Special Feature (Exclusive T-Shirt Discount Coupon Codes: Redux)

Another t-shirt connoisseur exclusive deal post, and three 3 more bargains from 3 great t-shirt shops. Don't miss any upcoming discounts, by subscribing to the feed. Now, As promised, t-shirts for less:

First up, Loiter Ink (TSC tag) (home of the famous air guitar shirt) is offering t-shirt connoisseur readers $2 off each item purchased with coupon code "connoisseur". (Expires @ Never O' Clock)

Code "TSC10" will get you 10% your order @ Urban Retro (TSC tag), which is good for those of us who don't fare so well converting our monies to pounds sterling. (Regrettably, expires 30/06/09)

And finally, a very special deal from Spaghetti Kiss (TSC tag) -- a shop that isn't even set up for coupon codes. As a special for t-shirt connoisseur, Spaghetti Kiss has set up this link where you can get the fantastic Robot Blues design for 10% off! (Expires at the end of Feb, 09)

**Don't forget to check out other t-shirt connoisseur exclusive coupon codes: HERE !

Evolution (via Amorphia Apparel)

Surely, this is the direction mankind is heading. The Evolution t-shirt is available over at everyone's favourite Spreadshirt shop: Amorphia Apparel. I bet the monkey never saw this coming.

Penguin (via Zoo Shirts)

PENGUIN PENGUIN PENGUIN PENGUIN, mushroom mushro.... wait, that's not quite right. Even better: the Penguin tee shirt at the brand new theme t-shirt shop, Zoo Shirts. If penguins aren't your thing, they likely have a similar theme shirt for your favourite animal (I'm holding out for an armadillo, myself.)

Test Pattern (via Loiter Ink)

Do not attempt to adjust your torso. The Test Pattern shirt from Loiter Ink is another great A/V design. A simple design, yes, but done perfectly. Alternate design name: "SMPTEe Shirt"

451 (via Enclothe)

Things get hot with the 451 tee over @ Enclothe. Ray Bradbury's chilling tale of a censored future was always a favorite of mine. If you've seen this t-shirt before, look again, because the salamander on the back shoulder is new.

Artoo's Premium Beer (via Red Bubble)

This gag was inevitable. I'd love to actually have beer in cans printed like this. Enjoy the Artoo's Premium Beer t-shirt responsibly: from James Lillis at Red Bubble.

Spongesaurus (via TopatoCo)

Remember that Simpsons episode where Bart sells his soul to Milhouse for five dollars and then uses that money to buy just-add-water instant dinosaur sponges? Yea, the Spongesaurus tee shirt from TopatoCo is kind of like that.

The Nova (via Mini Cassette)

Celebrate the final season of Battlestar Galactica with The Nova shirt from Mini Cassette. Personally, I had luke-warm reactions to the premiere, and I think the show lost a lot of its lustre after season 1 -- none of which takes away from the cool design of the nova class battlestar, beautifully displayed on this tee design.

When Pandas Attack (via Threadless)

The Bestee awards are going on over at Threadless, and my pick for the best tee of the year didn't get through the first round. I feel there were many good concepts, but some of them don't make great t-shirts. Out of the remaining finalists, the When Pandas Attack design is my number one choice. You can check out the finalists and vote here. (voting ends this Monday)

Cowboy Robots (via Woot)

I prefer an alternate history to the the alternate history themed derby at Woot, where the Cowboy Robots design won, and was available for purchase. I suppose it will get a second chance at the Double Take Derby of the best losers later this year, and I will be there to re-cast my vote for it.

Reservoir Turtles (via Urban Retro)

Mr. Orange, Mr. Blue, Mr. Purple, & Mr. Red star in: Reservoir Turtles: An Urban Retro production. Don't forget to tip your pizzeria waitress.

You've Got T-Shirt Connoisseur In My Thunderfrogs

Recently, t-shirt connoisseur got to do some guest bloggin' at one of the best t-shirt blogs ever to grace the interwebs -- Thunderfrogs. Andy even gave up the coveted 300th post spot! You can read the post about the theme brand, Bear Annihilator here.

Ace (via Cosmic Soda)

An ace of diamonds card printed on the cuff of a long sleeve t-shirt. Clever, no?. Always have an ace up your sleeve with the Ace t-shirt at Cosmic Soda.

Solar Expansion (via Split Reason)

The biggest threat to the human race is not global warming or nuclear war, or so the Solar Expansion t-shirt at Split Reason would have you believe. You've been warned.

Special Feature (Corporate Shilling: Burger King T-Shirts)

"Would you like a t-shirt with that?"

Of all things, the newest addition to Burger King's menu is t-shirts. The surprising thing? They're kinda good. They offer a few designs @ Burger King Studios for the discerning fast food fan. Burger King has been trying to market differently for a while now; recently they launched a whopper scented cologne called Flame, and last year they created a series of Xbox 360 games (which, like the shirts, weren't that bad -- certainly worth the $4 they cost). The games were a reflection of the video game scene at the time, and in the same fashion these t-shirts seem to be a composite style of the "trendy" t-shirt designs around the web these days.

