As Core-Techs you are loved by many, feared by some and respected by all. That’s why I’m coming to you in search of your sage advice: The next new Black Market Beagles T-shirt design is finished, The Maidenhead, and we’re on the fence about which version we should go with – distressed or pristine?
Below is a comp showing both versions of the image. So, what do you think? You want your Maidenhead T to have that “lived in” look, or would you prefer to do the breaking in personally?
And as always, if you don’t like the design, please let us know. The goal is to make cool stuff you folks want, right?
And speaking of cool stuff – thanks, everyone, for all the positive feedback on the Cerberus t-shirt. We managed to sell through half the first print run in a week and we’ve gotten nothing but kudos on the design and quality of the shirt. So, thanks you guys – we feel much-loved here!
Distressed. Always distressed. Looks much more authentic and from the Verse. If you came out with a second Distressed version of the Cerberus, I would buy more of those too. Also, I love the design. Without going back and referencing the movie, is that an official design that was seen on screen?
Thanks for asking for our advise!
jim
Hey there Jim – nope, the logo is a complete original design from our own Mr. Black Market Beagles
Nice design. I like the distressed version. But when distressed you do lose some of the detail on the fan.
Distressed-I think it gives it an authentic quality, the other one looks like a new store
My vote is pristine. I never understood the mentality behind buying pre-distressed clothes. Run em through the washer regularly for a few months and they’ll distress just fine by themselves.
I’m not usually a fan of pre-distressed anything, but in the case of Serenity, nothing in the ‘verse is that pristine. So I vote for distressed.
i have to agree with Mechamaniac, buy new and wear it! i mean whats the point in a pre-distressed shirt? are we browncoats or just want ta be’s. it will fade with wear. it’s like paying a butt lode for old jeans that are brand new.the fun is in getting the signal out there, not pretending you’ve been doing it for years. give me new and i’ll wear it out.
Distressed.
Usually I’d vote pristine, but in this case it just doesn’t look right.
Normally I would go for the pristine, but the distressed version catches my attention more than the pristine. I agree with Jim; it makes it look more Verse authentic(at least the part of the verse we all like). Heh, one is the core world version, the other is the rim version.
I like the distressed version. I want authentic right outta the bag.
I think the problem with the proofs as shown is that the distressed version is maybe just a bit overdone. Perhaps if the distressed nature is toned down a little it would result in a happy medium. But either way, I agree with what katiekatie641 wrote — the gradations on the fan may need to be “pumped up” a bit to emphasize that that part of the design is indeed a fan.
Also, as a graphic artist I’m seeing a lot of subtle, implied imagery in this design as it relates to the term “maidenhead”. This is very well done design on those terms. Kudos to your artist.
My vote has to go to the pristine version given the proofs. I’d like to see a distressed verison but, I’d like to see it look more like a distressed wood sign. Quite simply, because that’s the shingle I’d expect to see outside the Maidenhead.
I always go with the weathered look, like me.
Distressed, but I agree with Sean in that I’d like to see more of a “distressed wood sign” look. As a logo alone, distressed doesn’t quite cut it. As a complete “sign”, yes, distressed would be the way to go.
Love it! I vote for PRISTINE! That way, it’s like I just picked it up at the Maidenhead gift shop, or something, while I was on vacation! PRISTINE!!!! PRISTINE!!!!!! PRISTINE!!!!!!
Distressed is always the way to go. Looks great either way though.
Love the distressed and love the design. Can’t wait til we can get the T’s.
I often like the distressed look for t’s. But in this case, I just think pristine is better suited to the design and what it’s representing. Plus, the design will become distressed as you wear and wash the shirt! Real weathering always looks better than manufactured/produced weathering. Pristine I say!!! (or do both).
I like the distressed one better – very much straight-outta-the-’verse look to it.
Also I remember reading way back in the day that the Cerberus tees were going to have one print run, and that was it – “instant collectible,” was the term used, if I recall.
I was wondering if there was going to be more made now that Qmx is hosting them. I like the idea of owning a rare collectible, but I don’t know if I’ll have the spare coin in time to actually get one – money’s tight right now. If there was another run, that’d be great for all of us “broke folk” out here
Distressed
I definitely prefer the distressed version, and would be more likely to buy it. It’s more eye-catching and interesting.
I agree with toning the distressed look down a bit. I love it, love the Oriental “M” and the old west font. Nice graphic mix of the ‘verse cultures. Nice work Adam!
(I hope these will be available in a womans style t-shirt. Not all of us like or look good in boxy men’s t’s.)
Distressed for clothing, but the pristine would make a great decal. Very clean artwork and a smart design. It would look fantastic on a stein or large mug, and given the subject matter, very appropriate.
Definitely the distressed. And put this one on a hoodie dammit!
William – That’s a *great* idea! I have our procurement folks looking into custom barware
Tracy – we’re exploring the hoodies, but thus far haven’t been happy with the quality of the hoodie itself. We’re trying to maintain a very high quality standard with all the Black Market Beagles stuff, so as soon as we find a hoodie that’s as good as the Ts were using, you can expect to see a number of these designs available in that format.
“…as soon as we find a hoodie that’s as good as the Ts were using, you can expect to see a number of these designs available in that format.”
Tease.
A new label made with the above Maidenhead Bar logo would like nice on a bottle. Have you ever considered a packet of loose labels for prop making fans, i.e., the Maidenhead bottle labels of Alliance Booze and Earth that Was whiskey from the film? I’d love to see an envelope stuffed with replica packaging for application on bottles that fans apply themselves. They could be dry glue backed labels that you get wet and stick to any household bottle, crate or shipping box. You could add the peaches label from the can River uses to knock out Jayne, and any other canned goods from the galley.
Yes…I’m getting ahead of myself again.
I would say the pristine. Like a few people have said, I will distress it myself after a few weeks. And you know what I think is weird? Distressed distressed t-shirts. I think new looks better after a while than distressed does. And I don’t think anything in the ‘verse is intentionally distressed. Hell, what about Inara’s skin? It’s perfect!
I like William’s suggestion about making the Maidenhead bottle labels used in the film! I’d be all over those!! I think Ben (whitefall) do some in his pre-QMx days.
I’m torn, once each will suffice, then I’ll have one in distress and one on the way!
But, if I have to choose, I’d go distressed, I’ve been that way since 2002 anyway.
I’m torn–I love images and clean graphics so I would love to have it pristine. But I love atmosphere and I think going distressed on the t-shirt would make it more ‘Verse authentic.
I’ve read the comments and I think the perfect medium would be to go distressed for the tee (and never mind the implications associated with the name) and offer the pristine logo as a large sticker or postcard or something nice and flat for us image junkies out there to collect for its own shiny sake.
And if you can put it on a hoodie–shiny! BUT if you could put it on a tank top–WAY SHINIER! Given a choice between the two, I might not buy the hoodie but I know full well I’d by the tank.