The Business of T-Shirt | Teevolution

The Business of T-Shirt Printing: Scaling with Screen Printing and DTG

Introduction

Fancy turning that cracking idea in your head into a proper business? Got a knack for design and a burning desire to plaster your wit (or maybe just your favourite meme) onto a t-shirt? Well, you’ve come to the right place, mate. Here at Teevolution, we’re not just slingin' tees; we're all about helping you turn your passion into profit. The t-shirt printing market is absolutely booming, and there's plenty of room for more creative talent to join the party.

This isn't your average dry business guide. This is a straight-talking, no-nonsense breakdown of how to scale a t-shirt printing business, focusing on two absolute titans of the industry: screen printing and DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing. We'll be showing you how to make your start and eventually make scaling a reality. Whether you're a one-person band working from your spare bedroom or dreaming of a full-blown print shop, we've got the insights to help you get there. So, grab a cuppa, settle in, and let's get this Teevolution started!

Key Takeaways

• DTG is your best mate for starting out: Low upfront costs, ideal for single orders and testing the waters.
• Screen Printing is the big boss for bulk: Once you're printing serious numbers, screen printing offers unbeatable efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Combining DTG & Screen Printing is the ultimate power move: Flexibility to handle any order size and complexity.
• Pricing is king: Understand your costs and set prices that keep you profitable while staying competitive.
• Sustainability isn't just a buzzword; it's smart business: Customers are increasingly eco-conscious, and so are we.

I. Introduction: Turning Your Passion into Profit

So, you reckon you've got what it takes to crack the funny t-shirt printing game? Good on ya! The market's hotter than a vindaloo right now. Everyone loves a good tee, especially one that says something, makes 'em laugh, or just looks downright awesome. But how do you actually turn that passion for design into a proper, money-making business?

• The T-Shirt Printing Market: A Quick Glance

  The global t-shirt printing market is huge and continues to grow. This is thanks to the increasing demand for customized apparel, the rise of e-commerce, and the growing popularity of personalized gifts. People are looking for ways to express themselves, support their favourite causes, or simply add a bit of fun to their wardrobe. And that's where you come in.

• Focus: Scaling with Screen Printing and DTG

  This is where the real magic happens. We're going to dive deep into the two main printing methods that will be your bread and butter: screen printing and Direct to Garment (DTG). We'll explain when and why to use each method to scale your business effectively.

II. Starting Small with DTG

Think of DTG (Direct-To-Garment) printing as your trusty sidekick when you're just starting out. It's like having a digital printer, but instead of paper, you're printing directly onto a t-shirt. No stencils, no mess (well, less mess!), just pure, unadulterated design magic.

• The Advantages of DTG for Startups:

  • Low Upfront Investment: This is a BIG one. DTG printers can be surprisingly affordable, especially compared to the cost of setting up a full screen printing operation. You can snag a decent DTG printer for a few thousand quid, which is a fraction of what you'd need for screen printing equipment.
  • No Minimums: This is where DTG really shines. You can print one-off designs without any hassle. Someone wants a single t-shirt with a picture of their pet ferret wearing a tiny hat? No problem! (We might even have a design for that already…)
  • Full Colour Prints: DTG handles complex, full-colour designs with ease. No need to worry about colour separations or layering inks – the printer does it all for you.

• Building an Online Store and Marketing Your Designs:

  Right, you've got your printer, and your designs are looking sharper than a tailored suit. Now you need somewhere to sell 'em. Here are your options.

  • E-commerce Platforms: Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce – these are your best mates. They're easy to set up, relatively affordable, and offer all the tools you need to create a professional-looking online store.
  • Print-on-Demand (POD) Services: These platforms (like Printful, Teespring, or Redbubble) handle everything from printing to shipping. You just upload your designs, and they take care of the rest. The downside? Lower profit margins and less control over quality.
  • Marketing: Gotta let people know you exist! So here are a few tips.
    • Social Media: Get your designs out there on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest. Run contests, post engaging content, and build a community around your brand.
    • SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): Use relevant keywords in your product descriptions and website content so people can find you on Google.
    • Paid Advertising: Consider running targeted ads on Google or social media to reach a wider audience.
    • Influencer Marketing: Collaborate with influencers in your niche to promote your designs to their followers.

• Managing Inventory and Order Fulfilment:

  In the early days, you'll likely be printing orders as they come in. This is great for minimizing risk, great for the environment and keeping your inventory lean. 

  • Inventory Management: Use a spreadsheet or inventory management software to keep track of your stock levels.
  • Order Fulfilment: Pack and ship orders yourself, or outsource fulfilment to a third-party logistics (3PL) provider.

