T-Shirt Business: Sell Custom Tees for Under £300: Kit, Rates & Sales Tips (UK)
Startup Cost: £50–£300 | Difficulty: Beginner | Time to Start: 7 Days | Business Type: Local
A mate in Leeds printed 50 tees with local references, posted them in one Facebook group and cleared them in a fortnight. He never touched a screen printer himself.
Real UK Business Example
Custom Planet T-shirt printer in Glasgow offering DTG and screen print for UK merch sellers. Print-on-demand integrations ship in 48 hours.
What is a T-Shirt Business?
It means choosing designs, sending them to a printer and selling the finished shirts online or at markets. Most UK sellers now use print-on-demand or local trade printers rather than buying their own equipment.
Video Breakdown
The video walks through design partners, print platforms and simple marketing steps that keep spend low. Watch the full video on YouTube for the full walkthrough.
Key Takeaways
- Work with one niche group first instead of chasing every design idea.
- Send files to a printer rather than holding stock yourself.
- Put marketing spend ahead of shaving another pound off print cost.
- Test small runs with a local or regional printer before scaling.
- Track which designs sell in seven days and drop the rest quickly.
Startup Costs in the UK
Most people stay under £300 by using print-on-demand or small trade runs. Custom Planet in Glasgow handles both DTG and screen print for UK sellers.
| Item | Approx. Cost (UK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Design software | £0–£20 | Canva free tier or £20 annual Pro |
| First 20–30 printed tees | £80–£150 | Via Custom Planet or similar trade printer |
| Etsy or website listing fees | £10–£30 | Initial setup and first month |
| Simple social ads test | £30–£50 | Facebook or Instagram targeted to one postcode area |
| Packaging and labels | £10–£20 | Plain mailers from local wholesalers |
Total outlay usually lands between £130 and £250 before any sales.
Tools & Equipment Needed
- Canva or Photopea for design work
- Account with a UK printer such as Custom Planet
- Etsy, Facebook Marketplace or a simple Shopify trial
- Basic measuring tape and phone for product photos
How to Start
- Pick one narrow topic your target buyers already discuss, such as a local football side or postcode humour.
- Register as a sole trader with HMRC in ten minutes online.
- Open a free Printful or Custom Planet account and upload test files.
- Order five sample shirts to check print quality and fit.
- Post clear photos in the relevant Facebook group with price and collection or delivery details.
- Reinvest the first £50 profit into another small run of proven designs.
- Keep a simple spreadsheet of every sale and every ad spend.
Earnings & Scaling
UK t-shirts usually sell between £12 and £22. After print and platform fees a seller might clear £5–£9 per shirt. Twenty sales a month gives £100–£180 profit; fifty sales pushes it toward £250–£450. Growth comes from adding one new niche rather than printing everything.
Pros, Cons and Risks
Pros:
- Very low stock risk when using print-on-demand
- Work from home with only a laptop
- Can test ideas in days rather than weeks
Cons:
- Designs can be copied within days
- Facebook groups change rules without notice
- Print quality varies between suppliers
Risks:
- Paying for ads that reach the wrong audience
- Chargebacks if sizing runs small
- HMRC fines if sales are not declared
UK-Specific Tips
- Declare income on your Self Assessment even if it stays under the trading allowance.
- Use local Facebook groups before paying for national ads.
- Check the printer’s garment origin if you want to label items “Made in UK”.
- Keep all receipts for ink, blanks and postage for tax purposes.
FAQ
Do I need my own printing machine?
No. Most beginners send files to a trade printer or use a print-on-demand service.
How many designs should I start with?
Three to five designs tested in one community is enough. Drop anything that does not sell in the first week.
Can I sell at markets as well as online?
Yes. Many sellers take a small rack to car-boot sales or craft fairs in their town once they have stock samples.
What happens if a shirt is returned?
Most print-on-demand partners will reprint once; factor that cost into your pricing from the start.
Conclusion
Focus on one audience, order small batches and track every sale. browse more ideas on MicroBiz365.
