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Creating and selling popsockets

Millions of product sales have made the PopSocket® brand a popular household name. Their exclusive phone accessories can only be sold through specific, approved retailers…so we’re excited to announce that you can now sell PopSockets. Don’t forget we offer customizable phone cases too—create matching phone case + PopSocket collections to increase sales even more. 

Please note PopSockets are a specialty product, so you need to unlock them in the launcher in order to sell them.  PopSockets are not produced on demand, so users will need to source  a minimum of 100 units in order to sell this product. You have the option to pay for inventory upfront, or you can create a pre-order listing and we’ll process orders using the money generated from pre-order sales . Continue reading to learn more about how you can source and sell PopSockets with Spring.

Part 1: Design your PopSocket

You can customize your PopSocket from top to bottom! Check out all the available options below. 

Model

You can choose between two PopSocket models; the original PopGrip, or the new PopGrip – Swappable. 

PopGrip: The original PopGrip sticks to the back of phones, tablets or cases with it’s rinseable, repositional gel. Once extended, PopGrip becomes a media stand for phones, a photo or texting grip, or lower for video calls. PopGrip can stick to almost any brand of phone or phone case, but may have issues sticking to silicone, waterproof cases or textured materials like leather.

PopGripswappable: Like a classic PopGrip, the PopSwap sticks to your phone with a repositional gel, once extended becomes a media stand and grip.  The swappable function makes it easy to remove the PopTop from the base. Swap out the PopTop as needed to match your phone with your mood. Remove the PopTop to use your phone’s Qi wireless charging capabilities. 

Color options

You can customize your PopSocket from top to bottom. 

PopTop: You can customize the top face (PopTop) with a 2 color, 3 color, or full color design. Note the amount of colors will impact the base cost and setup deposit of your PopSocket (see pricing section below for more info). 

Base: Both models’ base is available in three colors options: white, black and white/black.

 

Design 

We require EPS or vector files when creating designs for your PopSocket.  You must follow the guidelines provided in the design  template so make sure to download it before submitting your request in the Teespring Launcher. Keep in mind the number of colors featured in your design will impact the base cost of the product; you can submit a  2 color, 3 color, or full color (4+ colors) design.  Check out our free design collections you can apply to this product as well as our PopSocket inspiration board below. Consider creating phone cases to match your PopSockets—this is a great way to promote product collections and increase sales.

Pricing

The amount of colors featured in your design and the amount of PopSockets ordered will determine the base cost per product. See the table below for a breakdown of prices and keep in mind the base cost includes inventory transport costs too.

Setup deposit: A nonrefundable setup deposit is required in order to process any PopSocket requests. The deposit is determined by the number of colors in your design. Setup deposits range from $35 for 2 colors, $70 for 3 colors and $105 for full color. The setup deposit only needs to be paid once, so if you order additional stock in the future the deposit will be waived.

Fulfillment fee: As with all custom fulfillment products, a fulfillment fee of  15% (minimum $2) is applied when a product is sold.

Profit per sale: As an example, let’s say you want to source 100 PopSockets with a 2 color design. Your selling price is $19.99. This means your deposit will be $35 and your fulfillment fee will be $2.99 (15% of the $19.99 selling price).

  • 100 units x $5.94 base cost = $594 base cost
  • 100 units x $2.99 fulfillment fee = $299 fulfillment fee
  • 2 color design  = $35 setup deposit
  • 100 units x $19.99 selling price = $1,999 revenue
  • $1,999 revenue – $594 base cost- $299 fulfillment fee – $35 deposit  = $1,071 profit
  • In this scenario you’re earning around $10.71 in profit per PopSocket sale. 

Part 2: Source & sell PopSockets

Here’s a breakdown of how the process works once you’ve designed your PopSocket. Please note it will take around 7 to 10 business days from the day you submit your request to listing creation. 

1. Submit request

Once you’ve unlocked this product you’ll see a ‘PopSocket’ product icon in the Launcher. Click the icon and fill out the form with your PopSocket characteristics and submit the request. We aim to process all requests within 24 – 48 business hours.

