Selling t-shirts can be an excellent way to generate extra revenue. But you need designs that stand out in order to be profitable.
Thank goodness there are websites which enable people to sell their own shirt designs online. These platforms provide everything from printing and shipping. Furthermore, it can provide invaluable feedback on your designs from potential buyers.
Designing Your T-Shirts
No matter if it is for merchandise, corporate wear or events like concerts and sports competitions, designing for your target audience should always be your number one goal. Brainstorm a message you are trying to send and present it for feedback by friends and family (but be wary - their feedback might come with their own hidden biases).
Illustration artists should try creating their t-shirt designs in Adobe Photoshop before uploading them to websites that specialize in printing illustrations onto shirts, such as Textual Tees. These websites allow artists to build an branded storefront while receiving payments only after their illustrations sell.
Society6 allows artists to focus solely on creating art while the marketplace handles printing and shipping logistics - an attractive option for artists looking for ways to sell their illustrations on merchandise like T-shirts. No monthly subscription fees required here!
Choosing Your T-Shirts
There are various strategies available for selling designs online. One option is using a print-on-demand website, which will take care of everything from production through shipping and handling - making the entire process much simpler for beginning entrepreneurs.
Another option is to set up and manage an online shop yourself, giving you greater flexibility to tailor it specifically to a particular target market. Although this requires additional work and commitment, this approach offers greater customization for optimal results.
Some individuals prefer selling their t-shirt designs through crowdsourcing sites, which allows them to set their own prices and earn money on each sale. As these sites each have different terms of service, it's wise to compare each option before selecting the best fit for you and your business. PlaceIt provides mockups that allow entrepreneurs to see how their designs appear when worn by real people, which helps them make more informed pricing strategies decisions.
Running a Presale Campaign
Growth of any t-shirt business takes time and dedication, whether your designs reflect current trends or long-term plans. A clear strategy and effective execution are necessary.
Engaging your target audience is a key way to drive sales and growth for your t-shirt business. Consider creating a regular newsletter where you share news, updates, discounts and promotions relevant to them.
While many who sell t-shirts online do so as a hobby or to make side income, others make it their full-time career. Fashion bloggers and vloggers who excel can earn considerable income through ads, sponsorships and affiliate marketing - as well as creating high-quality photographs and engaging stories about their creations to draw in customers. If you have a specific style or niche you wish to share with the world through blogging or YouTube channel creation - many resources such as free graphic design tools/templates as well as stock photo sites offering royalty free images may help get things rolling - to help get going a blog/vlog channel created!
Getting Started
No matter the nature of your designs or artistic pursuit, there are a host of services that offer mockup and shirt production services - such as Creative Market and Graphic River which both provide over 3 million fonts, graphics, themes, photos, templates designed by independent creators - suitable for creating mockups that you can turn into real shirts.
Start out by sharing your prospective designs on online discussion forums like subreddits and Facebook groups - this can give you an idea of their viability for reaching your target audience and boost confidence!
Remember to keep an eye out for creative inspiration, and don't hesitate to test new ideas. While success might not come instantly, if you persevere you will quickly establish a unique place within the t-shirt industry.