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How do I run a shirt preorder?
Raw Paw is a small artist-run studio that focuses on high-quality prints and excellent customer service. Our shirt preorder is a free service that allows anyone an accessible option to print their designs on shirts. Artists retain all rights to their work and get paid for every shirt sold.
Our goal is to provide artists, musicians, and brands the ability to make money without any upfront cost. We are offering a zero-risk solution for selling your shirt designs online through preorders. The more shirts you sell, the more money you make. Raw Paw will host your design online, print your shirts, and ship your orders. You only need a vision to bring your creativity to life and we will take care of the rest.
To join, go to the top of our website and click on "Submit Your Design". The page will walk you through all the steps you need to complete.
We look forward to seeing your amazing designs come to life!
What if I want a different shirt supplier or custom ink?
If you would like a specific shirt or ink option not listed in our submission form, send us an email or let us know in the notes of the submission form.
There is a $25 fee for each custom ink.
How many shirts must I sell in order to have my design printed?
A minimum of 10 shirts must be sold in order for your design to be screen printed.
If less than 10 shirts are preordered upon conclusion of your campaign, you can extend the campaign or we will print the shirts with high quality DTG.
Check out our "Marketing Tips" section below for helpful notes on promoting your design to make that goal.
Selling shirts takes time! Building your audience, promoting your shirt, and collecting sales is a learning process with no right "one size fits all" solution. If you don’t make any sales your first time, give it another go! When your campaign ends, it’s not ended forever. You can relaunch your campaign for another 3 weeks or shorter amount of time.
Can I buy my own shirt?
Yes, if you’d like to get a shirt for yourself, just purchase through our site before your preorder ends. As the artist you will be paid out for this sale, the same as you will be for all other orders of your design. Payouts will be at the end of the preorder.
You can also get a wholesale quote if you are planning to order a large amount of your design.
Why are the designs run as preorders?
It's more eco-conscious and cost-effective. We have also found that you are more likely to make sales of your designs by focusing your efforts on one strong push.
Minimal Waste: Running a preorder campaign allows us to collect all the orders upfront, so we are able to sustainably produce only the shirts that have been ordered and not create extra waste.
Free Service: The preorder model allows us to offer this as a free service to users to sell their designs on shirts. There are no upfront costs, no money down, and it is completely risk-free to use.
Fulfillment and Shipping: Many artists want to sell their shirts but do not have the infrastructure for fulfillment and shipping. We take care of this for you, along with customer service!
What if I want to run my preorder for shorter or longer than 3 weeks?
Our preorders typically run for 3 weeks, but we are happy to accommodate a shorter or longer run time. Just let us know in the "Notes" when you submit your design. You can also choose to extend your preorder after your campaign.
What is the turnaround time and how will I know when my order is ready?
After the preorder ends, the product page will be taken down and customers will no longer be able to purchase. Production usually takes 2-3 weeks after after the preorder ends. Once the shirts have been printed, we fold, pack, and ship them to customers.
Customers will receive a confirmation email with tracking once the order is packed up. We proudly ship worldwide!
Design Template
Sign up to recieve our Design Template at the bottom of this page.
How many colors can I use in my design?
Currently for Raw Paw’s shirt preorder, we are only printing up to four ink colors for the whole design. This includes the front and back. Our stock ink colors are no extra charge, while custom colors are $25 per color taken out of profits.
The shirt color doesn't count towards your four design colors, so you can try and work that into your design.
File Type & Size
File Type
Files that work best for screen printing are Photoshop (.psd) files sized for printing at 300dpi with the color layers separated. If your design was created traditionally instead of digitally, please send in a high-quality scan of your image at 300 dpi at print size.
*Most art programs like Procreate can be exported as a .psd file. If you can't export as a .psd then Illustrator (.ai) or a high-res .png file with transparent background, or a .pdf also work.
File Size
Resolution of 300 dpi or higher
Standard print size is within 10" wide x 12" tall
Max print size is 12.5" wide x 14.5" tall
Left Chest size is 3.5" x 3.5"
Images with lower resolution (like web images which are 72 dpi) will be pixelated and fuzzy, and detail will be lost when it goes to print. The smallest detail that can be reliably printed is 2x2 pixels at 300 dpi.
Art should be sized for print. Meaning that when art is cropped to the edge it should match the size you want to print on the shirt. Eg: If you want your design to be printed 10" wide, the art file size when cropped to art edge would be 10" wide at 300 dpi.
*Tip: If you aren't sure of the size you want, measure your favorite shirt with a ruler. You can also ask us for advice.
The file below has been properly sized at 12.5" x 14.5" at 300 dpi before submitting for print.
Using layers for each color
Use a new layer for each color. Eg: pink on one layer, green on another layer.
If you use gradients, soft brushes, or lower opacity please put these on a separate layer from the flat colors. We will convert these layers into halftones.
