T-Shirt Ideas

[Mellow]

Okay.... I'm really gonna try to push this through.

So, I'd like some ideas as to what kind of design you'd like.

Initially, I was thinking a blank front w/MotoCampers.com on the front pocket.

On back, Out line of Mountain, tent on left and generic looking bike on right w/gear on it, maybe even a twisty road coming from the mtn to the bottom of the shirt.

Nothing in full color, just a 1 color rendition... That's for starters....

There are lots of companies out there that will provide artwork help and as I find out more I'll share here... also, our web hosting has a built-in store interface so getting a shirt should be clean and simple.

Now.. how about some ideas?

[Trekker]

I don't know Joe. That's a pretty cool idea to start with. You sure you don't have any graphic design experience?

What I like in a shirt logo is a simple design. Too busy with too many colors is too "noisy". So....one or two colors is cool. Maybe have a small campfire with red flames be the only color?

Is the MotoCampers logo on the top of the web page what you have in mind for the front?

[Mellow]

In my head, I'm many things including a graphics designer... but, when it hits my hands it just looks like a 5 year old w/crayons....

Not sure about the font, but I agree that sometime a simple design that's not so busy is one you'd where anywhere.

Woody Guthrie once said,
?any fool can make something complex; it takes a genius to make something simple.?

I'll be the last to imply I'm a genius but I do strive to keep things as simple as possible.

[STeveGray]

I'm all for simple and what you've described sounds good to me. I do like the idea of more than just one color but how would that impact the price?

[Mellow]

I'm all for simple and what you've described sounds good to me. I do like the idea of more than just one color but how would that impact the price?

Not sure about price yet as I haven't found the vendor I'd use... But, I'd assume something around $13 would be typical.. maybe options for nicer shirts for a little more... again, until I scope out vendors I don't know what the price point will be.... $13 is my mental target though.

[Trekker]

I like golf shirts, instead of Tee's, if that's possible.

[Mellow]

Most vendors that do this stuff have an assortment of styles including the golf-type shirts and long sleeved tees as well as sweatshirts.

I'll keep those options in mind as I find a vendor.

[Trailace]

In my head, I'm many things including a graphics designer... but, when it hits my hands it just looks like a 5 year old w/crayons....

Not sure about the font, but I agree that sometime a simple design that's not so busy is one you'd where anywhere.

Woody Guthrie once said,
?any fool can make something complex; it takes a genius to make something simple.?

I'll be the last to imply I'm a genius but I do strive to keep things as simple as possible.
I like it! I think we need to keep the graphics to a minimum.

[number9]

One thing I think kills a shirt is a big honking logo / graphic on the front and the back being plain. Shirts with a simple, small graphic on the left chest/pocket and then a larger logo/graphic on the back is a classy t-shirt IMO. I know some like long sleeve/golf type/pocket T's, etc... but make mine a simple, light colored t-shirt (I can take or leave a pocket) as that is what I wear when out riding and that's when you'd want to wear the shirt to spread the word to the motorcycle community. I don't think I could stand to wear a collared shirt under my riding jacket, just seems it'd be too hot for us in the southeast.

Looking forward to seeing the final product though. :)

[Mellow]

So, how about a tag line?

I was thinking...

top part of the back of shirt, along wth front pocket would say:
MotoCampers.com

Center of back would have the artwork

Bottom of back of shirt should have some tag line...

Something like:
Experience Nature,
Let's Ride,
etc.

anyone got some other good phrases?

[Trekker]

Tag Line?

"You meet the nicest people when MotoCamping"

or

"Let's Ride - Let's Camp"

[Mellow]

Okay.. .this is why I can't do the artwork myself.. but, I should be able to give this to someone more created at a vendor and have them apply some creativity to produce something nice.

Here's what I'm thinking so far...

[number9]

Yeah, you (we, someone) should come up with a good tag line.

MotoCampers.com
because a hotel is just a bigger cage

"Ride there, Camp there"

"Ride, Camp, Ride"

[mongo]

I just have one request, make sure the vender does fat mens, tall sizes!:D

[Mark]

Yeah, you (we, someone) should come up with a good tag line.

"Ride there, Camp there"



Good one!

[Mellow]

I agree... really sums it all up.

[Trailace]

Camping! The Outer half of Riding

[Trailace]

Yeah, you (we, someone) should come up with a good tag line.



"Ride there, Camp there"



That's a good one

[Mellow]

Continue the Adventure...

Where the adventure begins...

Riding, Camping, Living

[Trekker]

MotoCampers.com
because a hotel is just a bigger cage

Nice!

[number9]

Quote:
Originally Posted by number9
MotoCampers.com
because a hotel is just a bigger cage


Nice!


I liked that one too.

