Montreal Tech Watch

Wordans lets you create your own customized T-Shirts

By Heri Feb 27th 2008 in Design

wordans shop

WordAns just launched last month, and it’s a design-it-yourself T-Shirt shop. It’s started by 3 montréalers who organized a design competion last June, entitled “Rock your Wear”, in which they got the initial designs. They are betting though on unique designs submitted by any user, who can upload their own creations, choose a “base” T-Shirt/hoodie, and then set prices for each product. The greatest thing about WordAns is that there is no initial investment to create your own T-Shirt, and there is no minimal number of T-Shirts either, allowing emerging designers and artists to have a shop at no costs, with WordAns taking care of the logistics and the (international) shipping. See for instance design by Seventh Fury, The Funk, or FNo Design.

Antoine de Brabant, who is affiliate manager at WordAns, told me they are using digital printing, which allows them to reach this level of agility.

To illustrate this, here are some T-Shirts I created, featuring the Montreal Tech Watch Logo.

montrealtechwatch

I am sure you all have a great sense of humor, so I did additional designs, reading:

I find the idea behind WordAns neat, as it involves a top of the line web store, tight logistics, and a great marketing plan. Even if there is already cafepress, I think there is enough room for them to find a spot somewhere.

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Comments

  • Carl Mercier February 28, 2008

    I wonder how good the print quality is, because they’re definitely much more expensive than competitors Spreadshirt, Cafepress and Zazzle.

  • Heri February 28, 2008

    I have no idea about the build quality. About the price, i’d say it’s mostly because they are currently targeting the Québec market, which is less smaller than Cafepress or Spreadshirt’s market.

    Also, don’t forget that designers can add a markup to the T-Shirts

  • Carl Mercier February 28, 2008

    The Internet is global. Nothing prevents Quebecers from buying from foreign sites like Cafepress or Spreadshirt.

    Wordans will have to differentiate themselves if they want to succeed, especially if they charge more than the competition. The market you target is not a differentiation factor anymore, and definitely not a good “excuse”.

    Zazzle and friends also allow you to take a cut on what you sell on their sites.

    I ordered t-shirts from Spreadshirt yesterday and the process was very straightforward. I hear the quality is top-notch, too. We’ll see!

  • Antoine February 28, 2008

    There are a couple of factors you have to take into play. First of all, we offer much more customisation than Cafe Press or Spreadshirt, who limit you to a box on the front an back of the t-shirt (you can even print on the hood of a hoodie with us). Secondly, We offer much more cool designs with vibrant, multi-colors. If you brows through our competitors, you’ll notice how dull the colors and designs are.
    Thirdly, for the price, shipping and duty costs are considerably lower in Canada using Wordans. Also, Wordans t-shirts are 100% made in Canada, and not outsourced (if you look at SpreadShirt, they actually write ”made in the usa” on the products that are made in the USA… Not many!)

    Wordans also offers designers and online stores cuts on what you sell.

    I guess all I have to say is come check us out and give it a try!

  • Bad news May 09, 2008

    I’m a Canadian and I have designed and ordered my own T-shirt with wordans and have had nothing but trouble. And just to let you all know, I placed my order on April 23 and I am still waiting to see this T-shirt…

  • Greg September 24, 2008

    I can imagine that as a new startup, no matter how well backed, there will be some hiccups. How did Wordans handle your concerns?

  • Heri September 29, 2008

    Greg, I assume your comment is towards “Bad news”?

  • Teeshirtfan43 April 11, 2012

    I
    absolutely love Wordans! Anything I want I can have. I create funny
    political t-shirts for my friends – and they are customized exactly
    to their interests. It's not just t-shirts though. You can customize
    hoodies, stickers, posters, wall murals, canvas and more! Plus, you
    can share your designs on Wordans' website or even create your own
    affiliate online shop with Wordans and let others buy your designs.
    An easy way to make money while just having a creative moment. Of
    course, you don't have to be creative because there are plenty of
    great designs available already. How easy is that? Just follow the
    links and there is a huge selection! Thanks Wordans for making this
    possible for any consumer with internet access and a credit card.

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