T-Shirt Printing Business: 4 Important Questions to Answer

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T-Shirt Printing Business

Are you contemplating the idea of running your own t-shirt company? There are various reasons why this might be the case. It’s a way to unleash your creativity, work on your own terms, and sell products with a high-profit margin.

Regarding the latter, it’s not uncommon for businesses to sell printed t-shirts with at least a 100% profit margin – and they don’t have to charge extortionate prices to achieve that markup.

Yet before you can start counting all those potential dollars in your head, and before you decide to set up your t-shirt printing business, here are four important questions you need to answer.

Question #1: Do you have the budget to start?

One of the enticing aspects of starting a t-shirt printing business is that it can be relatively inexpensive to get up and running. If you’re only starting with four or five designs, are outsourcing the printing, and are based entirely online, this shouldn’t gobble up too much of your finances.

With that said, you’ll still need a reasonable wedge of cash ready to get going.

If you don’t have this in the bank – or you don’t want to use up your personal savings – there are various ways to acquire funding. Methods include a startup loan, business grant, and crowdfunding.

Question #2: Internal or external printing?

How you print your t-shirts is another big question that requires an answer. Whether you decide to do this in-house or enlist the services of a specialist printing company, there are pros and cons for each option.

An internal operation means you have full control, which allows you to select all of your printing equipment. For example, you can compare and select between a range of heat processing tools – a key point if you decide to work with discharge and water base inks. In the long-term, printing on your own will also tend to reduce your overall expenses.

In the short term, however, it’s a big outlay to start in-house printing. This is why many will opt to begin with an external printing company. The cost per t-shirt will generally be more expensive, and you don’t have the same degree of control, but you benefit from the expertise and less work on your plate.

Question #3: What is your niche?

A successful t-shirt company has to target a specific niche or sector. A general approach, one that doesn’t target a defined target market, is bad news from a marketing and sales perspective.

As a result, you have to decide on your niche before starting your business. Vintage music t-shirts? Boxing fitness tees? Perhaps cats playing musical instruments? Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you have a passion for and features a built-in audience.

Question #4: How will your designs be created?

It’s no secret the designs are the key selling point for your t-shirt creations. Due to this, you have to decide on how the designs are made. Will you be doing them on your own? Will you outsource to a freelancer or design agency?

Whatever choice you opt for, just remember the most important aspect: quality. Never sacrifice this to simply go for the cheapest option – it’ll only cost you more in the long run.