Starting a business in the custom T-shirts niche doesn’t require a big starting budget, and the industry is expected to grow even bigger shortly. Even if the competition is stiff, you can get ahead of your competitors by using your design ideas, combined with quality products, like Jerzees t shirts. Of course, you should always focus on a niche. For example, you can choose a particular design style or shirt, like a ringer tee.
First Steps Before Launching Your T-Shirt Business
Every successful business starts with a well-thought plan. You should research your market thoroughly before you begin to ensure you will focus on the right things. An excellent strategy to avoid spending unnecessary money and having fewer competitors is to focus on a specific niche for your custom T-shirt business. Most successful online T-shirt business owners argue that standing out in a big market is only possible when you cater to a specific interest group.
Since custom T-shirt businesses are niche-based, you should try to focus on a particular niche. For example, just creating T-shirts with funny slogans won’t do since that is a vast niche. An excellent example of a specific niche to focus on would be to produce T-shirts with funny slogans related to cat owners or vets.
When analyzing your selected niche, there are specific techniques you can use. Most revolve around scouting online or using specific tools to help you out. You can do most of them on your mobile phone:
- Use Facebook. They have a tool called Audience Insights, which lets you estimate the number of users interested in your input niche
- Use Wikipedia. Wikipedia is an excellent source of information but can also be used as inspiration. Search for trends or hobbies across the platform to gain insights into what people love
- Reddit is another great online platform to use for your research. You can take a look at different subreddits to check their engagement level
- Use Google Trends to find out what topics people are currently interested in
- Ask your friends and family. They can be a great source of feedback and inspiration for your future business
Find a Good Jerzees T Shirts Supplier
Finding a good supplier is a crucial aspect of a successful business. Unfortunately, not all suppliers are trustworthy, and you wouldn’t want to lack the materials when you receive your first big order. Therefore, you must thoroughly research the market suppliers and shortlist the most reputable ones. Then, you should talk with one of their representatives to get a quote and see if they are eager to collaborate with you. Since Jerzees t shirts are high-quality, the only aspects you should research are how reliable your supplier is and what price you can get for the required merchandise.
Consider Adding Ringer Tee as a Second Option for Your Designs
Printing an additional type of T-shirt with your designs will allow you to get more customers. For example, even if Jerzees t shirts are a casual wear staple, some people will prefer a ringer tee. Furthermore, having the same design on two types of T-shirts will double your chances for a customer to identify with your product.
Most people who wear custom T-shirts like to diversify their apparel. A funny slogan on Jerzees t shirts might not appeal so much to somebody as it would on a ringer tee. Appealing to a broader audience will grow your client base. Furthermore, having T-shirt options on your future website will make your brand stand out. Consider offering different colors for your ringer tee and Jerzees t shirts.
Get Your Designs Done
Once you have decided on your target niches and found a reliable T-shirt supplier, it is time to move to another essential step in the process. From having an idea of what designs you want to use for your custom T-shirts to having them printed is a long way. One of the most complicated parts of the process is having the actual designs done.
You could make your T-shirt designs if you have good graphic design skills. Even if it’s recommended to use Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to create your designs, other more straightforward tools are available on the market. You can use tools like Canva or Befunky to generate quality designs for your future T-shirts. Beware that these tools cannot achieve the same complexity as Adobe tools, and it’s best not to sacrifice quality for a few bucks.
If you don’t have graphic design skills or want top-quality designs for your custom T-shirts, there are plenty of online communities where you can find talented designers to help you create the perfect graphics for your shirts. You should tell them exactly what type of T-shirt you will have them printed on, whether it is a ringer tee or Jerzees t shirts, so it will be easier for them to create a mental picture of the final product. You can find these designers on specific online communities where you can contact them directly and get a price quotation:
- Behance is a portfolio-based community where you can browse the works of different designers worldwide and contact your favorite ones
- Dribbble.com is another visual community where you can browse through different styles of work and contact the designers you like the most
Choose a Printing Method
Choosing a printing method for customizing jerseys depends on various factors such as design complexity, quantity, budget, and desired finish. Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is ideal for intricate designs and small quantities due to its high-resolution output. Screen printing, on the other hand, is cost-effective for bulk orders and offers a durable print. Direct-to-film (DTF) printing bridges the gap between DTG and screen printing, offering vibrant prints without needing pre-treatment. Among the array of available machines are the Epson F2270 DTF printer, Brother GTXpro Bulk, and the Kornit Avalanche HD6, each catering to specific printing needs.
Don’t Hesitate to Get Your Business Going
According to a study by ResearchAndMarkets, the custom T-shirts industry is expected to grow yearly. It would be best if you started your business as soon as possible to impose yourself as a powerful brand. Whatever designs you want to focus on, make sure they are centered around specific popular niches so you have a more extensive client base to work with.
Furthermore, only use quality materials like Jerzees t shirts. It is important to offer alternatives for your designs, so include different colors and styles, like a ringer tee. Finally, do not get discouraged, and don’t expect to achieve success overnight. Building a successful T-shirt business takes time and dedication.