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MitchyMitch
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Snellville, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 86 |
| First Name: | Mitch | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Independent Baptist and Southern Baptist...Now Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Jun 24th, 2008 07:13 am |
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I have a customer and good friend - from the Assemblies of God - who owns a Christian Tee Shirt business. I am a graphic artist and have done some marketing stuff for him.
We got the chance this past weekend to work a booth with him for a Christian Rock festival, and it was really great ad a lot of fun. It was even fun answering "I'm Catholic" when people ask what church you go to (even prayed with a Pentecostal after disarming the argument he was trying to start - thanks to God and the grace He gave me!)
The reason why I admire my friend's company so much is the innovative artwork of his tee-shirts. They aren't the "Jesus Loves You" shirts (though we do need those shirts, too). His shirts are based on Scripture and are designed so that people ask questions - kind of like a witnessing tool: "What does your shirt mean?", "Well, let me share this with you..."
We talked, and there is the possibility of little old me developing a Catholic line for him - I would do the designs, he would use his resources for printing and such. In essence, this would be my business, and my line, under a business brand he has spent lot of time developing and promoting. I would also be promoting select tees from his line that all of Christianity shares (day of Pentecost, Jonah and the great fish, Widows and Orphans, etc.)
Does anyone know anyone who vends Catholic events such as youth or concert series? Is there enough of these types of events that would justify taking this kind of plunge?
(FWIW - there was a Catholic-oriented tee-shirt company there....And the lead singer of Casting Crowns wore their teeshirt onstage - the guitarist wore ours  )
and...
What kind of stealth message would you like to see on a Catholic teeshirt - something you would like to open conversation about? If you would like to see the kind of tee I am talking about (not promoting the business on this site, just for a better understanding of what I am talking about), go to GetFaveur.com . The store section shows the different designs, the "lyrics" page gives the Scripture supporting the graphic image.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give...Any advice, including the wisdom of crossing the theological divide for Christian-oriented business purposes would be greatly appreciated.
____________________
Pax,
Mitch
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1627 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Tue Jun 24th, 2008 09:52 pm |
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Sounds cool, Mitch. I couldn't tell ya whether it would work or not, as I know nothing about that particular sort of business.
I hope it has a higher demand than apologetics books, though, for your sake.  I suspect that you would attract just as much if not more business online, though being at events capitalizes on people's excitement and interest at the moment (as you surely know already, if you understand marketing).
Last edited on Tue Jun 24th, 2008 09:53 pm by Dave Armstrong
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5343 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 12:49 am |
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MitchyMitch wrote: Does anyone know anyone who vends Catholic events such as youth or concert series? Is there enough of these types of events that would justify taking this kind of plunge?
I would start by getting in touch with the people at Franciscan University who are responsible for the Steubenville series of youth conferences held all over the U.S. Getting your shirts sold at the university bookstore would be a coup, since they have conferences all year long and people from all over the world visit there regularly. I know I've never been there and left without several new shirts.
I would write to the directors of youth ministry in every diocese and ask if they have youth rallies, or if they would be interested in selling shirts on consignment for a portion of the profits. You could send samples and they could take orders, and that way you would give them a chance to use your shirts as a fund raiser while they do all the legwork for you. You could offer custom printing of logos for individual youth groups or dioceses along with your own copyrighted designs.
You might want to look into a group like Cafe Press that offers custom printing and the opportunity to create your own online store.
We have another thread that was recently started that lists lots of online sources for shirts. Many of those companies will offer you commissions if you sell their apparel at functions. It wouldn't hurt to ask.
Just a few thoughts...
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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MitchyMitch
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Snellville, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 86 |
| First Name: | Mitch | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Independent Baptist and Southern Baptist...Now Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 06:33 am |
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Any ideas for a line name?
I was thinking "pro vobis"....but someone said that would be over even most Catholic heads...
____________________
Pax,
Mitch
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1382 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 02:37 pm |
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MitchyMitch wrote:
and...
What kind of stealth message would you like to see on a Catholic teeshirt - something you would like to open conversation about? If you would like to see the kind of tee I am talking about (not promoting the business on this site, just for a better understanding of what I am talking about), go to GetFaveur.com . The store section shows the different designs, the "lyrics" page gives the Scripture supporting the graphic image.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give...Any advice, including the wisdom of crossing the theological divide for Christian-oriented business purposes would be greatly appreciated.
Mitch, I have wanted for a long time a Tee that says "Tiber Swim Team 2006." I have seen some that say "Tiber Swim Team" or something like that, but I would like the year on it. Many of the Tee's I see have such big blaring letters, I wouldn't wear that kind of thing. Keep in mind, I'm over sixty, so my taste isn't in the majority! I would also like a "Little Flower" shirt, maybe with the words small on the upper left front, and in the back "Do small acts with great love," or something like that. You could do a lot of things with the saints and their wise quotes. I wish you well, and let us know if you get an online store going.
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Therese Z
Member
| Joined: | Sat Mar 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Chicagoland, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 55 |
| First Name: | Therese Z | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle, Cultural, Lapsed, Passionately Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 02:57 pm |
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There are some witty and explicitly Catholic t-shirts on this web page:
http://www.catholicposters.com/
The more, the better! Good luck to you!
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1627 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 06:31 pm |
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You can always market my "own" line of t-shirts that one anti-Catholic nemesis of mine was gracious enough to put out;
http://www.cafepress.com/centuri0n.39569165
Last edited on Wed Jun 25th, 2008 06:32 pm by Dave Armstrong
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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MitchyMitch
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Snellville, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 86 |
| First Name: | Mitch | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Independent Baptist and Southern Baptist...Now Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 07:06 pm |
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Dave - that is very witty. I am glad you have a relationship with your debating adversaries where you can do stuff like that.
Cajun - VERY GOOD info! The type of thing I will need for a business/marketing plan. Just awesome.
Thanks so much for your input.
As for the design ideas, guys - AWESOME! these probably need to get made, but, unfortunately, the company idea is telling a story through graphics and not words.
The main business is trying an inclusive approach - the "tattoos and business suits" crowd. The imagery is grunge/maximalist (for you artsy types). I guess this is a type of post-modern "emerging church" type of tactic, but the response has been great.
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Pax,
Mitch
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1627 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 07:11 pm |
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| Thanks! I had even more fun with this on my blog.
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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Free
Member
| Joined: | Wed Nov 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 208 |
| First Name: | Jane | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, Gnostic, non-denominational, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 09:43 pm |
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Wow, you are really famous! They must see you as a real catch. "If we can convert Dave Armstrong back to Protestantland, that will really be something." Of course, they don't believe in rewards for souls, so I guess it would only please their egos. I wonder if there are t-shirts for "freeing" Scott Hahn and Marcus Grodi?
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1627 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Thu Jun 26th, 2008 08:28 pm |
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Wow, you are really famous!
Naw; just provocative in argument with anti-Catholics, ifuknowwhatimean.
Most people don't even know who I am at the Defending the Faith conference in Steubenville, which is the "apologetics crowd" (hence the best chance -- probably anywhere -- that I would be recognized in person).
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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MitchyMitch
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Snellville, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 86 |
| First Name: | Mitch | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Independent Baptist and Southern Baptist...Now Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jun 26th, 2008 10:08 pm |
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Dave, if you ever need a teeshirt response, I can mock one up for ya!
How about a SLAVE for CHRIST tee?
____________________
Pax,
Mitch
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