2. Pay setup deposit

Once we receive your submission we’ll send you a non-refundable deposit payment link. The deposit goes towards the set-up fee required to enable the machines to print your custom design. Setup deposits range from $35 for 1 color, $70 for 2 colors and $105 for full color. The setup deposit only needs to be paid once, so if you order additional stock in the future the deposit will be waived. Keep in mind you will only be able to withdraw profits from sales once orders are shipped to customers. 

3. Approve quote & mockup

Once the deposit is paid we will process your request and follow up with a prototype mockup and quote for approval.  Keep in mind inventory transportation and storage costs are included in the base cost quoted. 

4. Source & sell

You have two options for sourcing and selling PopSockets with Teespring. Note the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for PopSockets is 100 units. Also, the minimum selling price for PopSockets is $9.99 and the recommended retail price is $15.99 – $29.99.

Option 1: Pay for inventory upfront: When you approve the prototype the next step is to pay for the full inventory order. Once full inventory payment is received your PopSocket order will be processed and we’ll confirm the estimated delivery time for your PopSockets to reach our facility. Please note we also recommend ordering an additional 5% of inventory for replacements and exchanges.  

Once inventory reaches our facility we’ll take product photos and create the PopSocket listing for you. We’ll make sure to set the listing to ‘private’ so you can make it public and start selling when you’re ready. You can sell your PopSocket until stock runs out. You will be able to withdraw profits from sales once orders are shipped to customers

Option 2: Run a pre-order listing: Teespring offers a pre-order option for creators who are unsure how much inventory to order or would like to avoid paying for inventory out of pocket. This enables you to avoid the risk of sourcing too much inventory or having to pay for the products upfront.

  • After approving the mock up you’ll need to confirm the minimum order quantity (MOQ) you’re comfortable with—i.e. the minimum number of PopSockets you plan to sell. Note the MOQ must be at least 100 units. 
  • Next we’ll create a pre-order listing for buyers to reserve their PopSocket. The pre-order period usually lasts two to four weeks. The limited time aspect can create FOMO (fear of missing out) and result in more orders placed within a short period of time. 
  • We’ll inform buyers of the estimated delivery timeline for their order on the listing page and within confirmation emails. We’ll also advise them of the minimum order quantity so if the MOQ isn’t reached they’ll understand why their order is canceled. 
  • After the pre-order period ends (and MOQ is reached), we will deduct the cost of PopSocket inventory from the reservation profit in your Teespring account and place the order. Please note you can withdraw profits once orders are shipped to customers. 
  • Depending on the quantity of PopSockets, inventory should arrive within one to two weeks. At that time we’ll send the orders to your buyers. Once orders are dispatched your profit will be available for withdrawal. 

Please note, if you do not achieve the minimum order quantity required by the end of the selling period, all orders will be cancelled and buyers refunded. Also, with pre-order listings the quoted base cost is “locked” once approved and will not be adjusted if you sell into the next price bracket. For example, you chose the base cost for 100 units, and you sell 502 by the time the pre-order period ends. In this case your base cost will remain the same and not be adjusted.

5. Get Paid

After all PopSocket orders are shipped to buyers, profit from sales will be available for withdrawal within your account. 

Visit the Launcher now to see if you’ve unlocked PopSockets!

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How communities are supporting local businesses

With the global outbreak of COVID-19 many businesses find themselves in a challenging situation. Establishments that traditionally rely on foot traffic and appointments are taking a hard hit to their income with social distancing being practiced in countries worldwide. So how can businesses garner support from their loyal customers until things return to normal?

Creating new opportunities through merchandise

A growing number of local businesses have started selling merch on-demand in an effort to supplement income during this time. This concept isn’t new, in fact we’ve seen many businesses use branded merch over the years as a marketing tool and source of diversified income. Selling merch on demand is free because there’s no upfront inventory required, plus Teespring handles order fulfillment and customer support so valuable time can be focused on running your business instead of dealing with logistics and hassle.

Jamie and Evan Shipp, owners of GoodShipp Alpaca Co. in Louisville, Kentucky, used merchandise to supplement their income as they expanded their Alpaca shearing products and services. The revenue earned from merch sales has gone toward general farm expenses, but has also helped expand their herd with a new alpaca named Hank!

