PolyDragon Beach Towels

[joreth]

OK, so there seems to be some interest in a PolyDragon Beach Towel - sparked by a comment on Twitter. Since Twitter is too limited for all the relevant information, I'll post about it here.

I've looked up several venues for getting PolyDragon beach towels. The Poly Tees printer does not offer them at this time, but there are several other screenprinters and embroiderers who do provide custom beach towels.

The problem with screen printers and embroiderers is that there is always a minimum order and all the items ordered have to be the same product and color.

The smallest minimum order that I could find was 6, for approximately $20 each. A company called Signify offers the following:

Port & Company® - Beach Towel. PT42 Item Description A necessity for water recreation, our beach towel dries you off in a big way. Highly absorbent and hemmed for extra durability. * 100% cotton terry velour * Dimensions: 35"w x 62"l; 14 lbs/doz Available Sizes One Size Available Colors

That price quote is from their generic price quote form, so I do not know what size the graphic would be or where on the towel it would go, but it would be silkscreened, not embroidered. If there is enough interest, I will send in the artwork and get a specific price quote. As I said, all 6 towels would have to be the same color, so I'll order them in whatever colors get the most votes, but if I could order just one for myself, I'd prefer a black towel with a purple PolyDragon.

Other places offer other options, such as bigger towel size, graphics that take up the whole towel, woven images instead of printed or embroidered, but not only does the price go up significantly (cheapest ones were $35), but the minimum order goes up as well. However, if enough people want these options to make the minimum order and the price is acceptable, I'm happy to provide whatever people want!

**UPDATE**
This same company offers the same price for 6 towels with embroidery as the price for silkscreened printing.

Also, this company does custom photo-printed towels, just for reference:
http://www.customcreationsunlimited.com/photo-beach-towels-2/personalized-beach-towels-3/personalized-photo-beach-towel-6.html $45 no minimum order

**UPDATE**
Just got word back on the price quote and details for embroidery with Signifiy.  She says "We usually decorate one of the corners of a towel with a max design size of 6". We can decorate any part of it though so that's up to you."  They quote:

Product Names: Port Authority Beach Towel (PT42)

- Material: 100% cotton terry velour

- Method of Imprint: Embroidery

- Locations: 1 location of your choice

- # of Colors: Purple

- Stitch Count: see below

Product Size: One size

Color Availability: Black

- Packaging: n/a

- Artwork Programs Accepted: vector

Quantity for Price: 6

8 to 9 thousand stitches = $21.24 each

10 thousand stitches = $22.19 each

14 thousand stitches = $26.00 each

18 thousand stitches = $30.00 each

** our designer estimated this to be a 18,000 stitch count design if decorated at a

size of 5" wide.

Screen print option [1 color, 1 location] = $18.95 each with a max size print of 13”

and no design fees with provided eps file.

Design set up is $10 per 1,000 stitches

- Production Time: 6-7 business days after proof approval

- Pricing Valid for: 30 days from above Date

- Final cost of delivered items may vary by 0% over or under ordered cost

- For individual bagging, a $0.25 charge per garment will be added

- All change orders will result in a 20% re-stocking fee before shipping & tax;

Change orders include changes in style, color, size or quantity

- Above prices do not include Design, Tax or Royalties

So, there it is, $30 for embroidery with a 5" design anywhere on the towel (default is the corner) or $18.95 for a screen printed image up to 13" anywhere on the towel, plus S&H, minimum order of 6 towels.

I recommend the following layouts:
~Embroidered PolyDragon centered on the edge of the towel so it can be displayed while folded on shelf or hanging on a rack
~Printed PolyDragon in the exact center of the towel so it can be displayed while in use.  Option to have the design vertical so displayed while laying flat or horizontal so it is upright when wearing the towel.

But, as usual, I'll make the order however those paying for it like it best :-)

**UPDATE**

OK, final price quote is $22 for a black towel with either a purple Polydragon or a white Polydragon (embroidered), centered on the edge so it can be displayed while folded on a shelf or hanging on a rack. Payments can be made via PayPal. Please send $25 instead of $22 to cover the cost of tax and shipping (which will not be quoted to me until I make the order, & I have to pay up front for the order). If the cost of tax & shipping per person is less than $3 per person, I will send the difference back. All the towels will be shipped to me, and you can get your towel by either picking it up, meeting me somewhere, or having me mail it to you (or another address). Shipping it to you may result in more shipping charges. I will make the order as soon as I have 6 or more of either color ordered. If you "buy now" after an order has been made, your order will held until I have another 6 orders total.

Purple Poly Dragon Towel

White PolyDragon Towel

Date: 12/1/09

Product Names: Port Authority Beach Towel (PT42) v Customer Supplied

- Material: 100% cotton terry velour

- Method of Imprint: Embroidery

- Locations: 1 location of your choice

- # of Colors: Purple and White

- Stitch Count: 18,000 stitches

Product Size: One size

Color Availability: Black

- Packaging: n/a

- Artwork Programs Accepted: vector

Quantity for Price: 12

On the towel mentioned above - $22.00 each

Design set up is $10 per 1,000 stitches

- Production Time: 10-13 business days after proof approval

- Pricing Valid for: 30 days from above Date

- Final cost of delivered items may vary by 0% over or under ordered cost

- For individual bagging, a $0.25 charge per garment will be added

- All change orders will result in a 20% re-stocking fee before shipping & tax;

Change orders include changes in style, color, size or quantity - Above prices do not include Design, Tax or Royalties

Comments

[jbrenner.livejournal.com]

I vote for black.

[femetal.livejournal.com]

Purple on black sounds cool, but maybe hard to see...

I'd be willing to pay more for embroidered vs printed, and might be willing to order more of them if the design is more likely to last.

So... definitely one, on any shade of greyscale with a design in any non-pastel color. Depending on what you decide upon, I'm most likely to want a total of two.

[joreth]

I could also do a white PolyDragon on a black towel - that'd be pretty visible

[femetal.livejournal.com]

I like the embroidered centered on edge option best, I think. I'd be happy with purple on black or white on black.

If you can't get enough takers for embroidery, I like the screen printed option of vertical in the center of the towel (vs. horizontal).

At those prices, I'll take two of either. Just let me know what you end up deciding. :)

[terriaminute.livejournal.com]

Embroidery over screenprinted, definitely. Black desired, purple desired, although white dragons would be okay.

Two for me!

Thanks!

[fairenews.livejournal.com]

If you've not placed the order already, we'd like two black towels, with white embroidery centered on the edge.

[joreth]

I have not placed the order yet, but I plan to probably early next week. I'll update this with payment information, and as soon as I have 6 orders of any particular color combo, I'll send it in!