Ovidiu Craciun
Complete guide
Tees From Home
THIS EBOOK CONTAINS ALL THE
REQUIRED INFORMATION IN ORDER
FOR YOU TO START A T-SHIRT
BUSINESS/BRAND USING DTF
TRANSFERS
COMPLETE GUIDE TO A PROFITABLE BUSINESS
Introduction .................................................Page 3-4
Shopping list .............................................. Page 5-6
DTF and Designs ........................................ Page 7-9
T-Shirts .................................................. Page 10-14
Heat Press .............................................. Page 15-16
Pressing Techniques and Positioning ..... Page 17-18
Branding and Packaging ......................... Page 19-20
Marketing and Sales ............................... Page 21-25
Summary ..................................................... Page 26
INTERNATIONAL GILDAN TSHIRT (choose your region)
SUPPLIER - CLICK HERE
INTERNATIONAL DTF SUPPLIER - CLICK HERE
Download the extras HERE:
70 free designs
Free mockups
PAGE 2
Introduction
Heat transfer is the process by which a design, a transfer sheet, is transferred onto a textile
(T-shirt, hoodie) using a source of heat and pressure. The result is a customized T-shirt. For
this process to proceed professionally, you will need to use a heat press.
Print on demand is a production process that involves manufacturing the final product only
based on an order. In the case of the printed T-shirt business, this strategy will allow you to
display thousands of products for sale while only keeping the raw materials (T-shirts + DTF
films) in stock.
HOW PRINT ON DEMAND WORKS
PAGE 3
Introduction
The heat press is an essential piece of equipment in the heat transfer process. It works by
applying a combination of heat and pressure to a material to fix the design from the
transfer paper or transfer film directly onto the textile surface. There are several types of
heat presses, including manual, automatic, and hybrid, each with its own specifications and
advantages.
DTF (Direct-to-Film) films are films used in digital printing to transfer graphics directly onto
textiles. The process involves printing a design onto the film with special ink, applying a
layer of powder adhesive, and then transferring the design onto the textile material by
heating it with a heat press. This method offers a modern and efficient alternative to
traditional textile customization techniques.
PAGE 4
Shopping List
I made this eBook for all my international followers that wants to know more about this
business, so because all of you are from different countries, it would not be possible for me
to provide you with a website link directly to the product. However, I have added most
amount of details about these products and I am sure you will easily find a national online
store to buy these.
Heat Press (Any Type) 200 - 300 USD
Shop for a 38x38cm Heat-press. It could be clam,
swing-away or electronic. They all do the same
thing. I strongly recommend not to spend too much
for your first heat-press.
T-Shirt Blanks (Gildan) 200-400 USD
GI3000 LIGHT COTTON -Thin 153gsm
~3 USD
GI65000 SOFTSTYLE
-Medium 183gsm ~4 USD
GI2000 ULTRA COTTON -Heavy 203gsm ~4 USD
Find a wholesale T-Shirt supplier with decent prices.
You can do so by Googling “Gildan + country_name”.
Shop around for the best prices.
DTF Transfers - 50-100 USD
-Stock between 5-10 linear meters of DTF transfers
You can easily find a DTF supplier in your country by
Googling “DTF print + country_name” . These shops
will print out your designs and ship them to you. They
usually sell these DTF sheets by linear meter
(57x100cm) but keep in mind, wherever you are
located, do NOT pay more than 30 USD/linear meter.
The correct price should be between 10-30 USD.
Etsy.com is one of your best friend. Type in the search
bar “custom DTF” and choose a supplier.
Furniture And Electronics (You
probably already have)
PC/Laptop - for editing software
Spacious work table/Desk - for equipment
Desk Supplies - ~30 USD
-Desk Lamp - white light for better visibility
-Scissors - minimum lenght 20cm
-A2 Cutting Mat - for cutting and crafting
-Metal Ruler - 50cm metal ruler
-Lint Roller - absolute must
-Snap Blade Knife - any tipe
Designs (PNG) - 5-50 USD
-Buy as many .PNG designs as you need
Link HERE to see all our available designs
Clear Plastic Bags and Courier
Polybags - ~30 USD
-500 Clear Plastic Bags 230x320cm - for
individually packing each Tshirt
-200 Polymailer Bags 250x350cm - useful for
packaging Tshirt order and ship them out
PAGE 5
Shopping List
Mini Heat Press - ~50 USD
-Easier neck labels application
Printer - 150 USD
-Useful for printing out hang-tags and
shipping labels
Online Store - 1 USD
-Build a Shopify website with no coding
experience for only $1/month for the first 3
months.
