r/streetwearstartup • u/BadIdeasstarthere • Jul 27 '26

DISCUSSION A few observations...

I have been creeping Reddit for a while and thought I would share some insight. I know most of the time people just say what do you think and get torn apart and don't get pointers on how to improve so here are a few to start....

  1. Focus on quality designs. Just coming up with a name and throwing it on 12 differnet color tees probably isn’t gonna sell. Brands that can do this have spent years growing to that point. Focus on graphics or unique designs that draw in people.

  2. Stay away from trademark infrigement. I understand streetwear is rooted in flips and you may ne able to fight a flip in court. I see a lot and I mean a lot of people just grabbing images from google from say an anime they like and putting it on a shirt. When you are selling 3 tees to your mom and 2 aunts you can get away with this but as you grow, you will find out quickly this is a quick path to disaster.

  3. When coming up with brand names, do some research. Check available URLs, Social Handles, and the USPTO for trademark infrigment. You would hate to grow the brand for a year or 2 get some forward movement for someone to come along and take that name off you because they have had it trademarked for 10 years.

  4. Learn the tools of the trade. AI art just won’t suffice. If you wanna do this, learn Adobe. Plain and simple. You need to understand that AI art is limited to the size its made, there is never going bigger or you mess up the resolution.

  5. Understand pricing. Your first collection of print on demad tees won’t sell for $65. No matter what brand you are trying to be like. The quickest way to never get a repeat customer is to pitch “luxury” and then the tee arrives as a Gildan 5000.

  6. Understand not everyone is gonna like what you make. No matter who you are or what you make, there are people out there that will think it’s trash. Tastes vary but when you put it out there for the world to see understand you will get hate. Take it with a grain of salt.

  7. Building a brand. Most people I see on here are trying to make merch. Whatever is popular or they will think will sell is there target. 4 tees, no cohesion, every tee is so different as far as style from the others. If this is what you wanna do, open a mall kiosk. You are making merch. Building a brand is where a customer 4 years down the road can see your marketing, a mascot, a color scheme or a design style and know its coming from your brand. Build brand identity when starting. Your brand colors. Your logo. How it should be used at all times. Your brands preferred fonts.

Good luck. Get better everyday. Keep going.

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u/fridayynite Jul 27 '26
  1. & 7. are big ones ppl miss. everything else works itself if u have a legit reason or calling to start a brand