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Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (30 comments)
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Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts

in Merchandise by jon

Monday, August 29, 2005 - 11:51 AM

Wednesday is the last day for Infinite Monkey t-shirt preorders. It looks like Gus is outselling Steve by a 2.5:1 margin, so if you want a Steve shirt, this is most likely your last chance (as we'll be discontinuing the design with fewer purchases).

Making shirt designs is part art, part science, but I find it amazing how often I am completely wrong about which designs sell and which ones don't. Both of these have sold well so far but I personally prefer the Steve design by quite a bit; my initial research suggested that Gus was going to sell better, however (people liked the glasses and the simpler design, the more obvious joke, etc). I decided to offer both mostly out of curiosity, and as usual, my initial instinct was proven wrong.

What do you guys take into consideration when you're choosing which t-shirts to purchase? What are your major pet peeves? What's guaranteed to perk your interest?

UPDATE: As predicted, Gus outsold Steve (in the end, a little less than double the sales), so Steve is now discontinued. I'll be putting in the order for the pre-ordered shirts today; hopefully you should all have them within a few weeks. Thanks!
The_Archpadre
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 3, Informative)
posted Monday, August 29, 2005 - 12:42 PM (#29078)
One thing I take into account, especially when buying shirts from webcomics I like, is whether or not I'm going to spend all my time explaining the joke to people or, worse, if they'll easily take away a very wrong interpretation. (I stopped wearing my "got root?" t-shirt, back when I was that geeky, after too many non-geeks thought "root" had phallic connotations.)

Generally I like simple designs that are funny and/or aesthetically pleasing in and of themselves, and are even funnier if you know the background. As such, I'm really tempted by the Gus shirt.
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gtyrrell
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 2)
posted Monday, August 29, 2005 - 01:10 PM (#29080)
In Response to The_Archpadre (#29078):

Very keen insight from the 'Padre: not having to explain the gag is important. So is being able to take in the totality of the design all at once. This probably explains why I wear "I Live In Beer" and "Evil Chicken" more than "Litany of Beer".

The third issue is whether or not the design contains enough pure, distilled awesome to make up for my wife asking, "Don't you have enough t-shirts already?". Curiously, "Stuff is Awesome" does not meet this challenge, but I will be getting a "Gus" and a WEBCEST [topatoco.com] at the first opportune moment (probably SPX, since PayPal hates me).
 
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jettaboy20
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 2)
posted Monday, August 29, 2005 - 02:00 PM (#29085)
I always go for clean, simple and self explanitory (or something reasonably close).

I really like both designs, and had trouble choosing. I decided on Gus, as the subject and joke were more obvious, and not obscured by the large tree.

Plus, Steve is on the print that I'm anxiously awaiting to arrive in my mailbox, so that was the kicker.

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Lonely Goatherd
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 0)
posted Monday, August 29, 2005 - 03:07 PM (#29090)
Personally, I kind of like the multiple level joke- one that's funny to anyone, but much funnier if you get the goats reference. Such as my neil and bob "Turth, justice, hamsters" glow in the dark, and my latest favorite "You rock my small, self-centered universe". The only other thing I'm huge on is color- there are a couple of shirts that would rock and I'd love to have, but I will never buy because of the color. Prime examples: The cold war super villain, killer robot, and stuff is awesome- the issue being that my coloring makes me look violently ill if I wear red. (C'mon, jon, make a couple of these in like a slate grey or something. I want a cold-war supervillain t-shirt so bad I can taste it.) For that matter, what's with the yellowy type stuff, too? (Again a color I can't wear without risking looking jaudiced, sick, and possibly undead). We're not all pasty white guys, ya know.
But that said, there's still a bunch of great ones, so I won't gripe too much.

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grjohnston
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 1)
posted Monday, August 29, 2005 - 03:55 PM (#29093)
I like the ones that make people stop and look at my chest. Random laughing, or prolonged (though awkward) staring show that the shirt is truly effective and worthwhile. A Gus or Steve shirt, while an easy to understand joke while glancing at someone in passing, isn't quite as funny as Republicans for Voldemort or as controversial as Jesus Loves Dick.

