How to Sell Custom T-Shirts

Start a business selling t-shirts.

You can make extra money by starting a business selling t-shirts. There are a number of ways to start a t-shirt selling business, ranging from completely hands on to entirely automatic. However, most cases will require a little bit of an investment before your company can be successful. But, if you can keep a manageable business model, you can have a lucrative business in the comfort of your own home.

Things You'll Need

• T-shirts
• Silk screening machine

Instructions

1. Play around with different t-shirt designs and formats. If you have a t-shirt design in mind and want to test its selling potential, try utilizing Cafe Press. Cafe Press lets you design custom t-shirts and then allows you to sell them to Cafe Press users. This is a great format where you can test the selling ability of a particular design.

2. Purchase t-shirts in bulk. There are a plethora of quality t-shirts that can be purchased online that can be used for your custom t-shirt ideas, so decide what works best for you. Use an online retailer to purchase t-shirts in bulk at discount prices.

3. Create your t-shirts. Create different custom designs by using a silk screening process, embroidery, painting or any other way that you want to design your t-shirts. Wear these t-shirts many times. Determine if the t-shirts stay looking like new, and change up the design if they do not hold up to normal washings and wear.

4. Sell your custom t-shirts at markets, at consignment boutiques or at your local flea market. Visit small boutiques. Many of them will sell your garments on a consignment scheme. Bring your custom t-shirts to the store, and the owner will determine whether the shirts are something that they might want to sell. If they are a fit, they will purchase the shirts from you, and you will gain part of the profits.

5. Buy a website domain name. You can easily create a marketplace with some HTML skills and pictures of your custom shirts. Hire a graphic designer or ask an Internet savvy friend to help you design your website. There are many online marketplaces where you can start an online store, such as Etsy.

Tips & Warnings

• Register your business with the IRS once your business has become successful.

References

• Custom Ink
• Pioneer Thinking: How to Start a T-Shirt Business

Resources

• Cafe Press
• Bulk T-shirts
• Etsy