Print on Demand Shirts: Beginner Guide

One of the most popular products that companies use is print on demand t-shirts. Shirts are adaptable, well-liked by customers, and a fantastic canvas for many different patterns. By 2025, it is anticipated that the market for bespoke t-shirt printing would reach $10 billion.

Despite the enormous market potential, there is the fierce rivalry. Although it's difficult, selling t-shirts online might be a huge potential for the appropriate businessperson.

Finding the best print-on-demand companies to collaborate with, developing designs that clients will adore, and learning conversion-boosting techniques are crucial for this reason.

We'll go through every aspect of starting a print on demand t-shirt business or side gig in this article.

Best print on demand t-shirt companies

Printful

T-shirts and more than 270 more print on demand products are available at Printful. Because Printful doesn't impose order minimums or charge up-front costs, it is a desirable alternative to employ when starting an online t-shirt business. Additionally, you can combine it with Shopify and other online stores like Etsy and Amazon. Utilize Printful's storage and fulfillment services while designing packaging with your own logo.

You may choose from a variety of t-shirt designs for men, women, and kids, including classic t-shirts and more unique choices like polo shirts and tank tops.

• Popular t-shirt brands: Gildan, Bella + Canvas, American Apparel, etc.
• Average fulfillment time: Orders for shirts and other clothes are filled in two to seven business days, while orders for non-apparel products take two to five days. After completion, most purchases are mailed out within five business days.
• Shipping locations: Los Angeles, California; Charlotte, North Carolina; Tijuana, Mexico; and Dallas, Texas are just a few examples.
• Cost of lowest-priced tee: $7.95.
• Mockup Generator: Yes.
• Ecommerce integrations: Wix, Squarespace, Big Cartel, Magento, Gumroad, BigCommerce, Launch Cart, 3dcart, Ecwid, Webflow, Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Storenvy, Weebly, Square, Wish, Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, and Shipstation are a few examples of ecommerce platforms.

Printify

One of the more than 300 print-on-demand products on Printify is shirts. Choose from a huge selection of t-shirt designs in various colors, including those for tees, tanks, and hoodies. It's a fantastic platform to utilize for your online store because it integrates with Shopify, Etsy, eBay, Prestashop, and other services. It also has an open API.

Before making a more significant investment in Printify, get samples to ensure that you are satisfied with the design and quality. Given that Printify has more than 90 printers spread around the world, it is especially well suited for vendors from other countries. Additionally, each supplier's typical fulfillment time is visible.

• Popular t-shirt brands: Delta, Gildan, Bella+Canvas, etc.
• Average fulfillment time: The majority of orders are sent in two to seven business days.
• Shipping locations: Germany, Latvia, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom.
• Cost of lowest-priced tee: $6.55.
• Mockup Generator: Yes.
• Ecommerce integrations: Shopify, Etsy, eBay, PrestaShop, BigCommerce, Wix, WooCommerce, and the Printify API are among the examples.
• Branding: accessible from a few sellers.

AOP+ Easy Print on Demand

More than 200 print on demand products is available in the Shopify and Etsy app AOP+ Easy Print on Demand. The fact that AOP+ is also the manufacturer sets it apart, allowing you to collaborate with it directly to create customized shirts. This choice is particularly excellent for white labeling.

The three options that AOP+ provides are $0/month, $11.99/month, and $19.99/month. All of AOP's regular products are available to free users, while premium customers have access to a wider range of products and more branding possibilities.

• Popular t-shirt brands: Bella+Canvas, Gildan, Fruit of the Loom, etc.
• Average fulfillment time: Three to five business days are needed for production, and delivery times vary per region. Orders to the US require one to two weeks, orders to the UK require around a week, and orders to other foreign locations require one to seven weeks.
• Shipping location: London, United Kingdom; the Netherlands.
• Cost of lowest-priced tee: $8.99.
• Mockup Generator: No.
• Ecommerce integrations: Shopify, Etsy, ShipStation, Stripe, Payoneer.
• Branding: Packing slips, packaging inserts, branded stickers, labels.

Apliiq

Apliiq, like many other print-on-demand businesses, offers a wide variety of products, including several shirt varieties. Standard t-shirts, tank tops, flannels, polos, and tie-dye tops are all available. Depending on the kind of shirt you select, there are up to 30 different colors to pick from.

Private labeling, sewn tags, embroidery, and patches are further alternatives. Sample orders don't need a minimum, allowing you to give it a try before committing more money. If you appreciate Apliiq's shirts, you may save up to 55% by ordering in quantity.

• Popular t-shirt brands: Bella+Canvas, Gildan, Jerzees, etc.
• Average fulfillment time: Most orders ship within a week.
• Shipping location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
• Cost of low-priced tee: $3
• Mockup Generator: No
• Ecommerce integrations: Shopify, WooCommerce
• Branding: A variety of private label options are available

Teelaunch

Teelaunch offers print-on-demand services for a variety of products, including several shirt varieties. T-shirts, tank tops, long-sleeve tees, and sweatshirts are among the styles available in men's, women's, and unisex sizes. Additionally, it sells clothes for kids, toddlers, and babies. Shirts come in a variety of sizes and colors; many designs provide S-5XL selections and more than 20 color choices. Some designs also permit printing on both sides.