Optional Desk Supplies - 20 USD
-A4 Thick Printing Paper 300gsm - to print out hangtags using your printer
-1 Hole Puncher - 8mm hole puncher to make a hole
through your hang-tag
-Tag Attacher Gun - to attach your hang-tags to the tshirt
INTERNATIONAL GILDAN TSHIRT
SUPPLIER - CLICK HERE
(choose your region)
INTERNATIONAL DTF
SUPPLIER - CLICK HERE
PAGE 6
DTF and Designs
Transfer foils or transfer films can come in several types: sublimation transfer films, vinyl
transfer films, white toner films, screen printing films, or my favorites - DTF films. The
advantage of these DTF films is that you can create colorful designs, such as pictures and
multicolored texts. They can be applied to any type of material (cotton, polyester, or
blends), are extremely easy to apply, and are very, very resistant to washing and wear.
As you’ve probably already seen in my videos, the graphics are very vibrant and high-quality,
which is also due to the process by which they are created (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe
Illustrator). Assuming you’re not skilled at working with such programs, I have provided a
package of over 70 such graphics for you. You can download them from HERE or by
following the link on the "Table Of Contents" page. You can always shop for more designs.
Choose between more than 20.000 designs HERE.
These graphics need to be printed using a special DTF printer that prints white ink. Indeed,
there are cheap printers, costing 1000 EUR, that can be converted for DTF, but the process
is complicated and expensive, and maintaining these printers can be a real hassle.
Professional DTF printers can exceed the amount of 5000 euros.
Let’s have a look at the printing process of DTF transfer films
1.Design Creation
2. Importing the design into a RIP
software
3. Actual printing
4. Covering the print with DTF
powder
5. Baking the powder to create
the rubbery adhesive layer
6. Final result - ready to press DTF
transfer
PAGE 7
DTF and designs
Do you know what the good news is? You won’t have to complicate yourself with software, printers,
and headaches in the production of DTF films. You can procure these films from a reliable supplier.
Using the designs provided by us and collaborating with a supplier will not only reduce your startup costs by 99%, but it will also ease your production, as you will no longer have to follow the
cumbersome process of creating the graphics, printing, and curing the DTF film.
As I was saying in the Shopping List section, you can easily find a DTF Sheet supplier in your
country by Googling “DTF Print + country_name”. You will have to send the supplier a .PNG file
matching the size on his product page, as some suppliers use the format 56x100cm, others use
57.9x100cm and so on. This format is called 1 linear meter of DTF. The universal price for 1 linear
meter ranges between 10 and 20 USD depending on the country. Anything above that, consider a
ripoff and keep looking. Absurdly speaking, if you cannot find a supplier in your country and you
live in Europe, you should use the UK suppliers as there are a lot of them. Simply Google “DTF
sheet UK” and you will have plenty suppliers to chose from. Contact them and discuss shipping
terms and everything.
A very good marketplace to find DTF suppliers is etsy.com
Preparing the .PNG format for a DTF sheet is not difficult at all, but you will need to follow some
rules to ensure the print comes out correctly. These are:
The file must have high resolution (300dpi) for the best print quality;
Remove the background (even if it’s white) before sending the file, or it will be printed;
Transparency effects and shadows do not work for DTF. Remove them;
Accepted file types: .ai, .pdf, .psd, .png.
The 70 free graphics you can download from HERE are of very high resolution, and all you need to
do is arrange them in the page to be able to place an order with your supplier. The designing
program I use to arrange the designs in page is called Canva, which you can use both in the
browser and as an app, and it is extremely easy to use.
