# Cold Bore Ballistics™ — Branded Merchandise Analysis

**Date:** 2026-05-28
**Status:** Internal Strategy — Not for distribution

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## Brand Asset Inventory for Merch Use

Six assets are available. Each has different characteristics that determine which production methods and product types they suit.

| Asset | Colors | Detail level | Embroidery | Screen print / DTF | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBB Apparel Monogram | 3 (navy, steel blue, warm white) | Low — thick strokes, no fine lines | **Excellent** — designed for it | Good | Hat front panel, hoodie chest, beanie |
| CBB Badge (full monogram) | 3 + double ring | Medium | Good at 3"+ | Excellent | T-shirt, patch, sticker |
| ScopeDOPE™ Reticle Icon | 2 (black, brass) | High — thin crosshair lines, small dots | Challenging below 3" | Excellent | Patches, stickers, T-shirt back |
| ScopeDOPE Wordmark (dark) | 3 (near-black, bone, brass) | Medium — scope O detail | Workable at 1.5"+ | **Excellent** | T-shirts, stickers, quarter-zip |
| ScopeDOPE Wordmark (light) | 3 (white, dark brown, brass) | Medium | Workable | **Excellent** | Light-background items |
| Ballistic Computer™ Wordmark | 2 (bone, brass) | Low | Good | **Excellent** | Stickers, T-shirt, label print |

**Primary embroidery asset:** CBB Apparel Monogram — single heavy ring, bold "CBB" monogram, heavier strokes, no fine lines. Designed specifically for embroidery.

**Primary print asset:** ScopeDOPE Wordmark (dark) — recognizable in the community, works at any scale, both color variants available.

---

## Pricing Summary

Margins calculated at midpoint of COGS and retail ranges. COGS does not include shipping to you or fulfillment costs.

| Product | Variant / Notes | COGS (est.) | Retail | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Hat — Tier 1** | New Era 59FIFTY, on-demand, embroidered | ~$48–$58 | **$99** | ~$46 | ~46% |
| **Hat — Tier 2** | Richardson 110 fitted, embroidered, 48 pcs | ~$20 | **$42–$52** | ~$27 | ~57% |
| **Hat — Tier 3** | Flexfit / Yupoong, embroidered, 48 pcs | ~$19 | **$38–$48** | ~$24 | ~56% |
| **Beanie** | Richardson R18 or Yupoong 1500KC, embroidered, 24 pcs | ~$11–$16 | **$24–$32** | ~$14 | ~52% |
| **Short sleeve — Range** | Sport-Tek ST390, DTF, 24 pcs | ~$10–$16 | **$30–$38** | ~$21 | ~62% |
| **Short sleeve — Lifestyle** | Comfort Colors 1717, screen print, 24 pcs | ~$14–$20 | **$34–$42** | ~$21 | ~55% |
| **Long sleeve — Range** | Sport-Tek ST350LS, DTF, 24 pcs | ~$12–$18 | **$38–$48** | ~$28 | ~65% |
| **Long sleeve — Lifestyle** | Comfort Colors 6014, screen print, 24 pcs | ~$14–$20 | **$38–$46** | ~$25 | ~59% |
| **Quarter-zip** | Sport-Tek ST851, embroidered left chest, 24 pcs | ~$22–$32 | **$52–$65** | ~$31 | ~54% |
| **Hoodie — Premium** | ITC IND4000, 10oz, 24 pcs | ~$30–$42 | **$66–$78** | ~$36 | ~50% |
| **Hoodie — Mid** | ITC SS4500, 8.5oz, 24 pcs | ~$28–$38 | **$54–$66** | ~$27 | ~45% |
| **Hoodie — Entry** | Gildan 18500, 8.0oz, 24 pcs | ~$16–$22 | **$38–$46** | ~$23 | ~54% |
| **Velcro patch** | 3" embroidered, 100 pcs | ~$1.50–$3.00 | **$12–$15** | ~$11 | ~82% |
| **Neck gaiter** | Full sublimation, 24 pcs | ~$10–$15 | **$32–$42** | ~$24 | ~65% |
| **Sticker** | Die-cut vinyl, waterproof | — | **TBD** | — | — |
| **Label roll (custom branded)** | ScopeDOPE / CBB, Niimbot-compatible, 100 rolls | ~$1–$3 | **$9.99** | ~$8 | ~80% |

---

## Hat Tier Framework

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### Tier 1 — New Era 59FIFTY (Fitted, Embroidered)

The on-field MLB standard. 100% wool crown, structured 6-panel, flat brim. The hat a serious competitor recognizes and respects. No adjustable closure — sized by head circumference.

