21 T-Shirt Business Ideas To Start In [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: February 22nd, 2024

Are you Interested in starting a t-shirt business?

The tee shirts business is one of the most profitable fashion industry business ideas you can start today. To maximize profitability, choose a viable niche based on market size and ease of selling tee shirts.

We put together a list of the best business ideas you can start in 2024

1. Start a t-shirt dropshipping business

Selling t-shirts online becomes more profitable when you decide to go dropshipping way. You do not worry about inventory keeping, warehousing, or shipping with a dropshipping model. You can profit when done correctly on platforms like Shopify. Besides, you can begin a t-shirt dropshipping business for as low as $100.

To start a t-shirt dropshipping business, develop a brand idea, and create unique, eye-catching t-shirt designs. Then, choose an excellent printing option and set up the dropshipping store.

2. Start a t-shirt customization kiosk

One of the great things about starting a T-shirt customization business is that you only need a minimal overhead, and you could do it out of your backyard without issues.

However, before you ask how to start a T-shirt customization business in Mumbai, take a minute to consider why you want to create a T-shirt business. Probably the promotional products or uniforms niche is under-served in your area.

Before starting, you should outline your foray into the T-shirt customization business. Then, you need to identify the target market to understand better how you want to sell your customized t-shirts.

Once you have defined the niche market, you can develop custom designs as per the customers’ expectations. The following steps will be making the business legal and determining the overhead. Finally, market the business but do not overextend yourself financially.

3. Become a tee shirt designer

Have you always had a passion for fashion and creativity? Well, then the field of tee shirt design could be the perfect opportunity for you!

As a tee shirt designer, you would be responsible for fitting model garments, ensuring size uniformity, and using your design and aesthetic skills to create unique and eye-catching tee shirts that will captivate your customers’ attention.

With this exciting career, you’ll have the chance to let your creativity run wild and make a lasting impact on the fashion industry.

How much you can make: $15,000/month

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

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4. Start a sports t-shirt making business

A sports t-shirt design and distribution business are one of the most profitable ideas you will want to start today. Sports Tee shirts are popular items within the fitness industry, which makes them an amazing opportunity for upcoming fashion entrepreneurs.

5. Start a t-shirts business

Starting a t-shirt business is simple and anyone can do it. It's also a great way to make money on the side or even start out as a full-time business.

If you are someone who enjoys creating beautiful designs and has a sense of humor, then starting a t-shirt business might be the perfect venture for you. It's also a great way to make extra money on the side while working on a hobby.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $9,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 42 days (?)

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6. Start an online t-shirt business

Running a t-shirt business is an opportunity many entrepreneurs are looking into as a side hustle or even a full-time business opportunity. While having your own physical store is possible, online businesses are becoming extremely popular in this field.

Launching your own successful online t-shirt business may feel daunting, but with the guidance & insights from people who are already pioneering this industry, it’s simpler than you may think. You can start with selling customized quotes t-shirts, tie-dye prints/screen printing t-shirts, or solid color t-shirts. The opportunities for this industry are endless.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $275,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)

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7. Start a t-shirt manufacturing business

T-shirts are a fashion essential and a medium for expressing opinions and commitments. In addition, T-shirts are an ageless symbol for the young. They are easy to wear, comfortable, and stylish for people of all ages. Therefore, starting your t-shirt manufacturing business can be an excellent opportunity to earn from the vast market.

8. Start a T-shirt Printing Business

T-shirts have come a long way, and they are no longer just an essential clothing item but also a means of showcasing attitudes and beliefs. Different companies use T-shirts during brand and merchandise promotions, while politicians use them during political campaigns.

Thus, starting a T-shirt printing venture can be a profitable opportunity. You can order unprinted t-shirts wholesale from distributors and take printing orders from marketing companies and groups that use t-shirts to express beliefs and attitudes.

Starting a t-shirt printing business is not capital-intensive as other businesses; you can begin printing t-shirts from home and deliver them to customers.

