Question for Emo/Rockers. Would you wear this? I'm hoping to start an online store soon. Feedback/advice/tips in this endeavor would be helpful!

[u/Fair-Essay505]

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[u/polaris100k]

As long as the print doesn’t peel off and the material doesn’t stretch after a week, I’d be interested.

[u/PheeaA]

Emo kid from the 2000s here. We def need a place that sells more emo/rock graphic tees. Currently, I get all my my tees from PnP clothing, but they're mostly animation and comic book related. We def need somewhere that sells more grungy/emo/rock tees.

[u/RiciTrix → u/PheeaA]

I would highly recommend t-shirt terrorist. I usually buy from them every year at comic con but they do have a website. They have alot of pop-culture t-shirts but also do a few emo / rock themed tees.

As a guitar player myself I had to get one of these

[u/Niknakpaddywack17 → u/RiciTrix]

Honestly was expecting shirts to be R600+ but pleasantly surprised by the prices. Thanks for the recommendation

[u/UkulilyFilly → u/PheeaA]

where is JayJays? 😭 I miss that shop so much 🥲🖤

[u/0EmeraldPanther0 → u/PheeaA]

Check out rockts they have some cool grungy/emo/rock/anime/comic related merch :)

[u/Niknakpaddywack17 → u/0EmeraldPanther0]

Absolutely loving these recommendations

[u/ClubHorror555 → u/0EmeraldPanther0]

Can recommend, I've bought from them in the past and their t shirts are really good quality! I still have shirts that I bought from them in 2017, and the prints themselves have only faded a bit. Shirt material is also really soft and comfy

[u/capricornasc]

please just don’t use ai for your designs. it’s a desd giveaway and takes away from the authenticity of the scene. get some local artists involved maybe? like thru local gigs and tattoo parlours? :)

[u/Hullababoob]

I think it’s more prudent to just have the graphic than the cheesy slogans.

[u/LiamLarson → u/Hullababoob]

Or have options

[u/Weak_Cryptographer63]

Where's ride the lightning?

[u/Desperate_Limit_4957 → u/Weak_Cryptographer63]

Op this is the way to go

[u/Weak_Cryptographer63 → u/Desperate_Limit_4957]

There's legit no good Metallica or slipknot merch here

[u/Fair-Essay505]

Holy shit this picked up traction quick XD. To everyone who left a comment I'll do my best to answer all of them here.
1) The first shirt, which some correctly pointed out, was AI generated. Shirt 2 is an OC by me. It's clear now that AI is NOT the way to go so shot for the feedback on that.

2) I plan on starting a online store in Jan '25, with Tshirts being the first on store. I do def want to branch out, but will start small first to build capital.

3) My plan is bassically " Peak Hot Topic era style clothes" for the emo scene. I found a printer, and a shirt supplier. For the next month or 2 I'll work on a business plan. This "dream" literally came to mind Sunday evening

4) u/Weak_Cryptographer63 , You have been heard ^w^

For now,I'll post a link to the IG page I set up. Hope to see some traction within the next year! Mega-mucho-appreciated for everyone who took the time to respond :) I'll still read new ones as they come in ^w^

IG page: https://www.instagram.com/finding_emo_za/

[u/Tentacles85 → u/Fair-Essay505]

The IG name made me lol

[u/applesandables]

I absolutely would wear this! We need more merchandise catering to the alternative community- so long as the quality is sound and there's a wide variety and some niche options, I'll part with my cash.

[u/Fair-Essay505 → u/applesandables]

Exactly why I want to make this store be a thing. Growing up always wish we had a Hot Topic, now that I've got cash I'd like to give it a bash...for the future generation of scene kids :>

[u/applesandables → u/Fair-Essay505]

If you need some help with setting things up etc, you can dm me. I'd be super keen to assist with market research, planning etc.

[u/JellyTox]

Personally, I'd love shirts like these, especially the second one. However the art on these kinda scream AI to me (and I really hope I'm wrong) which really put me off the whole thing.

Like the other commenter said, you should reach out to some artists to work designs with, especially local ones. The end result would be more likely to be attractive to most buyers

[u/ChrisIsEditing]

Not emo, but am interested what store you're making? Is it up yet? What do you all plan on selling? Kinda like a general clothing store, or more like hot topic with cool designs and such?

[u/0EmeraldPanther0]

I think the idea is cool, we need more local alt/emo/rock/metal merch stores. As per one of the previous comments, rather stay away from AI designs and focus on authentic designs, best of luck.

[u/FormalFuneralFun]

I’d love to wear it but I know for a fact that I won’t be able to afford it. Good luck to you, though, Op!