**Production model: Custom made-to-order. No inventory carried.**

New Era wholesale requires purchasing through an authorized custom decorator — you don't buy blanks directly. Services like CustomLids and Dekni produce single-unit custom 59FIFTY hats with embroidery, eliminating size-run inventory management entirely. Each hat is made when ordered.

Primary use cases:
- **Sponsored shooters and brand ambassadors** — comped at cost, not sold
- **Premium retail offering** — available on-demand through the Cold Bore Ballistics web store for buyers who specifically want the Tier 1 product

**Asset:** CBB Apparel Monogram, front panel only. 2.5–3" diameter. 3-color embroidery (navy bg is the hat itself; warm white, steel blue). One-time digitizing fee: ~$75.

**On-demand unit economics:**
| Use case | COGS/hat | Retail | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsored / ambassador (comped) | ~$48–$58 | — | — | — |
| Retail sale | ~$48–$58 | $99 | ~$41–$51 | ~41%–52% |

This sits above boutique shooting sports brand giveaway pricing ($40–$50 for Nightforce, Atlas, Proof Research) and reflects the custom-made-to-order premium. A buyer who specifically wants the fitted premium hat will pay it.

---

### Tier 2 — Richardson 110 (Fitted, Embroidered)

Low-profile fitted, very popular in the outdoor/shooting space. Reads as legitimate gear, not a promotional giveaway.

**Asset:** CBB Apparel Monogram (embroidered) or ScopeDOPE wordmark (embroidered or printed).

**Cost breakdown (Richardson 110, retail $42–$52):**
| Quantity | COGS/hat | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | ~$29 | $13–$23 | 31%–44% |
| 24 | ~$23 | $19–$29 | 45%–56% |
| 48 | ~$20 | $22–$32 | 52%–62% |
| 100 | ~$16 | $26–$36 | 62%–69% |

This sits above Nightforce's adjustable trucker line ($28–$36), which is correct — Nightforce sells those as promotional items bundled with optics purchases, not standalone premium products.

---

### Tier 3 — Flexfit / Yupoong 6277 (Stretch-Fit, Embroidered)

Stretch-fit — one-size-fits-most, no size run required. Simpler inventory. The community accepts these but they are not the aspirational item.

**Asset:** CBB Apparel Monogram (embroidered front panel).

**Cost breakdown (Yupoong 6277, retail $38–$48):**
| Quantity | COGS/hat | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | ~$22 | $16–$26 | 42%–54% |
| 48 | ~$19 | $19–$29 | 50%–60% |
| 100 | ~$14 | $24–$34 | 63%–71% |

**Inventory advantage:** Flexfit eliminates the size-run problem entirely. For the first production run, Tier 3 is the operationally easiest hat to carry.

---

## Beanie / Knit Cap

Every cold-weather match has beanies. They are worn on the line, in the staging area, in every group photo taken in October through March. The CBB Apparel Monogram embroideries cleanly on a structured beanie with no size-run problem — universal fit, single SKU, no inventory complexity.

**Asset:** CBB Apparel Monogram, front panel. Same digitizing file as the fitted hat. No additional setup cost if hat digitizing is already done.

**Recommended blanks:**
- **Richardson R18** — structured cuff beanie, popular in the outdoor/workwear space. Holds embroidery well.
- **Yupoong 1500KC** — classic cuffed knit beanie, widely available, clean front panel for embroidery.
- **Under Armour Halftime** — recognizable brand in the shooting community, slightly higher blank cost.

**Cost breakdown (retail $24–$32):**
| Quantity | COGS/beanie | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | ~$11–$16 | $8–$21 | 33%–66% |
| 48 | ~$10–$14 | $10–$22 | 42%–69% |
| 100 | ~$8–$12 | $12–$24 | 50%–75% |

**No size run.** One SKU. Order as few as 12 at a time with no sizing complexity. This is the easiest cold-weather item to carry.

---

## Does Tier 1 Extend Beyond Hats?

**Short answer: No — and that's the right call.**

The New Era 59FIFTY has a recognized cultural position as the premium standard. In T-shirts there is no single brand equivalent that commands the same universal recognition within the shooting sports community. Apply the tier logic as a *quality* lens for apparel, not a brand-name requirement.

---

## Apparel — Short Sleeve (Two Distinct Products)

Short sleeve merch breaks into two fundamentally different products. Treat them as separate SKUs, not as a single item.

