EDIT: After a million people telling me CafePress sucks, I jumped ship at went over to Zazzle. Much better!
The CafePress store is open, with a delightfully cheesy name to honor my blog: Blag Hag Swag. I’m awful, aren’t I?
Right now all I have is the I (squid) Cephalopods merch:
It’s currently available on shirts, hoodies, baby clothes, coffee mugs, a tote bag, and per Molls‘s request, a thong:
I have to figure out how much money I’d make in the store before I start putting more designs up. CafePress has a really lame system. Let’s say I have design A and design B. I want to print A on coffee mugs, but I also want to print B on coffee mugs. Well, I can’t unless I buy a premium account. I can print A on a mug and B on a white shirt, but not both on the same type of object. Premium accounts cost 60 bucks a year, and I make about 2 dollars an item…so I guess I have to figure out if I could actually make a profit selling nerdy atheist stuff. Hmm.
What do you guys think?
52 comments
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Urban Wild Cat
August 4, 2009 at 6:02 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Most reports of Cafe Press I've heard are that it's not really cost effective to sell your merch through them. It's fine if you just want to get a design on some shirts, but not if you want to make money from them.
Urban Wild Cat
August 5, 2009 at 1:02 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Most reports of Cafe Press I’ve heard are that it’s not really cost effective to sell your merch through them. It’s fine if you just want to get a design on some shirts, but not if you want to make money from them.
Joé McKen
August 4, 2009 at 6:04 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Lol, cool merchandise. I'd get some if I had any money, guaranteed. ='(
"Blag Hag Swag" … Best Title Evar, fo shure.
Joé McKen
August 5, 2009 at 1:04 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Lol, cool merchandise. I’d get some if I had any money, guaranteed. =’(“Blag Hag Swag” … Best Title Evar, fo shure.
Veritas
August 4, 2009 at 6:04 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I don't think the thong will fit me.
Veritas
August 5, 2009 at 1:04 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I don’t think the thong will fit me.
Jen
August 4, 2009 at 6:08 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Veritas, I nearly spit out my food reading that. Ahahaha.
UWC, I'm a merchandising n00b. Maybe once I learn a thing or two I can find a better site.
Jen
August 5, 2009 at 1:08 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Veritas, I nearly spit out my food reading that. Ahahaha.UWC, I’m a merchandising n00b. Maybe once I learn a thing or two I can find a better site.
Veritas
August 4, 2009 at 6:13 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
If I owe you a new keyboard, you'll have to come pick up one of my spares yourself.
My Mexican Hockey Buddy™ uses a site, I'll see if I can find it. He sells shirts that say things like "I find your lack of faith amusing. – Innocent III" and stuff like that. Misattributed history quotes.
Veritas
August 5, 2009 at 1:13 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
If I owe you a new keyboard, you’ll have to come pick up one of my spares yourself.My Mexican Hockey Buddy™ uses a site, I’ll see if I can find it. He sells shirts that say things like “I find your lack of faith amusing. – Innocent III” and stuff like that. Misattributed history quotes.
Kris Maglione
August 4, 2009 at 6:14 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Awesome, awesome, awesome! Totally getting one.
But, yeah, UWC's right about CaféPress. Zazzle seems generally nice, but have a look at this comparison (bonus topicality points: it's at squidoo.com):
http://www.squidoo.com/cafepress_alternative
Kris Maglione
August 5, 2009 at 1:14 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Awesome, awesome, awesome! Totally getting one.But, yeah, UWC’s right about CaféPress. Zazzle seems generally nice, but have a look at this comparison (bonus topicality points: it’s at squidoo.com):http://www.squidoo.com/cafepre…
Veritas
August 4, 2009 at 6:16 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
http://www.spreadshirt.com/us/US/-/Open-a-shop-3483/
That's what Angel uses. I dunno if it's any good.
Veritas
August 5, 2009 at 1:16 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
http://www.spreadshirt.com/us/…That’s what Angel uses. I dunno if it’s any good.
¡revulo!
August 4, 2009 at 6:17 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I got those shirt for friends, anyway. I suck…I just wanted to get them immediately. XD I hope they like them.
¡Revulo!
August 5, 2009 at 1:17 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I got those shirt for friends, anyway. I suck…I just wanted to get them immediately. XD I hope they like them.
Veritas
August 4, 2009 at 6:19 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I can't pretend to love cephalopods, otherwise I'd get one. I can't even pretend to squid them. Primarily because of my allergies to seafood.
Veritas
August 5, 2009 at 1:19 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I can’t pretend to love cephalopods, otherwise I’d get one. I can’t even pretend to squid them. Primarily because of my allergies to seafood.
Julie
August 4, 2009 at 6:24 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You know P.Z. is going to be down for one, at the very least.
Julie
August 5, 2009 at 1:24 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You know P.Z. is going to be down for one, at the very least.
Jen
August 4, 2009 at 6:29 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hmmm, Printfection actually DOES look better. Damnit.
Revulo, awesome! Please let me know how the quality turns out.
Jen
August 5, 2009 at 1:29 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hmmm, Printfection actually DOES look better. Damnit.Revulo, awesome! Please let me know how the quality turns out.
Veritas
August 4, 2009 at 6:46 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I am going to post a random thought: PZ doesn't sound nearly as trendy in Canadian as it does in American. I keep thinking of him as "Pee-Zed".