D&B Performance and Automotive Repair, located in Burrillville, Rhode Island is owned by Dawn and Bob Tufano. This local auto shop has been family owned and operated since 2000. After customers began to inquire about their employees’ unique uniforms, daughter Rachel Tufano created print-on-demand apparel and added them to a store on Teespring.  Current profits are put towards funding daily expenses, such as payroll, new uniforms, and garage supplies, and customers wearing their merch around town helps to attract new customers.

“The customers were actually a pretty big part of why I chose Teespring as well, because I’d be able to just give people the links to the designs and they could purchase them on their own versus us having to order hundreds in bulk and either give them away for free (which is SO costly) or make little to no profit on them because they were so expensive to buy to begin with (again, SO costly).”

Emily and Marc Vance of Dill Farms created branded merch is another example of a small business using merchandise to market their services and engage with their local community in Fort Scott, Kansas.  

Do you know a business that needs support?

If you know a business going through a tough time due recent events send them our way. We’ll help them set up their own online merch store and provide additional promotional tools and assistance if necessary. This service is totally free to use, and businesses will keep all profits from product sales. Plus we’ll handle order delivery and customer support too so they can focus on running their business.

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COVID-19: Full production capacity restored as growth continues

It’s been a challenging few months but we’re happy to report our production facilities are running at full capacity once more. Record-breaking sales and site traffic continue as we enter Q3 2020, and we’re optimistic for what the future holds in the world of social commerce and merchandise.

Members of Teespring’s support + operations teams at our US facility (February 2020)

Full production capacity restored

New orders are being produced and shipped on time and we’re so grateful to our wonderful print partners around the world who helped us keep production going uninterrupted over these last few weeks. We’re also pleased to confirm orders are no longer being re-routed and will be fulfilled within their corresponding regions moving forward.

Support team updates

While all new orders are being produced and shipped on time, some orders experienced delivery delays during COVID-19 lockdowns. We have contacted customers who were impacted by delays and are working to find a suitable solution for them. If you have any buyers who need assistance or have questions regarding their order, please send them to our support team (learn more).

Please note due to the unprecedented volume of sales alongside COVID-19 lockdowns, our support teams are currently experiencing longer-than-normal response times. We’ve hired new support team members and are working around the clock to assist everyone as quickly as possible. It will take us some time to get back to our normal 24 – 48 hour response time so please bear with us and thank you for your patience. 

Looking forward to the future

We’ve added new hires across departments to reinforce our teams to better support you and your customers during this time of growth. In the coming months we plan to roll out many new product options as well as feature enhancements to help you take your merch business to the next level. As we return to a ‘new normal’, our team is excited to provide you and your customers with the quality service and support you deserve. Thank you for your continued trust and understanding. Stay safe and take care!

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The conscious collection: merch that makes a difference

It is impossible to deny the impact of the fashion industry on the environment. Conscious consumption and rising awareness of sustainability issues demand action, and fast. That’s why we’re excited to announce the launch of our new Conscious Collection—a product line that empowers you to create and sell eco-conscious merch you can be proud of. To start, the collection will feature organic tote bags, eco unisex tees, organic long sleeve tees, and eco unisex hoodies. 

The Conscious Collection products are fully integrated in the Teespring Launcher and can be designed and launched instantly. They’re also global products, which means we’ll offer the best shipping prices and delivery timelines no matter where your customers are located. 

[button href=https://teespring.com/design-launcher/pick/d2321c4a-09e6-4329-a9d2-b1dc3c2acb78=_blank]Create your collection[/button]

Introducing the Conscious Collection

The collection features four global products: tote bags, unisex shirts, long sleeve tees, and hoodies. All products are either made of 100% organic cotton or feature a combination of organic cotton and recycled materials. Each product is eco-friendly in its own unique way, but overall the collection shares characteristics such as:

  • All products are made of fibres that require little or no pesticides to grow and avoid contributions to air, water and land pollution. 
  • These products  are cruelty-free, made from non-animal fibres, and are harvested in animal-friendly ways (with reduced impact on their habitats). 
  • The materials used in these products also contribute to green practices that reduce the use of resources like water and energy. 
  • Our US supplier for hoodies, long sleeve tees, and totes donates a portion of every product sale to an environmental non-profit organization—by selling one of these products you can make a direct, positive impact on the environment. 

