The T-shirt Biz, is it alive with the steampunk community?

[TimeTinker]

steampunk is the mix of the old and the new.  So then, who'd be interested in printed wing collar shirt (with "I [cog] Steampunk" for instance)

Genius Sir. 

[DreamHazard]

My main problem with Steampunk T-Shirts is that everything you could put on one would look better if it were real, and many of us can make these things. For example, I'd like to see a T with a safety harness on it, but I know that the harness would look better, and could actually be made, in real life

[jringling]

Maybe there is some confusion on the types of graphics found on US tee shirts...

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My main problem with Steampunk T-Shirts is that everything you could put on one would look better if it were real, and many of us can make these things. For example, I'd like to see a T with a safety harness on it, but I know that the harness would look better, and could actually be made, in real life

I would LOVE to see a 'real' clockwork dragon, but I wouldn't want it on my shirt!
 

[sebastian Inkerman]

Welcome to the forum

It's strange, I came upon this thread today and I happen to be wearing the steampunk/pirate inspired Tshirt that the Lady Inkerman bought me for Xmas.

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I wear tshirts a lot for work etc. when I'm not dressed in my finery. In fact colleagues often compliment me on my slightly bizarre taste in designs. I don't wear tshirts when I am specifically going steampunk though, that would be slightly irritating. But I do wear them to let others know what sort of thing I like, much in the same way that some people wear rock band tshirts. If they ask what the design is, it can start a conversation and sometimes people go away and do a little more research on this weird thing that they just heard about called steampunk.

I would say Tish Tosh Pish Posh to the naysayers. Have a go... That's what the community is all about after all. Make a few designs, then see what the reaction is. IIRC, you mentioned steam train schematics, well, that would also appeal to steam train enthusiasts too. You never know until you try. Don't let the postings of a handful of people put you off at least trying something.

--update--

Weird that Jringling posted the picture of the very Tshirt I'm wearing today... Strange and syncronous.

He's a witch, let's burn him!  

[DreamHazard]

Maybe there is some confusion on the types of graphics found on US tee shirts...

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My main problem with Steampunk T-Shirts is that everything you could put on one would look better if it were real, and many of us can make these things. For example, I'd like to see a T with a safety harness on it, but I know that the harness would look better, and could actually be made, in real life

I would LOVE to see a 'real' clockwork dragon, but I wouldn't want it on my shirt!
 

haha, I meant, of course, something wearable. also, if you look below my avatar, that should explain the safety harness idea xD

mmm, steampowered dragon...

[Dave the Troll]

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Now you made me want to print a wing collar shirt with "I" and "Steampunk" and put the diamond-powered clockwork heart (that I happen to have kicking around the garage) in the middle.

[Miss Neecerie]

Whether Tshirts are going to sell or not...I have not the slightest clue.


but I think people need to go read this post  http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,25961.0.html


It's all about the idea that a steampunk person does not have to look like the 'expected' variety in order to still BE a steampunk.


Except he says it way better.

so saying things like '_____ don't wear Tshirts'  

shrugs....just smacks of...it has to look right to be right.....rather then enjoying or accepting it is what the person is inside....

so is a Steampunk in a tshirt still a Steampunk? Most would say yes..

if so there is a market...for folks who want something cool (done well) and don't give a crap what those who thrive on being parade rainers say about them.

[JingleJoe]

All I have to say is I'm getting really tired of the Steampunk snobbery going on here. What a handful of, ohh, a few thousand members have spoken and said it's not their thing but they need to stop speaking for everyone else because just because it isn't their thing doesn't mean it's not anyones. I am sick to death of hearing how I have to dress day to day to prove I am a steampunk. To this group of individuals go jump off a cliff and take your elitism with you.

No, I take that back, there is more. The OP isn't selling anything yet, they are simply asking questions but apprently we must stone those who are curious and who dare ask the community questions. Which leads me to this: I don't care if you have been making things for years and selling it or are just thinking of starting some sort of new bussiness it's all a way to make a buck. As long as there is quality and bit of care what is the real harm. If it's not your thing, don't buy it. Just stop looking down on people for having  ideas. Like a few others have said, they either have some T's or have seen some sell well. So, to the OP, go for it I'm sure if they are creative, with intelligent designs and of decent quality there is a market. Just maybe not to the clothing snobs.

Whoa, what the fuck?
I feel like this is directed at myself ... bloody hell you can't say anything without being called elitist or a snob anymore! The opening poster said "I would like to know if I should market exclusively to Steampunks or market to a wider demographic?" I spent a bit of time making sure I didn't come accross aggressive sounding or "elitist" but if this is the response I get when I make an effort to be nice then I might as well be curt and harsh

[Mr. Ethan Grammatikidis]

I thought the printed wing collar a great idea too (or at least a fun one), but then DreamHazard's last post made me think. I think there's a fairly strong current around here which basically says "We don't want steampunk cheapened." Now, I don't like scenes or groups which are too hard to get into, but at the same time time I think such a shirt as that would very quickly become 'old hat', and I really wouldn't want to see that happen.

What I would like to see on a t-shirt is not one trying to be steampunk, nor look like something it's not, nor even announcing an affinity for steampunk, but rather steampunk images. I'd like to see big iron on a shirt, or engineering diagrams from the era, or atmospheric, unrealistic images such as smoky, towering, Eifel-girder cities or brave explorers of alien landscapes.

Edit: and I shouldn't leave a post half-written to go look up stuff. I meant DreamHazard's post near the top of this page.

