Is there money in this, how fierce is the competition, and what would be the best way to advertise this ?
I would say that the competition is pretty fierce. However, if you have an interest in a certain niche perhaps you could gear your shirt designs towards that. For example only make sports themed shirts or t-shirts for babies... the real challenge will be getting amazing designs that you can't find anywhere else. I am sure that there are more, but here are some of your would be top competitors... Threadless Busted Tees Dirty Coast Design By Humans There is also Etsy. Not only shirts, but all types of art made and sold by anyone. I do know that the 2 guys that started the empire that is Threadless met online for a t-shirt design competition for another site a few years ago and that gave them the idea to start their own thing so anything is possible you just have to have the drive and resources.
Unless you go really big so you can be competitive in pricing you'll need to really be customer oriented and make custom designs with small runs. If you can come up with a few original designs for a niche you can also do well. A normal t-shirt business is tough to get into. You might also pick a spot where you have an exclusive maybe in a tourist area. Good luck if you decide to try it. I had 3 shops at one time. donrock
If your stuff is better than the competition then you'll do well- but unfortunately, the bar has been set pretty high.
It's a good online business. But i think the hardest part is advertising and beating your competitors.
I started a similar thread about a month or two ago. I think the hardest part is that it will rule your life - if you're shipping directly to customers, yourself. There really isn't any other solution, as companies that ship for you will reap most of the profits.
I have a T-Shirt line. All the funds go premature babies. My company has raised a bunch of money to help these kinds of families but sinces its a non profit it's not the same as those companies that are for profit. We have a much easier time selling our products since our customers know its for a great cause. Consider backing a non profit for awhile just to get on your feet. Good luck!
If you find a good supplier, you can makes some decent money, or at least margins. you have to be creative though and find a good niche, just like almost any other type of business
Really depends on the uniqueness you could have. People will more like it if you put some uniqueness and interest on it.
I am in the process of setting up an online t-shirt company which will allow artists to upload their own designs, and reap royalties when their designs sell. I don't want to give away too much info just yet, as our focus will be much different than other t-shirt sites on the web. Please send me a couple of jpg's of your work, if you are interested in being included and I will get right back with you. Others invited to submit as well. I just need low res jpgs. We are not a fly-by-night operation. I have been in the screen printing business over 15 years.
if it's just another online T-Shirt store, it's hard to success. Make something different that someone have yet done.