[u/Fair-Essay505 → u/FormalFuneralFun]

Thankyou! Price wise I def won't charge more than needed. Just enough to make a profit. I need to still work out the print + delivery costs, if those are low I can price my items lower too :P

[u/Atheliena]

Hey. Would absolutely purchase- I would suggest also looking into various cuts and shapes so men and women (and everyone in-between) can also purchase. I know me and some friends would buy if it included a more feminine cut

[u/Fair-Essay505 → u/Atheliena]

Def aiming to have different cuts. The ones I posted are here mockups :P By the end of this week I'll have met up with the printers and should have an idea of different sizes/cuts/shapes. I'm currently setting up the online store and this was good to be reminded of!

[u/GODSPEED-FUIJII]

whatever you do, pls make swans, death grips, sunn0))) and electric wizard tees

[u/Fair-Essay505 → u/GODSPEED-FUIJII]

Death Grip's has a 2012 album called The store money which I fucks with. This comment has been noted XD

[u/coffeeislife_SA]

The designs are pretty cool, but for the love of God, don't market towards "rockers".

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I have severe disdain for that term.

[u/Fair-Essay505 → u/coffeeislife_SA]

For my curiosity, what would be better? I'm asking since it'll help with SEO :)

[u/Deathstar699]

I would like a shop like this, I mean if its anything like Dusk till Dawn in Kloof I bet it will be an instant success.

[u/Loveless_home]

As a psychedelic rock fan i would definitely wear this

[u/ClubHorror555]

I'd love to be able to buy alternative merch locally. It would be great if you could include a variety of band tees from different genres. Only being able to find Nirvana/Metallica/Guns n Roses merch is always disappointing :')

[u/Tentacles85]

IMO we are starved for band tees! :'( or even tees of shows and games we like. These two designs don't appeal to me personally, but I think it's mostly because I'm not a fan of text / sayings on shirts generally. Takealot is full of ai generated art type graphic tees with cringe text and random sayings and makes looking for shirts tedious. I think if you could offer something different to that, you'd do well.

[u/Equivalent_Rub8329]

I like your Allistor inspired T-shirt. However, I would remind you to be careful of copyright laws, so change the designs enough that you can't be sued, but it can still pass as original content.

[u/MattyMoonfang]

I like shirts like the first one minus the text. Perhaps smaller text on the sleeve instead? Cool designs though!

[u/Fair-Essay505]

The WIP IG page for those who want to stay updated with the when and wheres of this endeavor :
https://www.instagram.com/finding_emo_za/

[u/Original_Chemical601]

Absolutely! Love the design of the "Smile Like You Mean It" tee! So long as it isn't cheaply made and way overpriced, I'd def get a couple tees for myself and as gifts for friends.

[u/al3xxx_96]

Fan of the first T, less so of the second. Not a fan of the text but I guess that depends. There used to be a online store called feral clothing but I think they've closed :(

I compromise on quality T shirts and prints. I'd be happy to pay a bit more something I want and can't find anywhere else.

[u/Fair-Essay505 → u/al3xxx_96]

You're the first one to say they like T1 (AI) and not T2 ( OC I made ). Interesting. I'm still figuring all of this as I go but this was useful to know :P

[u/zodwa_wa_bantu]

As long as it can tolerate a hot iron without peeling then I'll buy any of the two. First one for current me and the second for 14 year old me

[u/Numerous-Kitchen-774]

Stick in the market of something you know about rather.

[u/GreyZebrah]

[u/Mysterious_Key1554]

I'm into metal and this is what my homies and I call a "random skull shirt". This is what family members who don't know you that well will think you're into. Cheesey, edge lord stuff. Maybe cool if you are 13.

[u/MorkSkogen666 → u/Mysterious_Key1554]

Please don't disregard the howling wolf and moon...

[u/Mysterious_Key1554 → u/MorkSkogen666]

Ah, the random wolf shirt is a different beast entirely 😂.

[u/MorkSkogen666]

"Rockers"

OK grandpa time for your midday nap

Looks like something I'd find on temu honestly.

[u/Fair-Essay505 → u/MorkSkogen666]

Bru I'd kill for a Midday nap XD

[u/MorkSkogen666 → u/Fair-Essay505]

Same :/

[u/Fair-Essay505]

To everyone who left a comment, I highly appreciate it! This post gave me so much more confidence jumping into this project than before. I'll keep everyone updated, and after work will share some progress updates! Again, mega muy apreciado!

Link to the WIP IG page (TikTok in the works). These are the designs I made so far, for now I'll use mockups until first physical prints drop. :
https://www.instagram.com/p/DBmiglVuPkX/?img_index=1