FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
Who the fuck is Ernie?
Hi, I'm Ernie! Well, not really. But kind of, yes. My name is Kana (which is Hawaiian for Jan and has been my nickname for many years), and in the summer of 2025, I founded a small business called ERNIE & SHIRT. So, no, Ernie isn't a real person. Ernie is more of a spirit: Ernie is funny and cheeky, not always entirely conventional, but basically a nice guy and reliable. I'm responsible for the designs, and my husband, Percy, handles our marketing. We don't do this full-time; it's a side hustle. We're not getting rich from it, but we enjoy it a lot. By the way, we both work full-time in a hospital. It started as a hobby because we designed our own shirts when we couldn't find what the shops offered. Friends kept asking if we would make something for them, and that's how this little shop grew out of our graphic design hobby. We're glad you're visiting us!
Online shops are causing small shops in city centers to die out!
If we could, we'd love to offer our products in a physical store. If you know someone who might be interested in stocking our items, please get in touch. We can't do it ourselves, as it's just a side business and our main jobs keep us very busy. That leaves us with only one option: an online shop.
Do you use AI?
Some of the models wearing our clothing in the photos are AI-generated. This is the most cost-effective and time-saving way to showcase our products. For the designs used on our products, AI is primarily used to improve files for printing or to check for licensing issues. The majority of our designs are still created using traditional image editing software.
What exactly do you do?
In our online shop, we offer our own designs that you won't find anywhere else. Some say: And rightly so! Perhaps, as we cater to a small niche that has already earned us a small local reputation. Our designs are created near Hamburg, and we'd be happy to create a custom design just for you! And it doesn't always have to be a t-shirt; there's almost nothing we can't print on. We collaborate with various production partners who transform the designs we provide into wonderful items. And most of it is still done by hand! We also offer merchandise for artists, so you don't have to worry about a thing.
Aren't there already enough suppliers of printed T-shirts?
Yes, we haven't reinvented the wheel with our shop, that's true. And of course, there are numerous suppliers of printed textiles. But firstly, they don't offer the designs we envision, and secondly, they don't create personalized designs for the customer. Sure, you can upload your finished design elsewhere, but with us, we create the design for you in the first place, and you can be sure that it ends up on ethically sourced cotton and wasn't sewn by a child in Bangladesh.
My package is coming from Latvia; I think you're a German company?
Yes, we are a German company and initially worked exclusively with local production partners. Unfortunately, over time we realized that the quality left something to be desired. We then searched throughout Europe and found the perfect partner in Olga and her team in Latvia. They produce our products with great care and professional, high-quality workmanship. And mostly by hand! We also have a fantastic partner in Spain. Therefore, you may see "ERNIE & SHIRT Latvia" (Latvia) or "ERNIE & SHIRT Espana" (Spain) listed as the sender on your order. However, we are your local contact here, and you can count on top quality!
Why should I buy from you?
Firstly, you're supporting a small business that works with love, joy, and the utmost care, unlike a large, anonymous corporation. As a small, part-time business, we don't get rich from our sales, but we're happy with every penny that comes in. Some of it goes directly to charitable causes that we're happy to support. Secondly, our products are GOTS-certified. This means that the cotton is grown and harvested ethically, the farmers are paid fairly, the seamstresses don't work in inhumane conditions, and the printing is done in an environmentally friendly way without toxic substances. Our products are only printed after you purchase them. This avoids overproduction, which might end up in the trash, and saves energy that a warehouse would consume for electricity and heating. Of course, this means your item won't arrive the next day unless we happen to have it in stock. Then we will gladly deliver it to you personally in the postal code areas 22926 and 22927.
I've never heard of you before, are you reputable?
Then you should definitely get to know us! Our small business is properly registered, we have an official business license, and we are also listed with the Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Naturally, we comply with all applicable regulations. You can find our address in our legal notice, and you can see our faces in our photos. In our customer service, we even offer our phone number for WhatsApp contact. Amazon and other similar companies don't offer that! By the way, we closed our Etsy shop because of the fees; it just wasn't profitable for us. And if we do happen to run off with your money, you'll find us somewhere on a beautiful palm-fringed beach ;-)
When and how will the shipment take place?
Depending on the item, production of your order typically takes 1-5 business days. Shipping within Germany is free and is usually handled by DHL, Hermes, or DPD. This can vary and cannot be selected. Delivery usually takes 3-5 days. For international shipping, we have limited control over the logistics provider. For shipments to Switzerland, it is usually Asendia. In postal code areas 22926 and 22927, we also offer personal delivery within a few hours for items that are immediately available. This will be indicated in the offer details.
Is my payment safe with you?
We use a reputable and reliable payment provider for transactions. When you order something from our online shop, you can pay with all major credit cards such as Visa or Mastercard, via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, PayPal, or by traditional bank transfer. If you are local, you can also pay in cash by prior arrangement.
Can I exchange ordered items?
Items ordered online within the EU can, of course, be returned within 14 days of receipt, unless they are personalized, such as with a custom print. As we are a very small company, every return represents a loss for us, since we pay for the items ourselves and could potentially be stuck with unsold stock. Therefore, we ask you to take a quick look at the product's size chart before purchasing to ensure you are happy with your purchase. Should an error occur during production or shipping despite our best efforts, this is a different matter. In such cases, we ask that you contact our customer service immediately with photos of the defect and give us the opportunity to rectify the issue before returning the item or, understandably, leaving a negative review out of frustration, which would be very damaging to us. Please do not return any items to the address indicated on the package. Contact us first. You can find more information about returns in our Terms and Conditions. If you have any questions, please do not return any items to the address shown on the package.