Creating Custom T-Shirts With Print-On-Demand Services

Print-on-demand is a great way to start a business with minimal upfront costs and risks. It allows you to create and sell unique t-shirt designs without worrying about inventory, shipping, or fulfilment. Once an order is placed, the t-shirt is printed, packed, and shipped by a third-party print-on-demand service. This business model is profitable, with the custom t-shirt market valued at $4 billion in 2020 and expected to grow by 10% by 2030.

To get started, you'll need to identify your target audience and niche, build an online store, integrate with a print-on-demand service, design your t-shirts, check their quality, create mockups, decide on a price, and market your brand.

Popular print-on-demand services include Printful, Printify, Gooten, and Lulu, each offering unique features like easy-to-use mockup generators, international vendor networks, and integrations with e-commerce platforms.

By following these steps and choosing the right partners, you can successfully launch your print-on-demand t-shirt business and tap into a growing market.

Choose a print-on-demand service

When it comes to choosing a print-on-demand service, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Quality of Print: Look for companies that offer high-resolution printing and use quality materials. Check reviews to ensure the company has a reputation for delivering high-quality products.
• Product Variety: Opt for a service that offers a wide range of products, including clothing, home décor, stationery, and more. This will give you more options to choose from and cater to diverse customer needs.
• Custom Branding: Choose a service that allows you to add your brand logo, custom labels, and personalised packaging. This will help you build a strong brand identity and create a memorable unboxing experience for your customers.
• Global Shipping: Consider services that offer worldwide shipping to reach a broader audience. Some companies have multiple fulfilment centres across the globe, ensuring faster delivery times.
• API Integration: If you already have an e-commerce platform, look for a print-on-demand service that integrates seamlessly with it. This will allow for automatic order and inventory synchronisation.
• User Interface (UI): Opt for a service with an intuitive and user-friendly dashboard. This will save you time and make managing your business more efficient.
• Design Tools: Choose a service that offers built-in design tools, allowing you to customise image size, layout, and other aspects without the need for additional design software.
• Order Management: Look for real-time tracking and order modification features to help you stay on top of your business operations.
• Security: Ensure the service provides data encryption and secure payment gateways to protect your and your customers' information.
• Integrations: Consider services that integrate with other e-commerce platforms or marketing tools to streamline your operations.
• Customer Support: Opt for a service that offers prompt and helpful customer support through multiple channels, such as chat, email, and phone.

Now, let's take a look at some of the popular print-on-demand services available:

• Printful: Printful offers a wide range of products and features, including a T-shirt mockup generator and logo maker. They have fulfilment centres worldwide and provide branding options like custom packing slips and packaging inserts.
• Printify: Printify has one of the largest catalogues of custom products and allows you to choose from a global network of printing partners. They offer competitive pricing and have integrations with major e-commerce platforms.
• Gooten: Gooten has a diverse catalogue of over 280 products, including apparel, wall art, home décor, drinkware, and accessories. They have more than 50 manufacturers in over 70 global locations, ensuring faster delivery.
• Apliiq: Apliiq is ideal for those looking to start a clothing brand with custom designs. They offer premium apparel and allow you to add your own branded labels. They also provide quality assurance and have weight-based shipping options.
• Gelato: Gelato has a global reach, with local printers in over 30 countries. They offer quick delivery, usually within 7-10 days for basic products. They also have premium plans that include personalised pack-in cards and branded labels.
• SPOD: SPOD offers fast fulfilment times, with 95% of orders shipped within 48 hours. They have a smaller selection of products but offer competitive pricing and simplified shipping based on order value.
• Teelaunch: Teelaunch provides a competitively priced catalogue, including unique items like Bluetooth speakers. They have a mockup tool that generates professional-looking images for marketing. Their production time is 3-6 business days, and they offer various shipping options.
• CustomCat: CustomCat has a large catalogue of over 550 products and offers competitive pricing. They have a simple design tool and provide quick fulfilment, with orders ready to ship within 2-3 business days.
• T-Pop: T-Pop is a Europe-based company focusing on apparel and accessories. They offer eco-friendly shipping practices and packaging, and their primary supplier is part of the Fair Wear Foundation, ensuring ethical labour practices.
• JetPrint: JetPrint specialises in unique products like shoes, watches, and jewellery. They offer free and express global shipping options. They also provide automatic order processing and a variety of product mockups.
• AOP+: AOP+ is known for its easy all-over-print products and in-house printing, ensuring tight quality control. They have fulfilment centres in the US, Europe, and the UK, and offer custom branding options like packaging stickers and private labelling.

Select your t-shirt

When selecting a t-shirt for your print-on-demand business, you should consider the fabric, weight, and fit to cater to diverse customer preferences. Here are some essential factors to keep in mind:

Fabric

The most common materials for t-shirts are cotton, polyester, or a blend of both. Cotton is soft, comfortable, and durable, but it tends to shrink and fade over time. Polyester is better at retaining its size and colour but can be uncomfortable in hot weather and tends to pill. Blended fabrics offer the benefits of both materials but are often more expensive and can create quality control challenges. If your niche includes eco-conscious customers, consider organic cotton, which is grown without chemical pesticides, fertilizers, or genetic modification.

