Well, it’s been a week, and the results of the t-shirt poll are fairly conclusive.
So here’s what we’re going to be doing:
1. We’re printing the Name Compilation shirt. It will be white text on a black shirt.
2. We’re printing The Eolian Bar shirt too. It will also be on a black shirt.
3. We’re going to print the Kingkiller design. But first we’re going to fix the font and decide what color it should be. So that one will be delayed a little bit.
But for those of you who are interested, we’re selling the Name Compilation shirt and the Eolian Bar shirt in our new store. There are men’s and women’s sizes.
Since we’re on the topic. Let’s talk a little bit about the store.
You’ll note it’s lovingly named the Tinker’s Packs. That’s because it contains pretty much anything I imagine people might want to buy. I’ve even gone so far as to put up some foreign translations of my books for sale, as people occasionally asking where they can find one.
A few things you should know about the store:
- Orders will be processed on a first-come first-served basis. So if you’re looking to get something shipped to you by Christmas, it’s better to order it sooner rather than later.
- Some of the items (especially the rare or out of print books) we only have in small numbers. As they sell out, they’re gone. It’s first come first serve, I’m afraid.
- Edit: Some things have already sold out.
- All proceeds go to Worldbuilders, of course.
A few questions answered:
Why are the books so expensive?
Some of them are expensive because there aren’t very many of them. They’re rare. First editions. Small print runs. Stuff like that.
More ordinary books are priced about double what they cost me. I can get a hardcover copy of NOTW for about 22 bucks, so I sell personalized copies in the store for 45.
This is keeping with Worldbuilder’s theme of matching donations. If someone buys a book for 20 dollars, then I donate the money. They really haven’t contributed to the charity, they just bought a book. But if they pay 40 bucks, they’re getting a book AND helping with the fundraiser. Follow me?
I don’t have a paypal account, can I still buy something from the store?
Yeah. Drop us a message through the contact form in the store and we’ll work out an alternate payment method.
Lastly, I have a few questions to ask y’all…
- Any suggestions for what color the Kingkiller shirt should be? From comments in previous blogs, white doesn’t seem very popular, but I don’t know what other color would work for that shirt.
- Do we want a Worldbuilders t-shirt even if it’s just a small version of the logo on a colored shirt? Say a nice forest green?
- Is there anything else you’d like to see in the store? I’m open to suggestions.
Stay tuned. We’re going to be having a lot of cool stuff posted in the coming days…
pat
98 Comments
I think the Kingkiller shirt would look good on a nice dark grey background.
And a Wordbuilders t-shirt would be awesome. Perhaps one, as you described, and if there’s enough interest for it (I know I would want one) One that also says Geeks For Goats somewhere. I still love that! Maybe on the front, Geeks for Goats, and on the back the Wordbuilders Logo. Or the logo small on the front and the other on the back … I don’t know. I like it being in green though, that’ll be really nice.
Also, the link for the t-shirt poll doesn’t go anywhere…
Nevermind … it’s working now. Don’t know if you fixed it or if my computer was just being weird, but either way it’s good to go now. :o)
I think grey or ocean blue might be nice . mess around with it in ms paint and see what you like the best…
Hi Pat,
The kingkiller design was not made by me (I really like it though), but I prepared a little group of pictures of the design edited with different backgrounds, that might help people to decide on what they like best. Would you like me to post a link?
I don’t expect my versions to be used or anything, just want to help people to choose something they like.
That would be really helpful! Thanks for doing it.
Well, if you will find it useful. Here is the link –> http://mism.webs.com/kingkiller_colors.jpg
I didn’t put any text on them, because as Pat said above that would be fixed. And this is NOT necessarily how it will look on the shirt finally, I just put it together in my own capacity as a mock up to give people an idea, as an easy way of seeing how the colours go with the design. Hope it is ok with Pat.
OOH! Seeing it like that I really love the dark blue and green. It sets off Little Kvothe’s hair really well! Good job! Thanks for posting this!
I think this helped a lot, thanks!
I know it’s gonna seem a little plain/boring, but I think black fits the best. The next best looks to be the excellent green that sets off Kvothe’s hair :) Hmmm. just in time for the holidays? LoL! :))
Thanks for putting this together – I actually like the red the best.
