How to Start Your Own T-Shirt Business on a Budget

Do you have a purpose of starting your clothing line but worry your budget is holding you back?. While starting any business from the ground up takes capital, you don’t need the fortune to turn your fashion hobby into a bustling online store.

The good news as a t-shirt creator, you can easily make your designs a product to sell online even if you’re low on funds. Below, find out how you can harness your creative genius and start an online t-shirt store.

1. Practice, Practice, Practice

Before getting into the business side of things, you’ll want to sharpen your skills as a creative. Whether you focus on quirky sayings or intricate patterns, practice your best t-shirt designs.

These designs are what will attract people to your shop, so it’s a good idea to have at least one standout t-shirt idea at the ready.

One design may not seem like enough to start a business, but you’d be wrong. Sarah Eckett, the graphic designer behind the famous “Girls Support Girls” tee, proves that you only need one awesome t-shirt to get off the ground. After her design gained traction on social media during the 2017 Women’s March, she pursued her t-shirt business full-time.

Starting slowly with one design minimizes your investment, letting you test the waters without putting a lot of money on the line.

2. Do Some Market Research

Alongside practicing, you’ll also want to do some research on the custom t-shirt market. Don’t worry — this doesn’t have to include any formal market research tools, like product tests and focus groups. You can wait to use these metrics until you’re a significant player in the custom t-shirt game.

In the meantime, you can get a feel for what’s popular by spending some time on the Internet. This can help you brainstorm for ideas that might sell faster than others.

Custom shirt online and selling t-shirts online is one of the least expensive ways to start a business, so you’ll see a lot of other t-shirt companies during your research. Finding your niche can help you get a leg up on the competition.

3. Explore Silk Screen Printing Options

Setting up a print shop on your own can be challenging. You’ll need silk screen printing equipment, inks, and t-shirts, not to mention ample space to store these materials and print your shirts.

But you don’t need any of this to start your custom t-shirt business when silk-screening companies are available. These companies accept bulk order t-shirts and print them on your behalf.

This partnership can save you quite money, as you won’t have to buy materials upfront or worry about storage space. That’s the silk screening company’s responsibility. All you must do is send your designs and pick the colors, fabric, and style of your custom t-shirt, and they’ll cover all the rest.

4. Happy Printing!

If you’ve been brainstorming t-shirt designs for ages, it’s time to put your ideas on fabric. Starting a custom t-shirt business might be cheaper than you think, especially when you follow these tips before you open for business.