How to Sell T-Shirts on Shopify in 2025

In 2025, custom t-shirts are more than just a way to express your personality through clothing. Custom t-shirts are one of the best-selling print-on-demand products, with a $4.31 billion market size. 

One of the ways to get your share in this market is to open your print-on-demand t-shirt store on Shopify. It’s a beginner-friendly and straightforward ecommerce platform for those looking to start selling t-shirts online.

This article is your step-by-step guide on how to sell t-shirts on Shopify and succeed from the beginning.

Is selling t-shirts on Shopify profitable?

Yes, starting an online t-shirt business on Shopify is a great opportunity, but profits depend on strategic planning. The t-shirt industry is highly competitive, with global revenue reaching $46.99 billion in 2025. So, having a well-defined target market, unique t-shirt designs, and a solid marketing plan is crucial.

Shopify’s integration with print-on-demand services lowers the barrier to entry, making it easy to sell t-shirts online with minimal upfront investment. Whether you’re designing graphic tees, premium-quality t-shirts, or niche-specific custom t-shirts, Shopify provides the tools to create a successful store. And print-on-demand fills in the order fulfillment gap.

Now, let’s go through the steps to help you set up and grow your t-shirt business.

How to sell t-shirts on Shopify in 7 steps

Shopify is an easy-to-use ecommerce platform where you can create an online store and sell your t-shirts.

What’s impressive about it is that you don’t need high upfront investments or advanced technical skills to get started.

Also, Shopify lets you connect your online store with other apps to maximize your t-shirt business success. For example, you can team up with a print-on-demand service.

That’s all on why Shopify is a handy choice for an online t-shirt business. Now, let’s explore how to sell t-shirts on Shopify and stand out in this highly competitive market.

1. Define your audience and niche

To succeed with your Shopify t-shirt business, ensure you’re clear on the basics—your target audience and your product niche. This will allow you to tailor the t-shirts to the needs of people who want them and differentiate yourself in the crowded market.

Identify your target audience

Who are the people you want to reach? Start by identifying your ideal audience’s demographics (age, gender, education, profession, income, and more). Then, go deeper and learn about their needs, values, interests, and preferences so that every element of your t-shirt business is aligned with them.

Don’t just guess. Seek those people proactively and ask for some market research calls. Another option is to analyze information on social media, forums, blogs, reviews, and other online sources.

Pick a niche

After identifying your target audience and gathering as much information about them as possible, it’s time to brainstorm your niche.

A niche is a smaller, more specific segment within your target audience that’s (usually) easier to reach. These people have specific characteristics (unique needs, preferences, or identity) that make buying a particular product or service more likely.

Choosing a t-shirt niche increases your chance to get higher profits and develop a loyal customer base. However, it’s important to choose a niche with a demand gap.

A demand gap is when the current supply doesn’t meet market demands.

If you struggle to find a niche, consider your own passions, interests, or experiences. You can also check out our article with 100+ niche market ideas.

2. Create your t-shirt designs

While defining your target audience and picking a niche is important, it’s not enough to start a successful Shopify t-shirt business. You need a product that serves your audience, and the first step is to create a winning design.

Research design and consumer trends

Whether you create your own t-shirt designs or hire a freelancer, make sure you’re crystal clear on your t-shirt design and logo placement.

Start by researching consumer and t-shirt design trends to align your artwork with the needs of your target audience. When researching, pay attention to what catches your eye and why.

Source: Pinterest

Here are some ideas on where to find inspiration: 

• Social media  

• Ecommerce marketplaces (Etsy, eBay, Amazon)

• Google Trends 

• Pinterest, Behance, or Dribble

• Art and illustrations (museums, art galleries, and local exhibitions)

• Nature and sightseeing

• Coffee table books and design magazines

• Motivational quotes

• Typography

• Pop culture

To help you visualize your future product, use mockups. Mockup images will show you how the final design will look when printed on a t-shirt.

