Guides
How to start a t shirt business: steps, printing and packaging
To start a t shirt business, pick a niche and a design, choose how you'll print, register the business, set up a store, test with a small batch and package the shirts so they arrive crisp. Print on demand needs almost no stock to begin. Printing your own stock gives you margin and control.
The shirt is the easy part. Niche and packaging are where small shirt brands differ, and both are cheap to get right early.
By Talha LoneUpdated
The steps, in order
- Pick a niche. A tight audience beats a broad slogan.
- Test the design. The SBA says market research can lower your risks before you launch.
- Choose a print method. See the table below.
- Register the business. Name, structure and state filing.
- Label the shirts. Required for sold clothing, see below.
- Open a store and take pre-orders. Test demand before you pay for stock.
- Package and ship. A good fold and a clean box set the tone.
| Method | Good for | Catch |
|---|---|---|
| Print on demand | Testing designs with no stock | You rarely control the packaging |
| Screen printing | Runs of the same design | Setup per color |
| Direct-to-garment | Detailed, full-color designs | Slower and dearer at volume |
| Heat transfer | Small batches at home | Less durable |
Registration and labels
Choose a structure with the SBA's business structure guide: a sole proprietorship is easy but leaves you personally liable, while an LLC generally protects personal assets. Licenses vary by state and city, per the SBA.
Shirts need labels as well. The FTC's textile labeling guide says a label must show fiber content by percentage, the country of origin and the maker's name or RN number. Care instructions follow a separate rule.
Packaging t-shirts
A shirt folds small. Put it in a poly mailer if cost matters most, or in a box if the shirt is a gift or a launch piece. Tissue paper is the cheapest upgrade. The clothing-wide steps are in how to start a clothing brand and how to ship clothes.
- Everyday orders. A custom mailer box sized to a folded shirt.
- Gift or limited edition. An apparel box with the logo on the lid.
- Test orders. A stock mailer with a printed sticker.
When not to hold stock, and when not to order custom boxes
If a stock box already fits and you don't need it printed, buy stock. It's cheaper and faster.
- You haven't sold a shirt yet. Run print on demand or pre-orders first.
- You're shipping fewer than 50 parcels. A stock mailer plus a printed sticker costs less. Custom starts at 50 units per design.
- Your print-on-demand partner packs the shirts. You won't control the box.
- You need them in days. Production takes 10–12 days from proof approval, plus shipping.
Once a design sells, send the folded size of a shirt. We draw the box for free.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a t shirt business with no money?
Use print on demand, which needs little or no stock, and test designs with pre-orders. Reinvest sales into stock once a design sells.
Do I need a license to sell t-shirts?
Probably. The SBA says license and permit requirements vary by state, county and city. Check your Secretary of State and local government.
Do t-shirts need labels?
Yes. The FTC says textile labels must show fiber content, country of origin and the maker's name or RN number. Care instructions follow a separate rule.
What is the best way to print t-shirts?
Print on demand for testing, screen printing for repeat runs, and direct-to-garment for detailed designs in small batches.
What packaging do I need for t-shirts?
A poly mailer or a mailer box sized to a folded shirt. Custom boxes start at 50 units per design.