Sometimes, just silly is good too. Party Like Marty has barely any joke to anyone who hasn't read MegaGamerz, and barely any to me either, except for the unexplainable rantings involved in the comics. But I still want it!
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deerboy
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Goats shirt colors rock (Score: 2)
posted Monday, August 29, 2005 - 04:04 PM (#29094)
In Response to Lonely Goatherd (#29090):

We're not all pasty white guys, ya know.

It is very difficult matching the many lovely colors of poop with any one shade of t-shirt.
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gdavides
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 1)
posted Monday, August 29, 2005 - 05:21 PM (#29099)
I think to put simply what has been stated above: more monkey + less tree = better shirt.

At least that's my take on it.
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Hisly
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 1)
posted Monday, August 29, 2005 - 06:06 PM (#29100)
I also prefer the simpler shirt with the glasses and without the tree. Perhaps because I also have glasses and yet I have no tree.

One of the most important things in T shirt purchasing is if the shirt comes in Youth XL size. For short squat women of Eastern European descent, these fit better than 'girly' sizes by leaving enough space for ample bosoms but not being too long and dragging down halfway to the knees. 'Girly' babydoll shirts often want my boobs to be more appropriate to my small stature and thereby don't allow quite enough boob-room. However, if the shirt is excellent enough, I will buy it in a girly size and make do (see: Overclocked Lemon shirt).

Had the shirt in question (with glasses) come in Youth XL (as the Skullburger shirt does) I would have bought one. Also, thumbs up to the ringer style shirts!
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sakuruth
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 2)
posted Monday, August 29, 2005 - 07:13 PM (#29103)
Just wanted to register I would definitely buy a Party Like Marty if it came in a tie-dye babydoll. That would kick so much ass.

I may pick one up at SPX anyhow, but... it's not tie-dye, it's just not the same. Still, my college friends will love it.
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Lonely Goatherd
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 0)
posted Monday, August 29, 2005 - 08:28 PM (#29107)
I'll never buy a shirt with an actual joke on it, in fact, I hate it whenever I see a person wearing something like that, damn Hot Topic-shopping losers. I just like shirts that look neat, which is why the pirate monkey Jolly Roger shirt from here and the Overcompensating shirt with Joanna and the martini are the only web comic shirts I own. Therefore, the Steve shirt is definitely better.
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Spiderbaby
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 1)
posted Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 07:25 AM (#29108)
In Response to Lonely Goatherd (#29107):

The first thing I look at is the colour of the t-shirt since some colours don't suit me. After that, I'll buy one either for the design (Creatures In My Head, Death has a bunny), if it's appropriately funny (Surly), or if it's a funny reference (I must drink beer).

I don't tend to buy the overly in-joke t-shirts (Skullburger, Zombie Peanut Butter, Sporkle, Guiltomatic, Best Monkey) although "Xibalba..." is tempting.

That probably didn't help much since I am currently only one person. Your sales figures are probably still the best guideline to work with. Also, most readers (myself included) probably don't check the forums often enough to give feedback on new designs. You could link a voting poll on the front page if you're in doubt.
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jon
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 2)
posted Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 08:57 AM (#29110)
In Response to sakuruth (#29103):

We will not be bringing Party Like Marty to SPX. We will actually only have a limited selection of shirts with us.

