How to Start a T-Shirt Business 1-2-3
T-Shirt Company Business Plans;
An important part of starting a t-shirt company is putting together a business plan before you launch your
business. By planning, you can more successfully estimate start-up costs and a realistic operating budget. You
can also get a head start on marketing, and you'll find it easier to acquire financing.
If you've never written a business plan before, it can be helpful to take a look at sample business plans,
especially business plans of other t-shirt businesses. see one here: T-Shirt Company Business Plan.
Once you've take a look at some sample business plans, you can use the same plan structure and modify the
plan by inputting your own business details.
Generally, businesses are required to get a business license to ensure that they are complying with
government regulations. Requirements vary by city, so check with your local city office.
If you are using a business name that is not your own personal name, you want to register your business name
with the county clerk (contact your local county office).
Open a business bank account. It is good business practice to keep your supply business and personal
finances separate, and if you need business financing, your banker may be able to help. Opening a business bank
account is a fairly simple process; you should interview a few banks to find a good match.
You can make the most of business tax deductions by meeting with a tax accountant when you start your
business. If you need the name of an accountant, talk to local business owners whom you know. They may have
some recommendations of people you can trust.
How to Print T-Shirts for Profit 
Set Up Your T-Shirt Store Online
Get a website. Save money by creating your own
website with simple online design programs, or outsource the job to an affordable website designer.
Another option is to work with another company like Cafe Press or PrintMojo. These companies will warehouse your products, host your website, print your
t-shirts and handle customer orders for you. You get to design your products and decide the pricing. It's a
unique business opportunity where you can create and sell a variety of customizable products with $0 unfront
costs and $0 inventory investment. There are fees for sales processed.
Establish a professional and credible image simply by setting up a business phone system. Whether you use a
toll-free 800 phone number, a multi-line
phone system, VoIP or simply add an additional phone number to your existing service, you'll want a designated
line to establish a professional business image.
Finding Customers to Buy Your T-Shirts
- Submit Your Website to Search
Engines
If your business has a website, it's important to get listed in the search engines, because that is where
most shoppers start looking for products and services. There are a variety of ways you can do this,
and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money. In fact, you can submit your site for as little as... free.
Submit Your Website
-
Get Listed in Local Search Directories
Some people don't use the yellow pages or local newspapers or publications to find products and
services in their city - they look online, and you don't want to miss out on this source of income.
Even though shopping online, people often prefer to do business with a local vendor. Local Search is an
advertising space that is an easy, low cost way to reach your local target market.
Want to reach local customers with a special offer? Post your deal on
SignPost. There are no up front marketing costs, and you can advertise discounts, sales and other
offers to attract local and mobile shoppers to your business.
- Postcard
Marketing
Do a postcard mailing to introduce your custom t-shirt design or printing company to potential customers in
your area. Using low-cost online services makes this an easy marketing task. First, decide on a special
discount offer or hold a grand opening sale. Second, design your postcards online using professional
postcard templates with VistaPrint (you can get 50% off here). And
third, get targeted leads from a lead generation company like Resource Nation.
- Email Marketing
Since you'll most likely have a website for your custom t-shirt business, you can save even more money by
marketing to your customers by email. No email list? No problem. Email marketing companies like
ConstantContact will help you build a customer list with their customizable website sign-up form.
They also give you email templates you can use to design professional emails. Their program delivers
emails for you, and they include real-time reporting. You can try their service free for 60 days, no credit
card is required. Start now: ConstantContact 60-day free
trial.
- 29 Ways to Find
T-Shirt Customers
Find out what promotion strategies work - from experts. Get many more low cost, easy and even free
marketing tricks with this downloadable guide >> Small Business Marketing
Strategies
T-Shirt Business Resources:
