Launching A Custom T-Shirt Business: A Beginner's Guide

The t-shirt market is saturated, but there's still plenty of opportunity to make good money by selling custom designs. You just have to learn how to start a t-shirt business the right way.

Print on Demand (POD) is the easiest way to start a t-shirt business with minimal investment. POD services handle printing and fulfilment, so you can focus on designing and promoting your products. This keeps upfront costs low and minimises risk.

1. Source materials and printing partners

2. Create t-shirt designs

3. Mock up your t-shirts

4. Validate your t-shirt designs

5. Register your business and write a plan

6. Set up your online store

7. Successful online t-shirt businesses find ways to stand out from the crowd

Research the market

Market research is a crucial step in understanding the best direction for your business. Begin by using tools like Google Trends to identify the most frequently searched topics and the most popular t-shirt-related queries. For instance, ‘vintage band t-shirts’ or ‘funny quote t-shirts’. You can also use social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest to uncover the latest trends and new t-shirt design ideas.

Next, assess other t-shirt brands and their most popular products to better understand the competition. Pair this with your market research to uncover market gaps that your business can fill. For example, if ‘funny quote t-shirts’ are trending, but your competitors don’t sell them, this presents a business opportunity.

Run social media polls on networks like Facebook and Twitter to gauge consumer demand and identify your target market. Be sure to capture the demographics of your target market, such as their age, style, and buying habits, to better inform your marketing efforts.

Finally, when you have a niche and target market in mind, look for keywords and phrases that your target audience is searching for. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs can help you see what people are searching for. Look for keywords with a decent search volume that aren’t too competitive.

Choose a niche

Choosing a niche is a crucial step in starting a custom t-shirt business. The t-shirt market is broad and highly competitive, so selecting a specific niche will help you stand out from the competition and effectively target your audience. Here are some tips to help you choose a profitable and successful niche:

• Market Research: Use tools like Google Trends to identify trending topics, popular t-shirt themes, and potential gaps in the market. For example, "vintage band t-shirts" or "funny quote t-shirts" may be popular search terms. Additionally, social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest can provide insights into emerging trends and design ideas.
• Narrow Down Your Niche: Instead of targeting a broad category like "funny t-shirts," try to narrow it down to a specific sub-niche. For instance, instead of "t-shirts for women," consider "funny t-shirts for dog owners" or "t-shirts with slogans about doctors." This granular approach will help you attract a dedicated customer base.
• Understand Your Target Audience: Define your target market by considering demographics such as age, gender, interests, and buying habits. This information will guide your design choices and marketing strategies.
• Keyword Research: Utilise keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to find phrases that your target audience is searching for. This will help you optimise your online presence and make it easier for customers to find your products.
• Analyse the Competition: Research other successful t-shirt businesses to see how they cater to specific niches. Look for opportunities to differentiate yourself and fill any gaps in the market.
• Start with Your Interests: Consider your own passions and communities you belong to. Choosing a niche that aligns with your interests can make the process more enjoyable and help you connect with your target audience on a deeper level.
• Estimate Market Value: Before finalising your niche, evaluate the potential demand and market size. Use tools like Facebook IQ Audience Insights, analyse engagement on relevant subreddits, or check keyword search volumes to gauge consumer interest.

Select a print-on-demand service

Selecting a print-on-demand (POD) service is a cost-effective and straightforward method of producing t-shirts. With a POD supplier, you can avoid purchasing and storing t-shirt inventory, and instead rely on them to fulfil, produce and ship customer orders as they come in. This is especially useful if you plan on offering custom t-shirts, as it will help you remain productive and profitable.

When choosing a POD service, it is critical to research various providers and assess the quality of their products. Your POD supplier should offer a range of t-shirts in different fabrics, styles and sizes, including kids', men's and women's t-shirts.

