Bustedtees
BustedTees is one of the original online t-shirt marketplaces, known for its witty, meme-style, and pop culture-inspired apparel. Founded in 2004, it became popular for funny, clever, and nostalgic designs — many created by independent artists. The brand now operates under Teespring (Spring), continuing its legacy with print-on-demand fulfillment, regular promotions, and a loyal customer base that loves humor-driven tees. Below you’ll find how BustedTees works, its main features, pros & cons, practical selling tips, and top alternatives.
How BustedTees Works
BustedTees operates as a humor and pop culture-focused print-on-demand marketplace. Artists and writers create witty, clever, or nostalgic t-shirt designs that connect with internet humor, movies, and trends. BustedTees prints on demand, meaning products are made only when ordered — no inventory or upfront costs. Its catalog focuses on funny phrases, puns, and cultural references, appealing to both casual shoppers and collectors of classic meme-style shirts.
Founded: 2004 (acquired by Teespring/Spring)
Cost: Free to join for featured artists
Fulfillment: Handled by Teespring’s production network
Style: Humor, parody, nostalgia, memes, and pop culture
Audience: Comedy fans, gamers, TV/movie enthusiasts
Key Features
Humor-Driven Catalog
Focused on witty phrases, pop culture mashups, and internet memes that appeal to broad audiences.
Curated Submissions
Designs are curated for tone, humor, and originality — maintaining a consistent, brand-specific style.
Print-on-Demand Fulfillment
All products are printed and shipped on demand, powered by Teespring’s fulfillment infrastructure.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong legacy and established brand recognition
- Curated humor-focused niche with loyal fanbase
- Powered by Teespring — easy logistics and global shipping
- Frequent discounts drive consistent buyer activity
- Appeals to designers who enjoy wordplay and parody art
Cons
- Curated — not open to all artist uploads
- Designs must match a specific comedic tone and audience
- Limited visibility compared to larger marketplaces like Redbubble
- Mostly apparel — fewer product types for expansion
Best For
Comedians, writers, illustrators, and pop culture artists who create funny, clever, or nostalgic designs and want to sell through an established comedy-centric t-shirt brand.
Pricing & Artist Earnings
Pricing is determined by BustedTees, with artist commissions based on sales volume and internal agreements. Since the platform is managed under Teespring (Spring), payout models follow their print-on-demand structure — meaning artists earn per sale, with no inventory or upfront costs.
Content & IP Guidelines
BustedTees allows parody and comedic expression but prohibits direct use of copyrighted images, logos, or content. Successful submissions often rely on clever wordplay or subtle cultural references rather than direct replication. Maintaining originality and humor consistency is key to being featured.
Practical Tips to Succeed
- Write witty, short punchlines that instantly grab attention.
- Use bold, legible typography that works well on dark shirts.
- Play with trends — news, pop culture moments, viral memes.
- Keep humor clean and universal for broader appeal.
- Follow BustedTees’ social channels to understand tone and trending styles.
Where BustedTees Fits in Your POD Stack
BustedTees fills a niche between mainstream marketplaces (like Redbubble) and daily deal sites (like TeeFury or Ript Apparel). It’s best suited for humor-based designs and witty slogans, while your other POD platforms can cover art, photography, or apparel niches.
Alternatives
FAQ
Can anyone sell on BustedTees?
Not directly. Designs are curated and selected based on brand fit and humor style. Artists can submit via Teespring or pitch collaborations.
Does BustedTees still operate independently?
It now operates under Teespring (Spring), sharing their fulfillment system and technology while keeping its original comedic identity.
What kind of designs perform best?
Clever, funny, and culturally aware phrases or minimal illustrations that connect instantly with humor-loving audiences.