The green one looks awesome but maybe a shade lighter? The black might look better if the text was included. Also, I think a Worldbuilders shirt would be amazing!!
Awesome! Green looks great!!!
Awesome! Thanks for the link! I love the design so much that I wouldn’t mind having it in any of those colours (although I like the grey the least). Love the red and black, green and blue are cool too but I’d like lighter tones.
Good job with the mock ups. I think the black, blue and green all look good. I’d probably opt for black because it makes the chessboard look kind of lost in limbo and ensures Kvothe’s hair really stands out.
I like the idea of a dark heather-grey background for the Kingkiller shirt. If that’s the case I will order one for sure, and might even if it’s not. Man, I was really hoping for Denner Fishing, too, though!
Anyways, cheers for organizing this whole thing Pat, and cheers for insomniacs reading blogs at 3am (or maybe that’s just me on the west coast?) Either way, thanks!
I work graveyard and stalk this blog for updates and new posts (I’m secretly hoping to finally catch one of his machine-gun Q&A sessions…). I agree with cheers for middle of the night postings, they make me happy!
It wasn’t voted for a lot, but my husband and I were both soooooooo hoping for the Denner Toothpaste. That one was amazing.
Pat,
I’m not sure it if it is entirely related to this T-Shirts discussion, but.. I really liked the Eolian theme.. In fact, the entire “The Name of the Wind” color theme in my head was based in the hardcover made for the French and Portuguese version of the book – which looks way more awesome in my opinion than the original – :
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t68ar0SFX54/SfZnA4xkxkI/AAAAAAAADKk/cC7qpOQbfVg/s1600-h/French-Cover-721861.jpg
The original even shows a little of the archive… ( Although I know we can’t base ourselves on this ).
http://marcsimonetti.deviantart.com/art/The-Name-of-the-Wind-123640928
PS: Sorry for pointing this out, but, a lot of people by the book because of the cover… =(
Um Pat, any chance of a 3XL shirt for the Eolian? Come on feel some love for us big boys.
There’s instructions for that in the store.
I really want to buy one of the T-Shirts, but it scares me a lot to decide its size . I’m assuming that those are american-US sizes, right?
European ones are definitely not the same sizes even if named in the same way; I once bought an american-XL and now I use it as sleeping bag… any chance of pointing to the exact size measurements? (cm, inches, whatever)
I found http://goeurope.about.com/cs/shopping/l/bl_clothes_size.htm by googling: shirt sizes europe states. It seems to have what you need.
Not exactly what I was looking for…
Every t-shirt online store that I know about have something like a chart explaining the exact size of each t-shirt they sell; like this one:
From my previous experience US-XL is approx EU-2XL, and US-L is approx EU-XL; just wanted to confirm that
Hi Pat!I love the designs ^^
Just a suggestion about the shop: the size depends on the brand of the T-shirt, so I think it would be nice to have a chart with each size’s measurements.
Thanks a lot! :D
/agree. And also a vote for at least a 3XL size, possibly a 4XL, depending on the dimensions (J!NX 3X fits me great, shirts.woot 3x is too small).
I agree with the request/suggestion for a size chart! Sizes vary. I want very much to buy a shirt, but at $20, I want to make sure it’s going to fit first.
And I think I might hold out for Kingkiller anyway, as it was my first choice. If not white –which I actually think would work best– how about grey? It’s a common neutral t-shirt color that allows you to say it’s not white. Or a soft yellow. That would offer some good contrast with the red hair. Yeah, I think I’d go for yellow over grey. But white over yellow.
I agree with the people that are plugging for white. The design really would go best with a white background. Stand out much more starkly, and all that. Aren’t there any graphic design sorts who can throw their weight behind this?
I’m a bit dissapointed that the denner fishing t-shirt didnt make it, it was wicked awesome. I would have loved that on a t-shirt. maybe if the current shirts are successful, you can do seasonal ones or do another one for a limited time only? If not, I have the denner fishing picture as my laptop backround.
I agree. I would’ve paid big bucks for Denner Fishing.
That one was my favorite too. Maybe eventually a few additional designs can be printed – I also loved NOTW Fancy Design and Lute Design.
A yes to the Worldbuilders shirt. A yes to the forest green.