Once you get to selling, test your t-shirt designs. Testing their popularity will crystalize the most profitable products. Post design polls on your social media accounts and ask for feedback to gauge interest. This will refine your design ideas based on input from potential customers, ensuring your final product sells.

Check competitor t-shirt designs and define your USP

You also need to back up your t-shirt design ideas with solid competitor research. Study your competitors’ best-selling t-shirt designs to understand what works and how you can set yourself apart.

Capture it in your unique selling proposition (USP)—a statement that encapsulates why your customers should buy from you rather than your competitors.

For a strong USP, focus on how your t-shirt design solves a problem for your customers. Show this solution clearly in your design or the product itself so people remember it.

Source: TechTarget

Pick your t-shirt design tool

T-shirt design tools are the easiest way to start the design process—you don’t need to be a professional designer to get an outstanding result. All you need is a powerful tool and time to get it done.

Printful Design Maker

Let’s start with Printful’s Design Maker—built-in design software with an intuitive interface for creating custom product designs for your tees. It has a Mockup Generator to transform your design from a 2D image to a 3D product, an extensive library of pre-made design elements and images, and many more advanced features to customize your artwork.

Source: Printful

Canva

Canva is a cloud-based graphic design tool perfect for beginners. It has a simple drag-and-drop interface and an extensive library of fonts, design assets, images, and ready-to-use templates. It also allows you to upload and tweak your own visuals (remove the background, change colors, add text, adjust the position of elements).

Source: Canva

Adobe Photoshop

Thanks to its versatility and powerful features, Adobe Photoshop is known as an industry standard. Its extensive capabilities offer features to advance your t-shirt design, allowing you to edit your photos and create original graphics professionally. Best for seasoned designers, Adobe offers high-end functionality and almost limitless design options to bring your t-shirt design ideas to life.

Source: Adobe Photoshop

3. Decide on a customization method

Now, it’s time to pick a customization method. This important step bridges your ideation phase with your product creation phase. When assessing different customization methods—consider your design, your product characteristics, your budget, and your t-shirt business needs.

DTG printing

Let’s start with one of the most popular t-shirt printing techniques—DTG or direct-to-garment printing. It’s similar to printing on paper, except that the fabric replaces paper. 

Source: Printful

During this process, the DTG printer sprays the special water-based inks directly onto the t-shirt to achieve the desired design in a few minutes. If you decide to handle this process yourself (instead of teaming up with a print-on-demand service), this digital equipment needs a significant upfront investment.

Here are the pros and cons of the method: 

Pros 

• A safe choice for a small t-shirt business and one-offs

• Ensures long-lasting prints

• High-quality results for complex designs

• Soft to the touch

• Compatible with cotton and cotton blends

• No fabric color limitations (but performs best on brighter colors)

Cons 

• Expensive equipment 

• Needs special care to last longer

• Not the most cost-effective option for bulk orders

• Not recommended for synthetic fabrics

DTF printing

Next on our list is DTF printing, which stands for direct-to-film printing. Thanks to its suitability for different fabric types, it’s one of the most versatile t-shirt printing methods.

Source: Printful

DTF printing involves printing a design on a PET film with water-based inks using a powder that helps transfer the design. Then, the design is printed from the film onto the t-shirt with a heat press machine.

Because of the specifics of the process, you’ll need to invest in equipment and materials like film and powder to create your design using this method. 

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of DTF printing.

Pros

• Results in detailed prints

• Allows a vast color palette

• Works on different fabric types

• Cost-effective for printing bulk orders

Cons

• Slower process than DTG

• Expensive equipment and materials

• Thicker prints than DTG

Embroidery

Embroidery is a sleek choice for a timeless, high-quality, and durable finish to your custom t-shirts. The texture gives your design a 3D effect, making embroidery a top choice for intricate designs, logos, or monograms. 

