Comments on: Threadless: Everyone gets Select-ed

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:35:48 +0000

Okay MJ, you win this round, I’ll give you that!

Josh, you make some good points too.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 04:09:41 +0000

DBH is located in the heart and soul of the apparel industry. (OC). They have access to some incredible local talent. They launched, offering all the print techniques; not because Threadless wasn’t doing them, but because they had them available to them and that is what is trending. Again, most artists will continue to sub to both based on their styles. DBH is more cool and fashionable. Threadless is more cartoony. IMO.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:31:09 +0000

Maybe I am the dumb one. I can’t spell guarantee!

By: MJ

MJ — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:30:29 +0000

I’d agree with you if I thought the change was about customers, but I think it was more about attracting top-tier shirt design talent. That’s exactly the group that DBH was starting to capture, as they’re a small group that will go where the money and the tools are. To customers, Threadless has always been the clear leader, but a lot of artists were being swayed to DBH (its been my experience that virtually all of DBH’s customers so far are artists, while Threadless is much more diverse).

The fact that DBH even offered those print options in the first place was a reaction to Threadless, and I don’t think Threadless would have made that leap (including the costs that it is sure to entail) without a bit of prodding.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:27:16 +0000

I am an artist who subs to both DBH and Threadless. They BOTH provide a great vehicle and platform. I think they BOTH do a great job in their own way. DBH is brand new! They have a very cool niche and beginning. Why is everyone trying to compare the two? There are thousands and thousands of artists all over the world and there is PLENTY of room for both companies. I can guarenntee you that if you are an artist and you are good, you will eventually sub to BOTH, unless, of course, you are dumb!

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:58:27 +0000

Whilst I’m sure they’ll make it eventually, DBH don’t really have the community numbers yet for me to consider them as a big player. Just compare the numbers on compete.com (which aren’t accurate but give a decent picture) and you’ll see why I’m trying not too compare them like-for-like too often.

The Bestee’s thing might be accurate, I think it’s a pretty cheap trick for them to say that designs can win $12,500 when the likelihood of the ‘average’ winner getting the extra $10,000 is actually fairly low, still, that’s how business works I guess.

I would imagine that its less of a reaction to the other companies diversifying their offerings, more that Threadless had all these ideas in the pipeline and that they’ve had to push things forward a bit to make sure they don’t rest on their laurels.

By: MJ

MJ — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:08:54 +0000

Of course it’s a reaction to Design By Humans. So is the whole Bestee thing, since it ups the amount that Threadless can say a designer can win (previously the DBH possible winnings were higher). The fact is, a number of Threadless artists have been taking their work to DBH so that they could take advantage of those printing options- this announcement makes sure that those artists stay put.

The big name companies in any industry are always going to jockey for position somewhat. Coke v.s Pepsi, Nike vs. Adidas, etc. The fact that it’s a reaction to DBH doesn’t make it less cool or exciting.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:58:45 +0000

Dang it, thanks dude.

By: joshua martin

joshua martin — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:34:32 +0000

Your link is busted. HTTP// is in there twice