Veritas
August 5, 2009 at 1:46 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I am going to post a random thought: PZ doesn’t sound nearly as trendy in Canadian as it does in American. I keep thinking of him as “Pee-Zed”.
Kris Maglione
August 4, 2009 at 6:55 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Veritas: That's alright. Dawkins calls him Pee-Zed, so you can't be wrong.
Kris Maglione
August 5, 2009 at 1:55 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Veritas: That’s alright. Dawkins calls him Pee-Zed, so you can’t be wrong.
Veritas
August 4, 2009 at 6:58 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Yeah, but as I spend my day talking to Americans, I can imagine the pleasure one would take in having such rhyming initials. 'sides, Dawkins is cool, but that doesn't always makes him right!
Veritas
August 5, 2009 at 1:58 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Yeah, but as I spend my day talking to Americans, I can imagine the pleasure one would take in having such rhyming initials. ‘sides, Dawkins is cool, but that doesn’t always makes him right!
Michael
August 4, 2009 at 7:09 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Less of a squid fan but if you get an account at some other site and upload the squid vs dinosaur one I'll probably get 2-3 there and then!
Michael
August 5, 2009 at 2:09 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Less of a squid fan but if you get an account at some other site and upload the squid vs dinosaur one I’ll probably get 2-3 there and then!
Kassul
August 4, 2009 at 7:10 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
In addition to CafePress not being a very good way to earn money off merch, it's generally speaking not very good quality. The shirts and such you get from them don't stand up to actual use for very long before showing their age.
It's a cute design, and I look forward to seeing what else you come up with in the future. :) Don't think I'm likely to buy anything though unless I suddenly come into a large amount of money(in which case I'll buy 5 so I can rotate the shirts and slow their degradation :P)
Kassul
August 5, 2009 at 2:10 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
In addition to CafePress not being a very good way to earn money off merch, it’s generally speaking not very good quality. The shirts and such you get from them don’t stand up to actual use for very long before showing their age.It’s a cute design, and I look forward to seeing what else you come up with in the future. :) Don’t think I’m likely to buy anything though unless I suddenly come into a large amount of money(in which case I’ll buy 5 so I can rotate the shirts and slow their degradation :P)
Jen
August 4, 2009 at 7:14 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Well damnit, I don't want to abandon the store now that I have 4 potential dollars sitting there. You need $25 to get a check.
Dangit Revulo, how dare you actually buy stuff from me =P
Jen
August 5, 2009 at 2:14 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Well damnit, I don’t want to abandon the store now that I have 4 potential dollars sitting there. You need $25 to get a check.Dangit Revulo, how dare you actually buy stuff from me =P
Veritas
August 4, 2009 at 7:15 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Reminds me of the South Park episode about making money online. "Theoretical dollars". Maybe you should just hold out for your first cheque, then piss off, Jen?
Veritas
August 5, 2009 at 2:15 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Reminds me of the South Park episode about making money online. “Theoretical dollars”. Maybe you should just hold out for your first cheque, then piss off, Jen?
Anonymous
August 5, 2009 at 12:23 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I think we should see some pictures of you in that thong.
Anonymous
August 5, 2009 at 7:23 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I think we should see some pictures of you in that thong.
Urban Wild Cat
August 5, 2009 at 1:13 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Stop being creepy, anonymous.
Also, water, I need you to stop being so wet.
Urban Wild Cat
August 5, 2009 at 8:13 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Stop being creepy, anonymous.Also, water, I need you to stop being so wet.
Fraser
August 5, 2009 at 4:36 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
So if I buy 30 thongs, you'll be set up for a year? Tempting.
In other news, an Australian would call that a G-string, since a thong is something you wear on your feet. So next time somebody with an Aussie accent says "Yes, I bought a pair of thongs for my two year old daughter today" you don't necessarily need to arrest him.
Fraser
August 5, 2009 at 11:36 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
So if I buy 30 thongs, you’ll be set up for a year? Tempting.In other news, an Australian would call that a G-string, since a thong is something you wear on your feet. So next time somebody with an Aussie accent says “Yes, I bought a pair of thongs for my two year old daughter today” you don’t necessarily need to arrest him.
jeffreywithaj
August 5, 2009 at 5:18 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Do they carry the thongs in a men's xxxlarge?
jeffreywithaj
August 5, 2009 at 12:18 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Do they carry the thongs in a men’s xxxlarge?
Veritas
August 5, 2009 at 7:07 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Wow, Anon. No, you will have no pictures of me in the thong.
Veritas
August 5, 2009 at 2:07 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Wow, Anon. No, you will have no pictures of me in the thong.
Anonymous
August 5, 2009 at 10:21 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Try http://www.zazzle.com. No store fees.
Anonymous
August 5, 2009 at 5:21 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Try http://www.zazzle.com. No store fees.
Kris Maglione
August 5, 2009 at 6:26 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Heh, Fraser, our terminology isn't so different. We use both terms in the US. Sandals are G-strings are both called thongs. It's always a great opportunity for well-intentioned irony.
Kris Maglione
August 6, 2009 at 1:26 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Heh, Fraser, our terminology isn’t so different. We use both terms in the US. Sandals are G-strings are both called thongs. It’s always a great opportunity for well-intentioned irony.
Jen
August 5, 2009 at 6:31 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Note the new post: http://blaghag.blogspot.com/2009/08/ok-blag-hag-swag-open-for-realz.html
Jen
August 6, 2009 at 1:31 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Note the new post: http://blaghag.blogspot.com/20…