Source: Printful

Before an embroidery machine can stitch your design, it needs to be digitized. This means converting your design into a special embroidery file that tells the machine exactly how to sew it—like stitch types, directions, and density. Then, the machine stitches the embroidered design. Its needles and threads create the desired patterns, shapes, and colors, copying the digitized file.

Pros: 

• Good durability 

• Professional finishing touch

• A cost-effective option for multi-color designs

Cons:

• Not the best option for complex designs with drastic color changes

• Not recommended for small color elements

• Unpredictable results with most synthetic materials (works best for cotton-polyester blends)

Sublimation

Last but not least, another popular method for a t-shirt design (especially all-over print shirts) is sublimation, also known as dye or digital sublimation.

Source: Printful

Sublimation is a printing process that uses heat and pressure to turn solid dye into a gas, which then bonds with the fabric. First, the design is printed onto special transfer paper. Then, with high heat, the dye turns into a gas and absorbs into the fabric, creating a vibrant, long-lasting print.

Pros

• Colorful designs with vivid colors

• Durable prints that endure multiple washes

• Stunning choice for all-over print t-shirts 

• Smooth print texture

• Best for synthetic fabrics like polyester

Cons

• Not suitable for cotton

• Slower process than DTG

• More preparation affects the overall cost

• Requires more advanced knowledge

• Not the most cost-effective method for bulk orders

4. Choose a t-shirt

Coming up with your design is only half the task. You also need to find the best quality t-shirts for printing. 

While it seems like all t-shirts look the same, selecting the right one for your online t-shirt business is a huge deal that’ll impact you in the long run. 

When selecting your custom t-shirt, consider its fabric, weight, and fit.

Fabric 

Your t-shirt’s fabric impacts everything: how your t-shirt looks, feels, and fits. The most common choices for online t-shirt store owners are cotton, polyester, or a blend of these materials.

Let’s start with the most basic one—cotton. This soft, comfortable, and durable fabric will serve your customers for years. However, it’s prone to shrinking and fading when washed repeatedly. 

Next is polyester. Polyester is a stretchy and comfortable material that retains its size and color for years but isn’t as breathable as cotton.

Blended materials ensure you get the benefits of both fabrics, but these t-shirts often require more delicate care than single-fabric t-shirts.

Weight

The fabric weight depends on its thickness. There are three general t-shirt weight types to consider.

The lightweight shirts are thin, soft, and breathable, a no-brainer for summer and outdoor wear. The midweight shirts provide comfort at a wide range of temperatures. Finally, there are heavyweight shirts, ideal for cooler conditions and layering.

Depending on your research about your customer preferences, you can offer them all three or just one option.

Fit

The most common t-shirt fits are slim, regular, or relaxed. According to your customers’ needs and preferences, you can go with a slim-fitting t-shirt—a more form-fitting one. Or you can choose relaxed t-shirts that are wider (but not baggy) in the chest and waist area. 

In the middle, there’s a regular-fit t-shirt—a classic choice suitable for various body types that hugs the body but leaves room in the sleeves and waist.

Source: Shopify

With Printful, you have complete customization freedom over the design of your t-shirts.

Imagine: 300+ products, including t-shirts, ready-made design options, automatic order fulfillment, and shipping directly to your customers as the orders come in. All that with no inventory hassle!

The best thing? You can connect your Shopify dropshipping store seamlessly with your Printuf app in just a few clicks.

6. Design and optimize your t-shirt store

There are many reasons why so many online t-shirt business owners choose Shopify for their stores. Mainly, it’s because the platform is super easy to set up, use, and customize to match your vision for your t-shirt store. 

Start with the basics

Setting up a Shopify store is simple. The first step is creating a Shopify account and picking a Shopify plan that fits your business needs and budget.

After picking your online store name and domain, choose a Shopify theme—a ready-made template that sets up your store’s look and layout in just a few clicks. There are plenty of options available. If you’re unsure what to choose, you can start with one of the free Shopify themes.