[Mellow]

How about, "Because a Room is just another cage"

I'm not saying I don't like the original... just throwing different slants on it to see if we can improve on it..

I'm sure we can easily have Ride,Camp,Ride on the front pocket w/MotoCampers.com, maybe in a circle w/site on top and Ride, Camp, Ride on bottom...

Lots of good ideas, keep 'em coming.

Heck, by the time I get off my butt to get this moving faster from my end we may have enough ideas for several different shirts.

[Trekker]

How about, "Because a Room is just another cage"

I'm not saying I don't like the original... just throwing different slants on it to see if we can improve on it..

I'm sure we can easily have Ride,Camp,Ride on the front pocket w/MotoCampers.com, maybe in a circle w/site on top and Ride, Camp, Ride on bottom...

I like that change..subtle, but effective. And what's cool about it is other motorcyclists will understand the "cage" reference.

[STeveGray]

I do like the reference to a cage, too. I was also thinking about a take-off on Aerostiche's "Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat." Something like, "Ride, camp, repeat."

[headdoc427]

"Because a Room is just another cage"
Thats perfect!

[mongo]

Thats perfect!

Yeah I have to agree with Headdoc427.

[nomad dan]

Maybe,

Everything I need can fit on a bike

[nomad dan]

Okay.. .this is why I can't do the artwork myself.. but, I should be able to give this to someone more created at a vendor and have them apply some creativity to produce something nice.

Here's what I'm thinking so far...


Here's a sketch I did just to contribute possible ideas

[Mellow]

You're a better artist than I...

I was even thinking the left mountain could be part of the 'M' in MotoCamper.com...

[nomad dan]

You're a better artist than I...

I was even thinking the left mountain could be part of the 'M' in MotoCamper.com...



Needs a campfire too

[Mellow]

FIRE!... NEED FIRE!!!!

[Gold Rush]

BIG FIRE !!!

[Mellow]

Yes... Big Fire:


http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/66123519-M.jpg


http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58337373-M.jpg

[Mark]

That's not a campfire that's a friggin White-man's fire! :-)

Mark

[Gold Rush]

Man, I'd love to see those flames again!!!:D :D This burn ban stuff is really putting a major cramp in my camping style....:( :( :( :(

I was hoping the folks at Junction would let us have a fire this past weekend since it rained real good the day before. NOPE -- didn't happen... :mad: :mad:

ONE OF THESE DAYS -----

[Diggers1300]

Lots of great ideas so far...

How about this one...

Live to Ride, Ride to Camp

[Mellow]

Ahem...."Fires only permitted inside of the rings provided at each camp site". :rolleyes:

I don't believe you see ANY fire outside the Ring...

:fire3:

[Diggers1300]

MotoCampers.com
Two Passions, One Site

[Big Bandit]

After reading this and the "Thoughts on the forum" thread, I may be able to shed some light on this topic. Joe, in the "Thoughts" thread you said you needed to find a graphic designer and the T-shirt vendor might take all the profits. All you need to do is find a local t-shirt vendor. Go to them with your basic concept/idea and they have graphic designers who will create a computerized graphic. You approve the graphic and order shirts. I have bought 15 shirts for $8 each. They were single color. The more you buy, the cheaper they get. Joe, you could front the money yourself, order a selection of sizes and sell them at a profit. They would be available all the time, but you would have to store inventory. Or, you could take advance orders and mark them up just enough to cover shipping and have them done, then mail them out. They are currently working on this at Two Wheeled Texans. If you do this say, once a year everyone can get shirts and you have no up front cash outlay and no inventory to store, but the other way you make a profit. Your choice.

[Mellow]

Yeah, I know I could probably throw something together quick but I would like to make something off this project. As we get more and more popular, and I'm sure we will, I'd like to have some extra $$ to offset hosting charges as well as get some additional 'bells and whistles' for the site, if it makes sense.

I have a couple emails out to some shirt companies, I'm also trying to find one locally so I can avoid any initial shipping charge to get them to me.

Thanks for the input, it may be a slow process but I will get it going.

[JCS]

Some good ideas popping up here. Just be sure that with all the ideas that the concept of keep it simple doesn't get lost.

[mongo]

Joe we do appreciate what you already do for us. I just do not see how you have enough time to do what you are doing. Take your time.

[Mellow]

If you know me... you know I can ONLY keep things simple..

I'm only doing this becaus I want a t-shirt... :D

[Mark]

We know...
We are making suggestions so that it doesn't have a Yellow Smiley with a bite out of it on the back...:rolleyes:

:-)
Mark

[Mellow]

How's this? This is done using a design tool on a shirt supplier, it's not final but I'd like to know how it looks, basically, would you buy it? Don't be afraid to tell me your real opinion.

