Midnight Sun Tees: A Local Brand with a Real Story
Hi, I’m William Johnson — founder of Midnight Sun Tees.
I live in Fairbanks, Alaska, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned up here, it’s that you don’t cut corners. Not when you’re building something that’s meant to last.
Midnight Sun Tees was born from that same mindset.
This brand isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, a mass-produced trend, or some generic “Alaska-style” shop run from a basement 1,000 miles away.
This is personal.
I started MST because I couldn’t find shirts that actually represented the Alaska I know — the grit, the humor, the hard-earned pride of living and working in the Last Frontier.
I wanted to create something that felt true to the place I call home — and to the people who understand what that really means.
But let me be real with you: building a brand from the ground up is no walk in the tundra.
I’ve spent months working through the behind-the-scenes maze of setting up a proper store:
- Testing platforms
- Designing original graphics
- Learning SEO and integrations
- Tweaking site layout until it doesn’t scream “template”
- And researching how to deliver print-on-demand products that don’t disappoint
That last part matters. A lot.
There’s a ton of skepticism around print-on-demand — and for good reason. Too many POD shops are inconsistent, impersonal, and built for fast cash instead of real connection.
I’m doing it differently.
- ✔️ Every design is created with intention
- ✔️ Every shirt is printed when ordered — no waste, no mass production
- ✔️ Every customer matters (and yeah, I mean that)
The first designs are still in progress. I want them to be worth your time, and I won’t launch until they meet the standard Alaska deserves.
If you believe in small businesses done right — and want first dibs when the shop goes live — I’d love for you to join the email list.
You’ll get early access, behind-the-scenes updates, and a direct line to what’s next.
Thanks for being part of the journey.
– William
