Print‑on‑Demand Profits: How to Launch Your First T‑Shirt Store
👕 T-shirts sell like hotcakes.
And thanks to Print-on-Demand (POD), you can now launch your own T-shirt business without holding inventory, packaging, or managing shipping.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to launch a profitable T-shirt store step-by-step, even if you have ₹0 upfront investment.
🚀 What is Print-on-Demand?
Print-on-Demand is a business model where products (like T-shirts, hoodies, mugs) are only printed when someone orders them.
You upload your design → someone places an order → the platform prints, ships, and delivers it.
You earn the profit margin (selling price – base price).
✅ No inventory
✅ No upfront stock
✅ No risk of unsold products
🧠 Step 1: Pick Your Niche
The biggest mistake? Launching a general T-shirt store.
🎯 Niche sells.
Examples of profitable niches:
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Fitness (Gym quotes, motivation)
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Coding / Tech Humor
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Desi Jokes or Slang (in Hindi or Hinglish)
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Pet Lovers (Dogs, Cats)
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Feminist or Mental Health Awareness
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Anime, K-Pop, or Cricket Fans
Tip: Combine your interest + trending theme. Eg: “Coder + Desi Humor” = viral potential.
🎨 Step 2: Create Eye-Catching Designs
You don’t need to be a designer.
Here’s how to create T-shirt designs:
DIY Tools:
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Canva (Free + Paid)
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Adobe Express
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Photopea (Free Photoshop alternative)
Tips:
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Use bold fonts and minimal elements
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Stick to 1–2 color palettes
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Use mockup templates to preview your design on real models
💡 You can also hire cheap designers from Fiverr or Upwork if you prefer outsourcing.
🛒 Step 3: Choose a Print-on-Demand Platform
Here are some beginner-friendly, FREE platforms:
🔹 TeeSpring / Spring
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Easiest for beginners
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Integrated with YouTube & Instagram
🔹 Printful
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Connects with Shopify / Etsy
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Better quality & branding control
🔹 Redbubble
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Global audience
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Great for artists & illustrators
🛍️ Step 4: Set Up Your Store
Option 1: Free Platform Store
Platforms like TeeSpring, Redbubble allow you to set up a free storefront instantly.
Option 2: Your Own Shopify Store
If you want more control:
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Buy domain (via Namecheap / GoDaddy)
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Create store on Shopify (₹20–₹29/day)
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Install Printful or Printify plugin
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Upload designs, set profit margins
💸 Step 5: Price It Right
Let’s say:
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Base T-shirt price = ₹350
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Your selling price = ₹699
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Profit = ₹349 per sale
🧠 Factor in:
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Platform fees
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Ads (if any)
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Discounts & offers
Start with minimal profit, then increase as you get sales.
📢 Step 6: Promote Your Store
No sales = no business.
Use these free & paid marketing tips:
Free Methods:
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Post mockups on Instagram Reels & Pinterest
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Use trending hashtags in your niche
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Join niche Facebook groups
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Create a free blog (on Blogger/Medium) for your niche
Paid Methods:
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Instagram Story Ads (₹200–500 budget)
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Run 7-day tests with 1–2 designs
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Track click-through rate and sales
🧾 Step 7: Track & Optimize
Every 15 days, ask:
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Which design sold the most?
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What was my profit per sale?
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Where are my buyers from?
Use:
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Printful dashboard
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Shopify Analytics
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Google Analytics (for your site)
🛠 Remove what’s not working, double down on what is.
💡 Bonus: Scale Beyond T-Shirts
Once you’re stable, expand to:
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Hoodies
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Phone Covers
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Tote Bags
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Notebooks
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Stickers
Same design, more products = more money.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Launching a T-shirt business doesn’t require lakhs of rupees or a physical store anymore.
With print-on-demand, a good niche, and basic promotion—you can start earning in less than 7 days.
✅ No inventory
✅ No delivery hassles
✅ Passive profit
All you need is creativity, consistency & smart execution.
🔥 Want 10 Viral T-Shirt Niche Ideas?
Drop a comment below or DM us on Instagram @Affifuse — and we’ll send you the free list 🎁