How much does it cost to start a small t-shirt business?

Starting a T-shirt business is more affordable than ever, but understanding the real costs is essential for new entrepreneurs. Many underestimate expenses—especially when working with manufacturers. Smart planning ensures you avoid cash flow problems and launch with confidence, even on a small budget.

To start a small T-shirt business, expect to invest $800–$3,000 for essentials like designs, samples, website, initial stock, and basic marketing. Costs vary by manufacturing method, order size, and branding needs, but small-batch and print-on-demand¹ options make low-budget launches possible.

As someone guiding brands through startup launches, I’ve seen how the right budgeting decisions help small T-shirt businesses thrive. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown.

Essential Startup Costs for a T-Shirt Business

Launching your brand involves several up-front investments. Planning for these early helps you avoid costly surprises.

Typical startup costs include design fees ($50–$400 per design), sample and tech pack creation ($50–$200 each), website setup ($30–$400), branding assets ($20–$300), and basic business tools. Small-scale founders often spend $500–$1,000 before ordering inventory.

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What are the typical costs for design, samples, and tech packs?

Design: $50–$400 per design if hiring a freelance artist or agency. DIY options (Canva, AI tools) can lower or eliminate this cost.

Tech pack: $50–$150 per style for a professional package, which is required by most manufacturers.

Samples: $30–$100 per sample, often with a higher cost for custom cut-and-sew or new styles.

• For three original designs: $150–$600 (outsourced) or near $0 (DIY).
• Tech packs for three styles: $150–$450.
• Samples (3–5 units): $90–$500.
• Total for design, tech packs, and sampling: $250–$1,200.

How much do basic tools, website setup, and branding assets cost?

Website: Shopify/Wix/WordPress setup can be $30–$400, depending on template, plugins, and hosting. Domain name: $10–$20/year.

Branding assets: Logo design ($20–$200), basic photo editing, and social media graphics.

Tools: Free or low-cost options for email marketing, accounting, and inventory management.

• DIY website templates: $0–$100
• Shopify/Wix hosting: $29–$39/month
• Branding (logo, color palette): $20–$100 (DIY or Fiverr)
• Tools: Mailchimp (free tier), Google Sheets, free inventory apps

Expense	Low-End Cost	High-End Cost
Design (3 styles)	$0	$600
Tech packs (3)	$150	$450
Samples (3–5 units)	$90	$500
Website/domain	$30	$400
Branding assets	$20	$200
Total (pre-inventory)	$290	$2,150

Manufacturing Options and Cost Considerations

Choosing the right production method impacts both your upfront investment and long-term margins.

Print-on-demand (POD) eliminates inventory cost, while small-batch (50–100 units) and custom cut-and-sew require more capital but offer better margins. Per-shirt costs decrease as order size increases, but MOQs vary by supplier.

Should you choose print-on-demand, small-batch, or custom cut-and-sew manufacturers?

POD is ideal for low-risk, low-budget launches. Small-batch manufacturing (50–100 units) balances control with manageable investment. Custom cut-and-sew is best for unique designs, but has higher MOQs and costs.

• POD: No upfront inventory, $10–$20 cost per tee, retail at $25–$35.
• Small-batch: $6–$14 per tee for 50–100 units; requires ~$400–$1,400.
• Custom cut-and-sew: $8–$18 per tee for 100+ units; setup fees higher.

Method	MOQ	Unit Cost	Upfront Risk
POD	1	$10–$20	None
Small-batch	50–100	$6–$14	Low-Moderate
Cut-and-sew	100+	$8–$18	Moderate-High

What is the average cost per T-shirt for 50, 100, or 500 units?

• 50 units: $8–$14 each (most small factories or local printers)

• 100 units: $6–$12 each (more competitive pricing, possible discounts)

• 500 units: $4–$9 each (best unit pricing, but higher total investment)

• Lower unit cost at higher MOQs, but more inventory risk.

• Factor in setup and sample fees.

• For unique fabrics, screen prints, or embroidery, expect higher per-unit costs.

Quantity	Unit Price (Typical)	Total Cost
50	$8–$14	$400–$700
100	$6–$12	$600–$1,200
500	$4–$9	$2,000–$4,500

Marketing & Operations Budget Breakdown

Beyond production, you’ll need a budget for marketing, operations, and fulfillment.

Plan $100–$500 for initial social media, paid ads, or influencer campaigns. Free or low-cost tools exist for email marketing and inventory, but investing in quality content or early promotions pays off.

How much should you budget for social media, ads, or influencer marketing?

Organic social media is free, but $100–$300 can get you started with paid Facebook/Instagram ads or nano-influencer partnerships.

• Instagram/TikTok content: Free with time and effort
• Paid ads: $5–$15/day for initial test runs
• Influencers: $25–$100 per post for nano-influencers or product gifting

Do you need to invest in inventory management or fulfillment tools?

For small startups, free tools (Google Sheets, Shopify’s built-in inventory, or simple Excel) are sufficient. Paid inventory/fulfillment apps ($10–$50/month) are useful as you grow.

• Start lean with manual tracking
• Upgrade as sales increase or complexity grows
• Outsourcing fulfillment (3PL) is not needed until higher sales volume

Expense Area	Typical Startup Budget
Social/ads	$100–$300
Email marketing	Free–$30/month
Inventory tools	Free–$20/month
Fulfillment	Self-fulfill (free)

Smart Cost-Saving Tips for Small-Scale T-Shirt Startups

Smart founders keep upfront investment low by pre-selling, crowdfunding², or negotiating low MOQs and sampling with multiple suppliers.

Pre-order or crowdfunding lets you gauge demand and finance production up front. Seek low-MOQ manufacturers, especially in Asia or via sourcing platforms like Alibaba, Maker’s Row, or Printful.

Can you launch through pre-order or crowdfunding to reduce inventory risk?

Yes. Platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Shopify pre-orders let you sell first, produce after—eliminating inventory risk and raising working capital.

• Create prototypes or mockups, build hype on social media
• Accept pre-orders for limited runs
• Use raised funds to pay for your first bulk order
• Communicate timelines clearly to customers

Where to find low-MOQ T-shirt manufacturers³ and quality suppliers?

Alibaba, Global Sources, and Maker’s Row are popular platforms for finding low-MOQ suppliers. POD partners like Printful or Printify are best for ultra-low or zero-MOQ.

• Search for “low MOQ T-shirt manufacturer” or filter by MOQ settings
• Ask suppliers for sample runs (even 30–50 pcs)
• Check supplier reviews, certifications, and request recent client references

Platform	MOQ	Best For
Alibaba	30–100 pcs	Custom bulk orders
Printful/Printify	1	POD, dropshipping
Maker’s Row	30–100 pcs	US-based suppliers

Conclusion

A small T-shirt business can launch for $800–$3,000, with costs influenced by design, manufacturing, website, and marketing choices. Use smart strategies like pre-orders, low-MOQ suppliers, and free tools to minimize risk and maximize your startup success.

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