T-shirts are ubiquitous. It is not just a staple if you are looking for something casual, but the ideal apparel to reflect your personality and identity. This is why selling custom-printed t-shirts online can be a great business plan. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a visual/graphic artist, you should explore selling custom printed t-shirts online. You will have to wade through some tough competition, but in the end, with the right strategies, all your efforts will be worth it.
With the improvements in printing tech, design, and shipping, it has become easy to sell shirts online without inventory. But you will still need to make profits, work with slim margins and build a brand from scratch. To be successful, you need to put in the right kind of work from the get-go. Here are the top factors to consider while starting your online custom t-shirt printing business.
Niche
Niche gets tossed around a lot every time a discussion takes place centered around a business theme. When it comes to the t-shirt printing industry, the niche is the primary factor you need to consider. You don’t need to be a fashion expert to understand that certain pieces of apparel only appeal to a specific group. Graphic tees and shirts with slogans are hardly the top choices if you are over 30 years.
So, the first step to building a successful t-shirt brand is to choose your niche carefully. However, it goes without saying that if you have the resources and ideas, you can always target multiple niches to cover more markets. Still, do remember that specializing in a particular niche can do wonders as far as branding is concerned.
When it comes to choosing a niche, here are a few things for you to consider.
- Learn about custom printed shirts’ latest trends and popularity by leveraging social media like Instagram, Reddit, and Pinterest.
- Scan the popular hobbies from the internet.
- Use Facebook audience insights and similar tools to gauge the market demand.
The design
No one wants a copied design. You wouldn’t; so, put yourself into the shoes of your customers before designing your inventory. Remember that the best-selling designs do not need to be complex because minimalistic is the “in” thing right now. But you do need to take a hard look at the designs to make sure they are original. However, there are a few specifications regarding custom t-shirts that you need to keep in mind at all times to ensure high quality.
- The design element, image, or file should be more than 300 pixels (DPI).
- The design should be large enough to cover the print area.
- Remember that the size of the design will change depending on the shirt size.
Overall quality
The next factor to consider is the overall quality of the t-shirt, the design, and the material. Remember that as far as the success and the sustainability of your online shirt business is concerned, quality is paramount, as you can never get away with disappointing your customers. A high-quality design depends entirely on the printing facility, so make sure your designs do not fade or crack after a few washes. Additionally, you should also ensure the quality of the material to minimize the chances of shrinks and tears. Always remember that the better the quality, the higher can be the price point. To assure the best results, consider using top quality printing, which can be achieved with an Epson fabric printer.
Building a brand
If you are looking for a custom t-shirts brand, you need to have a solid and exciting vision. Remember that branding isn’t easy; it is about customer loyalty. It is the type of loyalty that you can gain by consistent quality and brilliant designs. If you are looking to survive the competition, you need to build a likable brand and offer a unique perspective previously unseen across the vertical.
About the inventory
Usually, a t-shirt industry requires the investor to buy or hold inventory. The operations are more straightforward when you build an inventory. You can take advantage of bulk pricing and local printing facilities to save a lot. But you do have to deal with inventory management and storage issues. However, on the other hand, you can opt for a print-on-demand service to get rid of the inventory. It will also take away the problems with shipping. Keep in mind print-on-demand is a low investment and low-risk move. So, do weigh your options before making a choice.
Remember that neither t-shirt materials nor printers are the same. You need to make the best and informed choices to build credibility and reputation. Avoid the amateurish mistake of sacrificing quality to enjoy greater profits—instead, factor in the customer requirements, market demands, and trends. Ensure the best in fit, sizing, material, and comfort. Keep in mind our tips for building a flourishing t-shirt printing business from your home.