FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Everything a creator usually asks before a first drop: what Tandem does, what it costs, how the split works, and how a pre-order drop runs. Short version: you promote, we fund and operate, we split the net revenue, and you carry no inventory risk.
About Tandem
What is Tandem Studio?
Tandem Studio is a Chicago-based creator-commerce studio that designs, funds, produces and sells premium product for creators. The creator promotes; Tandem operates everything else; both split the net revenue.
What does Tandem actually do for me?
Tandem runs the entire backend of your product business: ideation, design, funding, production, fulfillment, customer service and the money side. You only promote to your audience.
How is Tandem different from Fanjoy or print-on-demand?
Traditional merch partners and print-on-demand push generic, commoditized apparel and often fund inventory up front. Tandem builds premium, specialized product and pre-orders every drop before producing it, so there's near-zero inventory risk and the product reflects your brand.
Money & the split
Does it cost me anything to work with Tandem?
No. There's no upfront cost to the creator. Tandem funds product, fulfillment and fees and recovers those costs from sales before splitting the net revenue.
What's the revenue split?
Net revenue is split between you and Tandem, with a generous share to you and the larger share to Tandem to fund the current run and the next. The exact split is agreed with you in writing and reported line-by-line.
What does "net" mean?
Net = gross sales − product cost − fulfillment − payment and platform fees − returns. The split is applied to that net figure and reported line-by-line.
When do I get paid?
After a drop closes and ships, you receive a line-item report and payment within 15–30 days.
How a drop works
How does a drop work?
A drop runs in four steps: Tandem designs the product, you promote it, your audience pre-orders during a short window, and Tandem produces to the exact pre-order count. Then you get paid.
How long does a drop take?
A short pre-order window (typically one to two weeks) followed by made-to-order production. Your audience always gets a specific ship-by date up front.
What if the pre-order minimum isn't reached?
If a drop doesn't hit its minimum order quantity, everyone is fully refunded and nothing is produced. You're never stuck with unsold inventory.
Will I get stuck with leftover inventory?
No. Because production matches the exact pre-order count, there is no overstock.
Fit & getting started
Who does Tandem work with?
Creators in roughly the 50K–1M follower range, the engaged creator middle class, with identity-driven audiences. Tandem is Chicago-first.
Do I need a huge following?
No. Engagement and audience identity matter more than raw follower count.
How do I start?
Email [email protected] or use the contact page. If it's a fit, Tandem comes back with a drop idea and the numbers behind it. No cost, no commitment.