Awesome! Thanks very much. I still want the Eolian one to say “where pride pays silver and plays gold” on the back, even if that cost a little extra. Is that even remotely a possibility?
I just bought the Eolian Bar shirt. I’m so glad it made it! It will be my favorite shirt I own, I think.
I probably should have bought two, because I’ll wear it so often that it will quickly be reduced to a pile of threads.
Thanks for making these available to us, Pat!
I bought one of the Name Compilation shirt as it was one of my favorites anyway, so Yay! for it getting in. Also will be in for a Kingkiller shirt for my kidlet when a color is settled (Heather grey is nice, a very dark navy *might* work as well).
As I pushed that send payment button I reflected that this isn’t really me. Ask anyone who knows me… I don’t do silly fangirl. I don’t buy product t-shirts. Stoic should be my middle name, only I don’t think it goes well with Katherine….
Anyway. I just wanted to say thanks, Pat. Not since I first traveled to Middle Earth, battered used-bookstore/old school copy of The Hobbit clutched in my grubby 11 year old hands has a story so called to me as yours has. I’d read Bilbo’s (and then Frodo’s) story so often that my friends would often look at a copy of (one of) the books in my hands and roll their eyes. I read them until I saw – and felt – the story from the perspective of each of the characters I cared about…
I’d never thought to feel that way about a book – a story – it’s characters – ever again.
And then along came Kvothe.
So thank you. It feels so good. :)
Pat,
Not trying to throw a wrench in the works or anything, but did you, by any chance, consider combining the “Kingkiller” shirt with the “Hi, My Name Is Kvothe” shirt? I got a whole carton of Ramen Noodles here with your name on it if you would…
rip
Although it might be kind of boring – I really like the Kingkiller in black… ^^
But blue and green are also cool – because of the hair-thing mentioned earlier.
But I’m gonna be fine any way – cause the Names Compilation made it!! My absolut favourite!!! :) Thanks to the one who came up with the design!! And special thanks to Pat for making this happen! :)
But I think I’m gonna be waiting with the order, until the Kingkiller-colour-question has solved.
I’m voting that Kingkiller should come in some kind of heather gray.
The depth of gray depends on whether the design is just black & red on the t-shirt background, or if it’s going to be printed black, WHITE and red. A dark gray wouldn’t work without the white printing.
I think a medium-light heather would work either way, and that it might look best without the white printing filling in the kvothe piece & board. Just black & red on the shirt background. I have a (very old) shirt from an high school show that’s medium heather gray with black text, and it showed plenty of contrast with the background.
-waiting for money to transfer from his bank account into his paypal-
THIS IS TORTURE.
I’d actually really like to see the Kingkiller shirt in the white. it’s only mid November and it hit 39c today (I’m in Perth Western Australia and summer hasn’t started yet that’s still to come, and to help out 39c is 102f) I looked at all my lovely black geek shirts this morning and pulled out my only white t-shirt a Westpoint Stevens that was sent via carepackage nearly ten years ago, and only recently started to be worn. Sometimes I miss living in Melbourne.
I understand that most of us don’t like white, I agree white = bad it just brings out the pasty in my skin tone, but it’d be nice to have a lighter coloured t-shirt to help reflect the heat for a change. So if not white, as light a grey as possible, like an ash grey, or maybe a glacial blue?
Signing Instructions:
Pat – Sent an email to paperback contest gmail account as well, but want to be sure you see it (and you appear to be good about reading blog comments).
I just bought a 1st/1st copy of NOTW (and a shirt), but the non-paypal route had no place for signing instructions. I included them in the email.
Thanks!!
I vote Kingkiller on black or gray. I think the white bits should be filled in, too. Also, I will continue to beg for the adorable little anime Kvothe speech bubbles to be a poster. I’d put it up behind my desk in my classroom :)
It’s kind of shocking to see how much a first edition of NOTW is going for nowadays. I still remember bringing mine to your office on campus and chatting for an hour after you signed it. Needless to say, I don’t plan on selling it EVER, but it’s kind of cool to know that I have something that’s really important to me that other people would pay that kind of money for.
Really… just know how lucky you are. Seriously. (At least the cash is going to an awesome cause.)