The steps you need to follow are:
1. Go to Canva.com and register by clicking HERE;
2. Activate the Pro plan (30 days free);
3. From the home page, click on 'Create a design';
4. Click on 'Custom size';
5. Select 'cm' for 'Units' and enter: 57.9 (or supplier standard) for 'width' and 100 (or lenght
needed) for 'height' and click “Create a design”;
6. On the new page opened, click on 'Upload' from the left panel;
7. Upload the .PNG designs and bring them into the page to reposition them;
8. Resize and reposition the designs as you like. You will see each one’s size as you resize it.
9. When happy with positioning, click on 'Share' then 'Download' to download;
10. Select PNG for 'File Type';
11. Set 'Size' to maximum, for 57.9x100 it should be 6839x11811 (other size=different resolution)
12. MANDATORY: Check 'Transparent background';
13. Click 'Download', wait for processing and save the file;
14. Send the file to your supplier or upload it on their website. (use wetransfer.com for large files)
INTERNATIONAL DTF SUPPLIER - CLICK HERE
VIDEO TUTORIAL: How to prepare your file for placing a DTF order
PAGE 8
DTF and designs
After placing the order and paying the invoice, the guys from bqp.ro will deliver the DTF
transfer roll to your home. These graphics will need to be cut individually and stored in a
cool, dry place until use. The DTF rolls from bqp.ro are of very good quality, so they can be
stored for at least a year without any change in color or quality.
DTF Sheet Roll
Unroll the roll and start cutting the
graphics individually. Make sure not to
separate the elements of a design with
scissors and try as much as possible to
avoid leaving sharp corners while
cutting. Leaving sharp corners on your
design could stuck up in the fabric of
the shirt and compromise the whole
product.
After cutting the graphics individually,
store them stacked on top of each
other in a cool place away from light
and heat. The adhesive side of the DTF
is somewhat fragile, so handle it
carefully and keep it out of reach of
children. The adhesive is toxic.
PAGE 9
T-Shirts
Let's start with a simple question: Why Tshirts? In 2024, launching a Tshirt business can
be a smart choice for several reasons.
First of all, t-shirts are essential and universal clothing items, worn by people of all ages and
social categories, thus ensuring a wide and diverse market.
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Secondly, the customization of t-shirts is extremely popular, allowing entrepreneurs to
capture current fashion trends, cultural events, and social movements. Modern printing
technologies like DTF and online platforms make launching and managing a business with
low initial costs easier. Thus, with a decent strategy, a t-shirt business can be both
profitable and relevant in today's market.
In addition to the tremendous advantage of generating sales easily, a t-shirt business is
also extremely profitable. The production cost of a t-shirt can range from 3-5 USD,
depending on the materials and the complexity of the design, while the selling price can
range between 10-20 USD, ensuring a gross profit margin between 50%-85%.
For example, selling 300 t-shirts a month at an average price of 14 USD can generate
monthly revenues of 4200 USD, with profitability over 60%. If 300 t-shirts a month seems
like a lot, I guarantee that a simple reel on Instagram or TikTok that goes viral and
surpasses the 10k likes threshold will bring you these sales.
With a solid marketing strategy and cost control, this business model can generate
substantial revenues and long-term growth.
Low aquisition
cost
High profit
margin
Blank t-shirts are extremely
inexpensive, even the highquality ones, if purchased
from the right supplier.
Percentage-wise, you can
add a profit margin of at
least 300% without making
the t-shirt seem expensive.
Constant
demand
Fast supply
There is high demand
throughout the year,
especially during the summer
and holiday seasons.
Easy and quick
procurement process of
raw materials (t-shirts,
DTF) + rapid production
PAGE 10
T-Shirts
The specifications of Tshirts, such as the material, thickness, cut, dimensions, and
maintenance methods, are critical to the success of a new clothing brand. Choosing the
right material, such as organic cotton or a blend of synthetic and natural materials,
influences both comfort and durability. The thickness of the t-shirt affects the perception of
quality and its utility in different seasons. Well-executed cuts ensure a proper fit for various
body types, contributing to customer satisfaction. Additionally, the compatibility of the
material with DTF customization techniques is essential to achieve an aesthetically
pleasing and durable final product. Choosing the right blank t-shirt at the beginning of a
brand's journey is crucial as it sets the standard of quality and influences the public's
perception of the brand, thereby determining customer loyalty and long-term success.