Set your background layer to the shirt color so you can see how the design will look. Consider how the shirt color can be incorporated into your design.
Keep in mind each additional color increases the cost of the shirt, since each color needs its own screen. Many of our best selling designs are 1-2 colors.
This graphic shows how 1, 2, and 3 color layers of a design are layered on top of each other. Since screen printing requires each ink to get its own screen, the number of color layers in a print are based on screen count.
Halftones, soft brush, gradients, etc.
Screen printing can only print solid areas, so halftones (solid dots) are used to replicate shading.
Make sure areas that need to be halftones (like soft brushes, non-solid brushes or textures, low opacity, gradients, etc.) are on a separate layer from lineart / solid fill colors. Raw Paw will convert these layers into halftones that work best for our print process.*
*If you use a halftone brush, the brush must be solid pixels and on its own separate layer. (No fuzzy edges!)
Sending file to Raw Paw in the correct format
Save your working file with color layers still separated; this helps us easily process the different ink colors for print. Rasterize your type (right click layer and select Rasterize Type). For vector files (like Illustrator) please outline your fonts.
Photoshop
Photoshop: File > Save As > Format: Photoshop
Procreate
Procreate: Click the Wrench Icon > Share > Share Image > PSD
Click "Save to Files" to save to iCloud or Google Drive, or directly email file to merch@rawpaw.ink
*Please note: Do not select one of the options under "Share Layers" as this will separate each layer into its own image, and the file will have to be reconstructed. And do not select "Save Image" as it will flatten into an image file.
Illustrator
Illustrator: File > Save As > Format: Adobe Illustrator (ai)
"Create PDF Compatible File" should be checked on when saving.
*Please outline text and strokes before sending over the artwork.
Send your file to Raw Paw
Attach your art file when filling out the the drop ship submission form.
If your file is too big to attach, you can send us an email at merch@rawpaw.ink with artwork attached or with a link to a Google Drive file.
*Please make sure Google Drive link sharing permissions are on and shared with us.
Shirt Options & Size Chart
We offer a few different shirt options for you to choose to run your design on. Our standard shirt options are made with 100% cotton and listed below. We also periodically release limited seasonal options. You can see all current shirts in our Submission form. Interested in another shirt color or style? Send us an email or leave a comment in the "Notes" section of the submission page, and we will get back to you.
• STANDARD T-SHIRT - Gildan 5000 comes in sizes S-4XL, and is a boxier economical t-shirt.
• CLASSIC T-SHIRT - Bella Canvas 3001 comes in sizes X-4XL, and is a soft lightweight t-shirt.
• LONG SLEEVE - Gildan 2400 comes in sizes S-4XL, is a sturdy long sleeve shirt.
Use our size guide below to find what size fits best.
Marketing Tips
Post on social media consistently and often
• Have your preorder link in an easy to locate spot for customers (in your bio or use LinkTree).
• Create unique content on Instagram, X, TikTok, Pinterest, Tumblr. Focus on one platform and work to build a community, entertain, and find your supporters.
• We have found that Instagram is great for communicating with your existing audience. While TikTok can be more effective for sharing your story with a larger audience that might be meeting you for the first time.
• We have seen short videos be prioritized over still images and gain more traction in the last few years.
• Update your audience with reminders: “1 week left,” “1 day left,” etc.
Engage in Storytelling
• Share the story behind your design or the broader narrative of your artistic journey. Create compelling comics, animations, or short videos of you that build and communicate your artistic vision.
• Chat about what inspired your design, a glimpse into your studio, or a time-lapse of your creative process.
Interact with Followers
• Respond to comments, host Q&A sessions, or go live to discuss your design inspirations.
Collaborate
• Partner with other artists for shoutouts or cross-promotions.
• Check out our discord to chat with other artists.
• Tag us @rawpaw so we can share too. We can only share so many before our feed is flooded so we will do our best to curate your amazing content during our working hours (Monday through Friday 10am-6pm CST).
In Person Events
• Engage in Local Communities and Participate in art fairs, pop-up shops, or craft markets.
• You can create a QR code that links to your shirt and create handouts, posters, or display at your booth.
• Physical fliers at common spots like coffee shops, book stores, etc are great for connecting outside your audience.
Paid Advertising
• Use platforms like Meta Ads, Google Ads, or Instagram promoted posts to find specific people interested in your style. While this can be challenging and expensive to get going, we have really grown our brand with ads on social media and we always view it as investing in ourselves. Plus sometimes a design can take off if the right people see it or the algorithm shows you love.
Remember to post as your authentic self. When you care about something, your audience will too!
How do Raw Paw preorders work?
Raw Paw is a small artist-run business that creates clothing and merchandise for other creatives. We focus on high-quality prints and excellent customer service. Our shirt preorder is a free service that allows anyone an accessible option to print their designs on shirts. Artists retain all rights to their work and get paid on every shirt sold.
Our goal is to provide artists, musicians, and brands the ability to make money without any upfront cost. Raw Paw takes care of hosting the design, production, order fulfillment, and customer inquiries.
If you're interested, we invite you to try it out and submit your own design. To join, go to the top of our website and click on "Submit Your Design". The page will walk you through all the steps you need to complete.
Thank you for shopping small business and supporting us and other creatives. We wouldn't be here without you!
Preorders & Small Batches
All our items are created as preorders or limited small batches. The by hand nature of our operation means it takes some time to make, as each item is individually created by us.
Preorders
Most items will be preorders, and will have their preorder end date listed at the top of their product page. Preorders will go to production after the preorder closes, if they reach the preorder minimum. They will be printed and shipped around 2-3 weeks after the preorder ends.
Small Batch Items (non preorders)
In stock items are printed in limited small batches. In stock items will not have a preorder date on their product page. These may ship out sooner depending on your order. If item is in the production queue for reprint, it may take 1-5 weeks to ship.
If you ordered both preorder and small batch items, they will be shipped together once the preorder has closed. If you want to have your in stock items ship earlier, please email us or order them separately.
Why are the designs run as preorders?
It's more eco-conscious and cost-effective.
Minimal Waste: Running a preorder campaign allows us to collect all the orders upfront, so we are able to sustainably produce only the shirts that have been ordered and not create extra waste.
Free Service: The preorder model allows us to offer this as a free service to users to sell their designs on shirts. There are no upfront costs, no money down, and it is completely risk-free to use.
Fulfillment and Shipping: Many artists want to sell their shirts but do not have the infrastructure for fulfillment and shipping. We take care of this for you, along with customer service!
What happens after the preorder ends?
After the preorder ends, the product page will be taken down and customers will no longer be able to purchase.
Successful campaigns who reached the preorder minimum will go into production.
Total production time to print and ship the shirts usually takes 2-3 weeks after after the preorder end date. Once the shirts have been printed, we fold, pack, and ship them to customers.
Please note any orders for shirts that are part of our Design Challenge Event will take longer to print and ship once the Challenge ends.
Once your order ships, you will receive a confirmation email with tracking.
How are the shirts printed?
Campaigns that reached the preorder minimum will be screen printed. Campaigns that do not meet the minimum for screen print will be printed with high quality DTG.
Garment Care
While all designs are printed with high quality inks and should last a long time, proper care of your garments will extend their life. Most items will be 100% cotton, unless specified otherwise on product page.
Only wash items once they are dirty. Wash with similar garments: light shirts, dark shirts, and delicates should be washed separately. Wash with tap or cold water. Tumble dry low or hang dry.
Size Chart
Our standard shirt options are made with 100% cotton and listed below. Shirt style is selected by the creator who is running the design with us.
• STANDARD T-SHIRT - Gildan 5000 comes in sizes S-4XL, and is a boxier economical t-shirt.
• CLASSIC T-SHIRT - Bella Canvas 3001 comes in sizes S-4XL, and is a soft lightweight t-shirt.
• LONG SLEEVE - Gildan 2400 comes in sizes S-4XL, is a sturdy long sleeve shirt.
Use our size guide below to find what size fits best.
Shipping Policy
Preorder items will be printed and shipped around 2-3 weeks after the preorder ends.
Small batch items (non preorders) will be packed within 7-10 business days if currently in stock. If item is in the production queue for reprint, it may take 1-5 weeks to ship.
Please note any orders for shirts that are part of our Design Challenge Event will take longer to print and ship once the Challenge ends, due to the increased volume of demand.
*If you ordered both preorder and small batch items, they will be shipped together once the preorder has closed. To get in stock items shipped earlier, please email us or order them separately.
Shipping fees are calculated based on current USPS rates and are applied at check out.
Domestic Standard Shipping: 9-12 business days once shipped.
International Standard Shipping: 12-15 business days once shipped.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes we ship worldwide. Shipping fees are calculated based on current USPS rates and are applied at the check out. Duties & taxes for select countries are calculated during checkout. If these are not paid upfront, you may have to pay duties & taxes upon receiving order.
International Standard Shipping: 12-15 business days once shipped.
What if I added the wrong shipping address?
If you accidentally added the wrong shipping address, please email us at dropship@rawpaw.ink so we can update it before it ships out.
Please make sure you add proper shipping address with Full Name, Street, Apartment Number (if applicable), City, State, Country, and Zip Code.
Once the order ships we are not responsible for an incorrect shipping address.
For any order that comes back to us, you will be responsible for any additional shipping fees this incurs.
Returns
Due to the size of our small business we do not accept returns for preorder items as they are printed to order.
In store items may be returned for an exchange if we have it in stock.