The T-Shirt Printing Business in India is one of the most profitable and fast-growing small business ideas. With the rise of custom fashion, startup branding, event merchandising, influencer marketing, and eCommerce, the demand for custom printed t-shirts is increasing rapidly.
From college students, startups, corporates, schools, gyms, political campaigns, NGOs to online sellers, everyone needs custom t-shirts, making this business highly scalable and evergreen.
If started with proper planning, machines, marketing strategy and quality control, this business can generate 40% to 55% profit margin.
T-Shirt Printing Business Overview
Factor
Details
Business Category
Printing Services
Business Type
Service + Manufacturing
Initial Investment
₹2 – ₹5 Lakhs
Profit Margin
40% – 55%
Skills Required
Technical + Designing + Marketing
Market Demand
Very High
Location Type
Commercial / Home-based
Licenses Required
GST Registration
Why Start a T-Shirt Printing Business in India?
1. Huge Market Demand
Corporate branding
Political campaigns
Events & promotions
Schools & colleges
Gym & sports teams
Influencer merchandise
Online fashion stores
2. Low Investment, High Profit
Start from ₹2 Lakhs
Break-even possible within 3–6 months
3. Online + Offline Scalability
Sell via Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Instagram, Shopify
Unlimited growth potential
4. Repeat Customers
Corporates, schools, and event companies reorder regularly.
Types of T-Shirt Printing Methods
1. Heat Transfer Printing
Low cost
Best for beginners
Good for small quantity orders
2. Screen Printing
Best for bulk production
High profit margins
Low cost per print
3. Sublimation Printing
High-quality prints
Suitable for polyester fabrics
Popular for sportswear
4. DTG (Direct to Garment) Printing
Premium printing
Photo-quality results
Higher investment
Machines & Equipment Required
Equipment
Approx Cost
Heat Press Machine
₹20,000 – ₹60,000
Screen Printing Setup
₹25,000 – ₹80,000
Sublimation Printer
₹30,000 – ₹90,000
Cutting Plotter
₹20,000 – ₹70,000
Designing Computer + Software
₹30,000 – ₹60,000
Raw Material Stock
₹30,000 – ₹70,000
👉 Total Setup Cost: ₹2 – ₹5 Lakhs
Raw Materials Required
Blank cotton t-shirts
Polyester t-shirts
Sublimation paper
Heat transfer vinyl
Inks & chemicals
Packaging material
Step-by-Step Process of T-Shirt Printing Business
Step 1: Market Research
Identify local demand
Find bulk buyers
Study competitor pricing
Step 2: Business Registration
GST Registration
Current Bank Account
Step 3: Machine Setup
Choose printing method
Install machines
Step 4: Supplier Tie-ups
Fabric wholesalers
Blank t-shirt suppliers
Step 5: Design & Sample Development
Create demo designs
Offer free samples to corporates
Step 6: Marketing & Lead Generation
Website + Google My Business
Instagram + Facebook ads
B2B marketing
Profit Margin & Income Calculation
Example Calculation (Monthly)
Details
Value
Average Selling Price
₹250 / t-shirt
Cost Price
₹130
Profit Per T-shirt
₹120
Monthly Sales
1500 pcs
Monthly Profit
₹1,80,000 approx
👉 Net Profit Margin: 40% – 55%
Best Location for T-Shirt Printing Business
Commercial areas
Near colleges
Marketplaces
Industrial clusters
Home-based + Online setup
Licenses & Legal Requirements
GST Registration
Current Bank Account
MSME (Udyam Registration – Optional but Recommended)
The T-Shirt Printing Business in India is a highly profitable, scalable and evergreen business model. With proper machine selection, branding, marketing and quality control, you can easily build a ₹1–5 lakh monthly profit business.
If you start with ₹2–5 lakhs investment, focus on B2B clients, bulk orders and online selling, success is guaranteed.