---

### Range Shirt — Moisture-Wicking Performance

This is what gets worn at NRL22 and PRS matches. Standing in direct sun for four to six hours, moving between stages, prone on a mat. A heavyweight cotton shirt is the wrong choice. Moisture-wicking performance fabric is the correct choice — the same reason you see Columbia PFG, Under Armour, and similar all over the line at any outdoor precision shooting event.

**Asset:** ScopeDOPE wordmark, applied via DTF (direct-to-film) transfer. Standard plastisol screen printing causes dye migration on polyester performance fabrics — the dye bleeds through the ink layer after washing and shifts the printed colors. DTF eliminates this entirely: the transfer creates a barrier layer that bonds reliably to 100% polyester and poly blends without migration or color shift.

**Recommended blank options:**
- **Sport-Tek ST390 Competitor Cotton Touch** — 100% polyester but feels like a cotton shirt, not a jersey. Moisture-wicking. Very printable via DTF. Good drape.
- **Columbia PFG Tamiami-style button-up** — the reference product in the outdoor/fishing/shooting community. Vented back, UPF 40+, chest pocket, roll-tab sleeves. Custom sourcing required for branded versions.
- **Under Armour HeatGear Tee** — recognizable brand in the shooting community, available through authorized decorators at small quantities.

**Cost breakdown (Sport-Tek ST390, DTF, retail $30–$38):**
| Quantity | COGS/shirt | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | ~$10–$16 | $14–$28 | 47%–74% |

**No setup fee** for DTF — no screens required. Minimum order can be as low as 1 piece.

---

### Lifestyle / Casual Shirt — Heavyweight Cotton

This is what gets worn away from the range — travel, daily wear, casual events. Different buyer context from the range shirt even if it's the same person.

**Asset:** ScopeDOPE wordmark or CBB badge — standard screen print or DTF.

**Cost breakdown (Comfort Colors 1717, screen print, retail $34–$42):**
| Quantity | COGS/shirt | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | ~$14–$20 | $14–$28 | 41%–67% |

**Reference points:** GamersNexus sells 100% cotton logo tees at $25–$30 to a general tech audience. Sitka Gear and First Lite — whose buyers overlap significantly with NRL22 competitors — price T-shirts at $45–$65. Cold Bore Ballistics should price at or above the tech creator reference, not below the outdoor/shooting brand reference.

---

## Apparel — Long Sleeve

Same two-product logic applies. Long sleeve at a match is sun protection, not warmth — which means performance fabric with UPF rating is the correct choice, not cotton.

---

### Range / Performance Long Sleeve

- **Columbia PFG Tamiami II Long Sleeve** or equivalent — the reference product. Button-up, UPF 40, vented, roll-tab sleeve. Widely worn at outdoor matches. Custom branded versions require sourcing through a Columbia authorized decorator or a comparable manufacturer.
- **Sport-Tek ST350LS Long Sleeve Competitor Tee** — 100% polyester, moisture-wicking. DTF print. Budget-friendly blank ($5–$10).

**Cost breakdown (Sport-Tek ST350LS, DTF, retail $38–$48):**
| Quantity | COGS/shirt | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | ~$12–$18 | $20–$36 | 53%–75% |

---

### Lifestyle / Casual Long Sleeve

Comfort Colors 6014 long sleeve — same garment-dyed heavyweight cotton as the 1717, in long sleeve. Different season/context use case from the performance version.

**Cost breakdown (Comfort Colors 6014, screen print, retail $38–$46):**
| Quantity | COGS/shirt | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | ~$14–$20 | $18–$32 | 47%–70% |

---

## Apparel — Quarter-Zip Performance Pullover

The gap between a long sleeve shirt and a hoodie is where most fall range days live — cool enough to want a layer, not cold enough to want fleece. The quarter-zip is the standard answer to that gap in the outdoor/shooting community. Walk any PRS or NRL22 match in September or October and count them.

Performance fabric is correct here for the same reason it is for shirts. A cotton sweatshirt quarter-zip reads as casual; a moisture-wicking performance quarter-zip reads as range gear. These get worn on the line and in the staging area throughout a match day.

**Asset:** ScopeDOPE wordmark or CBB badge — left chest embroidery, 2.5–3" wide. Embroidery on performance polyester works well at this location.

**Recommended blank:**
- **Sport-Tek ST851 Sport-Wick Stretch Half-Zip** — 100% polyester stretch woven, moisture-wicking, 4-way stretch. Clean profile. Widely available through custom decorators. The reference blank for performance quarter-zips in the custom apparel space.
- **Charles River Apparel 9763** — alternative with slightly heavier hand, popular in the outdoor/workwear space.