The thickness of the material is measured in grams per square meter (gsm). For reference, a
t-shirt under 160gsm is thin and suitable for summer, while a t-shirt over 200gsm is
considered thick, with a premium feel (suitable for brands). Of course, some customers
prefer thinner t-shirts, while others prefer thicker ones, so a suitable option would be
medium-weight t-shirts, ranging between 160gsm and 200gsm.
GSM = Grams/Square Meter = Thickness
T-Shirt >200gsm is thicker and heavier
T-Shirt <160gsm is thinner and lighter
Under 160 GSM
160-200 GSM
Over 200 GSM
PAGE 11
T-Shirts
The different cuts/styles of t-shirts
Slim Fit: Slim fit t-shirts are designed to fit closely
to the body, accentuating contours. They are not
suitable for Print-On-Demand.
Regular Fit: Regular fit t-shirts offer a looser fit
compared to slim fit ones, ensuring a comfortable
balance between freedom of movement and
structured appearance. They are the most
common and suitable for Print-On-Demand.
OVERSIZE: Oversized t-shirts have a loose fit,
offering a relaxed and comfortable style. They
have become very popular recently and are highly
favored in Streetwear fashion.
Selling regular fit t-shirts as oversize:
A useful trick to offer customers t-shirts with an oversized look is to sell regular fit t-shirts
in a larger size than they would normally wear. For example, a size L regular fit t-shirt can be
promoted as oversized for someone who would typically wear size M. This trick can
simplify inventory management and logistics if you also want to sell oversized t-shirts, as
you won't need to stock multiple types of blank t-shirts.
PAGE 12
T-Shirts
GILDAN Ultra Cotton GI2000
Suitable for: Streetwear Brand
-100% Cotton
-Regular fit
-203 gsm
-Thick/heavy material
-Round coller
-Detachable neck tag
-53 available colours
-8 available sizes
~4 USD
GILDAN Light Cotton GI3000
~3.4 USD
Suitable for: Text Prints
-100% Cotton
-Regular fit
-159 gsm
-Thin/light material
-Round collar
-Detachable neck tag
-10 available colours
-6 available sizes
~3 USD
~2.5 USD
FIND INTERNATIONAL GILDAN SUPPLIER - CLICK HERE
PAGE 13
T-Shirts
GILDAN Softstyle Midweight GI65000
Suitable for: Any Type
-100% Ringspun Cotton
-Regular fit. Can be used as oversize
-183 gsm
-Medium Thickness
-Round collar
-Smooth and soft
-Detachable neck tag
-22 available colours
-8 available sizes
~4 USD
SOL’S Imperial SO11500
3.5 USD
Suitable for: Premium Brand
-100% Ringspun Cotton
-Regular fit
-190 gsm
-Soft and premium feel
-Round collar
-Medium thickness
-Detachable neck label
-48 available colours
-5 available sizes
~4 USD
~3 USD
These blank tshirts brands are very famous and easily accesible from every country. Just
like with the DTF supplier, Google the desired product and you should find a wholesale
supplier. Shop around to find the cheapest supplier.
PAGE 14
Heat Press
The heat press applies heat and pressure to transfer designs from DTF (Direct to Film)
films onto textile materials. This sandwich-maker will become your best friend in the
upcoming period. As you already know, there are different types of heat presses:
Clamshell Heat Press
Swing Away Heat Press
Automatic Heat Press
I personally use a clamshell heat press with dimensions of 38x38cm, and I am extremely
satisfied with it. Over the past 4 years of use, it has performed perfectly, and the only
maintenance it required was lubricating the closing mechanisms with grease. However, you
can confidently choose any type of heat press mentioned above, and furthermore, you can
consider purchasing a second-hand press from platforms like eBay or other marketplaces.
Regardless of the type of heat press you decide to purchase, make sure its minimum size is
30x30cm. I recommend opting for a press with dimensions of 38x38cm because it will allow
you to print most DTF sizes and on any t-shirt size.
Avoid spending a fortune on branded heat presses that does the same thing as a press
costing 200 USD. Try to avoid 5in1 or 8in1 heat presses. These do not heat evenly, and the
pressure will be uneven. Clamshell heat presses are the most durable and sturdy, while
automatic heat presses are the easiest to use.
