FAQs
Inquiring minds wants to know
FAQ: HOW LONG DOES DELIVERY TAKE
this is the most difficult question to answer, especially if you want it really fast. Our blog has a longer explanation for this, but here's the short version. 1-2 weeks. If you absolutely have to have it very quickly because like most of us you didn't plan that far ahead or just found out you need to have it right away, it can be done. But it will cost more.
Your order goes to the manufacturer immediately. Within the hour, with batch processing. That's why we like computers. Depending upon workload, the fastest it gets made is a few days, the longest is a week. Which includes weekends and holidays. The Christmas Crush may make it a little longer, so shop early. Summer is slow, so things should move right along.
Bank processing can be just as fast, but not always. I remember waiting for an entire week for a transfer from Bank of America to Panama. But that's another story and years ago, so don't be discouraged because I still carry a grudge about it.
Occasionally there is a shortage of materials. Like a certain color shirt in a certain size. This is a universal problem. While we could reroute this to the next available manufacturer in the system, we have no control over who that is. But if we thought that the secondary manufacturer was okay for your garment, we would have chosen them as the prime manufacturer. To be clear, all the manufacturers are completely vetted, and rated on a rolling weekly basis, so we're not say one is good and the other is bad, just that we want you to have our top choice. You'll be notified of any delay and we will give you an option.
Once it's made, then USPS is notified to pick up everything and delivery it. You are sent a tracking number so you can follow along online. USPS is under going changes, which some say speeds up the process, and some say slows it down. Not your mailperson's fault.
I ordered a shirt on Memorial Day, and it was actually made on Memorial Day. Estimated delivery by USPS was June 6th. So that's a little over a week. It actually arrived June 4th instead of the 6th. So, six days.
If it's taking two weeks, email us and we'll help you find out what's going on.
The items from China may take a week longer.
The good news is you're not paying for shipping.
FAQ: SO, WHAT'S WITH THE FREE SHIPPING AND CARBON OFFSET?
Free shipping is done to avoid surprises during checkout. Taxes are one thing everyone expects, but shipping charges vary a lot routing to your location from where the product is made. It does make sense that you pay less if you live next door to me and I hand deliver it, but it penalizes people who live a considerable distance away, say West coast to East coast. So, no surprises.
Carbon Offsets are another way we're trying to lessen our impact on the environment. You don't have to make a donation for it, so your purchase is guilt free. There's more on another page about where that money goes and the good it's doing.
FAQ: WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO WASH MY TEE?
The best way to wash anything with Direct To Fabric printing is to turn the garment inside out, cool wash, line dry. Inside out prevents abrasion from other clothes, buttons, zippers. Line dry is better for the environment anyway. I thought "Nobody does this" until I was at a HS Reunion lunch, admired a friend's tee which looked like it was embroidered, and wasn't. She had it for years, turns it inside out to wash and line dries it. Which is why some of mine have a delightful aged faded look and hers look like they're right out of the store.
In general,
- Do not dry clean.
- Machine wash: warm (max 40C or 105F)
- Non-chlorine: bleach as needed
- Tumble dry: medium
- Do not iron
FAQ: MY GARMENT DOESN'T LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE PHOTO?
Some variation in the manufacturing process is inevitable, especially with the hand tie-dyed items. The monitor makes a difference, the photograph is another. The static picture of a garment, the one with the white background, is of size Large. There is a reduction of the print for sizes Medium and Small. There is no increase in the print size for larger sizes. Also, the dye lot for one black Tee or hoodie may be a shade different than the previous one. If you ever tried to match a black shirt with black pants, you'll know what we're talking about.
FAQ: WHAT'S YOUR RETURN POLICY?
No returns. But stuff happens, so read on.
If there is a problem with a printed item, please send several photos to us and an explanation as to what you believe is wrong. These aren't mass produced, so sometimes the person creating it for you doesn't line everything up correctly, or didn't notice the weird buzzing sound letting them know there was no ink, etc.
Personalized items with something we spelled wrong, we will replace for free.
Wrong size? Well, there's a size chart for every article of clothing. S M L means different things to different people, so the chart shows what it means to us.
USPS says they delivered it but you say Did not? We will try to track that down as best as possible, as it does happen. It is a billion pieces of mail correctly delivered to your one, as in I doubt it, but it does happen, so we will work with you on it.
Refunds are possible but happy to say, rare.
FAQ: WHY DON'T YOU HAVE ANY $12 TEES?
Great and important question.
Because we don't use child labor or forced labor anywhere along the supply chain. Think of that. There's the cotton, thread, water based inks, and more. Mass market Tees were $12 in the 1980s, but haven't changed in price while everything else has gone up. So ask yourself, why not garments?
Also we're using processes, like water-based inks, that are sustainable, not harmful to the environment, and pay people a living wage. Even for those few facilities that are located outside of the US, they are exactly the same as those in the US, production and safety standards and pay.