**Cost breakdown (Sport-Tek ST851, embroidered left chest, retail $52–$65):**
| Quantity | COGS/piece | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | ~$22–$32 | $20–$43 | 38%–66% |
| 48 | ~$20–$28 | $24–$45 | 46%–69% |

POD is available for quarter-zips through Printful/Printify at slightly lower margins — appropriate at launch before demand is proven.

---

## Apparel — Hoodies

**Asset:** CBB badge or ScopeDOPE wordmark — left chest embroidery or full front screen print.

Hoodies are high-value at cold-weather matches and make strong community seeding items. Heavy is correct here — lightweight fashion hoodies feel wrong at a range.

**Cost breakdown (retail by tier, 24 pcs):**
| Tier | Model | Weight | COGS | Retail | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Premium** | ITC IND4000 | **10oz** | ~$30–$42 | $66–$78 | $24–$48 | 36%–62% |
| **Mid** | ITC SS4500 | 8.5oz | ~$28–$38 | $54–$66 | $16–$38 | 30%–58% |
| **Entry** | Gildan 18500 | 8.0oz | ~$16–$22 | $38–$46 | $16–$30 | 42%–65% |

**ITC IND4000** — 10oz 70/30 ring-spun cotton/polyester, 3-end fleece with 100% cotton face. Split-stitch double-needle seams throughout, fleece-lined hood, tear-away label. Genuinely heavyweight — in the Carhartt weight class. This is the right blank for a precision rifle brand selling to buyers who spend $3,000+ on a rifle.

**Reference points:** LTT Store hoodies retail at $50–$70 to a general tech audience. Nightforce's heavyweight 10oz hoodie is priced above their standard apparel line. First Lite and Sitka hoodies — sold to the same demographic as NRL22 competitors — run $90–$120. The IND4000 at $66–$78 after all adjustments is fully defensible.

---

## Patches — Velcro-Backed (High Priority Item)

**This is the highest-signal item in the list.** Precision rifle competitors wear patches on range bags, shooting mats, MOLLE panels, and spotting scope bags. A velcro patch at a match is seen by everyone at the line.

**Asset:** ScopeDOPE Reticle Icon — the scope crosshair with ballistic drop arc is immediately readable as a shooting-sports brand. At 3" this embroiders well. Alternatively: CBB monogram badge.

**Size recommendation:** 3" round or 3.5" round. Standard morale patch format. Velcro hook backing (loop side on patch; shooters already have hook panels on most gear).

**Market comparables for pricing context:**
- Nightforce PVC Medallion Patch (velcro) — [$5.00](https://www.nightforceoptics.com/apparel/patches/nightforce-pvc-medallion-patch) direct from Nightforce (promo pricing)
- Violent Little Machine Shop tactical embroidered patches — [$10–$14](https://www.amazon.com/Shooters-Morale-Violent-Little-Machine/dp/B07ZZKGB77) on Amazon
- SHOT Show brand patches (secondary market) — $10–$16

Nightforce's $5 patch is sold at promotional pricing. The boutique/collector ceiling is $12–$15 for quality embroidered. Cold Bore Ballistics should price at the boutique tier, not the promo tier.

**Cost breakdown (3" embroidered, velcro, retail $12–$15):**
| Quantity | COGS/patch | Setup fee | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $3.50–$5.00 | ~$45 | $7.00–$11.50 | 58%–77% |
| 100 | $1.50–$3.00 | ~$45 | $9.00–$13.50 | 75%–90% |
| 250 | $1.20–$2.00 | ~$45 | $10.00–$13.80 | 83%–92% |

**PVC patches** are an alternative — more durable, cleaner fine-detail reproduction of the scope reticle, weather-resistant, no thread to fray. Cost is similar. Worth requesting a PVC quote alongside embroidered.

---

## Stickers

Low-cost, zero-friction brand distribution. Every shooter has a rifle case, range bag, or vehicle that accepts stickers.

**Assets:** ScopeDOPE Wordmark (dark) — die-cut. CBB badge — die-cut circle.

**Cost breakdown (die-cut vinyl, waterproof, outdoor-rated):**
| Quantity | Cost/each | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | $0.80–$1.50 | Setup fee ~$20–$30 |
| 250 | $0.50–$0.90 | |
| 500 | $0.30–$0.55 | |

**Retail price: TBD.** Include one free with hat or apparel purchases — the cost per unit in quantity is negligible and the brand mileage on a rifle case or vehicle is disproportionate to cost.

