Are you ready to make a name for yourself with print-on-demand t-shirts? It’s a high-margin product. Every year, apparel brands Billions of dollars T-shirts have become increasingly popular due to their universal appeal and endless design variations.
But what if Your T-Shirt Business How can you stand out in a competitive market? The answer is by choosing a print-on-demand company that offers carefully made garments, high-quality printing, and fast, reliable delivery.
From there, it’s up to you to create amazing graphics that perfectly match your customer’s tastes. This article will help you with both parts of running a print on demand t-shirt business.
Best Print on Demand T-Shirt Companies
The first step to conquering the world of T-shirts is to choose the best. On-demand printing companies Let us design and manufacture your shirts for you. Suppliers say the following companies are as trustworthy as your favorite t-shirt.
1. Printful
Printful is a popular app for creating print-on-demand t-shirts and more. It has no minimum orders or upfront fees, so it’s accessible to businesses of all sizes. Plus, it’s easy to link products to your Shopify store, as well as Etsy and Amazon.
Printful does more than printing: we also create custom packaging, warehousing, and fulfillment, meaning less work for you.
When it comes to t-shirt variety, Printful has you covered: classic t-shirts, polo shirts, tank tops from popular brands, and more styles for men, women, and kids.
- Popular T-shirt brands: American Apparel, Bella + Canvas, Gildan, etc.
- Average time required: 2-7 business days
- Mockup Generator: yes
- E-commerce integration: yes
- Branding options: Custom Packaging
2. Print
Print Over 850 Print-on-demand productsThey offer a wide range of products including t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, etc. in a variety of colors. Printify easily connects with Shopify, Etsy, and eBay and also has an open API for added flexibility.
Printify lets you order samples so you can check the design and quality before placing a bulk order. With a network of 90+ printers worldwide, it’s the perfect choice for sellers across the globe. Plus, you can see the average fulfillment time for each supplier, so you can make an informed decision.
- Popular T-shirt brands: Bella+Canvas, Gildan, Delta, etc.
- Average time required: 2-7 business days
- Mockup Generator: yes
- E-commerce integration: yes
- Branding options: Depends on the T-shirt
3. AppIke
AppIke is a print-on-demand service that specializes in apparel. We offer a wide variety of shirts, including standard t-shirts, tank tops, flannels, polo shirts, and even unique tie-dye tops. Choose from dozens of colors to suit your style.
But Apliiq doesn’t stop at printing. They also offer private labels, woven tags, embroidery, and patches, allowing you to customize products to fit your brand. Samples can be ordered with no minimum order quantity, making them a great way to test the quality before committing to a larger deal. And if you decide to order in bulk with Apliiq, you can get discounts on bulk orders. Up to 18%.
- Popular T-shirt brands: Gildan, Jerseys, Tartex, etc.
- Average travel time: 5 business days
- Mockup Generator: yes
- E-commerce integration: yes
- Branding options: Custom labels, logos, tags and packaging
Four. T-Launch
T-Launch is a print-on-demand service that started out specializing in clothing only. You’ll find t-shirts, tank tops, long sleeve t-shirts, and sweatshirts for men, women, and unisex. There are shirts for youth, toddlers, and babies, too. Sizes range from S to 5XL, and come in a variety of colors, with over 20 options in many styles. Some shirts can even be printed on both sides.
Teelaunch works with Shopify, but you can also sell on Etsy, Facebook, Amazon, and eBay. The app doesn’t offer free samples, but it does offer discounts for first-time users.
- Popular T-shirt brands: Districts, Champions, etc.
- Average time required: 3 to 6 business days
- Mockup Generator: no
- E-commerce integration: yes
- Branding options: no
Five. Guten
check out Gutenis a print-on-demand solution designed for businesses. With a customizable catalog of 280+ products, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, accessories, and more, Gooten gives you plenty of choice.
Most products are prepared within 3-4 business days and shipped for a flat rate, making planning and budgeting easy.
Gooten has a network of over 50 manufacturers in over 70 locations around the world to help you grow your print-on-demand business.
Not just limited to printing, Gooten also offers embellishment options through weaving and embroidery to give your products an extra premium feel.
- Popular T-shirt brands: Bayside, Champion, American Apparel, etc.
- Average time required: 3-4 business days
- Mockup Generator: yes
- E-commerce integration: yes
- Branding options: Custom Labels and Packing Slips
How to sell print-on-demand t-shirts (in 4 steps)
Once you choose Print on Demand Once the service is complete, the next step is to create a visual design for the shirt. Don’t worry if you’re not an artist or design expert, there are a few ways to approach this task, each with their own pros and cons.
The key is to choose the method that best suits your skill and comfort level.