Customize your online store to reflect your brand

The great thing about the Shopify theme is that you can customize its layout, colors, and fonts to reflect your brand and niche from top to bottom. 

Think about the things you want to stand out with. Is it your brand story, vibrant colors, product-first focus, or the power of small details (like catchy typography)? Design your Shopify theme according to this. Use your creativity, but don’t forget to make your website user-friendly.

Add your t-shirts

Now, you can start filling the catalog with your custom t-shirts. There are two ways to add your products.

Source: Shopify

The first one is adding your custom t-shirts through the Shopify admin panel. But if you team up with a reliable print-on-demand partner like Printful, you can simply connect your Shopify store to your Printful account. 

When adding your products, pay extra attention to the quality of your images and product descriptions—make these sections work in your favor.

7. Invest in marketing

When you’re done with your Shopify t-shirt business foundations and design, and made a product you are proud of, it’s time to market your online t-shirt business to the world.

Start with a product marketing strategy 

The most fail-proof marketing starts with a solid strategy. In short, a marketing strategy is a step-by-step plan to reach your target audience and turn them into loyal customers. 

It’ll help you clearly showcase your vision, promote your product, and reach your goals quickly.

To decide where and how you’ll promote the product, base your strategy on 4 pillars: customer analysis, competitor research, your USP, and your goals. 

Don’t be too ambitious or unrealistic when setting your goals—set a milestone you believe can be achieved.

Optimize your store

Even if you’re happy with your site’s look and feel, it’s always great to go the extra mile and improve your visitors’ shopping experience as much as possible.

It’ll give your store the most significant performance boost, attracting more people, making them stick around, and boosting your revenue.

You can start with a simple tweak, like adding alternative text for your images to boost SEO, implementing an order confirmation email in your purchase flow, and adding videos to your product catalog. If you need more ideas, check out our full guide on how to optimize your online store.

Social media marketing 

In 2025, there’s no better way to promote your products than on social media—it’s a budget-friendly way to get your brand out there, connect with customers, and boost sales.

The latest statistics show that 5+ billion people worldwide use social media. Many of them are your target audience, so why not meet them where they are?

Start by setting up different social media accounts— Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and even LinkedIn. Remember that each channel requires slightly different content, so research the latest trends for each platform to adjust it accordingly.

Source: The Social Shepherd

Apart from your in-house content, like photos and videos of your t-shirts, you can leverage influencer marketing.

Email marketing 

Unlike social media, email marketing might require some (small) initial investment and more time to get the ball rolling. 

However, this channel’s strength is its independence. While your social media accounts can be shut down at any time for no reason and are crowded with competitors, email marketing is a proven way to keep communicating with your audience.

Source: Kotn.

Promote your newsletter on social media, use customer contact information from past purchases, or add a subscription form to your site to collect emails. 

Then, send regular newsletters to your email subscribers to update, inspire, educate, and let your readers know your brand.

You can also use this channel to spread the word about special campaigns—like new product launches, pop-up sales, holiday discounts, and more.

Website marketing 

Your website is often the first interaction that potential customers have with your brand. So it’s important to know how it looks and feels for them. If possible, ask your friends or family for feedback on your website to help you understand how your first-time visitors experience the page.

One of the most effective things you can do is add user-generated content to your site—customer reviews and testimonials. It’ll build trust in those who are still considering your products.

Another fix you can do to your website is to ensure it’s SEO-friendly. SEO stands for search engine optimization and is a way for search engines to recognize your products as relevant and show them to more people. To make it work, add relevant keywords to your product names, product descriptions, and web copy. 

Final words

Take the process of starting your custom t-shirt business on Shopify one step at a time. Start with a clear and strong foundation (find a niche and target audience) and move forward, one task at a time. 

Take action, apply the outlined steps, and sell t-shirts online. Tell us your thoughts and share your experience in the comments.