Even restaurants are getting in on the Experimental Jet Set parodies these days (see t-shirt connoisseur special feature: Top Ten Experimental Jet Set Parodies)

If you enjoy the designs but feel dirty about being a walking advertisement for a corporate giant, you could conveniently forget about the origins of these tees -- most of the designs are fairly subtle in their reference to the franchise.

Special Feature (Exclusive T-Shirt Discount Coupon Codes)

Every once in a while, t-shirt connoisseur rounds up discounts from its favourite designers. These are exclusive coupon codes, available only to t-shirt connoisseur readers!

This time around, five excellent shops are having a t-shirt connoisseur sale (check back often or subscribe to get future deals!):

Regal Clothing (TSC tag) offers 15% all products with coupon code "TCONNOISSEUR" (No Expiry!!!1!!11!Eleventy)

Zombie Liquorice (not yet featured @ TSC) found it in their cold, dead hearts to give you 10% off any order with the following coupon: "connoisseur" (Expiry Date? Never)

Rizzo Tees (not yet featured @ TSC) has 10% off with coupon "TCONNOISSEUR". A t-shirt connoisseur himself, say hello to Rizzo in the comments. (Expiry Date? We don't need to stinkin' expiry date)

Mediocre Clothing (TSC tag) has 10% off @ checkout with the magic word: "CONNOISSEUR" (Expires in the year 2087)

Last, but not least, with the most enticing and temporary bargain, Chop Shop (TSC tag) offers you all 75% (75%? wtf, mate?!) off their GRAPH FIG D SIGN NERD shirt with "tshirtconngift" and 20% off all items with the code "tshirtconn". Unlike the other exclusive deals today, this coupon code isn't long for this world, so get a move on to chopshopstore.com. (Expires Feb. 11, 09)

Marblevore (via Blue Collar Distro)

Get your daily recommended intake of marbles with the Marblevore shirt @ Blue Collar Distro. This design is a wonderful homage to the utterly skill-less and ultimately fun hungry hungry hippos game. I hear they're high in calcium.

Special Feature (T-Shirt Printing Roundup)

Whether you just want to make a custom t-shirt for yourself, your friends, or for a gift -- or you want to start your own t-shirt shop, there are many internet-based on demand t-shirt printing services out there. Sometimes called t-shirt fulfillment services, they can take care of payment, printing, shipping, returns, etc. so you just have to worry about the designing. Today's special feature @ t-shirt connoisseur rounds up and reviews all the major t-shirt fulfillment services around the web. Try a few out, and see which suits you best:


Cafepress

One of the earliest (1999) and most recognized on demand t-shirt printing services. Some people have concerns with their quality, while others stand firmly behind it. One of the annoying things about a cafe press shop is that you have limited options with a free account -- if you want to sell the same product type (i.e. dark mens t-shirt) with more than one design, you'll need to pay for a premium account.


Zazzle

Zazzle focuses on community much more than other t-shirt fulfillment services. Shops come with commenting, favorite marking, etc by default, and users are encouraged to be a part of the web 2.0 with other designers. Simple & straight forward interface make this a good choice a designer who is looking for fun more than profit. Integrates with Squidoo (sort of an online community & directory), so if you are already into that scene, it will be a good fit.


Printfection

The best t Printfection is it's ease of use for adding designs, tagging them, and adding the design to multiple products. It's easy for a shop owner to manage designs & products quickly and easily. For a shop with many products or product variations, Printfection might be a godsend.


Shirtcity

I had a lot of trouble uploading my designs and making them look good on products with Shirtcity. Images looked blocky, or the background color and transparency didn't work correctly, showing some of my designs as a big black square. All my attempts to fix this were fruitless. Also, their website randomly includes German sometimes.... Maybe if you speak German and your designs work on their system, Shirtcity will work out great for you.


Spreadshirt

Great quality printing, and a lot of flexibility, Spreadshirt is a solid choice. It has some great integration options, and some big shops integrate their own websites with the service (Amorphia Apparel & The Tee Party, not to mention Fark.com's any headline as a shirt feature) Free accounts are somewhat limited, but all the paid premium services are justifiably so.


T-Shirt Monster

A Canadian based site (great for cheaper shipping to Canada, if that's where you or your target audience is.) T-Shirt Monster's system may make your design look a little off, but if it works well for your designs, go for it. They also have pretty good margins (low cost for blank shirts and printing). *Note, not exclusively Canadian.


Print Mojo

Print Mojo really involves you and with shop, and upon signing up, you are asked what your sales goals are, what your marketing plans are, etc. Daunting to say the least if you just want to make a shirt or two for yourself, or are completely new to online business. Like Spreadshirt, you see a few big shirt shops online integrating with it.


Red Bubble

A venue for artists to share, promote, and sell their work. T-shirts are one one of many avenues of artistic expression on the site (albeit one of the more popular ones.) Red Bubble focuses on community, and if you are more of the artistic persuasion, this print service may be the one for you.