Teelaunch is best used with a Shopify account, but you may also sell your products on Etsy, Facebook, Amazon, or eBay. The app is free to use, and although it doesn't provide samples, you are eligible for a 25% discount once every 30 days.

• Popular t-shirt brands: District, Next Level, etc.
• Average fulfillment time: In three to six business days, orders are processed and prepared for delivery; however, during the busiest seasonal times, order processing might take up to nine days.
• Shipping location: US, Canada, UK.
• Cost of lowest-priced tee: $5.
• Mockup Generator: No.
• Ecommerce integrations: Shopify, Etsy.
• Branding: No.

SPOD

The Shopify print-on-demand software SPOD features over 100 distinct product categories, including a variety of shirt products for men, women, children, and newborns. Filters make it simple to check which products come in a particular color or size.

Customers may quickly customize products using SPOD's customizer tool directly from your Shopify store. The software offers over 50,000 free designs to pick from if you don't have the time or desire to build your own. A t-shirt mockup generator is also available.

• Popular t-shirt brands: Bella+Canvas, Hanes, Gildan, etc.
• Average fulfillment time: 48 hours.
• Shipping location: Europe and North America.
• Cost of lowest-priced tee: $6.71.
• Mockup Generator: Yes.
• Ecommerce integrations: Shopify.
• Branding: Packaging.

CustomCat

You may choose from more than 70 different t-shirt styles, as well as polos, button-ups, tank tops, sweatshirts, and hoodies, using CustomCat's print-on-demand services. Each shirt type has a different range of sizes and colors. Some versions come in sizes XS-3XL with more than 20 color choices.

Your Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, and BigCommerce stores can all be integrated with CustomCat. You may also upload a CSV spreadsheet or submit orders directly using its own API. Account creation with CustomCat is free, however, Shopify customers must either pay $30 per month for the app or use CustomCat Lite, which is free to use but charges $2 per item, to utilize the service.

• Popular t-shirt brands: Bella+Canvas, Gildan, Next Level, etc.
• Average fulfillment time: Shipping typically takes two to six business days.
• Shipping location: Detroit, Michigan.
• Cost of lowest price tee: $7.
• Mockup Generator: No.
• Ecommerce integrations: Shopify, Etsy, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, CustomCat API.
• Branding: No.

T-Pop

French-based TPOP is a print-on-demand service that values the environment. It offers a variety of shirts in sizes for men, women, unisex, and children, and the majority of its products are made of organic cotton. The shipping process is plastic-free, and designs are printed with vegan eco-certified inks as part of TPOP's dedication to the environment.

With TPOP, you can fully customize packing slips and incorporate your brand on parcels for free. Additionally, you may give TPOP any add-ons you wish your deliveries to have, including fliers, promotional products, or stickers. Direct ordering through TPOP or integration with your WooCommerce, Etsy, or Shopify store is both options.

• Popular t-shirt brands: Bella+Canvas, Stanley/Stella, etc.
• Average fulfillment time: Production takes two to four business days, and depending on where you are, the shipment might take longer or shorter. French shipping takes two to three business days, EU shipping takes three to ten business days, and US shipping takes five to fourteen business days.
• Shipping location: France
• Cost of low-price tee: €12,20
• Mockup Generator: No
• Ecommerce integrations: Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy
• Branding: Packaging inserts; packing slips

Designing your print on demand shirts

There are several approaches you may use when developing the graphic design for your shirts. There are possibilities even if you don't consider yourself to be artistic or design-savvy. Each option has a different level of complexity.

Create t-shirt designs yourself

Making your shirt graphics is a terrific option if you're creative. You could already be a graphic or fine artist with a specific design in mind. Alternatively, you could wish to design print-on-demand products using the logo and other visual elements of your company. You may utilize print-on-demand services to pick the shirts and printing methods you wish to employ for your designs. Custom t-shirts have a particular charm since they draw clients who might wish to wear distinctive t-shirt designs that aren't available from some of the more well-known companies. Just be careful not to let the cost of producing your designs reduce your profit margins.

Buy design templates

You may use online t-shirt templates and mockups to guide you through the design process if you want to make it yourself but need some direction. For templates and design components, you may use in your products, look in places like Designious, Tshirt Factory, and Creative Market.

Hire someone

Outsourcing is a great choice for people who can't or don't want to design their print-on-demand shirts. You may hire expert designers to make you a one-of-a-kind design to put on your shirts. Find excellent designers who can realize your concept by asking friends and family for recommendations or by visiting Shopify Experts.

Getting started with sell print on demand t-shirts

Finding your specialty is the first thing you should do if you want to sell print-on-demand t-shirts. By selecting a niche market, you may better understand your target audience and appeal to their unique desires and requirements. Choose one of the shirt printers from the list above if you want to find shirts and printers that can provide you with the high-quality products you need to satisfy your consumers.

You should validate your ideas to make sure there is a market need and potential once you have your niche, your design, and your printer. Create an internet store and launch a few low-cost advertising campaigns to see what works and what doesn't. Flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of a print-on-demand shirt business. Without making a big investment in new inventory, you may always introduce and test new designs.

You may grow your print-on-demand business to include more products (like print-on-demand books) once you've determined your best-selling shirt designs. There are no boundaries!