---

## Neck Gaiter / Buff

Common at cold-weather outdoor matches. Worn around the neck, pulled up as a face covering in wind, or worn as a beanie. Full sublimation print — the complex ScopeDOPE reticle icon is well-suited here, since sublimation handles fine detail.

**Cost breakdown (retail $32–$42):**
| Quantity | COGS/each | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | $10–$15 | $17–$32 | 53%–76% |
| 48 | $8–$12 | $20–$34 | 63%–81% |

---

## Label Roll (Custom Branded)

ScopeDOPE / Cold Bore Ballistics branded thermal label rolls, Niimbot B1 and B21 Pro compatible (48mm, same roll width). Produced via Niimbot's custom consumable program. See `COLD_BORE_STARTUP_GUIDE.md` §4.0 for inquiry details, template, and pricing tiers.

**Cost breakdown (100 rolls, retail capped at $9.99):**
| Quantity | COGS/roll | Retail | $ Margin | % Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | ~$1–$3 | $9.99 | $6.99–$8.99 | 70%–90% |

---

## Fulfillment: Local Shops, Online Decorators & Storefronts

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### Local Shops — Near Mukwonago, WI

All distance estimates are from Village of Mukwonago. Pricing is quote-based at all local shops unless noted — contact each for a CBB-specific quote.

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**Maple Avenue Printing & Embroidery** — ~10 min (Muskego/New Berlin area)
Site: mapleavenue.com

The closest option and the most natural fit. Explicitly serves Waukesha, Muskego, Mukwonago, and New Berlin. 30+ years in business. In-house screen printing and embroidery — hats, shirts, jackets, hoodies. They understand the local business market and are accustomed to small brand runs. The first call to make. Can likely handle hats, apparel, and patches as a single vendor.

- Capabilities: Screen printing, embroidery, hats, polos, outerwear
- Minimum orders: Call to confirm — likely 12–24 pcs for embroidery
- Pricing: Quote-based
- **Best for: One-stop local decorator, ongoing relationship**

---

**WSPE (Waukesha Screen Printing & Embroidery)** — ~15 min (Waukesha)
Site: waukeshascreenprinting.com

Full-service decorator with a dedicated contract services program for brands and resellers. Handles screen printing, embroidery, DTF, hats, and hoodies. Has published pricing tiers (quote via site) and positioned specifically for growing businesses. Has an online storefront for reorders, which reduces friction on repeat runs.

- Capabilities: Screen printing, DTF, embroidery, hats, corporate apparel
- Contract services: Yes — explicitly offers production partnership for brands
- Pricing: Get a Quote via website, includes mockup approval before production
- **Best for: Apparel bulk runs, split-decorator scenario (shirts here, hats elsewhere)**

---

**Eggers Imprints** — ~35 min (Brown Deer, near Milwaukee)
Site: eggersimprints.com | Contact: eggersimprints.com/contact

The most capable local option. 82 employees, two Wisconsin facilities, three production shifts. Full in-house: screen printing, embroidery, DTF, sublimation, full appliqué patches, chenille, kitting, polybagging, warehousing, and **fulfillment/dropshipping**. The fulfillment capability is significant — Eggers can warehouse CBB inventory and do pick-and-pack on orders, functioning as a 3PL. That makes them a candidate for a full-service brand partner at scale, not just a decorator.

- Capabilities: Everything — hats, shirts, hoodies, patches (appliqué, chenille, embroidered), sublimation, kitting
- Fulfillment: Yes — warehousing, polybagging, custom tagging, dropshipping
- No project too small or too large per their own language
- Pricing: Quote-based; call or use contact form
- **Best for: Single vendor for everything at meaningful scale; 3PL candidate when POD is outgrown**

---

**Geiger Awards & Apparel** — ~15 min (Waukesha)
Site: geigerawards.com

Full custom apparel shop with 300+ thread colors, in-house embroidery, screen printing, and digital printing. Good for lower-quantity runs and one-off orders. More retail-oriented than contract-oriented — comfortable with small orders that Eggers might deprioritize.

- Capabilities: Embroidery, screen printing, digital printing, hats, apparel
- Pricing: Quote-based
- **Best for: Small runs, one-off hat orders, quick-turn needs**

---

**Needleworks USA** — Wisconsin (ships nationally)
Site: needleworksusa.com

Specializes in custom embroidered and PVC patches. Serves Waukesha area. Velcro backing, iron-on, sew-on options. Worth a direct quote specifically for the ScopeDOPE reticle patch and CBB monogram patch alongside any other decorator quote.