• Customer service capabilities
• Shipping rates and locations
• Sustainability initiatives
• Speed of delivery
• Whether they can help you with design creation and editing

Pick a t-shirt type

When it comes to picking a t-shirt type, you have a lot of options. The type of t-shirt you choose will depend on the image you want to project, your target audience, and the purpose of the t-shirt. Here are some factors to consider when picking a t-shirt type for your custom t-shirt business:

Fabric

The fabric you choose for your t-shirts will impact the comfort, durability, and visual appeal of the final product. Here are some popular fabric options:

• Cotton: Cotton offers high comfort and visual appeal, but it is more prone to wrinkling and shrinking over time compared to other fabrics.
• Organic cotton: Organic cotton provides similar comfort to regular cotton, but it is grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers, making it ideal for eco-conscious consumers. However, it comes at a more premium price.
• Polyester: Polyester offers maximum durability and moisture-wicking properties. It is less prone to wrinkling and shrinking, but it may have a synthetic feel on the skin.
• Cotton/polyester blend: This blend is more lightweight and less prone to shrinkage than cotton alone, with some moisture-wicking properties of polyester, making it a comfortable option.

Weight

T-shirts come in various weights, ranging from lightweight to heavyweight options. Lighter-weight shirts, such as those made from polyester, are more suitable for warm weather and active situations. In contrast, heavier-weight shirts like cotton are ideal for cold weather and casual conditions. When choosing a t-shirt type, consider the climate and the intended use of the shirt.

Fit

The fit of a t-shirt refers to how it lays on the body. Different body types may prefer different fits, and various activities may call for a tighter or looser fit. Here are the three primary t-shirt fits to choose from:

• Relaxed fit: This fit offers a broader cut across the chest with larger armholes and sleeves, resulting in a baggier and more comfortable look.
• Regular fit: A regular fit is straight-cut throughout the chest and waist but broadens at the shoulders for a more fitted yet comfortable look.
• Slim fit: Slim fit t-shirts have a narrow cut across the chest and are tapered from the chest to the waist, creating a tighter, more tailored look.

Cut

The cut of a t-shirt typically refers to the collar type. The most common cuts are:

• Crewneck: A classic t-shirt look with a round neckline.
• V-neck: A more relaxed style with a V-shaped neckline.
• Ringer: This cut features contrast colour binding at the neck and sleeves for a two-toned look.

When picking a t-shirt type, consider your target audience's preferences and the image you want to project. You may also want to offer various styles to appeal to a wider range of customers. Additionally, consider the printing method you plan to use, as some methods may work better with certain t-shirt types.

Design your t-shirts

Designing t-shirts is a crucial step in starting a custom t-shirt business. Here are some tips to help you create eye-catching and appealing designs:

Conceptualise and Find Your Style

Start by brainstorming t-shirt design ideas that resonate with your target audience and brand identity. Consider the interests and passions of your target market and try to incorporate relevant themes, colours and visuals in your designs. If you're targeting dog owners, for instance, you can create designs related to different dog breeds, dog owner lifestyles, or dog-related humour.

Explore online resources and tools to create your own designs or collaborate with freelance artists on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. You can also purchase pre-made designs from graphic design marketplaces like Tshirt Factory, Creative Market, or GraphicRiver.

Keep it Simple and Focus on Quality

While your designs should be unique, they don't need to be overly complex. In fact, many bestselling graphic tees are simple yet creative. Focus on creating clean and professional designs using high-quality visuals and easy-to-read fonts. Limit the number of colours for a more polished and elegant look.

Experiment with Fonts, Colours and Design Placement

Play around with different fonts, colours, and design placements to see what works best. Remember, less is more—avoid cluttering your design with too many elements.

Order Samples and Seek Feedback

Once you have a design or two that you're happy with, order a few samples to ensure the final product meets your expectations. Share these samples with family and friends to get their feedback. You can also watermark your design files and share them on social media platforms to gauge the reaction of your target audience.

Stay Up to Date with Trends

Research current trends in the t-shirt industry and social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to stay inspired and create designs that appeal to your target market.

Frequently asked questions