PAGE 15
Heat Press
The structure of a heat press can vary depending on its
model and size, but typically it consists of two plates, one
upper and one lower, that close over each other. The upper
platen heats up, while the lower platen usually contains a
sponge or rubber pad that helps to evenly distribute
pressure and on which the t-shirt is placed.
Let's start with the pressure mechanism, which I
recommend setting correctly from the beginning so
you won't need to adjust it later. Typically, the
pressure mechanism is operated using a simple
screw: turn it to the right to increase pressure and to
the left to decrease pressure. For DTF transfers, the
applied pressure should be medium.
But how much does this medium pressure really
mean? I use the paper test method. Start by
adjusting the pressure to the minimum. Place a
sheet of paper in the press and try to pull it out. With
minimal pressure, you will certainly succeed, so
gradually increase the pressure until you can no
longer pull the paper sheet out from between the
heat press platens. However, keep in mind that if
opening the press becomes difficult and noisy, the
pressure is definitely too high.
Now that you've set the pressure, go to the control
panel to set the temperature and time. For DTF, the
temperature should be set to 165 degrees Celsius
and the timer to 15 seconds. These are the standard
settings for pressing DTF transfers onto textiles.
Useful tips to extend the lifespan of your heat press:
1. Connect the heat press directly to a power outlet, not through an extension cord, to reduce the risk of
overloading.
2. Unplug the heat press from the power outlet after each use to minimize the risk of electrical
accidents and short circuits.
3. Periodically lubricate the closing mechanism. Use grease at least once a month to ensure optimal
operation.
4. Operate the heat press at an appropriate height. Adjust your workspace so you don't have to bend
excessively when pressing.
5. Never press any design without protection. Use the backing foil of the DTF transfer or parchment
paper to prevent the design from sticking to the upper platen.
PAGE 16
Pressing Techniques
Perfect alignment of the design on the T-shirt can seem tricky, but if you follow these rules,
alignment will be 100% perfect every time. I will also attach a tutorial video at the bottom of
the page.
With the heat press set to 165°Celsius, start by folding the T-shirt in half vertically, creating
an imaginary line starting from the collar down the middle. Ensure that the shoulder seams
and the bottom hem are aligned. Apply a brief 2-3 second press to this fold to mark the
guideline. Proceed by applying two guide folds to the DTF design: one at the top and one at
the bottom of the film. Avoid drawing guide lines on the adhesive side of the DTF film.
Continue by placing the T-shirt on the lower platen of the press, ensuring the collar extends
beyond the edge of the pad. This prevents temporary discoloration of the collar due to heat
and helps achieve consistent pressure. Next, apply a brief 2-3 second press to eliminate
any remaining moisture in the fabric and to smooth out the T-shirt. Use a lint roller to
remove any potential contaminants such as lint or hair.
All you have left to do is align the DTF film with the vertical guide line on the T-shirt to
achieve a perfectly straight result every time. To ensure the design is not positioned too
high or too low, you can measure four fingers down from the collar, where the design
should be placed. Use this method until you gain enough experience.
Close the press and press for 15 seconds, then open the press and wait for the transfer to
cool down. You can remove the T-shirt from the platen for faster cooling. Speed up the
cooling process by using a cold cloth to rub the design. After cooling, confidently remove
the DTF backing sheet, reposition the T-shirt on the platen, cover the design with the
previously removed backing sheet, and press again for another 15 seconds, still at 165°C.
After the second pressing, you can remove the backing sheet when it's cold, and the T-shirt
will be ready. This T-shirt printing process ensures outstanding quality and durability. Be
assured that this design will adhere to the T-shirt through at least 50 washes without losing
its details.
For correctly pressing brand labels, I recommend using a mini heat press for efficient
application. However, it's also possible to use a flat heat press without a mini one. Position
the T-shirt collar at one corner of the lower platen and press the label using the same DTF
rules. Using a regular heat press for pressing brand labels can be a bit more challenging, as
it may lead to heat marks and discoloration on the collar. Therefore, the mini heat press is
recommended. Press for 15-20 seconds across the entire design surface.