Valid point. I’d pay that for such an awesome, rare book when the money is going to charity. If I had that kind of money, anyway.
Oh, also, I second/third/twenthieth the statement about including measurements of the sizes if at all possible. I can range anywhere from a small to a large in ladies clothing, and while I’m super glad proceeds go to Worldbuilders, I don’t want to end up buying 2 t-shirts that don’t even fit me before I get to the right one.
for us fans in the uk, a US large is a medium to us. well, from my experience. ladies fit please!
There was one thing on the Tinker’s Packs that I didn’t find that I wanted; a button to add a contribution to Worldbuilders. My check out was $24 and if I could have added a dollar by a simple radio button I would do it. I guess I’ll just have send them $20 directly. -grin-
And YES, I would love to buy one of their shirts!
Thanks Patrick for all that you do and write.
RH
I ordered my daughters christmas present on November 14th from Tinker’s Packs, just to be sure it arrived in time for Christmas. We live in Europe (Netherlands). Hubby just phoned to tell me I received a package from the US!
Just WOW doesn’t quite cover the excitement. And my slightly greenish face right now, because my unappreciative hubby had the honour of unpacking the content!
Thanks for a wonderful service and swift delivery.
Ordered both of them. This is my excited face. I don’t really like lighter colored shirts, I more prefer either black, or dark earthy colors. For what it’s worth :P.
wuaaaa please help me ):
I don´t know how much I´d have to pay for the shirt.
29$ are 21.228 Euros but is it enough if I transfer 21.30 euros? that´s really complicated ôO
I think the gray background looks fantastic for the Kingkiller shirt. That is the one I’ll probably buy. I think I’m the only person in the world who isn’t in love with the Eolian Bar shirt!
I know it’s not feasible to print all of the shirts at the same time, especially with how busy you must be with Worldbuilders and the holidays. I do wonder, though, if there is any chance of some of the other shirt ideas being introduced over time. Maybe offered one at a time in the future for a limited time or something?
You’re not the only person in the world. I think the Eolian shirt looks a little bit like a fan shirt of a heavy metal band. This is not necessarily a bad thing but it’s just not my style ;-)
I think a nice dark green for the kingkiller shirt
I am highly excited by the store and the fact that it all goes to Worldbuilders is icing on the aweseomeness! I would like to throw in a suggestion for a Worldbuilders shirt. Perhaps, if it said in large print on the back “I donated! Ask me how!” or something along those lines. The more eye catching it is the more people will ask about it which translates to advertising and potentially more money. I also think a limited run combination shirt of NOTW and Worldbuilders would be awesome, maybe with Worldbuilders 2010 on it. Just an Idea! Thanks Pat for the Book and an awesome fundraiser!
I did order the Name Compilation shirt, but it was my second choice. Please be sure to let us know when king killer is available! I LOVE LOVE that one! well its its the chess piece with the red hair then i do. =)
Thanks so much for doing this!
Heather grey for the king killer shirt gets my vote!
Maroon or deep red/wine is usually a good color for a shirt.
Could we please get the bar shirt in hoodies too? I would love one of those. :)
Already purchased 1 bar shirt but will wait to purchase the others just in case you put up a hoodie option (upstate NY is freezing most of the time so hoodies are more likely to be lovingly displayed).
Thank you!
Hoodies! 2nd 3rd and whatever else I have to say to get this done. NW Minnesota here, hoodies get worn daily here. Would love an Eolian Bar Hoodie and a Kingkiller t-shirt. Going to hold out for just a bit in hopes that Hoodies will happen.
Hey Pat, is there any way to get more info on the brand of the shirts? I’m really just wondering if they’re American Apparel because those tend to fit a little more snugly. Thanks!
Pat,
I suggest you add Tinker’s Pack to the tabs at the top of this website. I don’t see any navigation to it, other than the link in your blog entry.
Here’s me, glowing in satisfaction with three Christmas presents already bought today from the Tinker’s Bag. (Love the sound of that, though any tinker worth his salt would have actual salt for sale and perhaps some tea, chocolate, beads and feathers too.^_^)
As for the Kingkiller, I think it looks swell on white as well as any other color, but will bow the the will of the masses.
Thank you Pat, for making us t-shirts. ^_^
XOXOX Diana
Yay for Kingkiller! Black would work. Maybe grey. Depends on the shade. I think white is okay too.
