Rachel
I didn't know what I can use cause don't want to use pictures of my grandkids. I do have some pictures from a disc that I bought can I use then?? I don't I know what I can use and what not to use?? Cause if they were on my computer they were free for the taking! I still have alot to learn I guess maybe with the help you are and other are telling me then I can fix any and all problems. Thank you

Any tees ~

You can't use photos that other people take, they are copyrighted. Even if they are not marked ©
The copyright is implied. They own that image, they paid for their education, they paid for their equipment, and they spent their time taking it. You can take your own photos or you can use graphics or text that you create. Anything else is illegal. When you are in the "upload" screen the far right side of the screen will list what you can and cannot use. For instance, you can NOT use a photo of Madonna, but you can make a TEXT tee that says Madonna...

Hay Rachel I do appreciate all you have helped me with keep in contact ok. I will do just what you said make my own or use something that isn't copy write. Thanks I guess I didn't realize that they would be if they are downloaded. Thank you again.

Thank you very much, ZapGraphix et al....

This is most informative. We read all of it, discussed it, and yes, like several new shop owners here, have gone back to modify our descriptions. Like many artists, we have to work day jobs and so don't have the time we need to spend on the external site. Cafepress is a great way (and a fun way) to put some of the fine art to use. Not to mention a few sayings we let loose when feeling particularly expressive!

GREAT INFORMATION....YOU ANSWERED a NUMBER OF QUESTIONS I HAD AND GAVE SOME GOOD RESOURCES. I love to do art work but when it comes to taking time out to advertise and promote I strive with that. I will definitely use this info. Thanks.

I opened up 5 basic stores, about 2 weeks ago...when/if I make some sales, I will merge them to a premium site. My problem is, only the first store "kiwiscrapper" is showing on the cafe press search. The other 4, I Sing Tenor, I Sing Lead, I Sing Bari, I Sing Bass, I can't get to show, no matter ehat I searh. All 4 shops basiccally have the same tags.

Phil

http://www.cafepress.com/kiwiscrapper
http://www.cafepress.com/isingtenor
http://www.cafepress.com/isinglead
http://www.cafepress.com/isingbari
http://www.cafepress.com/isingbass

augghhh! Just figured it out! I had checked affiliate opt out.

Phil

Excellent info! I Like your shop and site!
But there is so much to learn and understand.
I used a big kiwi design on the wall clock and it " bleeds" out . My basic shop is still small and I like my shop theme to be more HOME- Kitchen Decor.
I would appreachiate any feedback!

Thanks, Sabina

www.chameleon-galerie.de

www.cafepress.com/shetandes

www.artwanted.com/shetandes
www.cafepress.com/sabinaba

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sabina,

Great Post. I just added it to my bookmarks. Thank you so much!

I do have a question though. Personally, If I were a shopkeeper making any significant money on cafepress wouldn't I be better off going to into buisness for myself (meaning buying the t-shirts and printing from outside vendors and distributing them myself)?

Granted it's hard work but, I think, worth it if you're serious about making serious money.
I guess I might use cafepress as an "on the side" venture to make a few extra bucks. No harm in that.

There are TONS of t-shirt printing vendors out there who will sell you high quality t-shirts with high quality printing for your designs on them for anywhere from 6-12 bucks a shirt (depending on the quantity you buy).

I've had a quote for a minimum of 50 t-shirts with a design on them for $350.00. That's 7 bucks a shirt. which means If I sell them for $15.00 a piece, well, you do the math

If you can get your shirts into 10 stores you can then get a "rep". They do your selling for you (of course for a percentage) but your distribution gets exponentially larger.

Anyhow, you get the idea. I get the cons of what I'm talking about as well: Initial investment, only one design per $350.00, driving around to stores, etc etc... But like I said, If I were Serious about making Serious money, this is how I would go about it.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Perhaps you underestimate just how much money a shopkeeper can make here without going through all the hassles you mention.

Well, my point is how much MORE a shopkeeper could make by undertaking those "hassles".

I make roughly two dollars a shirt. I've made approx. 150 dollars on my shirts here (with no advertising whatsoever). That's about 75 product sales. That means cafe press has made almost $1500.00 off me. CafePress is a fantastic buisness model. I don't blame them, I'd do it if I could! But for the sake of example it seems that someone on their own could gross 10x as much. If I were making a $150,000 a year on cafe press wouldn't I prefer to make
$1.5 million a year doing it myself?

I hate when people assume gross sales of $1500 equals $1500 profit

I don't work for CP however I do run a family business and after expenses I would assume CP's portion of the $1500 you speak of that is truly profit is probably between $75 and $150.

Any retail business carries with it expenses people cannot begin to imagine.

You yourself could gross 10 times as much right here just by raising your prices and still not incur the expenses that CP has to keep hundreds of employees working and this operation up and running daily.

But with that said...feel free to run along and make your $1.5 million. The fewer designers we have on CP the better for the rest of us that are making money here now and happy about it

Hugs and good luck
Susan

Sheesh! Was my post really that antagonistic? If so I apologize. I didn't mean for it to be. I was just asking some questions and laying out some general scenarios to engage in a discussion. That's all. Didn't mean to raise anyone's ire. Sorry if I did.

This is a thread for boosting your CP sales...not how to make millions elsewhere

Maybe the mods will allow the conversation elsewhere...but I doubt it

You were not antagonistic...you just came off as against CP and most of us are big CP fans

I did add you to my affiliate shop cause your designs are rather good...however I hope you do raise your prices cause neither one of us is gonna make much when your designs start selling in my shop

Good luck with your CP shop or making your $1.5 million whichever you choose

Hugs
Susan

GollyGeeSwell, the post was off topic (not shocking for these forums, but hey..) and I think that's why you got the response you did. The thread is about how to make sales with your shop, not how you could make more not with your shop.

On that note, what in the world are you doing making "roughly two dollars a shirt."? That would be your responsibility, not CafePress'. Up your markup to make more.

Now back to the topic at hand, please.