one. It looks great though, even on the grey background!

Here's another picture if you're interested in it: I can get you a bigger version of it if you'd like.

Post by **grant** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:21 am

Yep, Adobe Photoshop. It works good enough for me....

Thanks for the pic Patty!

dhondtm · Post by **dhondtm** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:00 pm

Do you have to do a mass order to keep the price of the shirts reasonable? or would people pay more for a custom shirt? Seeing how you have a natural talent with PhotoShop maybe people can send you the picture they want for their shirt. Then everyone gets a personalized GunDogForum shirt with their dog in the logo. You might considering doing both, a general shirt you decide on that you can offer at a reasonable price and a personalized one that might cost a bit more. Maybe take a poll to see who might be interesting in paying price: x for a personalized shirt. Just a thought.

Post by **grant** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 2:31 pm

The folks that do my shirts do the whole screen printing deal. I usually get the Beffy T's which are a thick T-shirt. To make them affordable, I need to buy a good bit of them at one time....

I'm shooting to keep the price below what normal tshirt costs are....