I recommend that anyone who wants one order one immediately; it will probably not be sticking around for long. The response has been underwhelming.
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Lonely Goatherd
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 0)
posted Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 02:31 PM (#29114)
C'mon you guys, you all know you want a Neil/Bob with Koala on his head T-shirt
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unFalln
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 1, Obnoxious)
posted Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 09:11 PM (#29119)
In Response to Lonely Goatherd (#29114):

C'mon you goatherd, you know you want an enema
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nightrunner
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 1)
posted Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 02:30 AM (#29120)
Well, my name is Steve, so I'm naturally inclined toward things named after me.
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Rich
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 2)
posted Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 11:57 AM (#29125)
I like the comicy designs (Skullburger, Oliver, Zombie PB, Sporkle, Pirate Skull, etc.) and the two text (Phobos and Universe) designs. Both styles show a creativeness and effort put into the design. I don't mind having to explain the OCL or Supervillain shirts.
I bought the hemp shirt because it was unique.
I passed on Surly and Stuff is Awesome because the designs didn't appeal to me.

And you can't go wrong with discounted packs either.

I'm waiting for the "I am but a rotting pile of meat, casting a meat-shaped shadow in the light of your brilliance." [goats.com] text shirt.

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deerboy
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 2, Insightful)
posted Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 01:29 PM (#29132)
In Response to Hisly (#29100):

thereby don't allow quite enough boob-room

Um, I think that's what Jon was shooting for.
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Uchu_Saru
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 1)
posted Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 03:18 PM (#29161)
After two weeks of near indecision and mounting regret, I've come to the following conclusion: Gus makes a better shirt, and Steve makes a better print.

I like shirts to be simple: a single image or logo, text optional. Or just text, but something brief. So I got a Gus shirt.

A scene is more appropriate for a print. Steve's design is a pleasant, serene scene, and would look wonderful framed.

I was being lazy and cheap when the prints were available. My humble plea is for a second run of the Steve prints, maybe an unsigned and unnumbered run so the people who weren't lazy and cheap can still be cool.
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jon
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 2)
posted Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 05:44 PM (#29162)
In Response to Uchu_Saru (#29161):

Are there other people who would be interested in a smaller (8.5x11") unlimited run of these prints?
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Lonely Goatherd
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 0)
posted Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 07:15 PM (#29163)
In Response to jon (#29162):

My guess, based off of personal opinion is no.

If I had cared enough to want a print in the first place, I would have jumped at the original offer.

Plus, having the prints be limited edition makes them cooler. I would feel violently cheated myself if I bought something "limited edition' only to have it be released to everyone and their uncle afterwards.

Having a limited run is prolly better fiscally, too. With a limited supply, there is a need for a quick response. The urgency of the situation cases people to panic and not think clearly. They may make a purchase just because it's their only chance to.

You sold out of prints in what, 2 days? 3 days? I'd bet it would take you at least a month to sell that if it were not a limited run.

But hey, you know your business better than I know your business.
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eccles
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 1)
posted Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 07:50 PM (#29164)
My usual concern is sizing. Being a type B geek (fat), I've found that XXL is often on that border of fitting and clasping my man breasts a bit tight.
And ordering a bunch of shirts to Australia only to find they don't fit would suck.

I wish the sizes were in cm, so it was possible tell how big they are.

I took a chance and ordered one of the "I am made of poison" shirts from wigu, and found that the XXL gildan ones are a good size (It would seem about 130cm chest?) - being able to get a comparison against them might be useful....
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unFalln
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 2)
posted Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 09:30 PM (#29165)
In Response to eccles (#29164):

2.54 dude. 2.54.

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shovel_mage
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 1)
posted Friday, September 02, 2005 - 02:58 AM (#29166)
In Response to Lonely Goatherd (#29163):

You sold out of prints in what, 2 days? 3 days? I'd bet it would take you at least a month to sell that if it were not a limited run.

I agree with this guy. Maybe not a month, but at least twice as long. Might make a good experiment. I'd even be willing to put a small wager on it.
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jettaboy20
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 2)
posted Friday, September 02, 2005 - 08:30 AM (#29168)
In Response to unFalln (#29165):

Maybe it's the engineer in me, but that just cracked me the hell up.


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zamphir
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Re: Final Preorder Days for Infinite Monkey Shirts (Score: 2)
posted Friday, September 02, 2005 - 09:02 AM (#29170)
In Response to jettaboy20 (#29168):

the engineer in me,

Sounds painful.

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