Products in the collection are labeled as “Organic” or “Eco” based on the percent of organic cotton they contain. Due to the fact that eco-friendly products require slightly more investment to produce, this also means they can generate higher profit margins ranging from $10+ to $15+ per product. Keep in mind 49% of Nielsen survey respondents said they are willing to pay higher-than-average prices for products with high-quality/safety standards, which consumers often associate with strong sustainability practices (organic + eco-friendly).

Teespring’s eco-conscious commitment

We’ve been working on our eco-friendly agenda since the company’s inception in 2011. With the fashion industry dumping over 92 million tons of solid waste into landfills each year, Teespring’s on-demand business model provides a significant solution for reducing waste. Our entire operation revolves around products that are created on demand (i.e. after an order is placed)—enabling us to avoid overproduction, textile waste, and only source supplies as needed. In the rare occurrence we have unusable inventory due to damaged goods or misprints (note Teespring has some of the lowest misprint rates in the industry), our team aims to recycle or donate these items as much as possible. 

Apart from our eco-friendly business model, we’ve made other enhancements to reduce our environmental impact over time. We’ve established an entirely paperless operation at our production facility in the U.S. and we’re working to reduce and terminate paper usage with our global partners too. We have eliminated double-packaging across our global fulfillment network, which has reduced plastic output by millions of plastic bags per year! Moving forward, we are committed to on-going research into eco-friendly products and packaging opportunities to further support conscious commerce on our platform. 

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How to sell more merch using YouTube’s new livestream update

Now you can ‘pin’ your merch to the top of chat while live streaming! This feature enables you to drop merch in an engaging way by highlighting your products for all viewers on stream. It’s also extremely effective for driving sales when combined with samples, promo codes, and limited edition merch drops. Keep in mind you need to have access to the YouTube merch shelf in order to pin merch when using YouTube Live. 

Don’t forget, Teespring’s integration with Streamlabs empowers YouTube streamers to reward and engage fans with live OBS alerts for every merch purchase. Alerts have proven effective for encouraging other viewers on the stream to follow suit and purchase as well

3 way to increase sales while streaming + pinning merch

There are lots of ways you can take advantage of this feature to drive more sales (especially during Black Friday and over the holidays). Check out the most popular methods below.

  1. Samples: Currently creators are using samples to increase sales by up to 50% and when combined with YouTube Live this can be an extremely effective promotional technique.  Order samples of your merch ahead of time and wear them while streaming to get viewers excited about your products. 
  2. Limited time promo codes: Another great way to drive sales and engagement while streaming is to offer promo codes that expire in a short amount of time (like after the stream ends). You can create promo codes instantly in your Teespring account to share on stream.
  3. Limited edition merch: Announcing limited edition merch during live stream is also very effective. Make the product available for a very limited amount of time to create a sense of urgency and make the purchasing experience both special and memorable. If you’re planning a merch drop make sure to update the listing’s visibility setting to ‘public’ ahead of time so your products will be added to your Merch Shelf product catalog.

 

How to pin your merch during live streams

Follow the steps below to create your own live stream merch drops now. 

  1. In YouTube’s Live Control Room, create a new live stream or navigate to one you have already created
  2. Click on the Merchandise tab below the live stream preview
  3. Select the merchandise item you would like to promote by searching through your list of items, and click it or drag it to the Merchandise preview panel
  4. Click on “Pin merchandise” to pin the item on top of chat and promote it to your viewers
  5. To end the promotion, click on “Unpin merchandise”

Ready set up YouTube Mech Shelf?

 

FAQ’s 

For more information on YouTube Live merch, visit YouTube’s help center article.

Can you pin multiple products throughout the course of a stream?

Yes, you can pin one item at a time, but you can unpin and pin any other item among those approved.

