How to Kickstart A "Clothing Company" With ZERO Inventory and Only $100

[AgainstAllOdds]

Some background on me: I built a niche clothing business before and sold it. I'll admit ... I was a bit lucky with my site taking off, but nevertheless learned a lot of lessons on how to be successful.

The biggest lesson being: Just F*cking start. Put yourself out there. If you don't start with something, then you'll never grow into anything.

​

So after selling that business, I graduated college, and got into making art (started seriously about 6 months ago). Since then, I've relegated art to a hobby for two reasons:

• There's 300,000 fine artists in the U.S. (supply far outweighs demand ... meaning value created is minimal)
• There's a lack of control (in other businesses you pick up the phone and cold call ... with art you attend events, create great work, slowly build your reputation, and wait for that tipping point)

... so I gave up on forcing my art to be "fastlane" and have shifted focus to something that has:

• A) Less competition; and
• B) Creates more value

I'm still currently validating different ideas, and will officially launch something soon.


But in the meantime: after over a year of creating artwork, I'm now sitting on over 100 scanned images of my paintings. I sell prints of these paintings (which bring in a nice passive income stream) and am happy with that. In fact, I kind of wanted to stop there.


However, it only makes sense to also put my paintings on shirts.


Why?


Well, the main reason ... because it's really easy to do. It takes about 2-3 days to launch a "clothing business" once you have the artwork.


The second reason: because people have been asking for shirts.


And the third reason: because I've done it before and can likely double the passive income from my paintings.


Note: This won't be a lot of money, but will be 99% passive, slowly scalable, and leveraging an asset that already exists.


So if you're artist or a designer, then feel free to follow along. In my next post I'll outline the steps to launching a "clothing business".

 

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[AgainstAllOdds]

Here are the 5 things you need to kickstart an online clothing business:

1. Artwork.​
2. Website (with hosting)​
3. T-shirt mockups.​
4. Relationship with a quality t-shirt printer.​
5. Automated marketing.​

I'll go through each of these steps and will show you exactly what I'm doing, and how you can do the same to start.

 

[jon.a]

Way to go.
It must be "do something Sunday."

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

1. ARTWORK
​

This is the first thing you need, and definitely the hardest for you to get started. If you're an artist or graphic designer, then this will be easy. If you're not, then you can hire people on Elance or Odesk.

The going rate for a graphic design is about $500 for an American artist. Some will go as low as $100 + a royalty (typically 3-7%).

However, if you go on Elance and Odesk, then you can get designs as cheap as $50. Personally, I'd aim to hire people in emerging countries. If you think that artists here aren't needed, then imagine what it's like for someone in those countries trying to make it.

They never get to work on what they love, and will happily do it for a fraction of the cost. For my previous business, I outsourced some of the artwork, and the best experience I had was with artists in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. I'd target those countries if I went the outsourcing route.

However, I already have my own paintings, so I'll just be using that.

Here are some of the works I'll be using:

They're from my first collection of paintings, and a mixture between pop art icons and famous paintings in the background.

I'll be using these scanned images for my t-shirts.

NOTE:

Notice how I included a brand name and "logo" on every single one.

If you're making graphic images, then include a logo on each individual image. This brand name will help other people find your work, and will serve as free marketing.

It also makes the shirts look better, and more like "a real brand".

 

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[AgainstAllOdds]

2. WEBSITE (WITH HOSTING)
​

After getting your artwork ready, you need to buy a domain and hosting.


Here's what I use:

Namecheap.com and
Hostgator.com


Namecheap is awesome for buying domains.

Hostgator sucks after it was acquired a little over a year ago. I keep it because I already have all of my sites on it. However, if I were launching something new, then I'd research different hosting.


So the domain will cost you about $10. Hosting will cost you about $60 for a year.

Take some time to think what you want your brand name to be. Then, if the domain's available, buy it. Otherwise keep brainstorming.


Once you have your domain and hosting, you'll need to install Wordpress. Make sure that your host makes it easy to do so. If you have problems with installation, then live chat your host and get it set up. If you've done this before, then it should only take a couple minutes.




After getting Worpress set up, it's time to buy a theme ...

Here's the best site for buying Wordpress themes: http://themeforest.net/category/wordpress/ecommerce/woocommerce

Note: Only shop for woocommerce themes. We'll be using Woocommerce to launch your store.


The theme I chose was about $50, but you can also get something cheaper.

Once you have your theme, then follow the instructions in the "Documentation" file to get it all set up. Once it's all setup, and you've installed the Woocommerce plugin, then you'll be ready for the next step.

Edit: Forgot to include: I use stripe.com for credit card processing. You can set up Woocommerce to use paypal too. Having both is likely the best option.

