Ultimate Guide to Starting a T-shirt Business from Home

Intro

Looking for a side hustle to make extra money without quitting your 9–5? Whether you’re a busy mom, working full time, or just someone who loves being creative, starting a t-shirt business from home can be one of the most practical and profitable side hustles out there.

I started my t-shirt business in August 2022 using sublimation printing. Like most beginners, I tested different products, made mistakes, and learned through trial and error. Over time, I began getting more custom requests –  especially for designs on darker cotton shirts – which eventually led me to add DTF printing alongside sublimation.

But sublimation is where I started, and it’s still one of the easiest, lowest-risk ways to enter the t-shirt business. That’s why this guide focuses on sublimation first.

In this ultimate guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what you need to get started, how much it costs, how much you can realistically make, and how to grow from there.