- Capabilities: Embroidered patches, PVC patches, apparel embroidery
- MOQ: No stated minimum
- Pricing: Get Quote on site
- **Best for: Velcro patch production — compare against RushOrderTees**

---

### Online Decorators — Bulk

For runs where local turnaround is not critical or local capacity is constrained.

---

**RushOrderTees** — rushordertees.com

Full-service online decorator. Embroidered hats minimum 6 pcs; screen print minimum 3 pcs. Standard turnaround 9–12 business days with free shipping; rush options to 2–6 days. Rolling volume discount — per-unit price drops with quantity. Covers hats, shirts, hoodies, beanies, quarter-zips, patches.

- Hat embroidery: min 6 pcs, rolling discount pricing (use quote calculator on site)
- Screen print: min 3 pcs
- Turnaround: 9–12 days standard, 2–6 days rush
- Shipping: Free on most orders
- **Best for: Patch runs, hat overruns, filling gaps between local runs**

---

**CustomInk** — customink.com

The mainstream brand recognition pick. Design lab with mockup preview. Group ordering tools. Slightly higher pricing than RushOrderTees but strong quality control and customer service. Better for one-time runs or community group orders (NRL22 club, match sponsor kit).

- MOQ: Varies by product; hats typically 6+
- Pricing: Quote via design lab
- Turnaround: 2+ weeks standard
- **Best for: Match sponsorship kits, event runs, one-time group orders**

---

### POD Platforms — No Inventory

For shirts, hoodies, quarter-zips, beanies, and neck gaiters at launch. Zero inventory risk; lower margin than bulk.

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**Printful** — printful.com | Integrates: Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy

The quality-first POD option. All production in-house — no third-party provider variability. Quality checks on every order. Custom hat prices range from $11.72 to $36; embroidery digitizing is a one-time fee of up to $6.50. Shirts ~$12 base; hoodies ~$25–$35 depending on blank. Printful allows outside labels on all clothing items and hats across their entire catalog — branded neck labels turn every POD shipment into a branded experience. Custom packaging inserts available.

- Hats (embroidered): ~$14–$36 depending on style
- T-shirts: ~$12–$15
- Hoodies: ~$25–$35
- Beanies: ~$13–$18 embroidered
- Quarter-zip: ~$28–$38
- Neck gaiter: ~$13–$18
- Embroidery digitizing: up to $6.50 one-time per design
- No minimum orders
- Margin at POD pricing vs bulk: ~30–40% vs 50–65%+
- **Best for: POD launch across all soft goods; branded label program**

---

**Printify** — printify.com | Integrates: Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy

Network of 80+ print providers globally. On a standard Gildan t-shirt, Printify runs roughly $4 cheaper per shirt than Printful. Free plan available; Premium plan at $29/mo adds 20% discount on all products. Quality varies by provider — vet print providers using the Print Provider Performance Score before committing. Printify Choice offers a curated fixed-price tier across 30+ popular items.

- T-shirts: ~$8–$10 (vs Printful ~$12)
- Hoodies: ~$17–$22 depending on blank and provider
- Embroidery: available through select providers
- Free plan or $29/mo Premium
- **Best for: Cost-sensitive POD, testing new SKUs before committing to bulk; use Printful for embroidered items**

---

### 59FIFTY On-Demand Specific

The 59FIFTY requires specialized vendors — standard decorators don't carry blanks.

- **CustomLids** (customlids.com) — single-unit custom 59FIFTY with embroidery; primary recommendation
- **Dekni Creations** (deknimfg.com) — small-batch custom hat production including fitted styles
- No local shop equivalent — this product must go online regardless

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### Storefronts

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**Shopify Basic** — $29/mo (annual) or $39/mo (monthly)
shopify.com

Shopify Basic at $39/month billed monthly (or $29/month annual) carries a 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee when using Shopify Payments — no additional transaction fee on top of that. Unlimited products, full SEO tools, abandoned cart recovery, built-in blog, and a deep app ecosystem. Native integrations with Printful and Printify push products to the store and sync orders to the printer automatically. Premium themes are a one-time cost of $140–$350 if desired; free themes are functional.

The standard choice for a brand that plans to grow. The $29–$39/mo cost is recoverable at very low sales volume. Migrate here if starting on Big Cartel once revenue is consistent.

