# Self-Referential Tees The Kickstarter T-Shirt is a Creative Way to Self-Promote By Christopher DeLuca | Published 2011-06-06 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kickstarter-t-shirt References: [kickstarter](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yancey/this-is-not-a-kickstarter-shirt?ref=small_projects) & [kickstarter](http://www.kickstarter.com/) The [Kickstarter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graftek-basics) T-Shirt, created by company cofounder Yancey Strickler, plays with the website's predominant iconography in a very clever way. The T-shirt, called 'this is not a Kickstarter T-shirt,' has the number of backers, the amount of money raised and the number days left for the project printed on it. The self-referential T-shirt will have the stats from its own project printed on it. If three hundred people invest and buy the t-shirt and it raises $5,000, those numbers will be printed on the tee. This [Kickstarter project](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kickstarter-2025) is a cerebral one that is essentially producing [limited edition t-shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capsule-tee) for anyone that wants one. Strickler envisions the self-selecting Kickstarter T-shirt group to have a unique experience when they meet each other wearing their apparel randomly in public. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 1% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Self-referential Apparel:** The trend of creating self-referential clothing items that play with symbols and icons of popular websites can be leveraged by brands to engage with their online audience. - **Crowdfunding Merchandise:** The trend of creating branded merchandise through crowdfunding platforms can be a lucrative source of revenue for startups and small businesses. - **Limited Edition T-shirts:** The trend of producing limited edition t-shirts as a marketing strategy can be an effective way for businesses to create a sense of exclusivity and increase brand awareness. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion:** The fashion industry can use the trend of self-referential apparel to create playful, unique designs that resonate with consumers. - **Crowdfunding:** Crowdfunding platforms can leverage the trend of crowdfunding merchandise to attract more creators and provide their users with a wider variety of products. - **Marketing:** Businesses can use the trend of producing limited edition t-shirts as a marketing strategy to generate buzz and promote their brands in a cost-effective way. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Effortless AI T-Shirt Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-t.md) - [Receipt-Inspired Graphic T-Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/made-to-order.md) - [Burger Branded Button-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bbh.md) - [Connection-Driven Apparel Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cool-to-connect-1.md) - [Unique T-Shirt Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airknitx-tshirt.md) - [Cult Film-Inspired Graphic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capsule-tee.md) - [Crowdfunded Graphene-Infused Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graftek-basics.md) - [Artistic Apparel Illustrations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uniqlo-and-kenshi-yonezu.md) - [Viral Criminal Merchandise](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/i-can-fix-him.md)