Weight

T-shirts are grouped into weights based on the thickness of the fabric. Lightweight t-shirts are soft, breathable, and comfortable, making them ideal for outdoor activities, workouts, or layering. Midweight t-shirts offer a balance between durability and comfort and are less prone to shrinking and wrinkling. Heavyweight t-shirts are durable and long-lasting, perfect for workwear and cooler weather.

Fit

Different fits cater to different customer preferences. Slim-fit t-shirts are generally snug and popular with younger buyers. Regular-fit t-shirts have a classic feel suitable for various body types. Relaxed-fit t-shirts offer more room in the chest and waist area and are preferred by those prioritising comfort.

Colour and Style

To attract a broader audience, choose a print-on-demand service that offers a wide range of colours and styles. This will allow you to experiment with different designs and find what resonates with your target market.

Create a design

The design is the heart and soul of your T-shirt and will determine its success in the market. Whether you're creating a design for a brand, a social cause, or simply to reflect your individuality, there are a few key steps to follow to ensure your design is market-ready.

Step 1: Find inspiration

The internet is a great source of inspiration for T-shirt designs. Platforms like Behance, Dribbble, and Pinterest offer a wealth of ideas to ignite your imagination. Art galleries, museums, and local exhibitions can also spark creativity, as can nature and its endless possibilities of designs and ideas. Quotes, humour, and typography can also be a great source of inspiration for T-shirt designs.

Step 2: Know your target audience

It's important to back your design with market research. Study your niche and tie your design in with what your target audience is looking for. For example, if your target market is avid readers, create designs inspired by comics, fiction, or literary quotes. If you're designing for a sports team, incorporate elements relevant to the sport, their location, or mascot.

Step 3: Choose your design placements

Try out different placements for your design, such as the front, back, or sleeves, to see what looks best. Using multiple placements will add to the cost but won't impact production time or quality.

Step 4: Choose your colours

Colour is a major factor in customers' purchasing decisions, so it's important to choose a distinctive colour palette that adds character to your design. Vibrant and bold designs can be created using saturated colours or neon shades, while neutrals, pastels, or deep reds and blues can be used for a more timeless look.

Step 5: Select your fonts

Fonts can make or break the readability of your text and define your brand identity. Bold fonts give a contemporary feel, playful fonts add fun, and elegant fonts are sophisticated. You can use multiple font styles or stick to one for a minimal look, but always ensure readability is not compromised.

Step 6: Follow printing requirements

Stick to the printing guidelines to ensure the quality of your final product. Check that the fabric colour and print complement each other, the typography suits the feel of the T-shirt, the design placement looks good, and you've chosen the right printing option.

Step 7: Order samples

Ordering samples of your T-shirt design will allow you to ensure that the final product meets your expectations. It's also a good idea to get feedback from friends and family to refine your design.

Step 8: Validate your designs

Solicit feedback on your designs through social media polls or posts. Watermark your designs to protect your copyright, and consider offering pre-orders to gauge interest.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a successful and appealing T-shirt design that resonates with your target audience.

Mock-up your product

Mock-up tools are an essential part of the print-on-demand process, allowing you to visualise your designs on a t-shirt before publishing them. Here are some tips to help you mock up your product:

Choose a Mock-up Generator

There are several online mock-up generators available, such as Printify, Smartmockups, Mockey, and Placeit, which offer free and premium services. These platforms often feature drag-and-drop editors, a wide range of templates, and customisable backgrounds. Some even offer 3D rendering to help you visualise your designs.

Upload Your Design

Once you've selected a mock-up generator, upload your image or logo. Ensure that your design is high-quality and fits the required specifications of the platform. You may need to adjust the size or format of your image before uploading.

Customise Your Mock-up

Customise the colour and background of your mock-up to create a unique and appealing presentation. Some platforms allow you to change the t-shirt style, colour, and other details to better showcase your design. You can also choose from various templates, including photos or isolated 3D renders, to find the best fit for your brand.

Download and Review

After customising your mock-up, download the high-resolution image. Most platforms will allow you to download the mock-up in various formats, such as PNG or JPG. Review the mock-up to ensure that your design is positioned correctly and looks professional.

Repeat and Refine

Creating multiple mock-ups can help you experiment with different styles and designs. Play around with various templates, colour schemes, and backgrounds to find the most appealing combination for your target audience. You can also use these mock-ups for marketing and promotional purposes.

Connect with Other Platforms

Some mock-up generators, like Printify, offer seamless integrations with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and eBay. This allows you to easily publish your designs and connect with potential customers.

By following these steps and utilising the features offered by mock-up generators, you can effectively mock up your product and take the first step towards launching your print-on-demand t-shirt business.

Choose a selling platform

There are several options for selling platforms, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common options:

• Running your own website: This option gives you full control over your store's design and functionality. It is ideal if you plan to incorporate additional content, such as videos or a blog. However, it requires technical skills and a strong marketing strategy to be successful.
• Selling on social media: Platforms like Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram allow you to leverage their large and diverse audiences. However, they offer limited customisation options and native selling tools.
• Using an e-commerce platform: Opening a store on marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, Shopify, eBay, or WooCommerce gives you instant access to a broad audience. However, these platforms often limit store customisation, making it challenging to build a unique brand identity. They also charge hosting and transaction fees.

When choosing a selling platform, consider your business goals, target audience, budget, and desired level of control over your store's design and functionality. Additionally, research the features and limitations of each platform to ensure they align with your needs.

Frequently asked questions