III. Scaling Up with Screen Printing

Alright, you've been slinging tees left and right with your DTG printer, and orders are coming in faster than you can say "Bob's your uncle." It's time to level up, my friend. It's time to buy more DTG printers or embrace the power of screen printing.

• When to Invest in Screen Printing Equipment:

  Screen printing is the bee's knees for bulk orders. If you're consistently getting orders for 20+ shirts with the same design, it's time to start considering screen printing. It offers significantly lower costs per shirt compared to DTG for larger quantities. But the potential risk of being left with excess stock is high.

• Building a Team and Optimizing Production Processes:

  Screen printing can be a bit more labour-intensive than DTG, so you'll likely need to build a team to help you manage the workload.

  • Screen Printer: Someone with experience in preparing screens, mixing inks, and running the printing press.
  • Design Assistant: Helps with creating and preparing designs for screen printing.
  • Order Fulfilment Specialist: Packs and ships orders efficiently.

• Expanding Your Product Line and Services:

  Once you've mastered screen printing, you can start expanding your product line and services.

  • Different Apparel: Offer hoodies, sweatshirts, tote bags, and other apparel items.
  • Custom Design Services: Offer custom design services for businesses, organizations, and events.
  • Wholesale Printing: Partner with other businesses to provide wholesale printing services.

• Managing Larger Orders and Wholesale Accounts:

  Dealing with larger orders and wholesale accounts requires a different approach than handling individual orders.

  • Pricing: Offer volume discounts to wholesale customers.
  • Communication: Maintain clear and consistent communication with your clients throughout the production process.

IV. Combining Screen Printing and DTG for Maximum Flexibility

The best of both worlds, eh? Combining screen printing and DTG is like having a superhero team on your side. Each method has its strengths, and by using them together, you can tackle any t-shirt printing challenge that comes your way.

• Using DTG for Sample Prints and Small Custom Orders:

  DTG is perfect for complex designs which have plenty of colour or for creating sample prints to show clients what their designs will look like on a t-shirt. It's also ideal for handling small custom orders where screen printing wouldn't be cost-effective.

V. Pricing Strategies for Profitability

Right, let's talk brass tacks. You can have the snazziest designs and the fanciest printing equipment, but if you don't price your tees properly, you'll be bust faster than you can say "another pint, please."

• Calculating Costs and Setting Competitive Prices:

  You need to know exactly how much it costs you to produce each t-shirt. This includes the cost of the shirt itself, the ink, the labour, the electricity, and any other expenses. Don't forget to factor in your overhead costs, like rent, utilities, and marketing.

• Offering Discounts and Promotions to Attract Customers:

  Everyone loves a bargain! Consider offering discounts and promotions to attract new customers and boost sales.

  • Percentage Discounts: Offer a percentage discount on all orders (e.g., 10% off).
  • Free Shipping: Provide free shipping on orders over a certain amount.
  • Bundle Deals: Offer discounts on bundles of t-shirts (e.g., buy 3 get 1 free).
  • Seasonal Sales: Run sales during holidays and other special occasions.

VI. Conclusion

So there you have it, the straight dope on building a t-shirt printing empire. If your looking at making fast money or large profits, then look elsewhere. This industry isn't about an easy quick profit as some you tubers talk about, it's a hard graft. From starting small with DTG to scaling up with screen printing and mastering the art of pricing, you’ve got all the tools you need to succeed.

• Highlight the Potential for Success

  The t-shirt printing industry is ripe with opportunity. With a bit of creativity, hard work, and a cracking sense of humour (like ours!), you can build a thriving business that brings joy to people's lives (and puts a few quid in your pocket).

• Sustainability is Key

  Let's not forget the planet, yeah? At Teevolution, we're all about sustainability. We use vegan-friendly, organic cotton, carbon-neutral tees, plastic free packaging, designed in factories powered by renewable energy, and when your tee’s worn out, just send it back – we’ll turn it into something new, closing the loop in circular fashion. How cool is that? So keep things eco-friendly, and your customers (and the planet) will thank you for it.

• Offer Advice for Building a Sustainable and Profitable Business

  • Focus on Quality: Don't cut corners on materials or printing. People are willing to pay for a quality product that lasts.
  • Build a Strong Brand: Create a unique brand identity that resonates with your target audience.
  • Provide Excellent Customer Service: Go above and beyond to make your customers happy.
  • Stay Flexible: Be willing to adapt to changing market trends and customer preferences.
  • Use Plastic Free Packaging: A great way to improve recycling and reduce plastic usage. Ours even have a cool doodle pattern that can be coloured in. 
    

So what are you waiting for? Get out there, start designing, start printing, and start your own Teevolution. We’ll see you at the top! Cheers!