Zazzle Print-on-Demand Gets Organic
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA 
on 02. 8.07
Since time immemorial, both amateur and professional doodlers have been looking to make their mark on T-shirts without having to deal with inventory, overhead, and upfront costs. Then came CafePress and there was much rejoicing.
But what if you were also an avid tree-hugger who knew that it takes a third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to create just one conventional-cotton tee? CafePress has started testing the waters with its men's organic-cotton T-shirt. Its rival company Zazzle, however, has plunged in with organic styles from American Apparel that will clothe men, women, kids, and babies alike.
The catch? Like CafePress, Zazzle uses conventional inks that are far less eco-friendly than the low-impact, water-based dyes used by sustainable screenprinters such as T.S. Designs. Still, if you're looking for a cheap and easy way of throwing some of your merch online, without compromising too many of your earth-loving principles, Zazzle provides options that aren't half bad.
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I periodically check back with both Cafepress, Spreadshirt and Zazzle to see if any of them has come out with more than than one Organic T-shirt. Zazzle may be one step ahead because it has One Organic shirt for each member of the family.
Still very disappointing selection topped with the un-earth-friendly dyes. Maybe if we send letters to both companies, they'll wisen up.
Or maybe that's a job for another entrepreneurial Start-up?
Treehugger, I love you but this kind of post makes me sad. Yes, it's a t-shirt made out of organic cotton. Most of us already have far too many clothes. I understand that you're trying to promote eco-friendly consumerism, but locally printed t-shirts don't require FedEx'ing to my house.
Even better, just do without and give the planet a break.
I vaguely remember an on-demand t-shirt printing place that used silkscreen, instead of the crappy iron ons, and used soy based inks. I think they even had organic shirts too. But for the life of me, I can't remember what the name of it was, and I don't seem to have bookmarked the place. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
Recently Spreadshirt also started offering organic t-shirts from American Apparel. So many of the major retailers now offer organic t-shirts, but you are right, none offer anything organic or sustainable about the inks.
Man I REALLY need help with this topic. Been researching a site for a company I am working with that wants organic materials. Is there a Zazzle like site yet with both shirt material and ink that is both organic? A site that does one shirt at a time?
I'd be a crazy eyed evangelist for any company that will offer custom printing on organic hemp and cotton tees with eco-friendly dyes.