How to start T-Shirt business? (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you want to start a T-Shirt business with less investment, then this can be a profitable deal. T-shirts are always in demand and can be sold both online and offline.

Here is a step-by-step guide to make your T-Shirt business successful.

✅ 1️⃣ Print-on-Demand (POD)

You can start business without investment.
Printing and shipping takes place upon receipt of the order.
Best for: Online startups and creative designers.
Platforms: Printrove, Printful, Qikink, TeeSpring, Redbubble

✅ 2️⃣ Bulk Manufacturing & Selling

First get T-shirts prepared in bulk and then start selling.
Best for: If your budget is ₹50,000+ and you want to build a brand.
You can sell on your own website and on Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra.

✅ 3️⃣ Custom T-shirts (Corporate & Events)

Print custom t-shirts for companies, schools, colleges and events.
There is more profit in bulk orders.
Best for: If you have local clients.
👉 Tip: Initially start with Print-on-Demand (POD) and when you get growth, then do bulk manufacturing.

Step 2: Choose the right T-Shirt

First you need to decide what type of T-shirts you will sell:

✅ Cotton T-shirts – Breathable and comfortable.
✅ Polyester T-shirts – for Sports & Gym.
✅ Hoodies & Sweatshirts – High demand in winter season.
✅ Oversized T-shirts – in fashion right now.

👉 Tip: You can buy T-shirts in bulk from Surat, Ludhiana, Tiruppur and Delhi (Gandhi Nagar, Karol Bagh).

Step 3: Choose design and printing process

Good designs are essential to make T-shirts attractive and unique.

1️⃣ How to make a design?
Use Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator.
You can get designs made from freelancers (Fiverr, Upwork, 99Designs).
Try trending designs – Motivational Quotes, Anime, Cartoons, Movies, Desi Slangs etc.

2️⃣ T-shirt printing methods
✅ Screen Printing – Cheap and durable for bulk orders.
✅ DTG (Direct-to-Garment) – Best for small orders and digital prints.
✅ Heat Press / Sublimation – For POD and Custom T-shirts.
✅ Embroidery (Embroidered T-shirts) – For premium look.

👉 Tip: If you don’t want to print yourself, you can get the work done from local printing vendors.

Step 4: Branding and Packaging

💡 Remember, building a brand is important!

✅ Create Brand Name and Logo.
✅ Get customized tags and labels installed.
✅ Do Premium Packaging – Customers will be impressed by good packaging.

👉 Tip: You can order custom packaging material from Etsy and Alibaba.

Step 5: Sell T-Shirt online and offline

1️⃣ How to sell online?
✅ Instagram & Facebook Store – Increase sales by placing ads.
✅ Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Meesho – Create seller account on these.
✅ Shopify or WordPress Website – Create your own website.
✅ List on Print-on-Demand platforms – Printrove, TeeSpring, Redbubble etc.

👉 Tip: Market with Reels and YouTube Shorts on Instagram.

2️⃣ How to sell offline?
✅ Tie-up with local gift and garments shops.
✅ Take bulk orders for colleges, gyms, startups and events.
✅ Do referral and WhatsApp marketing.

👉 Tip: Use WhatsApp groups and Facebook Marketplace for local marketing.

Step 6: Do marketing and promotion 📢

Now you have to do branding and marketing of your T-Shirt.

1️⃣ How to promote for free?
✅ Create Instagram Reels & YouTube Shorts.
✅ Influencer Marketing – Get promotion from small creators.
✅ Promote in Facebook Groups & Telegram Channels.
✅ Use WhatsApp Status & Groups.

2️⃣ How to do paid marketing?
✅ Instagram & Facebook Ads – Start with ₹500-₹1000/day.
✅ Google Ads – If you have your own website.
✅ Affiliate Marketing – Pay commission on selling to other people.

👉 Tip: More sales come from Instagram and WhatsApp, so focus on these.

Step 7: How to increase profit and growth?

🚀 Once your business is up and running, follow these tips to make it big:

✅ Do Bulk Manufacturing – Production cost will be less.
✅ Launch new designs and products – Oversized T-shirts, Hoodies, Crop Tops.
✅ Collect customer feedback and improve quality.
✅ Start International Selling – Sell on Etsy, Amazon Global.
✅ Do Collaborations and Giveaways – You will get more reach.

📌Cost and Earnings (Investment & Profit) 💰

If you start with Print-on-Demand, you can start for around ₹5,000-₹10,000.

If you start with Bulk Manufacturing, the investment will be between ₹50,000-₹1,00,000.

💰Profit Margin:

Print-on-Demand: ₹100-₹300/T-Shirt
Bulk Manufacturing: ₹300-₹800/T-Shirt
🚀 Monthly Earning: ₹30,000 – ₹5,00,000+ (Depending on business growth)

🎯 Conclusion

If you want to earn big profit with less investment, then T-Shirt business is best!

👉 Would you like to start with Print-on-Demand or create your own brand?