Read this before Posting Projects

Basic Project Information

1. Title of project (title of post).
   It's best to list a simple, straightforward title, since designers will see the title of the project before they see any other information. Titles such as "Need 5 shirts designed for Pet Company" and "Urban T-shirt Designer Needed" grab the professional's attention and tell them exactly what the project involves. You may also want to list the timeframe (Needed today, next week, 5 days, etc…) or urgency (ASAP, Urgent, Yesterday, etc…) in the title of the post. If you are comfortable with sharing the information, feel free to post the project budget in the title as well. This may reduce the number of bids or increase it dramatically. We will leave it up to you.
   
   
2. Describe project needs (in detail).
   This is the most important part of your project posting. Here is where you will describe everything about your project. A precise description will give the designers a better view of your needs and enable them to produce a quality quote for your project that includes a cost and time estimate. Project descriptions should include what work is needed, some background on your organization and the reason for the project, when the project must be started and finished, and the size of the project (1 shirt, 5 shirts, 1000 shirts). Also include how you intend to get the design on the shirts (single color screen print, multiple color screen print, heat transfer, direct to garment printing, embroidery, etc…).
   
   
3. Upload files relevant to project.
   If you have any sketches, reference images, or attachments you feel will help the professionals understand your project and enable them to generate a more detailed proposal, post links to the image(s) online or attach them to your post. For example, if you saw a design online that matched the look and feel of the design you’re looking for, post links to the image to give designers a better idea of what “look” you’re going for.
   
   
4. Estimated project budget
   Enter your estimated budget for the project. Whether you chose to include it in the title of the post or not, please include the budget at the end of the project description (i.e. Budget: $50, Total Amount I’m Willing to Pay: $200, etc…). Then be sure to post your project in the appropriate Job Board category. If you are unsure of the budget, post the project in the "I Don't Know What My Budget Is" Section. With the exception of “unsure” budgets, projects posted in the wrong category will be moved to the appropriate category. If you post multiple projects in the wrong categories (with the intent to get more bids), you’re posts will be deleted and your account suspended. See the post entitled “Determining a Fair Price for Your Project” for more information and suggestions for pricing your work.

Who Can Bid on Your Project?

The category of the Job Board that you post your project in will determine who is able to post bids and proposals. Don’t reveal any personal contact information in the project description. Instead, request that bids and proposals be sent through Private Message (PM). Once you select a designer, feel free to share your contact information (i.e. phone number, e-mail address) with them through PM.

• Shoestring Budget, Small Budget, and I Don't Know What My Budget Is
  These categories allow all registered designers to place a quote on your project.
  
  
• Moderate Budget, Large Budget, and The Sky Is The Limit
  These categories only allow “Pro” members of The Shirt Design Factory to view and place a quote on your project.
  
  
• If you would like to invite specific designers to place bids on your project, feel free to either send them a PM directly or contact a member of the Administration to forward the project details and budget to them. It will then be up to the designer(s) to respond to you. If you haven’t received a response or are unsatisfied with the bids submitted, we recommend that you post your project in one of the categories of the Job Board to allow other members to submit their proposals.

Additional Information

1. Only want designers that can work “Onsite”?
   If “Onsite” work is required, specify the location where work will be performed. For projects to be completed within the United States, enter the city, state, and ZIP code. For projects to be completed outside the United States, enter the country and region.
   
   
2. Only Want Designers From a Specific Country/Region?
   If you only want to work with designers from a specific country, specify it in the project description (i.e. American Designers Only, European Designers Only, Indian Designers Only, Midwest Designers Only, etc…).
   
   
3. Don’t care where the designers are located?
   We’re okay with that. Feel free to mention it or leave it out.

Questions for Designers

List any specific questions you would like designers to address in their proposals.

When posting a project, you may receive an abundance of proposals. To help you sort through the proposals you receive and make initial determinations on the designers, make up a list of questions that will enable you to determine the skill and interest level of the candidate right away.

Questions such as "How would you approach this design?" and "What is your experience designing t-shirts with poodles on them?" will allow you to gauge how the designer can help you. A question such as "What are the approximate total cost and time estimates to complete this project?" will give you an idea of each designer's pricing and time frame. These questions will also allow you to classify the designers into those you wish to learn more about and those who do not fit your needs.