How saturated is the printed t-shirt market?

Any successful entrepreneur will tell you that part of the key to success is finding your niche and being the best. Trying to find that niche in an oversaturated market, however, can be a mistake; unless you have something fresh to offer. One such market is the printed, or graphic, T-shirt market. Is the market oversaturated? That depends on who you ask.

Yes, the Market is Oversaturated

Sites like Zazzle and Cafepress let any burgeoning designer create their own T-shirt line and sell them to the masses. Each company reports tens of millions of dollars in revenue each year; they must be doing something right! If you’re idea is to create a site such as one of these, than many will tell you that the market is oversaturated and you should save your money.

No, the Market is Not Oversaturated

Because sites like Cafepress make it so easy to for budding designers to post and market their designs, many people aren’t taking the time to buy their own equipment and get their businesses started from the ground up. If you are planning on buying your own equipment, then most will tell you that the market is not, indeed, oversaturated.

The question then becomes, how do you get started? If you are planning on buying your own equipment, making your own design and marketing your shirts, how can you succeed? And, if you don’t succeed, how can you be sure that you don’t lose your shirt? Pun intended!

Equipment

When you begin looking for equipment, look on eBay or even Craigslist. Rather than spending a large amount of money on new, expensive equipment, consider starting with used machinery and tools and then upgrading once you’ve made a profit.

T-Shirts

You can often get T-shirts for a good deal at craft stores and big box stores. While you may want to print your designs on higher quality T-shirts later on, print your first dozen or so on cheaper T-shirts. You’ll save money by purchasing lower quality shirts in the beginning.

Niche

Now that you’ve got your equipment, what will your design be? You’ll need to come up with a design that people are attracted to and will want to purchase. Try to stay away from subjects that you see on T-shirts every day. How will your design be original? Who will you market it towards? These are questions that should be in your mind when you’re coming up with your design.

Marketing

To be successful in your new business, you must market yourself well. Will you use social media? Will you use print? Will you simply wear your T-shirt and hope people ask you where you bought it? An effective marketing plan is the key to the success or failure of your new business.

Whether or not the printed T-shirt market is over-saturated will depend on who you ask but it will also depend on your T-shirt design and business plan. If you go into your new business with forethought and proper planning, you can break through; even in a saturated market.

Sylvia Patterson is a marketing consultant for small businesses and she suggests that printed t shirts are one of the most cost effective ways to get your name out in front of the general public.

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