Can you pin multiple products at the same time?

Users can pin one item at a time, this maximizes the effectiveness of the feature.  

How long does a product say ‘pinned’?

The product stays pinned until the stream ends. Fans can also dismiss the card if they prefer not to see it.

Is there a way to tell the difference between live sales from video sales in the YouTube dashboard?

Not yet, all sales will be reflected in the merchandise section of your YouTube Studio.

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Champion products now available for selected creators

We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with premium streetwear brand, Champion. This exciting partnership gives creators the opportunity to customize and sell official Champion products.

To kick off the partnership, 10 handpicked creators will be the first of many to launch exclusive limited-edition collections with our new UNLOCKD program featuring three premium Champion products—the classic t-shirt, reverse weave crewneck sweatshirt, and the reverse weave pull-over hoodie. 

Our in-house design team worked with each creator to create unique collections that represent Champions’ core values of heart, commitment, integrity and inclusiveness.

First Champion releases

Twitch streamer Pokeaim and YouTuber + music artist Miles Carter were the first two creators to drop their Champion collections. Each collection will be available for a limited time on the UNLOCKD website. Both collections are being launched and promoted through social media. 

Miles Carter and Pokeaim Champion DROP pages

The profits from Miles Carter’s ‘More Heart’ collection will go towards to helping people within his community. Check out his video below to learn more.

“Rather than releasing merchandise for a profit, I wanted to use it to benefit the community—to give back. So I’m dedicated to using 100% of the profit that this collection accumulates for community outreach” – Miles Carter 

Miles Carter social media promotion

Unlock Champion products with Teespring

Teespring is accepting applications to create and sell Champion products through the Teespring DROP program. Anyone can apply for access, using the application form below. Initially, our team will be handpicking creators whose personal brand represents the Champion brand ethos. Keep your eyes peeled on our social media channels for further Champion UNLOCKD announcements!

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Teespring becomes the first extension to offer sub-exclusive merch on Twitch

The Teespring Merch Store extension empowers Twitchcasters to reward loyal channel subscribers like never before. Utilize this feature to engage current subscribers as well as recruit new ones by offering access to exclusive merch. 

 

Teespring currently offers the only Twitch extension where users can create and sell subscriber-exclusive merch in combination with integrated checkout and built in OBS and chat alerts.

Teespring Merch Store benefits:

  • Real-time animated OBS and chat alerts 
  • Subscriber-exclusive merch (NEW)
  • Integrated checkout on Twitch
  • Guaranteed best in industry profit margins 
  • 50+ print-on-demand products that ship to 180 countries worldwide 
  • Storefront customization
  • Hassle-free selling—Teespring handles order processing, delivery, and customer support
  • Additional features (coming soon) include customizable celebrations and special discounts for subscribers. 

 

How to create subscriber-exclusive merch

Sub-exclusive merch is intended to not only engage and reward your loyal subs, but also encourage more people to subscribe to your channel. Learn how to create sub-exclusive merch and how it can increase your subscriber count in the video below.

[button href=https://community.teespring.com/answers/twitch-extension-faqs// target=_blank]Extension FAQ’s[/button]

 

Check out the two ways shoppers are encouraged to subscribe to your channel.

Shoppers on Teespring:

  • Everyone can see your sub-exclusive merch on Teespring. However, once they click on the listing page a shopper must select “Unlock as Twitch Subscriber” to purchase any sub-exclusive merch. 
  • Once the shopper verifies they’re a subscriber to your channel they’ll be shown the “Add to cart” option and can complete the purchase. 
  • If the shopper is not a subscriber they’ll be prompted to become one and redirected to your channel subscription page. 

Shoppers on Twitch: 

  • Viewers on your Twitch Channel are able to browse your sub-exclusive products. 
  • When they click ‘Subscribe to buy’ they’ll be asked to verify their subscriber status on your channel. 
  • Once verified they’ll have the option to ‘Buy now’ and complete purchase.
  • If they’re not subscribed to your channel they’ll be directed to your channel subscription page.

 

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Create die cut stickers instantly with Teespring’s new launcher update!

