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New limited edition prints by Threadless
It looks like Threadless is expanding their product line beyond the traditional t-shirt by taking a page out of the recipe book of the comic book industry. I remember during my days growing up collecting comic books. Individual artists would create limited edition lithographs of their popular work and sell them to their fans at conventions or by mail order. Let’s see if that formula works here with Threadless as they have introduced 3 high quality 18″ x 24″ prints on French Paper Co. paper. Each print is $35 and is limited to a run of 220 (the homepage headline says it is a limited run of 250). All three are exact representations of their t-shirt counterpart. It also appears that each print is created by their own respective printer: Sonnenzimer, Screwball Press, and The Post Family.
I’m excited to see Threadless’ expansion into limited run prints. They are affordable and they look great. I’m a little surprised that they went with a reproduction of a past design and create a piece of work based on the current week’s prints. From a sales perspective, why try to reinvent the wheel and sell something that may not work. Threadless took a successful design of the past and are trying to push it ever so more.
I’ve been a big fan of the weekly graffiti art, but with only 1 print each and at $250, it’s relatively high barrier to entry. These prints allow me to get a great piece of artwork on my wall at an affordable. I wish Threadless gave a framing option for these, so that I can pay a little extra and have them wall ready rather have to go down to the store and pick up a matted frame set.
I’d like to know a little more from the community if they have any additional information as far as designer involvement. Additionally, if you do pick one up, please comment here and provide us your feedback.
Tags: Infinity, New Product, Permafrost Pollution, prints, Tree Town
Jeffrey said,
May 19, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
To be clear, it is a limited run of 250 for each print.
Big Al said,
May 19, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
Jeffrey,
Was I seeing things when I wrote 220? I could have sworn it said 220 on there this morning.
Big Al
Johnny Shirtwearer said,
May 26, 2008 @ 11:21 am
I don’t hate Threadless, but I do see numerous things about this company that are very troubling recently. Frankly, they should up the amount each artist is paid for their winning designs and they should make every attempt to get those designs into chain stores to make “living wage” payments for the artists. Glenn Jones is the best thing to ever happen to Threadless and even he couldn’t make a living on the site, as many designs as he sold. It’s a disservice to treat each shirt as if it were “art”. They are product. Sell the hell out of ‘em.
Johnny Shirtwearer said,
May 27, 2008 @ 10:09 am
… (to continue the thought)… also, Threadless should treat each artist as a licensor of their artwork and pay royalties on every product sold using their artwork. Barring this, they should just buy “all rights” for art and increase the amount paid upfront. I have a feeling a good number of Threadless artists would be open to this arrangement (usually because they are not yet a “name brand” and could use the extra money and the promotion).