PacifierCity
Valued Contributor II

I would like to be able to add an alternative/optional text field or two to the back of tees.  There would be times where someone would opt to not fill that text template field.  But because when I add a template field to the back of the tee, the price is higher.   It remains higher even if the customer opts not to utilize printing on the backside of the tee.  It would be nice if leaving that field blank could somehow trigger a lower price since the backside would not be printed on.  Otherwise to allow for both options of use, I would have to create essentially the same design on two products that would "look" to be the same at first glance.  This would seem counterproductive to having a clutter free MP.

I hope that I have conveyed this thought properly and hope that at some point in the future that Z may consider making this idea possible.  Thanks,

PC

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9 Comments
idraw
Honored Contributor

@PacifierCity 

My suggestion, (Altho I know you’ve been here quite awhile, I am writing this to help newbies also)  if you haven’t already done it ( I’m guessing that you already have), post a  test shirt for sale with image/text on front and text only on back. When the shirt with  text only on back is live, go in as a customer and delete the text box then see if the shirt price drops back to the price for image and text on front only. Once you have your answer you can delete  if you want. But then that presumes that a customer would realize first that there is text on the back,and second that they are allowed/able to remove the text template on the back.  Just because we know what can be changed doesn’t mean a customer does. Good that you are bringing this to the attention of z, z could add a blurb for the inexperienced  customers saying that the text box (and image if not locked) on back can be deleted. Should bring the price down.
if you’ve already tried the above, then nevermind. 🙃
I get your point about having two shirts that look the same. I think the two shirt idea is useful for some who actually want text on the back, say for example sports, a company slogan, a funny tagline, wedding names, identifiers of some kind. 
I tried it many years ago by placing my art on the back with my logo below it.  The price jacked up too high, I ended up remaking all those shirts and removing the back images/text. I still do various  sports with text names and numbers on back tho. Relevant to the image and use by customer.

CrazyMermaid
Valued Contributor II

Even if you design two shirts (which I disagree clutters the MP, because it is giving two valid choices) to give customers the choice of a design on the back, there is no way to link the two so that the customer will easily understand their choice. I would actually love a way to link these kinds of options for customers. Sometimes I create a blanket or shower curtain with a pretty pattern and I hate covering it personalization. I would love a way to let the customer know there is the other option.

idraw
Honored Contributor

@CrazyMermaid
Hi, you said..."Sometimes I create a blanket or shower curtain with a pretty pattern and I hate covering it personalization. I would love a way to let the customer know there is the other option."

That's why I mentioned having the ability for the customer to remove the text box from the product (i.e. your blanket). A new customer may not be tech savvy/aware that they can do that. That's why I also suggested that  z could possibly add a blurb pointing out to  the inexperienced customers  that the text box (and image if not locked) on front and/or back can be deleted. 

You said "Even if you design two shirts (which I disagree clutters the MP, because it is giving two valid choices)..."
I was not suggesting that one particular shirt with text on back and without clutters the marketplace. That I can see working as valid choices. I was referring to having hundreds of shirts with and without text on back and adding every style, color etc. from any shop. Multiply that by thousands of shops, yikes. It basically comes back to the shopkeeper and their decisions, using the results of their sales going forward and in the past.
(And keeping in mind the product limit per account, I believe there still is a limit)


CreativeLeahG
Honored Contributor III

You create a cover photo with text that indicates "front/back images optional - view collection for options"

PacifierCity
Valued Contributor II

In my "idea" the design on the front is what would sell the shirt.  The info on the back would be for the name of an organization or something similar.  The "group" would purchase many similar designs on the front, but each with its own ... personality.  The info on the back is what would tie the "group" together as a group when out and about.  But an individual may see one of the designs and want to get it without entering any info on the back as none makes sense.  If it is just a text template, they can delete it... but they pay a higher price because I set it up so that something could be on the back. 

If there were a way to show the front and back of a shirt without making my own preview images, then it would be easy for a customer to differentiate between the two if put in a collection.  There will be enough variety in my designs to have them in a collection... but if I put them in displaying the front (selling side) it will look like there are two of each.  If a customer actually made it to the collection then they might be curious enough to open both to see why... but I'm not sure how often they actually make it there.

As for MP placement, since descriptors are going to be similar, if one sells the other will be lost.  Sure, you could try and mention it in the description... but how many customers read those.  And using the same design will look like a visual twin and one will be left behind due to this... at least that is what I believe...

The simplest thing would be for the site to recognize the lack of two sided printing and adjust the price.  I'm sure that is easier said than done.  lol...  But I would imagine that other products could benefit from this too.

IDK, I just think it would be a nice addition to the site.  I'll figure out what path I'll take with these products.  I might make a subset DO and market directly for them that way... although I don't really have any sort of placement in the proposed markets...  It's a head scratcher...

As a side note: On most of my templeates my text in describing the template would read some like Name (Insert persons name, other text or delete)  THat way the customer knows they have some options once they click personalize...

PC

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idraw
Honored Contributor

Hi PC, you said in your last post, " The info on the back would be for the name of an organization or something similar. The "group" would purchase many similar designs on the front, but each with its own ... personality. The info on the back is what would tie the "group" together as a group when out and about. But an individual may see one of the designs and want to get it without entering any info on the back as none makes sense. If it is just a text template, they can delete it... but they pay a higher price because I set it up so that something could be on the back."

I just went to one of my collections to check before I post, used a personalized pillow, took everything off the back, that means everything, no background color, nothing. The price did lower. If you don't lock your images on the back, you can remove everything, but make sure to remove the color bg.
I remember years ago, when tote bags only had one side, geez, I still find some, but the odd thing is that customers still buy the one sided totes because the price is lower. Any time you add even a color or texture/pattern  to the back, as in an ornament, it raises the price.
So, your idea should and can work, just have to rely on the customer to know when/whether to delete everything on the back if they choose only a one sided product. (I still think it would be a good idea for Z to point out in the product area about the ability to remove the back or front side, or just the text area.)
That could work in the reverse, leaving the front blank and only having a back sided product. Years ago I was seeing guys who wore back sided shirts alot.

PacifierCity
Valued Contributor II

Thanks idraw, at least you have proven that if a customer is savy enough, one could provide instructions that could end in the desired result.

PC

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DIANA
Contributor

When I am creating a template area on a product I always change "text 1" to read something else.  If necessary I change it to "Edit or Delete Title - (optional)" (or whatever the template area is for).  This gives the customer the heads up that they can get rid of the text by deleting it from the template.  You'd be surprised at how much space you have to give instructions to the customer in this area. 

PacifierCity
Valued Contributor II

@DIANA 

I too use that text field to explain / instruct customers.  It is a nifty spot that I really like.  The issue is that once you add a template field to the back of the product, the price goes up.  Even if a customer deletes the text to have the backside blank, the price does not change because I placed the template on the back.  The customer would have to go into the design tool and delete the text field in order to be charged a lower price.  Some customers can handle that while others will get lost... and give up.  It just seems to me that if there was a way for the system to recognize that the back is left blank, that a lower price should be charged, that that would be a nice thing...

PC

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