VIDEO TUTORIAL: How to align and press DTF transfers
PAGE 17
Pressing Techniques
The recommended distance from the collar
to the design is 5-7cm. You can
approximate this distance by measuring
four fingers down from the collar of the Tshirt.
Left Chest
Middle Chest
Full Chest
Oversize Chest
6-12cm width
6-12cm height
10-25cm width
10-20cm height
25-30cm width
25-35cm height
25-30cm width
30-40cm height
Back Neck
Middle Back
Full Back
Sleeve
2.5-7.5cm width
2.5-7.5cm height
15-25cm width
5-15cm height
20-30cm width
30-35cm height
2.5-10cm width
2.5-10cm height
PAGE 18
Branding and Packaging
Why is it so important to build your own brand? After all, they're just simple t-shirts, and you
might think that no one will care about a mere logo, labels, or even the unboxing experience
itself. Well, that's not the case at all. By spending just a few extra minutes attaching a label
or tag, you can bring recognition and credibility to your business. These small details
enhance customer trust and continuously promote your business, as every wearer becomes
an ambassador for your brand.
As an example, take a look at the two packages below.
Which of these two packages do you think would create a more positive impression and
experience for your customers? Exactly, the second one. Anyone would appreciate the
presence of these details compared to their absence. In terms of cost, a cardboard tag +
printed brand label on the neck + clear plastic bag will cost you less than 0.5 USD, and in
terms of time, you can attach them in 2-3 minutes
For the hang-tags that you can print using any color printer, you will need minimum 300gsm
cardboard paper on which you will print your brand logo along with other information you
want to display (website, country of origin, washing instructions, etc.). After printing, the
cardboard paper will need to be cut into equal parts using a ruler and cutter. You can create
the graphics for these tags yourself in Canva by opening an A4 canvas and populating it
with your brand logo. CLICK HERE to watch the video tutorial on creating these tags. The
cardboard tags will be attached to t-shirts/sweatshirts using a tag attaching gun. You will
need to pierce an internal seam of the garment so that the garment is not damaged when
the customer removes the tag. As you have probably already seen, I prefer to pierce the
seam inside the sleeve, but you can find such spots around the collar as well.
PAGE 19
Branding and Packaging
Regarding the neck labels that are printed in the neck area, you can create them yourself in
Canva or purchase 5 templates from HERE. The templates are fully customizable and can
fit hundreds of pieces on a single linear meter of DTF (10-15 euros). These are attached
using a mini heat press or on the corner of a flat heat press.
I recommend coloring these labels in gray because gray can be printed on both black and
white t-shirts as well as colored t-shirts. The recommended dimensions for such DTF neck
labels are 7x5cm.
As you already know, the first impression of the customer is very important, so the way you
package the t-shirts weighs heavily in the unboxing experience. I will show you how I
package the t-shirts to make them look immaculate.
For this packaging method, you will need a sheet of cardboard paper, a lint roller, and
repositionable tape bags.
1.Place the t-shirt face
down and remove
impurities using the lint
roller
2.Place the cardboard
sheet in the middle,
down from the collar
3.Fold the bottom half
up until it reaches the
cardboard
4.Fold the left side using
the cardboard as
support
5.Fold the right side
using the cardboard as
support
6.Fold the remaining
bottom part
7.Use the cardboard as
support to insert the tshirt inside the clear
plastic bag
8.Seal the bag
PAGE 20
Marketing and Sales
Your product photos don't necessarily have to be real. You can create digital mockups by
overlaying your desired design onto a photo of a plain t-shirt. This can be done using Canva.
In the Extras folder you downloaded at the beginning of the eBook, you will find a subfolder
named Mockups, where I have prepared photos of simple t-shirts with transparent
backgrounds. The process of creating a mockup is simple and straightforward:
1. Open a new page in Canva with a resolution of 1000x1000px.
2. Upload the photo of the desired t-shirt from Extras - Mockups.
3. Upload the .png design photo you want.
4. Place the t-shirt on the page and overlay the design over the t-shirt photo.
5. Download the image and voila: you've just created a product photo.
You can use all the .png designs available in the Extras folder to create different product
photos, where the print is on the front or back. However, make sure that the design size in
the photo corresponds proportionally to 90% of the actual print size. Choose as many
designs as you like and create as many product photos as possible. The more products you
list for sale, the higher your chances of making sales.