- Find your T-shirt niche
- Select a T-shirt to print on
- Create a T-shirt design
- Build an online store to sell t-shirts
1. Find your T-shirt niche
A successful t-shirt business starts with a clear goal In the right placeIn a competitive market, having unique t-shirt designs that appeal to a specific demographic is a must. Research other online t-shirt businesses to find gaps in the market and Unique Selling Proposition.
Use market research to understand the interests and behavior of your potential customers. This information can be used to Buyer persona Focus on your target audience.
2. Choose a T-shirt to print on
T-shirts come in many different shapes and sizes, so check out our print-on-demand partners’ inventory to choose the perfect t-shirt for your customers.
Most sellers opt for cotton or polyester t-shirts. Cotton is soft, comfortable, durable, and if organically grown, is a good choice for environmentally conscious customers. Polyester holds its size and shape well but may retain odors. Blends offer a better balance but can be more expensive.
Also consider the weight and fit of the t-shirt: lightweight, slim-fitting shirts are great for outdoor activities and training, while heavier, relaxed-fitting shirts tend to be more comfortable and last longer.
3. Create a T-shirt design
Before you can start selling, you need to create an eye-catching design. Here’s how:
DIY Design
If you have artistic talent, use your skills to create unique t-shirt graphics – anything from unique illustrations to popular memes, fan art, or even your brand logo. Unique t-shirt visuals can help your brand stand out, but make sure the design process doesn’t outweigh the benefits.
Use online resources
For those who are comfortable with DIY but need a little guidance, Online T-shirt Templates and Mockups are great resources. These tools often offer free templates and design elements, making the process easier and more cost-effective.
Outsource to the experts
If design isn’t your forte, consider hiring a professional. Shopify Partners We’ll introduce you to experienced designers who can bring your vision to life, making this a worthwhile investment, especially if it frees up time to focus on other aspects of your business.
4. Build an online store to sell t-shirts
Once your t-shirts are done, you need a place to sell them. For most businesses, that means E-commerce website, Business Social Media Accountsor better yet, both! Here’s how to set up your store:
Choosing an e-commerce platform
Choosing an e-commerce platform Choose the one that best suits your needs. Consider factors like price, features, and ease of use. Shopify is popular with clothing designers and sellers because it lets you integrate your favorite print-on-demand apps directly into your store, making it easy to set up product listings.
Shopify also allows you to add social media sales channels. Sell to customers on Instagram and Facebook.
Set up your store
Decide on a name for your shop. Register your website domaincreate your first page, such as your home page. Product Pageand your Shipping PolicyThis should match the terms offered by your print-on-demand supplier.
You’ll also need to set up a checkout so your customers can pay for their t-shirts. If you’re using Shopify, you can use the internet’s leading One-click checkout.
Choose a theme
you Build your brand Consider how you can make your store design reflect the aesthetic of your business, especially with your t-shirt designs. Store Themes You can make your store look more appealing and easier to navigate.
Add a T-shirt
If you’re using a print-on-demand service that’s integrated with your e-commerce platform, listing t-shirts on your store is easy. Just make sure you include a unique and memorable product name, a detailed description, and a clear explanation. Pricing Information We help our customers make purchases with confidence.
If possible, order samples of shirts and invest in high-quality ones. Product Photos Show off your designs.
Sell your products
Once your store is open, it’s time to attract customers. Target Audience And where they spend their time online. This could be social media platforms, forums, or blogs related to your niche.
create Marketing Strategy Reach your audience on these platforms, including: Social Media Advertising, Content Marketingand Influencer PartnershipsDon’t forget to highlight what makes your t-shirt unique.
You could also consider launch promotions such as a discount on each customer’s first purchase or a buy-two-get-one-free offer.
How to get started with on-demand print-on-demand T-shirts
The great thing about print-on-demand is how flexible and scalable it is. You can continually test new designs, experiment with different niche audiences, and adjust your products based on customer feedback and market trends. When you’re ready, you can easily expand your product line beyond just t-shirts to any type of apparel product.
Frequently asked questions about print-on-demand t-shirts
Is a T-shirt business profitable?
A t-shirt business can be profitable; however, profitability depends on several factors, including the quality of your designs, your marketing efforts, and your ability to control costs. Print-on-demand allows you to get started with minimal upfront costs, making it a potentially profitable, low-risk business.
How many designs do I need to start a t-shirt business?
There’s no set number of designs you need to start a t-shirt business. While it’s possible to run a t-shirt business with just one design if you have the right illustration that resonates with your audience, offering a variety of t-shirt designs can help you attract a wider customer base.
What is the best print on demand service?
- Printful
- AppIke
- T-Launch
- Gooden