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

3. T-Shirt Mockups
​

This is what will sell your product. You'll need awesome t-shirt mockups that make your shirts look awesome.

To get mockups, here's a few resources that you can check out (courtesy of shopify):

https://www.shopify.com/blog/194958...-templates-and-mockups-for-your-clothing-line

Shirt Mockup

Why it’s good:

• Two different t-shirt template styles
• Online tool is extremely simple to use
• Free to use

Cotton Bureau

Why it’s good:

• Beautiful high quality shirt templates
• A variety of different styles available for download

Polo Mockup Shirt Design

Why it’s good:

• High quality shirt template
• One of the few polo shirt mockups available

T-Shirt Mockup Template from Tyunderscore

Why it’s good:

• Easy to use shirt mockup
• Stunning quality with a variety of colors available

Zipup Hoodie Mockup

Why it’s good:

• Great quality hoodie mockup
• Both front and back shots available

Clothing Templates

Why it’s good:

• Shirt templates with transparent backgrounds
• Inexpensive for the quality of mockup
• Easily mockup different shirt styles using layered files in Photoshop

Apparel Mockups from The Printful

Why it’s good:

• Shirt template includes model wearing product
• Includes a transparent background
• Free to use

GoMedia Clothing Templates

Why it’s good:

• Variety of different clothing styles available
• Easy to use and extremely high quality
• Sold in packs with instructions on how to use

4 Free T-Shirt Mockup Templates

Why it’s good:

• Colorful shirt templates available to use
• Perfect for any type of lifestyle brand
• 4 different variations available
• Free to use

T-Shirt Mockups from PrintAura

Why it’s good:

• Extremely high quality
• Includes shirt only mockups, or ones that include a model
• Free to use

Mens Apparel Shirt Templates

Why it’s good:

• Many different shirt templates available
• Perfect lifestyle shots for any clothing line
• Includes shirt only mockups, or ones that include a model

Tank Top Mockup Shirt Design

Why it’s good:

• Beautiful tank top shirt mockup
• Colorful and easy to use
• Shirt template includes layered PSD file

Graphic Burger T-Shirt Mockup

Why it’s good:

• High quality and high resolution shirt mockups
• Includes a high quality Photoshop file to edit
• Free to use

Custom Ink Shirt Mockup

Why it’s good:

• Free and easy to use
• Mockups can be turned into physical products using Custom Ink's online tool

Infinity Color Shirt Mockup

Why it’s good:

• Beautiful t-shirt templates that are available in multiple colors
• Unique product shot angles to help display shirt artwork

Threadless Mockups

Why it’s good:

• A variety of different shirt styles and products available to use
• Free to use

2 Photorealistic T-Shirt Mock-ups

Why it’s good:

• Very high quality and realistic t-shirt template
• Template comes in Photoshop file format
• Unique product shot angle

Photorealistic Mockup from DealJumbo

Why it’s good:

• Easy to modify photo file to add logo to shirt
• Extremely high resolution
• Free to use

Vintage and Classic T-Shirt from Pixeden

Why it’s good:

• Classic shirt feel with hanger included
• Easily change the colors of the shirt using the included PSD file

Short Sleeve Dress Shirt Design Mockup

Why it’s good:

• Dress shirt that is fully customizable
• High quality shirt template
• Easily change the colors of the shirt using the included PSD file

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

3. T-Shirt Mockups (Continued)
​

However, if you have some design skills, then the best option can be to:

• Buy and take a picture of a blank t-shirt that will be used for printing.
• Find a brand that uses the same exact shirts as yours, and mockup your designs onto their shirts.

These are both good options, and will help you create awesome images.

Using the artwork that I posted before, here's what my mockups look like:

 

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[jon.a]

Don't leave out any steps

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

4. Relationship with a quality t-shirt printer.
​

I've done a lot of research into on-demand printers, and here's the best one I've found: http://printaura.com.

They have awesome reviews (only negatives I found were obviously posted by the competition), integrate with Woocommerce, and create quality shirts. I've tested a few shirts from them, and they all turned out great.

There are other print-on-demand services that integrate with WooCommerce and Shopify, but they eat into your margins. Here's a couple of them if you want to check them out:
Printful.com
Merchify.com

But trust me: PrintAura's websites not as fancy, but creates the same shirts cheaper.

So after signing up on their site, you'll be able to link your site to theirs using their woocommerce plugin. They have instructions on how to do so here:
https://printaura.com/woocommerce-app

Linking is easy. After that, you have to add products.

The process took me about 3 hours to do for roughly 45 shirts (paintings).

The way I did it was by creating all the titles on Print Aura, and then following up by uploading the images themselves through the Wordpress back end.

