How to Start a T-Shirt Business – Costs

Quick answer: to start a t-shirt business, pick a niche and a printing method, buy the equipment for that method, source blank shirts, price every order to cover your costs, and start selling locally and online. The three common in-house methods are a heat press with transfers (lowest start-up cost — a Geo Knight DK16 heat press is $1,275.00), DTF printing for full-color small orders (from $12,599.00 for the CobraFlex 13" Mini package), and screen printing for bulk orders (a home starter setup is about $2,797.00 in equipment). Buckets of Ink in Tempe, AZ sells and supports all three — call 480-229-7806.

Step 1: Pick Your Niche and Customers

Decide who you will sell to — local teams and schools, businesses and events, your own clothing brand, or online customers. Bulk orders of one design favor screen printing; one-offs, names and full-color art favor DTF and heat transfers.

Step 2: Choose a Printing Method (and What It Costs to Start)

Method	Best for	Core equipment	Starting equipment cost at Buckets of Ink	Learn more
Heat press + transfers	One-offs, names/numbers, small orders, hats	Heat press (plus bought or self-made transfers)	$1,275.00 (Geo Knight DK16) · $950.00 hat press	heat press machines
DTF printing	Full-color designs, small runs, any fabric color	DTF printer + powder shaker/dryer + heat press	$12,599.00 (CobraFlex 13" Mini package) to $31,995.00 (24" 4-head)	cost to start a DTF business
Screen printing	Bulk orders, 1–6 colors, lowest cost per shirt at volume	Press, flash or conveyor dryer, exposure unit, screens	$2,797.00 home starter (V-100 + flash + exposure unit) to $9,276.00 small shop	how to start a screen printing business
Embroidery	Polos, hats, uniforms, premium look	Multi-needle embroidery machine, thread, backing	See embroidery cost guide	cost to start an embroidery business

Equipment prices are today's bucketsofink.com web prices before consumables, tools, tax and freight. Compare machines side by side in our t-shirt printing machine guide and screen printing vs heat press.

Step 3: Set Up Your Space

A heat press or a 13" DTF printer fits in a spare room or garage; screen printing needs a separate dark area for coating and exposing screens.
Check power before you buy — some DTF shaker-dryers and conveyor dryers need 240V.
Plan ventilation for DTF curing and screen printing chemicals.

Step 4: Source Blanks and Supplies

Buy blank shirts from an apparel wholesaler, and get your printing consumables from one supply house so orders stay simple: DTF film, powder and ink, screen printing ink, screen printing supplies and embroidery thread and backing. In-stock supply orders placed by 2:30 PM Arizona time ship the same day.

Step 5: Price Every Order

Add garment cost + ink/film/powder + setup (screens or gang sheets) + labor + overhead, then your margin. Set a minimum order for screen printing to cover screen setup. Use our DTF printing cost calculator to price DTF transfers.

Step 6: Make It Official and Start Selling

Register your business and check local zoning if you work from home.
Get your state sales tax permit and a resale certificate so you buy blanks and supplies for resale correctly.
Start with people you know — schools, teams, churches, businesses, events — and add an online store or social media shop.
Print samples of your best work to show customers.

Step 7: Grow Into More Equipment

As orders grow, add a second method (many shops pair screen printing for bulk with DTF for small full-color jobs), upgrade to a dual-platen heat press ($3,500.00) or a multi-station press like the Vastex V-1000 4/4 ($3,291.00), and see the best screen printing machine for small business.

Starter Packages, Training & Financing

Ask about a t-shirt business starter package — DTF, screen printing or heat press, with supplies, setup and training. Great financing is available on equipment, and used machines are listed on the Buckets of Ink used equipment marketplace.

See it before you buy: equipment is on display at our Tempe showroom, 906 S Priest Dr, Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85281 (Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–4:00 PM). Call 480-229-7806 to book a demo, ask about setup and training, or talk through the right size for your shop.

Starting a t-shirt business? Tell us your budget — 480-229-7806
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Starting a T-Shirt Business FAQ

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

It depends on the method. At today's Buckets of Ink web prices a heat press starts at $1,275.00 (Geo Knight DK16), a home screen printing setup is about $2,797.00 in equipment, and a CobraFlex DTF printer package starts at $12,599.00 — plus blanks, consumables and freight.

What equipment do I need to start a t-shirt business?

At minimum a heat press and transfers. For printing in-house you add either a DTF printer with a powder shaker/dryer, or a screen printing press with a flash or conveyor dryer and an exposure unit.

Can I start a t-shirt business from home?

Yes. A heat press, a 13" DTF printer or a tabletop screen printing press fits in a garage or spare room. Check zoning, power and ventilation first.

What is the best printing method for a new t-shirt business?

For small orders and full-color designs, DTF plus a heat press. For bulk orders in a few colors, screen printing. Many shops use both.

Is a t-shirt business profitable?

It can be when every order is priced to cover blanks, ink or transfers, setup, labor and overhead, and when you build repeat customers such as teams, schools and businesses.

Where can I get help starting a t-shirt business in Arizona?

Visit Buckets of Ink at 906 S Priest Dr, Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85281, Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, or call 480-229-7806 for equipment, supplies, financing and training.