Most of our folk horror designs exist in small runs, and some may only ever sell a handful of pieces. Print on demand is what makes that possible. This guide explains how it works, why delivery takes days instead of hours, how to pick a size and a fabric, and how to keep a printed shirt, hat or towel looking good.
In a normal shop, someone prints a few hundred shirts in advance and stores them. If the design does not sell, the stock is wasted. With print on demand, the artwork is stored as a file. When an order comes in, a print shop makes that one item, then packs and ships it. There is no stock, so there is no waste, and it is practical to offer a design that appeals to a narrow audience, such as people who like Algonquian winter folklore.
For our merch, the items are printed in the USA after you order. Shipping is free in the US and US $12.99 to other countries.
Print on demand is slower than picking a shirt off a shelf, and it is worth knowing why. The steps run in order:
Production usually takes a few days, and transit adds more. We tell buyers to expect about one to two weeks, and it is better to plan for that than to be surprised. If you want an item for a specific date, such as Halloween, order early.
Our tees are black Bella+Canvas 3001, in sizes S to 3XL. It is a unisex retail-fit tee made of soft cotton blend, a common choice for printed shirts. Some practical advice:
One example: the Banshee Bone Comb tee, based on the Irish belief that the banshee combs her hair before a death in the family. Bold, simple artwork like this tends to hold up well on fabric.
Our hats are black ValuCap VC300A dad hats, one size, with an adjustable strap. Dad hats have a low, soft crown, so the print area is small. That is why we use small marks for caps rather than full scenes. The print is done with DTF, which means the design is printed on a film and then transferred with heat. The Djinn Flame hat is a good example of a simple mark that suits this method: a flame, drawn to match the idea that djinn are made from smokeless fire.
Our towels are 30 by 60 inches, black, with a one-sided print and a white back. The blend is 52% polyester and 48% cotton. The print shows on the front, and the reverse is plain white. Because the print is only on one side, hang or lay the towel with the design facing up if you want it seen. The Sea Serpent Dragons towel uses the old map idea that unknown waters were marked with serpents, a good fit for a large flat piece.
The care label that comes with your item always comes first. As general advice for printed goods:
Our nine items are listed on eBay under the seller name scarytraditions, and each link on the merch page goes straight to the listing. Shipping is free in the US and US $12.99 internationally. A few habits help whatever you order:
Print on demand is not only for fans of folklore. The same approach runs hospitalityprint.online, our sister print shop for hotels and restaurants, where engraved aprons, tea towels, mugs and posters are made after the order is placed. Different customers, same method: make it when it is wanted.
All nine designs, with prices and links to the eBay listings, are on the ScaryTraditions merch page. If you want the stories first, start with the Wendigo antler skull or the salt circle, and read The Real Origins of Halloween Monsters for the wider background.