VIDEO TUTORIAL: How to easily create Mockups
This strategy refers to promoting t-shirts with designs specific to particular customer
categories. For example, creating a t-shirt with a design related to builders and promoting
this product in Facebook groups for builders. Or promoting a t-shirt with a design specific
to fishermen on a fishing Facebook page. You'll need to plan your promotion strategy well
and ask yourself two key questions: who is the wearer and who is the buyer. For example, tshirts with messages for children will not be promoted in a children's Facebook group, but
rather in a mothers' group, because mothers will be the buyers and children the wearers.
Your creativity and intuition will make the difference in correctly targeting the audience and
increasing sales.
You can segment your audience based on niche interests. You can have personalized tshirts for dog lovers, travel enthusiasts, or fans of specific TV series or movies. You can
also add elements specific to local culture to the t-shirts, such as references to local places
and events, dialects, or regional traditions.
Collaborations with artists or influencers are another way to substantially increase your
sales. Contact your favorite influencers or artists and propose to produce merchandise tshirts for them. With a fan base closely tied to them, they will easily sell hundreds of t-shirts
monthly, bringing profit both to them and to you.
PAGE 21
Marketing and Sales
Another way to sell a lot is by collaborating with local event organizers and festivals. Venue
owners for events such as weddings, baptisms, and parties will definitely want to
implement the sale of theme-specific printed t-shirts. Contact them and propose an
irresistible offer that allows them to have an acceptable profit margin. Provide them with
pictures of your products and as many details as possible about the customization
process.
As an online sales platform, we first have the classic eBay. You can add dozens of free ads
for each account on this platform. The visibility is massive, and orders will not be delayed.
Create product photos, publish ads, and track statistics. Then promote the ads with good
statistics, such as views and messages received, which will substantially improve your
sales.
Customer contact is a key point in sales. Be respectful, respond quickly and succinctly to
all customer inquiries, and take orders through the eBay platform. The next steps after
taking orders are customization, invoicing, and shipping the package to the customer. Offer
discounts and promotions for the next order, which will greatly increase your chances of
customer return if they are satisfied.
Another way to sell your products is through your own online store. Creating a website
nowadays is very easy and accessible. You can develop a website without any IT
knowledge using Shopify along with a tutorial from YouTube. Adding products is
straightforward through Shopify's admin panel, and you can promote your products on
social media through paid ads. Maintenance costs are low, you can add unlimited products,
and there are zero commissions.
However, there are some disadvantages. Creating a website can be challenging, marketing
costs can be high, and visibility might be low if your website doesn't have consistent traffic.
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Marketing and Sales
Using Facebook Marketplace, you can create ads for your products directly from your
personal Facebook account. Access Marketplace and create attractive ads. Add clear
images of the t-shirts, concise descriptions, and clear specifications regarding sizes,
materials, and customization methods.
Use keywords in your descriptions that will propel your product to the right audience. Ads
on Facebook Marketplace can be distributed across various relevant Facebook groups,
which will increase your views and consequently your sales.
Using Facebook, you can sell a lot of t-shirts by creating a Page. This is the method through
which I have sold the most t-shirts, so please do not overlook this sales channel. The steps
to create a new page are very simple:
1. Log in to your personal Facebook account.
2. Click on "Page" on the left panel, then "Create a new page."
3. Choose a name for your page and the type of page (Clothing).
4. Fill in the rest of the necessary information and configure the settings.
5. Add content - post the t-shirts you want to sell.
6. Promote your content to the right audience
7. Receive messages, enquiries and sales through Facebook Messenger
1. Directly from Facebook Page: Navigate to your Facebook page and click on "Promote"
or "Create Ad" to enter Ads Manager.
2. Choose Your Objective: Select what you want to achieve with your ad, such as driving
traffic to your website, generating leads, or direct sales.
3. Set Your Audience: Define who you want your ad to reach based on location, age,
interests, and other relevant details.