Edit #2: Found it! I want this picture on a shirt. ^_Q http://www.greentechhistory.com/2010/01/the-washington-boston-monorail/

[Stella Gaslight]

Ok I have read all of this and I think people need to cool off a bit or I will lock it. 

To the op If the shirts come in girl style and the print is something awesome I would totally get one.   After all I can't turn up to roller derby practice in my steampunk finery.

[Dave the Troll]

To the op If the shirts come in girl style and the print is something awesome I would totally get one.   After all I can't turn up to roller derby practice in my steampunk finery.

Why not?!  In a full bustle, the skates would be hidden and you'd mysteriously glide around.

[Stella Gaslight]

True but smacking people in to walls with the bouncy bustle is frowned upon.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

It would be quite fun I imagine, hustling them with your bustle.

[Capt. Dirigible]

but rather steampunk images. I'd like to see big iron on a shirt, or engineering diagrams from the era, or atmospheric, unrealistic images such as smoky, towering, Eifel-girder cities or brave explorers of alien landscapes.

I agree with this. Victorian images..industrial images..engineering images Victorian icons.. (someone earlier said they wanted the image of I.K Brunell standing infront of the humungous chains) that sort of thing..

Or even slightly modded images like

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http://media.photobucket.com/image/steampunk%20abe%20lincoln/thehobogod/Steampunk-Lincoln.jpg

Only without the caption

This one isn't as  obvious but  still the same sort of thing

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[AlegrahEredschtadt]

Those, I would buy. No doubt about it.

[Wilhelmina Frame]

Number one requirement for me in terms of a t-shirt -- that it is soft / in the *retro tee* style. I have passed by many a tee for this reason alone

Number two requirement for me in terms of a t-shirt -- that the maker of origin is NOT American Apparel

Number three requirement for me in terms of a t-shirt -- that you have XXL in a women's cut

Number four requirement for me in terms of a t-shirt -- that it has a graphically clever or interesting design and limited amount of sloganering, unless it's something like a band name, etc.

I wear t-shirts often day to day, generally in a women's cut or reconstructed by myself. I would not wear a t-shirt to a themed event.

[garingling]

To clarify, I merely expressed a difference in opinion, perhaps a bit more harshly than necessary in hindsight. Joe I am sorry you felt singled out that was far from my intention and it was posts made before I even read yours that got my goat. I was a bit emotional (that’s just me) but I wasn’t saying someone can’t dress Steampunk 24/7 if that’s their thing just quite telling everyone else it's not Steampunk if we don’t do it that way. I certainly don’t see the problem in coming here to ask questions and it seems some people even had problems with that right off the get go. I like T-shirts and I have no problem with a person trying to start a business that involves making Steampunk inspired ones but some seem quite offended by the mere idea. I don't want to argue I just want to express my opinion like everyone else. I don’t seem to be the only one with such an opinion either. Of course as I type this I think some of the bigger problem could be that US Steampunk and UK Steampunk are really two different beasts and in that case I really don't understand the UK version so just take my opinion for what it is, an opinion.  As Tinker said in the end negative and postive feedback are all going to help the OP.

[Capt. Dirigible]

Now..these images (and I admit there may be copyright issues) would make great steampunk t-shirt designs..

or this

or this

or the right hand and middle images here

or this image of Lt Gonville Bromhead, 24th Foot (Welsh Borders)..the officer played by Michael Caine in ZULU..(maybe with a monoggle photoshopped onto him?)

Any of these images, well produced on a quality T-shirt (preferably on a black shirt), I think would go down well with those of us who are not anti-t-shirt

[TimeTinker]

or this image of Lt Gonville Bromhead, 24th Foot (Welsh Borders)..the character played by Michael Caine in ZULU..(maybe with a monoggle photoshopped onto him?)

Did you know Bromhead was very hard of hearing which is why he was given command of the detachment at Rourkes Drift? - He was considered unfit for combat duty.  Still the boy did good.  It was however a Royal Engineer who commanded the garrison in the end. (Not that I am biased or anything )

Apologies for the deviation folks - back to T Shirts.

[Dave the Troll]

How about either of these?

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This possibly with Zulu war battles as tour dates on the back.

[Captain Brandsson]

Do the shirts come in orange?

[Airship Apprentice]

Ok I have read all of this and I think people need to cool off a bit or I will lock it. 

To the op If the shirts come in girl style and the print is something awesome I would totally get one.   After all I can't turn up to roller derby practice in my steampunk finery.

Thanks, I'll remember that!

[Airship Apprentice]

Number one requirement for me in terms of a t-shirt -- that it is soft / in the *retro tee* style. I have passed by many a tee for this reason alone

Number two requirement for me in terms of a t-shirt -- that the maker of origin is NOT American Apparel

Number three requirement for me in terms of a t-shirt -- that you have XXL in a women's cut

Number four requirement for me in terms of a t-shirt -- that it has a graphically clever or interesting design and limited amount of sloganering, unless it's something like a band name, etc.

I wear t-shirts often day to day, generally in a women's cut or reconstructed by myself. I would not wear a t-shirt to a themed event.

Wow! Thanks this helps a lot! 

[Airship Apprentice]

I am glad to see the creative juices flowing with everyone! 

[Airship Apprentice]

Do the shirts come in orange?

Yes 

Thanks for your orange insight!

A Steampunk moved by an experience to create something that, upon completion, barely resembles what inspired it is still a Steampunk...  Even if steampunk elements are no longer clear and the work, itself, ceases to be steampunk.  Among the most commonly recognized of steampunk traits are innovation and a melding of the traditional and the modern.  Think outside the box, expand horizons and follow your inspirations.
Few things could be more indicative of a Steampunk, even when not dealing with steampunk.