My Soti

Best thing about My Soti: huge shirt real estate to work with! You can place large designs on the full front or back of the shirts, where other print services are more restrictive. They also do artwork, but it's mostly shirts.

There you have it, a quick run down on all the major t-shirt printing services on the interwebs. After you launch your shop, don't forget to submit your designs to t-shirt connoisseur for review & posting! (mail me with a link and a hello -> ph0enix1211 [ at ] gmail [ dot ] com)

Blinkey Road (via Huzzah Goods)

The Blinkey Road tee available at Huzzah Goods is a great pixelated Beatles mashup. If you wanted to, you can read into the choices of matchings between John, Paul, Ringo, & George and Inky, Blinky, Pinky, & Clyde all you want, but that would be incredibility excessive.

Giant Squid (via Squid Fire)

I think this Giant Squid shirt from Squid Fire is probably the definitive giant squid t-shirt on the internet. Also, it's gotta be the best shirt from their almost-but-not-entirely squid based lineup.

Cluedo (via Randr)

A collection of ways to kill Mr. Boddy (or Dr. Black, if you're not from the Americas) in this great Cluedo (or Clue, if you are from the Americas) design from Randr.

Polly Doesn't Want a Cracker (via Woot)

Great design, great title, ... too bad about the color. Woot derby shirts have to win to be bought, so if the Polly Doesn't Want a Cracker tee @ woot is up your alley, relevant to your interests, or even just what the doctor ordered, go show it some love.

Exploded Phone (via Exploded Phone)

I'm not an apple fan, but I am an electronics fan. Especially exploded electronics. The exploded phone shirt is the one hit wonder from the shop, and the design is available on a plethoras of products. It's cafepress, fyi -- some people are keen on their print quality, some aren't. But, a good design is a good design. Cafepress always has active coupons, so don't pay full price for this design either.

The Bomb (via Insanely Great Tees)

The Bomb tee @ Insanely Great Tees could be different things to different people: system error, 8-bit gaming fun, or just a cool pic of a bomb. In any case, it looks pretty sharp on a field of orange.

Special Feature (Top Ten Experimental Jetset Parody Shirts)

A deviation from the status-quo here at T-Shirt Connoisseur -- a special feature topical cross post with Tip Top Ten (top ten lists of things that don't matter) -- a t-shirt themed top ten list. enjoy!

(Image & Design Source)

In 2001, a Netherlands based design group called Experimental Jetset created three designs: John & Paul & Ringo & George, Keith & Mick & Bill & Charlie & Brian, and Joey & DeeDee & Johnny & Tommy (band members from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Ramones respectively and obviously.) This design was supposed to be an archetypal band shirt, that represented the essence of the band by simply listing their first names. Most t-shirt fans are not only familiar with this iconic design, but also some of the many unsanctioned variations it's spawned. It's easy enough to apply the template of Helvetica font, vertically listed names to any other band (rip-off or tribute: you decide) but when you use the design with things other than bands, it can become a great parody. SO, listed for your pleasure, the top ten experimental jetset parody t-shirts:

10. Zack & Kelly & Slater & Jessie & Lisa & Screech.

The Meet Me at the Max shirt @ Threadless makes the design its own with the familiar doodles in the background. Not a Saved by the Bell fan, but it's a great design and a great parody.

9. Simon & James & John & Andrew & Phillip & Bartholomew & Matthew & Thomas & James & Thaddeus & Simon & Judas.

Using the twelve apostles in a position originally meant for rock stars is a great contrast. Also, the ridiculous lengthy list compared to the original is pretty funny. (Source)

8. Heartburn & Indigestion & Upset Stomach & Nausea & Diarrhea.

Printed on a pink shirt, naturally. (Source)

7. Mom & Dad & Gran & Gramps.

How could jetset get all cease & desist-y with a face like that? (Source)

6. Fighter & Black Belt & White Mage & Black Mage & Red Mage & Thief.

The Light Warriors of Final Fantasy show up here in the geekiest entry in the top ten. This one is for sale @ Huzzah Goods.

5. John & Eric & Michael & Terry & Terry & Graham.

The Monty Tribute shirt @ Modern Classic is not quite the Beatles, but pays tribute to another famous British group of not quite the same era.

4. & & & .

Minimalist thinking applied to our shirt design in question. Try not to read too much into this one. (Source)

3. Luke & Leia & Han & Chewie.

This tee design @ Super 7 Store was inevitable. I think I would have included R2-D2 & C3-PO.

2. Inky & Blinky & Pinky & Clyde.

This pac-man inspired t-shirt slyly eschews the standard Helvetica font for something more pixelated. The shirt was available at think geek, but appears to be MIA now, I wonder if it was a poor seller or if there was some legal shenanigans?

1. Yoko & Linda & Maureen & Patti.

"Behind every great man..." -- In response to the original Beatles design, Clemformation has this great shirt design in her Red Bubble shop. The most true to the original, and the most easily called a parody -- it's #1 by a long shot.

**Update - There is a follow-up on this article here**