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Conclusions

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Overview

LiteFarm has shared that based on the above analysis: “I liked Ethical Swag. Drop shipping seems like a better option for our volume and having a partner that aligns with our values is important. I'm OK with paying a slight premium for those two qualities”

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https://www.dnaswag.ca/ - No online ordering
https://promoleaf.com/theme/eco-friendly - Only USA delivery
https://fairware.com/ - No online ordering
https://www.madmonkeyapparel.ca/ECO-Friendly--Bamboo-Swag__001.htm - no online ordering
https://swagprintfactory.com/cart/ - Only ships to Canada, no multiple addresses, 10% non profit discount
https://go.kotisdesign.com/blog/swaglab-best-sustainable-t-shirts/ - Expensive but good great product $1500/qtr platform fee, amazing UI (I received a mug once from Docker).
https://mountaindiva.ca/ - multiple address not offered online manual process
https://www.4imprint.ca/checkout - multiple address not supported
https://roody.co/pages/contact-us - no online ordering
https://www.teehatch.com/ - integration for shopify or other store
https://customcat.com/ - integration for shopify or other store
https://jetprintapp.com/ - integration for shopify or other store
https://aop.plus/ - integration for shopify or other store

Quick Analysis

Multiple addresses

Multiple addresses seem to be difficult for many of these businesses, especially with international orders. Ethical Swag, for example, ships to multiple addresses only if less than 20% are international shipments.

Eco-friendliness

Most company's use similar suppliers and so the maker of the t-shirt typically has their own Environment & Sustainability goals(ESG) or Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) goals. If this is an important consideration than we can prioritise products/manufacturers that have ESG -- or resellers that have good CSR – or both.

Price
The estimates above are highly dependent on what is needed, tax rates, and shipping address. Take the estimations above with a big lump of salt. Generally speaking what you can see in the table above is:

• single price or bulk price models.

• base cost for a comparable product (keep in mind it is not necessarily the cheapest offered that would meet our requirements)

• The max price you can expect to pay for this product (its a fairly safe upper bound I think)

What this does not show:

• Possible non-profit discount

• CAD vs USD

• Accurate shipping and tax

Suggestion

I would suggest we move forward with Printful as the first choice to get a sample. Swag would be my second choice. Keep in mind they are very different on how they operate.
Printful

• Consistent pricing

• Single order quantities

• Bulk orders to multiple addresses : See https://help.printful.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402035227922-How-does-the-CSV-Order-Import-Tool-work- + https://help.printful.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021468480-How-do-I-prepare-my-data-file-to-import-orders-in-bulk-

• Ability to create a “store”

• Comes recommended from my spouses company who uses it regularly

Swag

• Bulk pricing available

• Minimum order quantity of 24 – but can be stored for 1 cent per product per day and shipped from their warehouse.

• Ability to create a “Store”

• Seems like a big brand name

I would suggest we do the following:

• Pick a few product options from keeping in mind Employee items vs Contributor/Appreciation items

  • Unisex T

  • Some other apparel option (one or more of)

    • Collared work shirt

    • Shaped “womens” T

    • Hat

  • 1-3 Non apparel items for contributors to feel valued

    • Plant or seed option if available

    • Coffee mug

    • ?

• Design session with Caro and Kevin

• Request non-profit discount

• Get samples of sizes (for ability to give common sense size suggestions)

• Review sample and re-evaluate

• Make a list of receivers and make an email with size recommendations

• Create future task to evaluate value of a LiteFarm store

References

UBC List of Approved Suppliers - https://finance.ubc.ca/buy/list-ubc-approved-suppliers
Notes: No tshirt companies visible on list

UBC Sustainable Purchasing Guide - https://finance.ubc.ca/procure-pay/sustainable-purchasing-guide
Notes: No tshirt companies visible on list