Don't Panic Brief. Go!

http://www.dontpaniconline.com/designbrief/client/bullfighting

Pin badge. Suited to the tie.

With every bow tie, the customer would receive a plastic pin-badge to attach to the center of their tie. This badge would be related to that specific bow tie (the printed image), a pin badge of the company logo may be sold with every bow tie also. The badges can be laser-cut from a sheet of around 5mm thick plastic and a pin can be bought separately and simply glued to the back.

printing bow ties: 2

Instead of buying a set number of already cut bow ties, an alternative would be to digital print a large material sheet, then later cut out bow tie stencils. However, the finish and quality around the cut-edge would be far less than of the trade option. A possibility however.

Cheap Bow Ties?

alibaba.com
THE best site for trade. especially overseas trade. Here I found a supplier in China who can ship a minimum of 100 self-tie bow ties (various colours) to the UK.
Pretty cheap too, around £28 for 100 bow ties.
- Which works out at less than 33p per tie.

I'v noted a selling price of £5 per tie, after printing and packaging. I think this is fair and going by store prices, very cheap. This leaves room for high profit.

Packaging.

One of the key things I learned from a recent Johnny Cupcakes talk at college, was 'don't skimp on packaging'. This is evident in JC's products, and I plan to make it so in mine, here's a few ideas/angles I'm taking.


BOOM! Stick 'o Dynamite.

Barber - Striped Pole.

Scientist - Test Tube.

A few refined images for pattern-print.

Pattern-Printed Imagery.

I then started to generate simple imagery which i can apply as a pattern-print onto the bow ties. Bearing in mind, they need to be something new, but also something which will sell.

Bow Ties.

I have listed a few professions/areas which bow ties occur and a few initial ideas i have for the subject of each bow tie design.

Idea.

My idea is to create and sell a range of formal menswear, with a fresh look.
I plan to start with bow ties (an item which is quickly coming back in fashion, yet lacks in stores and custom bow ties don't even exist online).

Starting something new.

I'v had an idea for a while now, I want to start up my own business, nothing big, just something to give me an insight into how things work in that area. Such as selling, promoting, over-seas trade, online shops, copyrights ect..
Over the summer I have the time to do this, and the commitment to see it through.

(The Johnny Cupcakes talk which I recently attended at the college has inspired me to do this).