Welcome to the TieLab!

The Cyberoptix® TieLab was started in 2005 after noticing a void in creative yet sophisticated neckwear. We specialize in making men (and women!) of all ages undeniably presentable. We dutifully outfit gangs of groomsmen, bridesmen and ring-bearers with our very customizable color schemes.

"Made to order" doesn't mean "made to wait around!" We understand sometimes the "last minute is the best minute" - birthdays, anniversaries and even weddings can sneak up on you! This is our full-time gig and we both print and ship Monday-Friday. This is how we are able to offer literally thousands of color, print and size options for you, yet still keep our prices very affordable.

The Cyberoptix® TieLab was a featured Etsy seller on 5.26.08 and has been featured in many Etsy gift guides and collections since, including the recent Hunger Games and Breaking Bad themed collections from Etsy.

The Maker

I, (Bethany Shorb) was born in Boston, raised an hour from New York City and now calls Detroit, Michigan home. I'm proud of and love my adopted city of over 11 years. I'm happy to see young artists and entrepreneurs making it a viable home-base for a new wave of independent, sustainable manufacturing and I'm proud to be able to give a leg up to some young artists via time in my studio.

I received a BFA from Boston University and my MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art - although both concentrations were in sculpture, somehow making "Ties That Don't Suck" has taken over my life! In my not-so-spare time, I still explore studio art work, fashion, graphic design, photography, multimedia and music. I have a minor (ok, major) obsession with cats.

Take a sneak peek into our studio, courtesy of the kind folks at Make Magazine.

Studio Bees

There are some dedicated studio worker bees that help Bethany Shorb when the inbox is bursting. David Blunk II manages the office and hand wraps each and every one of your parcels to send out, both wholesale and retail. Johnny Blackchurch does marketing and PR duties including external sales, minds the retail orders on weekends while Bethany makes new designs, and is the web manager (which means any web troubles go to him).

Bethany still hand prints every single tie and scarf (over 70,000 by the end of 2011!), still designs every single design you see from Cyberoptix, and she's still manning order intake, any and all questions and comments via email, and wholesale orders and press queries. All hangtags are still tied in house; each and every single tie and scarf are individually ironed and heat-set for durability before shipping.

Social Fun!

Like us a whole lot? Want to know about new designs before anyone else? Like us and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Press

The TieLab has been featured on the Martha Stewart Show, HGTV; various design blogs such as io9, notcot, thrillist, indiefixx, indieobsession, Fabulist, The Consumerist, Uncrate and print publications such as The New York Times, The New York Times Style Magazine, Time Out New York, Time Out Chicago, Make Magazine, Details, Fiberarts, Bust, Adorn, URB, BPM, and Industrial Nation.

The Ties + The Ethics

Each necktie is unique and may have its own variation in color, density, and texture, with indications and remnants of the printing process on the reverse, further adding to its individual character. Our work is proudly made by skilled hands, not robots!

In addition to the screenprinted line, some limited edition and custom made ties are made with deconstructed vintage, recycled or other sustainable materials.

We only print with high-quality waterbased inks. They’re better for the health of our shop, better for the environment, and they perform much better on fine fabrics.

Microfiber is our most common finish – why not exclusively silk? Many who choose not to consume animal products for ethical, dietary and religious reasons are concerned about the silk industry and wear nothing derived from living things. In the interest of not being exclusionary, we have decided to carry ties in silk and microfiber; and scarves in silk and viscose. We also receive frequent requests from people in touring bands where dry cleaning is not always an option, therefore making silk ties very impractical. If silk is not a practical option for you, we have many ties that will work with your needs!

Care + Cleaning

Silk ties should only be dry-cleaned, never washed! Microfiber ties are very durable. They can be gently spot-washed and dried flat or even machine washed and dried in a mesh bag. It is even safe to iron directly on the printed design. The screenprinted design on every tie and scarf is heat-set by us for extra durability. Dry-cleaning is still recommended for all ties to increase their lifespan, however we do not recommend dry-cleaning metallic ink prints.

Location

The Cyberoptix TieLab Studio is currently located on the second floor of an old furniture warehouse in downtown Detroit.

Testimonials

"Bethany Shorb is breathing some long overdue freshness into neckties with her CYBEROPTIX TIE LAB. ...At around $40, these handmade beauties blow department store ties out of the water." -JoshSpear

"These ties are the perfect way to say, "I'm hip, AND I have I job." -BEN POPKEN , Consumerist

"...A fine line of beautifully darkly illustrated hand screen printed 100% charmeuse silk or poly-blend based ties." - NOTCOT

"Who needs to wear boring old ties when you can refashion them? The ties have all been silkscreened, cut apart, riveted, and stitched to distinctly new heights." -MakeMagazine

Care for your tie.

Silk ties can only be dry-cleaned, never washed! The microfiber can be gently spot washed and dried flat as the screenprinted design is heat-set for durability. It is even safe to iron directly on the printed design. Dry-cleaning is still recommeded for all ties to increase their lifespan. If you must use the washer (for microfiber only!), please place the tie in a mesh bag or pillow case - this way it won't get tangled around itself and ruin the shape. Do the same for the dryer-cycle.