The top of the front says MotoCampers.com and the bottom says Ride, Camp, Live.

[number9]

I think the front logo would look better if it were level instead of curved - with MOTOCAMPERS.COM in bold, medium font and the bottom logo regular text and maybe a little smaller. Like.....

MotoCampers.com
Ride, Camp, Live

I don't think the sport bike on the back reflects the majority of bikes "motocampers" ride.

[Mellow]

Gotcha.. it's gonna be hard to find a bike that is so 'middle of the road' that everyone's happy with it... maybe we don't need a bike... just the mountains... and a tent?

[Mellow]

Here's another one

[Mellow]

Something more basic???

[Gold Rush]

Hey Joe,

How about a "Non-Bike"?? ;) ;) ;)

Somewhere I saw a sketch that was obviously a motorcycle but it was done so it could have been nearly anything. Sort of like two wheels, a seat, windshield and handlebars.. I think in keeping with the theme you need a bike of some sort. Have you though about doing different styles of bikes -- or would that be to costly?? Just thinking out loud... :D

[Mellow]

That's what my original idea was, but I was just using the 'designer' the site had and the images there.

I'm looking for more places everyday.. I'm sure I'll get it sooner or later.

[Mellow]

Sounds good

[Mellow]

How about something a little more primal...

[Mellow]

How about.....No!!! :D

It was a long shot... LOL

[Mark]

How about.....No!!! :D

Thanks Tiny... I was worried that he was serious for a bit...

Bad Joe... no more lattes...

Mark

[Mellow]

You didn't see the Smiley one I was looking at..

[Trekker]

Keep at it Joe. I like your basic idea and I like the basic motto too. "Ride, Camp, Ride"

[Mellow]

Here's another attempt, to use as a starting point... this is about the most generic bike I could find...

[Trekker]

Yeah!! Nice!
You still planning to include the line about cages?

[Mellow]

Yeah!! Nice!
You still planning to include the line about cages?

Yeah, I'm just trying to find the right graphics...

[Gold Rush]

Hey Joe -- I think you found the right graphics.. :) :) :) :)

It's not a GL1800 but it sure is a nice generic scene... I wouldn't be ashamed to have that shirt on my back!!! :D :D

[mongo]

I agree with Gold Rush. With the exception of ST 1300 instead of GL 1800!:)

[STeveGray]

I definitely think it has to have a motorcycle in it. Generic is OK (though, obviously an ST1300 would be a big improvement :rolleyes: ) Motorcycles is a huge part of what we're about. I wouldn't be interested in a shirt without one.

I like the "ride there, camp there" better than the hotel room being a cage. It sounds more positive. If you stay in a hotel, lots of times you have to ride back and forth, to and from the riding area and the hotel. When you camp, most of the time, you're camping in the middle of the riding area. Nice! :)

[Mellow]

I definitely think it has to have a motorcycle in it. Generic is OK (though, obviously an ST1300 would be a big improvement :rolleyes: ) Motorcycles is a huge part of what we're about. I wouldn't be interested in a shirt without one.

I like the "ride there, camp there" better than the hotel room being a cage. It sounds more positive. If you stay in a hotel, lots of times you have to ride back and forth, to and from the riding area and the hotel. When you camp, most of the time, you're camping in the middle of the riding area. Nice! :)

Good point... obviously, I can't please everyone on this but I'll do my best to find a good middle of the road... and, if it works out, we can definitely have more than one design.

[STeveGray]

Good point... obviously, I can't please everyone on this but I'll do my best to find a good middle of the road... and, if it works out, we can definitely have more than one design.

Sorry, Joe. I won't buy that. You HAVE to please everybody. It's your job! Just keep working at it! ;) :rolleyes:

[mongo]

Joe I beleive you will do the best you can, and that will have to do the rest of us!

[Doobage]

Here is my cheesy attempt at design. I tried to make the "M" mountains.

I can try and make a more realistic tent or fire, but I figure it's close enough for government work. :)

[STeveGray]

I like it!

[Mellow]

That's not bad.. I actually found a clip art site that had something cool...

this:
http://www.clipart.com/en/close-up?o=3709281&memlevel=A&a=c&q=&k_mode=&s=64&e=84&show=&c=&cid=&findincat=&g=60065&cc=&page=4&k_exc=&pubid=

or this:

http://www.clipart.com/en/close-up?o=3709279&memlevel=A&a=a&q=motorcycle%20tent&k_mode=all&s=1&e=4&show=&c=&cid=&findincat=&g=&cc=&page=&k_exc=&pubid=

[Gold Rush]

I still like the one you did a while back Joe.... Sometime a little is a lot.... Know what I mean?? :D :D :D

[STeveGray]

Of the two pieces of clipart, I prefer the first.