Heat Press Machine
Press designs onto shirts quickly.
Can You Make $30,000 a Year Making T-Shirts?
Custom t-shirts are everywhere—events, schools, businesses, and teams all need them. With simple equipment or even no equipment at all, you can start a side hustle creating or selling shirts. This episode breaks down the numbers, startup costs, customer acquisition, and how to build a repeatable apparel business that can realistically generate $30,000 a year part-time.
tshirts
custom apparel
side hustle
printing
reseller
moonlighting
WANT A COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A SIDE VENTURE?
Get our comprehensive Moonlighter's Guide with templates, checklists, and proven strategies for launching your side business.
Buy on Amazon for $14.99
or
Business Idea snapshot
Build a part-time custom t-shirt business by producing apparel yourself or selling through a larger print partner.
PROBLEM IT SOLVES
Organizations struggle with confusing pricing, large minimum orders, and slow turnaround times for custom apparel.
REVENUE MODEL
Sell shirts individually or in bulk, then add hoodies, hats, rush fees, and repeat seasonal orders.
TARGET CUSTOMER
Schools, sports teams, churches, small businesses, gyms, and event organizers needing custom apparel.
MOONLIGHTING BENEFITS
Low startup cost, flexible hours, strong margins, repeat customers, and the option to outsource production.
What you need to get started
Must Have
$300-800
Must Have
Vinyl Cutter
Cut designs for transfers.
$250-500
Must Have
Blank T-Shirts
Purchase wholesale starter inventory.
$200-500
Must Have
Heat Transfer Vinyl
Apply shirt graphics and names.
$50-200
Must Have
Design Software
Create customer shirt designs.
$0-20 /month
Must Have
Laptop or Computer
Design and manage orders.
$300-1,200
Must Have
Weeding Tools
Remove excess vinyl cleanly.
$10-30
Must Have
Teflon Sheets
Protect garments while pressing.
$10-25
Optional
Storage Bins
Organize blanks and supplies.
$20-80
Optional
Packaging Bags
Deliver finished shirts cleanly.
$20-60 /order
Optional
Branded T-Shirts
Wear your own product.
$20-80 /order
Optional
Business Cards
Share with customers locally.
$20-60 /order
Optional
Flyers
Promote to teams and groups.
$25-100 /order
Optional
Basic Website
Showcase pricing and services.
$100-500
Optional
Google Business Profile
Boost local visibility online.
$0-100
Optional
Payment Apps
Accept digital payments easily.
$0-20 /month
Optional
Embroidery Machine
Expand into higher-end apparel.
$5,000-10,000
Step-by-step: Validate this idea
Research local competition
Search for custom t-shirt companies in your city, compare pricing, turnaround times, and minimums, and identify where local groups are frustrated.
Time: 2–3 hoursTest demand in your area
Reach out to schools, sports teams, churches, and local businesses you already know and offer a small first order or discount.
Time: 1–2 hoursBuy basic equipment
Start with a heat press, vinyl cutter, a few blank shirts, and basic transfer materials. Keep it simple and upgrade later.
Time: Weekend ProjectComplete test orders
Produce your first small runs, take photos, check quality, and learn how long design, setup, and production actually take.
Time: 2–5 hours per orderAnalyze results and decide
Calculate margin per shirt, track how customers responded, and decide whether to keep producing in-house or outsource larger orders.
Time: 1 hour analysisFirst 30 days plan
1
Week 1
Setup
- Buy heat press setup
- Create shirt designs
- Set pricing structure
- Order blank inventory
2
Week 2
Customers
- Contact local groups
- Offer first discounts
- Post in FB groups
- Book first orders
3
Week 3
Refine
- Complete shirt orders
- Take product photos
- Collect reviews
- Improve workflow
4
Week 4
Decide
- Track profit per shirt
- Analyze time spent
- Plan for scaling
- Continue or pivot
How to get your first customers
Local
- Schools and sports teams
- Church groups and events
- Local gyms and clubs
- Community events
- Word-of-mouth referrals
Online
- Google Business profile
- Simple landing page
- Facebook marketplace
- Instagram product posts
- Etsy shop for designs
Free Ideas
- Partner with schools
- Offer team discounts
- Referral incentives
- Seasonal promotions
- Free design mockups
Upsells
- Hoodies and sweatshirts
- Custom hats and caps
- Bulk order discounts
- Rush order fees
- Recurring team orders
Sample outreach scripts
Local organization script
Hi! I’m [Name], and I make custom shirts locally. I work with schools, teams, and businesses to make ordering easy—no confusing pricing or long wait times. If you ever need shirts, I’d love to help. I can handle everything from design to delivery.
Facebook group post
Custom t-shirts for schools, teams, and businesses. Fast turnaround and simple pricing. Shirts, hoodies, and hats available. No large minimums. Message me for a quote or to see sample designs.
Reseller / sales script
Hi, I help local groups and businesses get custom shirts made without the hassle of dealing with big companies. I handle design, ordering, and delivery. If you ever need apparel, I’d love to be your go-to contact.
NOT INTO THIS IDEA? TRY THESE INSTEAD.
Explore other moonlighting opportunities from our catalog
Just talk
Can you make $50,000 with Temp AC
When an air conditioner breaks, homeowners can wait days for repairs or replacement. Temporary porta...
Just talk
Can you put $20,000 in your pocket pressure washing?
Pressure washing is a simple service business that cleans driveways, pool decks, sidewalks, porches,...
WANT A COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A SIDE VENTURE?
Get our comprehensive Moonlighter's Guide with templates, checklists, and proven strategies for launching your side business.
Buy on Amazon for $14.99
or