Do you want to sell t-shirts with custom designs without handling inventory?
Print on demand has revolutionized the entrepreneurship world. No more warehouse leases. No more betting on large orders going unsold.
The best part?
A print on demand t-shirt business can be set up a lot easier than you would think. Follow the steps in this guide and you can be up and running, cashing in on this lucrative market.
Table of Contents
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Why print on demand makes sense as a business model
- How to source quality wholesale blank apparel
- Setting up your print on demand store
- How to create designs that actually sell
- Tips for scaling your t-shirt business
Why print on demand makes sense as a business model
The print on demand business has seen explosive growth over the years.
According to Grand View Research, the print on demand market size was valued at 8.93 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. This means that by 2033, the value is expected to have expanded to 57.49 billion U.S. dollars.
Talk about growth potential.
But why is this an attractive business model for beginners?
It’s simple:
A customer buys a t-shirt from your online shop. The order is sent to a print provider who then prints and ships it directly to the customer.
No inventory, no upfront costs, and no risk involved.
Not bad at all, right?
The apparel industry accounts for approximately 40 percent of all print on demand revenue generated. And among apparel, t-shirts continue to be the single most popular product.
How to source quality wholesale blank apparel
Before your orders are printed, there must first be a blank shirt available.
One of the most common mistakes new print on demand entrepreneurs make is not getting a quality shirt to print their designs on.
The solution?
Find a good wholesale blank apparel supplier.
The base product you are using for your custom work is going to make or break the entire process. Quality blank shirts from a site like https://www.shirtmax.com/ make a big difference when it comes to customer satisfaction and repurchase rate.
Tips for choosing blank apparel:
- Fabric weight – heavier shirts feel higher quality but will be more expensive
- Material blend – 100% cotton or cotton/poly blend
- Brand reputation – only work with reputable apparel companies
- Size availability – be sure to offer inclusive sizing when possible
Setting up your print on demand store
You will need three key parts to set up shop.
Choose your platform
Most people get started using a Shopify store, Etsy, or WooCommerce. There are both pros and cons with each:
- Shopify is the most flexible and has the most professional appearance of all the options
- Etsy has built-in traffic from buyers who are already searching for custom products
- WooCommerce is ideal for anyone already familiar with WordPress
Pick one and learn it inside out before branching out.
Connect a print provider
Print providers handle the manufacturing and shipping for your store. The most popular services to connect include Printful, Printify, and Gooten. All of these services integrate directly with your ecommerce platform.
Factors to compare between print providers:
- Print quality samples
- Shipping speed and costs
- Product catalog
- Customer service responsiveness
Order a sample kit from each company before making your final decision. Evaluating the actual product quality firsthand is important.
Set up payment processing
Customers should be able to experience a smooth checkout process when shopping at your store. Most ecommerce platforms already integrate with Stripe and PayPal by default. Enable all available payment methods.
Creating designs that actually sell
There is one little catch to all of this…
Your designs are what’s going to make or break your print on demand t-shirt business.
Thousands of other sellers are selling meaningless inspirational messages.
The best way to rise above the generic t-shirt crowd?
Narrow your focus and target niche audiences.
Tips for finding your niche
Successful t-shirt businesses focus on a specific customer base.
Dog lovers. Nurses. Gamers. Fishing. The narrower the audience, the easier it is to reach interested buyers.
Do some research on trending topics within your chosen niches. Google Trends is a useful tool for this.
The most successful t-shirt designs meet a need for a specific audience.
Design principles to follow
Successful t-shirt designs have a few things in common:
- Simple and bold – Designs should be readable from a distance
- Use fewer colors – Fewer colors = lower printing costs
- Create an emotional connection – Customers buy when they feel something
If you are not a designer, no worries. Template sites like Canva have t-shirt design tools. Freelance designers on Fiverr are also affordable.
Scaling your t-shirt business
Sales are rolling in, but what now?
Focus on scaling.
Expand your product lines
It’s not all about t-shirts.
Add hoodies, tank tops, long sleeve t-shirts, and sweatshirts using the same designs. This increases your average order value without having to create new designs.
Customer retention is key
Attracting new customers is expensive.
Focus on keeping existing customers. Offer free shipping. Send regular newsletters updating customers on new releases and promotions.
Invest in advertising
Identify profitable designs and scale those using paid advertising. Start with small Facebook and Instagram ad budgets.
Test different audiences and creatives before scaling your spend.
Common mistakes to avoid
Predictable mistakes are made by beginners.
Familiarize yourself with the following errors, and you will save time and money.
The one mistake people make over and over…
The difference between a successful store and one that barely breaks even has a lot to do with these common mistakes.
- Pricing too low – t-shirt shop margins need to account for platform fees, printing, and shipping. Sub-30% margins make profitability challenging.
- Ignoring mockups – high-quality product photos are essential. Use a mockup generator to increase conversions.
- Skipping market research – validate demand before creating dozens of designs you will later find no one wants.
- Neglecting customer service – respond to questions quickly. Take complaints seriously. Reviews impact future sales.
Wrapping Up
Print on demand is a viable way to launch your t-shirt business without having to take on the traditional startup headaches of inventory and fulfillment management.
The barrier to entry is lower than ever before. The resources exist. The market demand is there.
All that remains is to:
- Source quality blank apparel from reliable wholesalers
- Create designs that resonate with specific audiences
- Build systems that scale with increased order volumes
The market continues to grow at a breakneck pace. Entrepreneurs getting in now have an opportunity to set themselves up before competition heats up.
Start with a handful of products. Test your designs. Learn from customer feedback. Scale the products that convert.
That is the step-by-step blueprint to creating a successful and profitable print-on-demand t-shirt business.