- Monthly: $39 | Annual: $29/mo
- Transaction fee: 2.9% + $0.30 (Shopify Payments; 0% additional)
- Products: Unlimited
- Printful/Printify integration: Native, first-class
- **Recommended platform for Cold Bore Ballistics**

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**Big Cartel** — Free–$30/mo
bigcartel.com

Plans range from $0 (Gold — free, 5 products) to $15/mo (Platinum — 50 products; $12/mo billed annually) to $30/mo (Diamond — 500 products). No transaction fees from Big Cartel — standard Stripe/PayPal fees (2.9% + $0.30) still apply. Minimal setup, no contracts, month-to-month. Lacks abandoned cart recovery, app ecosystem, and advanced SEO. Sufficient for a launch with 5 or fewer SKUs on the free plan. (Pricing verified 2026-06-09.)

Use Big Cartel to test the store concept before committing to Shopify, or if keeping the catalog intentionally small.

- Free (Gold): 5 products | $15/mo (Platinum): 50 products | $30/mo (Diamond): 500 products
- No Big Cartel transaction fee; Stripe 2.9% + $0.30 still applies
- Printful integration: Available (less seamless than Shopify)
- **Best for: Zero-cost launch with ≤5 SKUs; step-up to Shopify when ready**

---

**WooCommerce + WordPress** — Free plugin; hosting ~$5–$15/mo
woocommerce.com

Maximum control and customization. Pairs with virtually any payment processor. Works with Printful. Requires WordPress setup and ongoing maintenance — manageable for someone with a technical background, but adds operational overhead that Shopify eliminates. Not recommended unless there's a specific reason to own the infrastructure (existing WordPress site, specific plugin requirements, hosting already paid for).

- Plugin: Free
- Hosting: ~$5–$15/mo (SiteGround, WP Engine, DreamHost, etc.)
- Printful/Printify integration: Available
- **Best for: Technical users who want full control; otherwise, Shopify wins on total cost of operation**

---

### Fulfillment Strategy by Phase

| Phase | Hats | Apparel / Hoodies | Patches | Storefront |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Launch** | Local (Maple Ave or WSPE) + CustomLids for 59FIFTY | Printful POD | RushOrderTees or Needleworks USA | Big Cartel (free) or Shopify Basic |
| **~1,000 installs** | Local bulk runs | Mix: Printful POD + local bulk for top SKUs | Local (Eggers or Needleworks) | Shopify Basic |
| **~3,000+ installs** | Local bulk, ambassador comps | Local bulk (Eggers with fulfillment) | Local bulk | Shopify Basic or Grow |

---

## Product Priority Matrix

| Product | Community signal | Capital required | Inventory risk | POD available | Recommended timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range patch (velcro) | Very high | Very low | Very low | No | Before launch — small run |
| Tier 1 hat (59FIFTY) | Very high | None (on-demand) | None | No | At launch — on-demand only |
| Tier 3 hat (Flexfit) | High | Low | Very low (one size) | No | Launch or just after |
| Beanie | High | Low | Very low (one size) | No | Launch or just after |
| Stickers | Medium | Very low | None | Yes (some) | Before launch |
| Range shirt (performance) | High | Low | Low | Yes (Printful/Printify) | Launch — use POD |
| Lifestyle shirt (cotton) | High | Low | Low | Yes (Printful/Printify) | Launch — use POD |
| Quarter-zip | High | Low | Low | Yes (Printful/Printify) | Launch — use POD |
| Hoodie | High | Medium | Low | Yes (Printful/Printify) | Launch — use POD |
| Neck gaiter | Medium | Low | Low | Yes (Printful/Printify) | Launch — use POD |
| Tier 2 hat (Richardson) | High | Low | Low (size run) | No | ~1,000 installs |
| Label roll (custom branded) | High | Low | Low | No | ~1,000 installs |

**POD strategy:** For shirts, quarter-zips, hoodies, and gaiters — use Printful or Printify at launch. Zero inventory commitment. Margin is lower (~30–40% vs 50–60%+ for bulk) but there is no capital risk and no fulfillment overhead. Graduate to bulk production at proven demand.

---

## Gold / Silver / Bronze .dope Submission Credit System

### Background

The aggregated DOPE database is the primary strategic moat. To build it, users need an incentive to submit their sessions. The Gold/Silver/Bronze credit system ties data contribution quality to merchandise redemption — incentivizing not just submissions, but high-quality submissions.

**Critical constraint:** §4.6 of SPEC.md establishes a hard no-accounts requirement for the core app. A credit system inherently requires identity. This feature must be implemented as an opt-in add-on — users who want to participate create a voluntary Community Account. The core app remains fully functional without any account.

