Threadless-less

Threadless.com began as a website that gave graphic designers a chance to have their work printed on T-shirts. Shirts were cheap, the designs were good, and the client base was small. Times have changed.

Over the past year or two, I've seen more and more Threadless shirts popping up all around campus, but that's not what really bothers me. Sure, it was a bit annoying to wear the same shirt to class as Mr. Epitome of Frat Boy, but I'm OK with people recognizing what's good.

What I DO have a problem with is skinnyCorp LLC (the parent company of Threadless). They have instituted a new policy where the price of shirts start at $15, and increase depending on the complexity of the design. This is just a clever/deceitful way of raising prices without arousing too much suspicion. Since this has been implemented on Feb. 18, I've seen less then a handful of shirts (not including reprints) that cost $15, and they put out about 7 shirts a week. Designs that use less ink than old designs are going for $17. But even this price increase isn't all of what has infuriated me with Threadless.

Concisely put, THE NEW SHIRTS SUCK!!! Because people get to rate possible shirt designs, you would think that the bad ones would get weeded out. Apparently untrue. I remember a time when shirts that got printed had an average rating of around 4 out of 5. Now, shirts are being printed with averages around 2.5 out of 5. That's a 50% approval rating. Although that's higher than our president's, it's still a failing grade. I wouldn't be in college now if I averaged a 50%. Sure, maybe people don't submit good ideas anymore, but out of 700 submissions a week, there's got to be something better than seeing the same mustard loves ketchup or milk loves cookie idea popping up every week...for $17.

Threadless, it's time to stop loving Kickin' It Old School and get your dignity back. Try checking the CTA Lost & Found.