Is it possible to see the final (numerical) results for all the T-shirt votes? Call me crazy but I’m fasinated by those sorts of things.
If you go back to the post about it, you can click “View Results” under the poll itself.
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/323/6colorskingkiller.jpg
I’m kinda liking the grey. As soon as the kingkiller shirt comes out I’m getting it, the other two and a NOTW book. Wanna bundle it all up.
Out of those I like the purple…the hair looks so cool.
I still think deep red would look awesome though.
Black looks really striking done that way, it all stands out nicely. But I think that might go better as a hoodie than a T.
I vote gray for shirt and black for hoodie!
very helpfull! i think there you can see, that grey would be a very good choice. i’d love to buy it that way! so voting for grey grey grey!!
I’m so pleased the Eolian shirt was popular! Now I can wear one to band rehearsals. ^-^
I like Kingkiller in the grey as well as the white. Red looks cool, even though we lose his hair a little bit. Thanks for making these available. Can’t wait for someone to ask me what the hell these shirts are about, then I can turn them on to the book…
Anybody know what size “XT” stands for?
It’s in between XL and XXL on the Eolian Bar T-Shirt and in between XXL and the women sizes on the Names Compilation T-Shirt.
I’m thinking XL Tall but am not sure. Anybody got any ideas?
I’m getting a woman’s size for myself, but my husband needs a Large Tall so the “T” has me a little excited.
Also, I love what you guys are doing, but paypal sucks. I missed out on getting a copy of the college survival guide cause it didn’t want to take my paypal account card without logging into paypal (which I couldn’t do because my account hadn’t been verified yet.) Guess I’ll just have to get my girlfriend something else for her birthday… >.<
Still, this is not your fault, and I still love you.
The shirts look amazing. I already put in a plug for hoodies… but you should do hoodies.
Also, they're more expensive, but if the shirts (maybe hoodies?) sell well, some of these would make awesome sail jackets.
Pat,
if that XT in the store is in fact an Extra large-Tall. I frackin love you more than I already do.
Thank you. That is all.
Im not sure if I missed this somewhere, but is the store going to be a permanent thing now?
I think that tinker store should sell miniature pipes in a chain necklace. I would get one for sure.
Just wanted to cast my vote for the black version. I thought it might look cool to just do the outline in white, with Kvothe’s hair in red, on the black shirt. I liked the idea of the green shirt – if it’s bright green, like kelly or shamrock, then bright, red hair; if it’s darker green, like hunter or pine, then a darker red.
Excellent choices and they are all on my Christmas list now…except for the one I will be ordering now hehe.
Just a thought for the kingkiller shirt, what if you had a white circle or oval around the design, then you could make the shirt whatever color was also popular? I think the white background looks best, but makes for a boring t-shirt. This solves both problems.
can’t wait for the kingkiller shirt! i love it! please choose grey for shirt color, so i can love it even more ;D
well i guess i’ll also buy the name compilation, cause it contains the name “Kvothe” (I’m the girl, who named her dwarf hamster after him, if you remember..).
anyways, i already ordered the poster and the bar shirt, so that those will be shipped by christmas. can’t wait to see my boyfriend’s reaction, as he doesn’t know about the shirts yet.
so thank you so much pat! you’re great :)
Oh noes! Oh noes!!!111!!!!!!!one!
Both of my picks got … well, picked! Now I have to decide! LOL Maybe I’ll just get one of each. They’re for charity after all! :D
Thanks for doing these, Pat. :D
I think black would work best for Kingkiller. Neutral, earthy tones usually earn bonus points for me, but blue or green looks good as well.
Also, I’ve got another vote for exact shirt dimensions in the store descriptions. I’m terribly incompetent with clothes-shopping in real life as it is and exact shirt sizes would help a bunch.
Thanks for being ridiculously awesome on organizing all of this with Worldbuilders and book and all. :D
“Is there anything else you’d like to see in the store? I’m open to suggestions.”
Simply put, yes. I would love to see some of those other t-shirt designs made into posters, if at all possible. Specifically, I think the “Denner Fishing” design would make a wonderful poster.
Seconded. I’d buy a denner fishing poster!
