How to Start a Successful T-Shirt Printing Project?
Custom t-shirts could be your ticket to financial independence.
Ecommerce growth is not slowing down. Statista expects that the industry will be worth around 4.10 trillion dollars by the end of 2020.
The time to start an online business now seems like an excellent possibility. And custom t-shirts could be your ticket to financial independence.
Think about it. More and more people are wearing custom t-shirts to express their views or support a cause. Brands invest in merchandise and use it as complimentary gifts or have their employees wear t-shirts to raise awareness. For example, while some participate in a charity marathon.
And while the idea sounds attractive, it is not that simple. You will need to prepare and be smart about your decisions. The guide below should be a good reference and help you make as few mistakes while pursuing the goal.
Step #1 – Pick the Printing Method
You have a few options when it comes to digital printing techniques. Some people decide to invest in a printing machine themselves and commit to the business idea. Others look for a supplier and focus on customer service without worrying about inventory or shipping.
The quality of t-shirts matters as well. Printing of custom t-shirts using direct to garment or DTG printing is a process in which a printer sprays ink on t-shirts and creates a design. It is similar to printing a document from a regular printer and happens to be one of the best methods for complex designs. After all, a t-shirt will not sell if it lacks quality as well as unique designs.
Starting with the basic and recommended method is a good approach. Once you have experience and are familiar with the industry, you can try other methods, like heat press or dye sublimation.
Step #2 – Research the Market
Market research comes next. You do not want to pick a blind niche and go with it. The competition can be too fierce, and you will struggle to get a share of the market.
Finding an idea that is both interesting and not too saturated can be difficult. However, the primary goal is to make a source of income, so you should prioritize a market with less competition.
When researching, look at Google Trends, and see what the hot topics are. Then, see how many competitors have already established themselves.
The narrower the niche, the higher your chances of succeeding. Say that you pick pets. Expecting to compete with authority stores may be too hard. However, if you narrow it down to silly Siamese cats that quote famous people, for example, you will have an easier time.
Step #3 – Check Local Laws
Check with local authorities to make sure that you understand the taxation and other aspects. If the t-shirt business starts to make a lot of money, you do not want to end up charged for tax evasion and other infringements.
Step #4 – Consider a Partnership
Running the whole operation solo can be too difficult. Thankfully, you can rely on other people if there is not enough time in your schedule. Hiring freelancers or even finding a partner with whom you split the profit 50-50 is worth considering.
One of you can be in charge of promotion, while the other can take care of the graphic design end of the project.
Step #5 – Develop a Website
Developing a website should not be an issue, though you can also hire someone who can do the work for you. Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce have easy integration.
Once the website is up and running, you can start to add t-shirts and other content, like blog posts that will help with search engine optimization. Focusing on marketing should be the next step and one that will take the majority of the time if you want to have a profitable t-shirt store on the internet.
Step #6 – Advertise on Multiple Channels
Speaking of advertising, you have multiple options. Covering as many different channels as possible should be the priority, but the lack of available resources may stop you from doing that.
In addition to search engine optimization, you should also grow your presence on social media by running ad campaigns and organizing giveaways.
Influencer marketing is another strong form of digital marketing. You can get an influx of new customers if someone with an audience gives your brand a shoutout. If you decide to emphasize influencers, maintain good relationships with them because finding a good influencer is difficult.
Step #7 – Aim to Scale the Business
Once things settle down, do not stop and look for ways to scale the business. Add new products, and not just by creating additional designs. T-shirts are not the only merchandise you can sell. Mugs, hoodies, calendars, and face masks are just a few other examples.
There will likely be stagnation periods, but that is when you need to start thinking outside the box and look for ways to refurbish the business. Otherwise, you may end up falling behind the competition.
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