---

### Credit Tier Definitions

These align directly with the existing validation tier framework:

**Gold Submission**
- Environmental data completeness: 85%+ (all five fields: wind speed, temperature, pressure, humidity, altitude)
- Confirmed impacts: 3 or more at 2+ distinct distances
- Ammo lot number recorded
- Session shot from cold bore (noted in session)
- Effectively: a complete, field-validated session that could be used as a Tier 1 benchmark

**Silver Submission**
- Environmental data completeness: 40–84%
- Confirmed impacts: 2 or more at 1+ distinct distances
- Ammo name recorded (lot number optional)
- Partial data, still useful for population statistics

**Bronze Submission**
- Environmental data completeness: below 40%
- At least 1 confirmed impact
- Useful for robustness testing, limited for accuracy analysis

---

### Credit Values and Merchandise Redemption

| Submission tier | Credit value | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $8.00 | Genuine field effort, full data, directly useful for the DOPE database |
| Silver | $3.00 | Partial data, meaningful but limited environmental context |
| Bronze | $1.00 | Baseline participation reward; minimal lift for data quality |

**Redemption table:**

| Merchandise item | Retail | Gold submissions | Silver submissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velcro patch | ~$13.50 | 2 | 5 |
| Sticker 3-pack | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Beanie | ~$28 | 4 | 10 |
| Tier 3 hat (Flexfit) | ~$43 | 6 | 15 |
| Tier 2 hat (Richardson) | ~$47 | 6 | 16 |
| Tier 1 hat (59FIFTY) | $99 | 13 | 33 |
| T-shirt (Comfort Colors) | ~$38 | 5 | 13 |
| Quarter-zip | ~$58 | 8 | 20 |
| Hoodie (ITC IND4000) | ~$72 | 9 | 24 |
| Custom label roll | $9.99 | 2 | 4 |

---

### Design Principles

**Credits never expire.** A shooter who submits data and earns credits should be able to redeem them at any time. Expiring credits would feel extractive — exactly the wrong signal from a brand that promises no-subscription transparency.

**Credits are additive.** 8 Bronze submissions = 1 Gold submission in redemption value. Keep it simple and fair.

**Maximum credits per session.** To prevent gaming, cap at one credited submission per calendar day per account. A shooter who empties a magazine at one distance and submits five identical sessions shouldn't receive five credits.

**Bronze submissions need at least 1 confirmed impact.** Pure atmospheric data with no impacts is not worth crediting — the confirmed impact is what validates the session as real range data, not a test entry.

**Display the credits in-app** as an optional widget — not a default feature. Users who haven't opted into the Community Account don't see it. Users who have see a credit balance and a simple "Redeem" link to the Cold Bore Ballistics web store.

---

### Timing

This system should not launch at v1.0. The core app, the DOPE database infrastructure, and a functioning web store need to exist first. Realistic launch timing: v1.5 or v2.0, once the install base justifies the operational overhead of fulfilling merchandise orders.

Pre-launch action: Reserve the concept. Note it in SPEC.md §19 under Future Monetization. It should not appear in marketing until it can be delivered.

---

## Document Control

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| **Document owner** | `jschwefel@coldboreballisticsllc.com` |
| **Classification** | Highly Confidential (04_-_Highly_Confidential/) |
| **Location** | `OneDrive/ScopeDOPE/04_-_Highly_Confidential/Marketing_Guide/CBB_MERCH_ANALYSIS.md` |
| **Cross-references** | `SCOPEDOPE_MARKETING_GUIDE.md` |
| **Created** | 2026-06-01 |
| **Last updated** | 2026-06-09 |
| **Next full review due** | 2027-06-01 |

---

## Revision Control Block

| Rev | Date | Changed By | Reviewed By | Approved By | Summary |
|-----|------|------------|-------------|-------------|---------|
| 0.9 | 2026-06-01 | jschwefel | — | — | Initial release |
| DRAFT | 2026-06-09 | Claude (Opus 4.8) | — | — | Removed Cloudflare from the WooCommerce hosting options per the standing no-Cloudflare directive (also a category error — Cloudflare is not a WordPress host). Corrected Big Cartel pricing to verified 2026 plans (Gold free / Platinum $15/mo / Diamond $30/mo; was $9.99/$29.99); confirmed Shopify Basic ($39 monthly / $29 annual, 2.9%+$0.30) as accurate. Applied ™ to first use of Cold Bore Ballistics, ScopeDOPE, Ballistic Computer (asset-name first occurrences). Tightened one POD-integration description (removed "seamless"). Apparel/blank COGS ranges not independently re-verified — vendor-quote-dependent and explicitly hedged. |