Awesome, the names compilation shirt got passed. I just ordered one and I will wear it proudly!
check out the link someone posted with the kingkiller design posted with multiple colours as BG. Looks awesome! (I like black and green best).
Any info on shirt brands/sizing, particularly for the ladies’ shirts? Depending on the brand, I could wear anywhere from a medium to a 2XL, so I’m nervous about ordering.
Pat,
how long will these shirts and the book (with option of signature) be available in your store? i would like to point them out to my wife to get me as Christmas gifts, but if they will only be up for a short time, of if there is a limited supply i will just get them asap.
thanx :-)
I would love to see buttons and stickers in the store. Maybe hold more design contests/alter the most popular t-shirt designs to fit on a button?
I think most colors would work for the Kingkiller shirt. I’ve just tried some and almost everything looks nice. Maybe you should pick a color that suit’s most people, in which case black, grey or maybe dark blue would do best in my opinion. Dark colours are best anyway, because of the red hair.
Since you first posted the Kingkiller image, I’ve used it as my desktop background, with the following alterations: I inverted the colors of the whole image, put the red hair back in and removed the text. Like this:
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5264/kingkillersw.jpg
I think this would look great on a black shirt.
I love love love love LOVE that. I think it gives it that simple something that brought that design from good (in my opinion, it wasn’t my favorite) to great. Had it looked like this originally I may have voted for this one instead of the two that I did.
Really curious as to how that big swath of white is going to come out on the name compilation shirt. I design shirts for bands and music related business and using a giant smear of a light color on a dark like that is a surefire way to get that “bullet proof vest” feeling of a thick mass of screen printing ink. If it’s done with vinyl ink it might be ok, but if it’s done in plastisol, I hope Rothfussians are ok with their shirts being the same mass as an umpire’s chest protector after a few washes. I wouldn’t and won’t wear either of these.
Coffee Mugs or buttons would be a nice addition to the store I think.
I think med-brown would be a great color for the King Killer shirt. It would look great w/the red hair. Wouldn’t buy a Worldbuilders shirt though. I did, however, order both NOTW shirts. Thanks Pat!!
Pat – More poster choices and maybe magnets would be a good addition to the store.
I know I’m in the minority here, but golly do I get tired of black shirts!
I was really hoping for the Eolian shirt in green or, well, anything not black.
Oh well.
A poster of the Four Corners Of Civilization would be very cool. Maybe a 2011 calender w/all the photos of shirts we voted on?
Pat,
you mentioned earlier that if your design made it to the voting, then you´d get a free t-shirt. Does that still count?
I´m from Norway and paypal currently hates my card, so I´m unable to order a t-shirt myself, but I really loved the winning designs (not mine) and would love to have one.
So if it´s still true, you would really make my day!
**
Hey Pat,
I was just scanning through the questions and I don’t think this has been asked yet – what are these designs going to look like on the actual shirts? This seems like the big unknown at the moment in terms of:
– the size of each design in relation to the shirt (and if the size of the image will be proportionally larger in the larger shirt sizes)
– its location on the shirt (I’m assuming centre of the chest)
– the material used in the printing and the material of the shirt itself (I think you answered that on one of the initial t-shirt blogs, but it’s not there when you go to buy)
– whether or not the white around “I’ve had more names than anyone has a right to” is going to follow the erased-out pattern as white goes to black on the left and right sides or if it’s going to cut off in the razor-edge that’s in the image at the moment
– whether or not the kingkiller chessboard is going to cut off in a razor-edge cube or if the lines of the chessboard are going to extend out a little more asymmetrically
and
– if each of these super-complicated designs are going to print in a solid layer of the printing material of if things like the many names, the chessboard lines and the design lines around the Eolian are going to be printed as individual lines with un-printed t-shirt material in between them.
Sorry for the long question here, but all of this stuff really changes the way that the shirt would look, wear, survive, bend and treat you as you grow old together…
I can’t actually afford to buy the shirt at the moment so maybe that pulls the rug out from under my questions. Irregardless though, this is the sort of stuff that I would really want to know about the shirt before I put the money down and had it hurtling through the mail towards me. It would suck major monkey gonads if all of these excited people ordered the shirt and then it wasn’t what they were imagining when it arrived.
**