Once I was done, here's what my site looked like:

Now, my site is filled with:

A) Great looking images; and
B) An integration to Print Aura so that anytime someone places an order, their shirt gets created and shipped


How much profit am I making per shirt?

Only $10-13 per sale. So not enough to drive paid traffic, but enough to leverage my existing traffic and start making more money.


Here's the type of shirt that I print on:

American Apparel 2001


Why?

Because American Apparel is what all the boutique brands print on. The shirts are super soft, quality, and reflect a $30 t-shirt that you'd buy in a boutique. As far as fit and quality go, they're worth the extra cost.

And what's awesome about printing art is that it's printed using a Direct to Garment Printing method. This means that there's no set up fees for silkscreens, and the quality matches the top brands. Print Aura claims to use a $235,000 printer for making the shirts. I don't know if that's true, but do know that the ink and print quality is the same as t-shirts I've bought from fashion boutiques in LA and here at home in Chicago.


So how can you make your shirts better?

The biggest problem my shirts have is not being customized on the inside neck label. After getting a handful more sales, I'm going to order a bunch of heat transfers from China (U.S. suppliers sell for about $1 each ... I want to pay $0.10 each). Then, for an extra $1, the printer will put these labels on the inside of the t-shirt. The shirt will be 100% the same as a boutique brand t-shirt, but printed on demand.

Also, there's the option of creating my own shirts. A stock of white shirts and black shirts (the two most often purchased colors), and then getting them to the printer. The only reason I'd do this is if my shirts had some embroidery on the sleeve, or something small that makes the brand pop. But for now, I don't want to invest in inventory.

 

[Tobore]

Nice thread. If you decide to do this PM me i got some awesome t-shirts mockups...

graphical plugins and vector patterns, I saved from my former business, too

hmmn! I used to make free money selling t-shirts

Way to go @AgainstAllOdds !

 

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[AgainstAllOdds]

5. AUTOMATED MARKETING
​

My target demographic is the 20-32 age group in the U.S. So for me, the best social networks are:

Instagram; and Tumblr.

Instagram marketing I automate using: Instagress.com
Tumblr I automate using: http://xtumblebot.com/

I won't be posting exact strategies here, but check out those sites. They have 99% of the info that you'd want.

Note: I only run 1 account on each of these sites. I don't spam. I don't comment on other people's photos. I only like posts and follow people that are interested in similar things. If they reciprocate, then great. Otherwise, no big deal.

From those two bots, I'm on track to get over 30k followers this year. Roughly 90 per day.

These are 30,000 people that will:

A) See each post I make;
B) A percentage of which will convert into buyers; and
C) Give me feedback on what the market wants.


Except for making the posts myself, it's 100% hands off, and a super simple way for me to grow on a $100 annual marketing budget.

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

NEXT STEPS
​

So there you go. That's how I launched my "clothing company" in less than 3 days. Honestly, probably took me 7 hours of actual work, and 2 days of researching.

From here, I'm going to make the site look better, add the rest of my paintings, and adjust my social media strategy to also promote these t-shirts.

Once I start getting enough sales, then here's a potential strategy for scaling (I don't really want to run a hands-on clothing business, but will debate doing so):

• Manufacture samples in China.
• Go to MAGIC (tradeshow)
• Get purchase orders, then create and ship inventory (wholesale)
• Stop printing on demand, and only offer what I have in stock (Online profit goes from $10-13 to roughly $24 per sale ... enough to buy traffic).

Grow from there.

But for now, the target is to make an extra $100 a week (9 sales), while sitting back eating ice cream, and working on one of my more scalable ideas.

 

[jon.a]

Gold?

 

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[D11FYY]

Great thread, I like how you've written this so simple it is a business tutorial.

Ot. If you arnt good with art at least draw funny stickmen!

 

[ilrein]

Gold?

Pure gold thread.

I have in opening in my schedule in two weeks time. Think I might I give this a try.

EDIT: I'll be using Shopify though, not the biggest WP fan.

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

Pure gold thread.

I have in opening in my schedule in two weeks time. Think I might I give this a try.

EDIT: I'll be using Shopify though, not the biggest WP fan.

First off, thanks.

Second off, Shopify's the way to go if you're marketing to women. Here's why:

For every one pop art t-shirt that I have, I also have one extremely brutal and emotionally upsetting painting. Hence, I'll stick to selling to the skateboard/streetwear niche ... but if I was selling to women, then I'd:

A) Figure out Pinterest automation; and
B) Get on Shopify to get that sweet Pinterest Traffic

 

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[Charnell]

Damn fantastic thread. A straight up step-by-step guide for anyone that wants to start a t-shirt business. Now I can't wait to link to this thread when someone needs a new venture idea.