Now you can create totally custom die cut stickers instantly in the Teespring Launcher. Die cut stickers feature calendared vinyl with pressure sensitive adhesive and a glossy white finish for the highest quality look and feel. Their durable vinyl finish protects your designs from scratches and moisture too. Virtually any shape is possible thanks to our Swiss precision cutting technique. Add this product to your Teespring listings and start selling now!

 

Pricing

The base price is just $3.50 no matter what size or shape your sticker is. Stickers sell best within the $4.99 – $7.99 price range.

Product Details

With the largest size offering in the business, you can create truly unique and original sticker designs to stick…wherever you like! Teespring’s vinyl stickers are printed using high-definition Inkjet technology.  

  • Up to 5” x 5”
  • 6 mil calendered vinyl
  • Glossy white finish
  • Pressure sensitive adhesive
  • Printed on white vinyl

Design File Tips

  • We recommend using high quality PNG files with transparent background (300 DPI)
  • Up to 5 inches x 5 inches
  • We add a 1/8″ white border around the artwork
  • White design elements should be outlined in another color
  • All objects placed on the launcher will be combined into one sticker

 

How to Create Die Cut Stickers

1) Upload design

Head to the Teespring Launcher and click on the “Die Cut Sticker” icon. Next upload your design. We recommend using high quality PNG files (300 DPI) with a transparent background. Keep in mind we’ll add a ⅛” white border around the design, so we don’t recommend using white design elements without a colored outline.

Die-Cut Sticker icon in the Teespring Launcher.

2) Adjust size

Stickers can be up to 5”x5” in size. You can adjust your sticker size in the launcher and see the exact dimensions as you edit. Switch to the “preview” tab to see what it will look like when printed.   

3) Launch

Don’t forget stickers sell best within the $4.99 – $7.99 price range. After saving your edits, you can add additional products to your listing. Once you’re ready, edit your title, description, and launch.

 

[button href=https://teespring.com/design-launcher/ target=_blank]Teespring Launcher[/button]

 

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Two-factor authentication guide

We take your safety and security very seriously. A lot of work goes in behind the scenes to help keep you and your personal brand safe. This feature allows you to add an extra layer of security: two-factor authentication using Google Authenticator.

Make sure to download the Google Authenticator app (available for both iOS and Android devices)—the app is necessary to set up two-factor authentication. 

Please read through the instructions below before activating two-factor authentication; if you skip step 3 you’ll lock yourself out of your account. If you get locked out of your account you can contact creatorhelp@spri.ng for assistance. 

1. Download the Google Authenticator app

Download the Google Authenticator app onto your mobile device from either Google Play (Android) or The App Store (iOS).

2. Update your Spring account settings

Log into your Spring account and go to the “Settings” section of your dashboard (using the same device or a computer). Scroll down to the bottom of your settings to the section called “Two-Factor Settings”. Check the box that says “Use two-factor authentication” and update your settings by clicking the button bellow the check box.

3. Scan the QR code provided

Next, use your mobile device to scan the QR code through the Google Authenticator app.

  • If this is the first time you’ve used Google Authenticator, select “Begin set-up”.
  • If you are adding a new account, choose “Set up an account” from the app’s menu.
  • Select “Scan a bar code” and scan the bar code shown on the settings section of your Spring dashboard.
  • After scanning, you will see an access token appear within the app. (this should be a series of numbers)

Note: if the Authenticator app cannot locate a barcode scanner app on your mobile device, you might be prompted to download and install one. If you want to install a barcode scanner app so you can complete the setup process, select install, then go through the installation process.

4. Add access token when you login to Spring

Now, logout of your Spring account and return to the login page. On the login page, select the option “Using 2 factor Authentication? Click here”. Enter your login details, as well as the access token generated in the Google Authenticator app.

Also note: You can use the same process on multiple devices if necessary (for example, if you use both a laptop and/or a desktop computer). Google Authenticator generates a new access token every 30 seconds—but you can use a different token on a different device as long as it’s associated with the same Spring account.

You may also want to consider downloading the Google Authenticator app on multiple devices—this way, you’ll still be able to get your account’s access token you lose your original device.