4. Budget and Duration: Decide how much you want to invest in your ad and how long it
will run. Start with small amounts to test effectiveness.
5. Choose Locations and Ad Placement: Opt for where you want your ad to appear - in the
news feed, on Instagram, or other locations.
6. Optimize and Monitor: Track your ad's performance in Ads Manager, adjusting your
strategy as you gather performance data.
7. Analyze Results: After your campaign has run for a period, analyze the data to
understand what worked and what didn't.
This process helps simplify the promotion through Facebook Ads and ensures you don't
need to hire an agency to run your ads.
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Marketing and Sales
The direct sales strategy involves contacting potential clients via phone and/or email to
present and propose your offer of custom-made shirts or apparel. The main clients targeted
are businesses and legal entities.
Step 1: Create a list of nearby businesses. Visit google.com to find small and medium-sized
businesses to whom you can present your offer.
Step 2: Contact the representatives of these businesses via email and provide them with
the relevant details.
Step 3: Develop business relationships and close deals.
While it may sound simple, let's elaborate on the process.
Start by identifying your target audience. Before directly contacting potential clients,
consider if personalized apparel is important in their line of business. Develop a clear and
persuasive sales pitch that highlights the benefits and advantages of purchasing custom
shirts. Mention advantages you can offer compared to your competitors, such as fast
delivery, quality materials, competitive pricing, and additional services. Gather as much
information as possible about each company beforehand so you can tailor your sales pitch
to their specific needs.
Initiate contact with a personalized message. Before calling, try contacting the company via
email or social media platforms. Briefly outline your offer and gauge their interest in your
products.
Be prepared for questions and objections, and ensure you can explain the customization
process and specifications of the shirts or hoodies. After the initial contact, follow up with
each potential client with a call to monitor progress, and sales will surely follow.
Here's a list of various companies potentially interested in personalized shirts:
Restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, and guesthouses
Construction firms
Auto services
Local factories and workshops
Fitness centers
Schools, universities
Sports teams
Delivery companies
Local workshops (tailoring, carpentry)
Political parties (during election periods)
Municipalities
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Marketing and Sales
Another direct sales strategy is to become a direct supplier to local clothing stores. You
can create t-shirts and hoodies with designs relevant to the region or with current designs
and offer these products to local clothing stores.
Start by identifying stores that might be interested in t-shirts and/or hoodies. Observe the
themes of these stores and create a suitable offer for them by contacting owners directly
and discussing the possibility of supplying them with clothing.
Continue discussions with interested potential clients and show them examples of designs.
Emphasize the benefits and advantages of collaborating with you, such as originality,
quality, and fast delivery times.
Negotiate and establish the terms of collaboration to reach a mutually beneficial
agreement. Remember, you have the ball; calculate the production cost of a t-shirt
beforehand and do not sell it for less than double the investment. Often, it may cost you
less than 4.5 USD, so a good price for both parties could be around 9 USD per piece,
especially for larger quantities.
I guarantee that supplying t-shirts and hoodies to 3-4 clothing stores will offer you a
consistent profit without too much hassle.
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Summary
In this summary page, you will find a synthesis of the most important aspects discussed,
from selecting materials and preparing the design to correctly applying the foil. This recap
will help you consolidate the knowledge gained and apply it confidently in your future
projects.
1. Buy the heat press, blank t-shirts, DTF films, and auxiliary accessories;
2. Heat the press to 165 degrees Celsius;
3. Press a guideline down the middle of the shirt and down the middle of the design;
4. Place the shirt on the press with the collar hanging off the edge of the mat;
5. Align the DTF film guideline with the shirt guideline, 4 fingers down from the collar;
6. Press the transfer for 15 seconds at 165 degrees Celsius;
7. Allow the transfer to cool and remove the backing film;
8. Reposition the shirt on the press and cover the design with the same transfer film;
9. Apply another 15-second press;
10. Remove the backing film immediately after pressing (while hot);
11. Attach the branded DTF label using a mini press or the flat press corner;
12. Attach the cardboard tag using the tag gun;
13. Pack the shirt using cardboard sheets and clear bags.
Congratulations on going through our guide on how to start your own custom T-shirt
business! We are excited to have you with us and to help you achieve your goals.
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