Rep+

 

[Ikke]

Great contribution to the forum. Rep. +

 

[Kerin]

Incredible info right here. Great job. Tempted to enter the t-shirt business now. [emoji6]

 

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[jon.a]

Gold?

Let's us know when you make that first sale!

 

[AG356]

Well done and well written!
Definitely deserves to be GOLD!

 

[cautiouscapy]

Another vote for making this thread GOLD.

 

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[jon.a]

Another vote for making this thread GOLD.

I think he needs a sale.

 

[masterneme]

Awesome thread, what do you think about sites like Zazzle or Spreadshirt?

 

[cautiouscapy]

Awesome thread, what do you think about sites like Zazzle or Spreadshirt?

Control? I seem to remember that Zazzle even tell you that your design becomes theirs once you upload it.

@AgainstAllOdds has shown us how to build our own personal print-to-order Zazzle/Spreadshirt/Cafe Press with a lot more control.

I have one design on Cafe Press; I created it years ago so I could make a gift for someone and I have left it there and don't promote it at all. The commission I get for each sale is minute ($24 sale, I get $1.20), I am making money for the site owners - owner is where you want to be.

Having said that, I used to make $400/year for a handful of years on Cafe Press, which impressed me at the time as I was putting NO effort in.

I've seen charities using these sites to raise money and also just get their message on merchandise quickly and easily with zero web technical know-how. I'd say these sites have their place, but not in the Fastlane.

 

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[Wolf]

Great guide

 

[JAZI]

Excellent Article![emoji106]

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

I think he needs a sale.

No worries. Here's one from an hour ago:

I tossed the shirts up on Etsy before launching the site on Saturday. Etsy is on track to do about $1,100 in profit in the next year from organic traffic. My site should do about $5k (extrapolated from the number of prints that I sell on social media)

Putting the finishing touches on my site. After that, announcing the launch on IG/Tumblr:

P.s. Take a look at the feedback from Candy_Klitz. That's a common theme among artists giving advice. The perception is that commercializing your art makes you worth less. However, I personally believe that if people are walking around with my name "MAXMLN" on their chest, then it can only help. I guess we'll find out ...

 

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[jon.a]

Allrighty then, Gold?

No worries. Here's one from an hour ago:

I tossed the shirts up on Etsy before launching the site on Saturday. Etsy is on track to do about $1,100 in profit in the next year from organic traffic. My site should do about $5k (extrapolated from the number of prints that I sell on social media)

Putting the finishing touches on my site. After that, announcing the launch on IG/Tumblr:

P.s. Take a look at the feedback from Candy_Klitz. That's a common theme among artists giving advice. The perception is that commercializing your art makes you worth less. However, I personally believe that if people are walking around with my name "MAXMLN" on their chest, then it can only help. I guess we'll find out ...

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

Control? I seem to remember that Zazzle even tell you that your design becomes theirs once you upload it.

@AgainstAllOdds has shown us how to build our own personal print-to-order Zazzle/Spreadshirt/Cafe Press with a lot more control.

I have one design on Cafe Press; I created it years ago so I could make a gift for someone and I have left it there and don't promote it at all. The commission I get for each sale is minute ($24 sale, I get $1.20), I am making money for the site owners - owner is where you want to be.

Having said that, I used to make $400/year for a handful of years on Cafe Press, which impressed me at the time as I was putting NO effort in.

I've seen charities using these sites to raise money and also just get their message on merchandise quickly and easily with zero web technical know-how. I'd say these sites have their place, but not in the Fastlane.

This. I have my shirts listed for $25. Shipping is $5.99. I profit about $11 on any colored t-shirt. On those sites I'd make about 1/10th of the profit.

Let's say this is a Shitty Little Business (SLB), and I make 10 sales a week. Well on my site, that's $5k profit in a year. On those sites, it's $500. Assuming that you have a $55k salary, and after taxes and expenses $20k in disposable income ... well the aforementioned is a 25% boost on money you can invest into your actual fastlane idea. The latter is 2.5% and might as well be spent on coffee.

The only other site I'm selling on is Etsy ... but might even discontinue that.

The purpose of having CONTROL is to SCALE.

If you control your own site and brand, then you can go from "kickstarting" to operating a legit business.

Where I'm at now is simply at an MVP (minimum viable product) stage. If I get sales consistently, and if this thing grows slowly organically, then I'll be able to shift my focus, add extra energy to this project, and basically pour fuel on the fire to make it grow. From there it goes from MVP to an actual startup.

Sidenote: I probably won't be scaling this idea. For me, it's just a hobby. I like making art and the extra cash doesn't hurt. However, taking a t-shirt company from 0 for millions is a lot harder than most other ventures. In this industry, supply almost always outweighs demand.