9. Start a t-shirt brand

If you have fashion design skills, you can start your T-shirt brand from your home and sell them online. All you need is to follow t-shirt trends and focus on building a strong brand presence online. Then, source quality fabrics and set up a t-shirt production and manufacturing line.

10. Start a print on demand t-shirts business

Print on demand is a fulfillment model that helps create and sell custom t-shirts without having to keep inventory or handle shipping. A Print on demand marketplace like Printify integrates with leading eCommerce platforms so you can design, print, and sell t-shirts to millions of online shoppers effortlessly.

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

11. Start a supplying t-shirts to schools or uniform sellers

The global uniform market is growing, and there are no signs of slowing. If you are an apparel manufacturer, you can start designing t-shirts and selling them to uniform sellers across the country. Alternatively, you can approach schools and become an appointed uniform t-shirt supplier.

12. Start a selling t-shirt designs online

Are you an avid fashion designer? You can start making beautiful creations that attract customers to buy and start selling the designs online.

To start the business, create and upload the designs on an online design platform. You then have to market your designs, sit back and watch as your orders are printed and sent directly to your buyers.

13. Become a t-shirt wholesaler

Another t-shirt business idea is becoming a wholesaler. Becoming a t-shirt wholesaler requires larger capital to stock in bulk and distribute directly to consumers. You can make huge profits from the wholesale model if you can get high-quality t-shirt manufacturers or printers.

14. Start a t-shirt blog

Starting a t-shirt blog is one of the most rewarding and profitable online businesses you can create. You will get an opportunity to inspire, educate and entertain an audience and as blogging grows, you get to build an online presence for your t-shirt business.

15. Start a vintage t-shirts business

Vintage band t-shirts have become increasingly popular and a must-have that everybody craves. High-street shops and online stores sell mass-produced copies of vintage t-shirts. The good news is that you can start a vintage t-shirt business. All you have to do is to find a potential market for your merchandise and mass-produce high-quality vintage t-shirts.

16. Become a t-shirt printing equipment supplier

The demand for t-shirt printing machines has been growing globally. Experts attribute the trend to the growing t-shirt and custom t-shirt printing industry. The essential equipment for t-shirt printing includes screens, emulsion, a heat press, a dryer, an exposure unit, and a cutter.

With the thriving t-shirt printing business, you can profit from selling printing equipment and supplies.

17. Start a baby t-shirts

Experts estimate the baby apparel market to grow by a CAGR of 4.63% annually, with the average volume per person expected to amount to 1.3 pieces in the coming years. Venturing into the baby apparel market in 2024 can be a great way to profit from the growing demand.

One way you can venture into the baby clothes market is to start selling baby t-shirts. You only need to ensure great designs and a great way to capture mums’ attention, and your baby t-shirts will begin selling. Since your t-shirts target babies, they should be soft and tender to the skin and easy to clean.

18. Start a t-shirt retail shop

Opening a t-shirt retail shop is another way to enter the t-shirt industry. Most t-shirt retail shops target specific niches. Therefore, to run a successful t-shirt retail shop, you must find a strategic location and identify a potential target market.

Besides, marketing is an important consideration that will help you attract the ideal customers to your business.

19. Start a tech-enhanced t-shirts brand

QR code on t-shirts is an upcoming trend and are popular among marketers and social media influencers. With a QR code printed on a T-shirt, people can scan the code using their mobile phones, and they are directed to the website or a social media page of the wearer.

To start a tech-enhanced t-shirt brand, you need the right QR-code generator and follow the best practices for creating QR-code on t-shirts and other apparel.

20. Start a 100% cotton t-shirts business

Cotton t-shirts are popular with everyone and so a great choice. They are soft, breathable, comfortable, and gentle on the skin. Therefore, starting a 100% pure cotton business could be a safe bet.

21. Start a plus size t-shirts business

Plus-size tee shirts are ideal for people who have trouble getting the clothing they admire. If you are interested in starting a t-shirt business but not sure of the best specialization option, plus-size t-shirts can be a great business to focus on.

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Pat Walls