Collar Free, Quietly Expanding T-shirt Design Competition
Collar Free might not be T-shirt artists’ household brand name. But the ongoing T-shirt design competition which just started in January this year (2008) expanding aggressively by pursuing private equity funding and works with Zazzle – to reach wider audience and have design printed beyond T-shirt but also on the other product like button, mug, poster, etc.
Business wise, I’m not sure if this co-branding Collar Free x Zazzle will work well. For one thing, Zazzle site is full of crap, some very good designs, some Walt Disney, Star Wards stuff and so on — which mean downgrading niche-ness of Collar Free as cutting edge clothing brand supported by indie artists (who enter the competition). An expansion strategy that Threadless always try to avoid.
Aside from business issue, I find that Collar Free has its own advantages. First, its battle-like voting (to determine competition winner) is quite fun and very encourage participation to vote. Other advantage that is that the submitted artworks, in my opinion, has reach certain standards to invite impulsive buying. Now, the question is — could Collar Free become the next Design by Humans (before playing at Threadless level)?
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Another coupon for you, 28% off everything with the coupon 28on28 through the 28th of November. Looking for more details?
I’m also hesitant on the Zazzle pairing. Doesn’t seem to be the best way to establish yourself as a serious brand.
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Thanks for the coupon Eden
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A pleasure.
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