[zabestof]

Hey fellow forumers,

I'm a big t shirts fan and I'm thinking to start a small business, mainly online I think. Currently I'm a freelance web designer, but I'm very keen about the t shirt business and I've been thinking more and more about it lately.

Btw, I've been reading the forum for the last 2 years

My questions are:

1. Do you think it's still worth it? I'm very passionate and excited about this, but I need to hear some pros. advice before jumping with my head in front. I don't wanna spend my money and then regret about this. (I usually make this kind of decisions when I'm excited about something)

2. I'm thinking to take the heat transfers route. Buy a printer with a CIS system, a heat press and probably a vinyl cutter. Is this the right way? Can I make good quality t shirts with this method? I read a lot about the different types of printing t shirts, but the heat transfer appeals to me most.


Thanks in advance for any answer I may get.

Cheers!
Chris

 

[Rodney]

1. Do you think it's still worth it?

What do you mean by "worth it" exactly?

Is this the right way?

The right way is different for each person and business. Some people start with heat transfers, others start with screen printing, others start with DTG printing.

It depends on your budget, goals, and business plan

Can I make good quality t shirts with this method?

Are you printing t-shirts for your own clothing line or offering printing services to others?

I think a vinyl cutter and a heat press will give you good results for short run designs of 1-2 colors. You can also order plastisol transfers for more colorful designs.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of t-shirts done with inkjet transfers, but there is a market for them.

 

[idonaldson]

No it is not worth it, you will not make money, the competition is great, the equipment is costly, people here will eat you alive and trash your ideas. Now with all that said, there are thousands here that would take that as a challenge and start tomorrow, why because they feel they will make the difference. Congrats, welcome aboard.

 

[binki]

only you can answer if it is worth it. i would say your business plan as stated will not hold up. i doubt if you will sell even one shirt online but who knows? maybe you will be the next ed hardy

 

[nypdofficer1]

Scared money makes no money. This is a risk and that's why your nervous. All business is a risk. Just try and mitigate the inherent risks any business has. Research until you feel you know everything and then RESEARCH even more. Plan, plan, plan. In my honest opinion, your safest option route now that would merely cost you time and not much money if any at all is to design the shirt you want to sell and outsource the fabrication. If you start to sell to the point to justify buying equipment then go right ahead. If you don't sell any, then you can still walk away having lost nothing but time and little to no money at all. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.

 

[zabestof]

Hey,

Thank you all for your answers. I guess I will give it a shot eventually . Better to try and fail than not trying and feel sorry for that.

@Rodney: By worth it I meant if you still have a chance on the market beside the "big boys" without investing large amounts of money.

Cheers!