Heat Press Machine
Press designs onto shirts quickly.
Can you make $30K with Shirts?
Custom t-shirts are everywhere—events, schools, businesses, and teams all need them. With simple equipment or even no equipment at all, you can start a side hustle creating or selling shirts. With consistent orders and repeat customers, this business can realistically generate $30,000 a year working just a few hours each week.
Easy-Medium
Retail/Local
$750-$1,500
6-12 Hours
WANT A COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A SIDE VENTURE?
Get our comprehensive Moonlighter's Guide with templates, checklists, and proven strategies for launching your side business.
Buy on Amazon for $14.99
or
Business Idea snapshot
Custom apparel is a $20B+ industry, and a large portion is fulfilled by small operators—not big factories. With a heat press and basic design tools, you can produce shirts for $8 and sell for $20+. Schools, sports teams, and local businesses constantly need apparel, creating repeat, relationship-driven revenue opportunities.
PROBLEM IT SOLVES
Organizations struggle with confusing pricing, large minimum orders, and slow turnaround times. They want a simple, local solution to handle custom apparel quickly
REVENUE MODEL
Sell shirts individually ($18–$30) or in bulk ($12–$20), with additional revenue from hoodies, hats, and repeat seasonal orders from organizations and businesses.
TARGET CUSTOMER
Schools, sports teams, churches, small businesses, gyms, and event organizers needing custom apparel with fast turnaround and simple ordering.
MOONLIGHTING BENEFITS
Flexible schedule, low startup cost, high margins, repeat customers, and ability to scale by producing yourself or outsourcing large orders.
What you need to get started
Must Have
$300-800
ViewMust Have
Vinyl Cutter
Cut designs for transfers.
$250-500
ViewMust Have
Blank T-Shirts
Purchase wholesale inventory
$200-500
ViewMust Have
Heat Transfer Vinyl
Apply designs to shirts
$50-200
ViewMust Have
Design Software
Create shirt graphics easily
$0-20 /month
ViewMust Have
Laptop
Design and manage orders
$300-1,200
ViewMust Have
Weeding Tools
Remove excess vinyl material
$10-30
ViewMust Have
Teflon Sheets
Protect shirts during pressing
$10-25
ViewMust Have
Storage Bins
Organize shirts and materials
$20-80
ViewMust Have
Packaging Bags
Deliver finished shirts cleanly
$20-60
ViewOptional
Embroidery Machine
Expand into embroidery
$3,000-5,000
ViewStep-by-step: Validate this idea
Research Local Competition
Search “custom t-shirts [your city]” and review 10 companies. Call 3–5 to understand pricing, minimum orders, and turnaround times. Identify gaps.
Time: 2–3 hoursTest Demand in Your Area
Reach out to schools, teams, and businesses you already know. Offer a small test order or discount to land your first 2–3 customers.
Time: 1–2 hoursBuy Basic Equipment
Purchase a heat press, vinyl cutter, and starter materials. Keep it simple—upgrade later based on demand.
Time: Weekend ProjectComplete Test Jobs
Produce your first shirt runs. Take photos, track production time, and gather feedback. Focus on delivering clean, consistent quality.
Time: 2–4 hours per orderAnalyze Results and Decide
Calculate profit per shirt and time spent. Evaluate customer demand and repeat order potential. Decide whether to scale production or outsource.
Time: 1 hour analysisAnalyze Results and Decide
Calculate profit per shirt and time spent. Evaluate customer demand and repeat order potential. Decide whether to scale production or outsource.
Time: 1 hour analysisFirst 30 days plan
1
Week 1
Setup
- Buy heat press setup
- Create shirt designs
- Set pricing structure
- Order blank inventory
2
Week 2
Customers
- Contact local groups
- Offer first discounts
- Post in FB groups
- Book first orders
3
Week 3
Refine
- Complete shirt orders
- Take product photos
- Collect reviews
- Improve workflow
4
Week 4
Decide
- Track profit per shirt
- Analyze time spent
- Plan for scaling
- Continue or pivot
How to get your first customers
Local
- Schools and sports teams
- Church groups and events
- Local gyms and clubs
- Community events
- Word-of-mouth referrals
Online
- Google Business profile
- Simple landing page
- Facebook marketplace
- Instagram product posts
- Etsy shop for designs
Free Ideas
- Partner with schools
- Offer team discounts
- Referral incentives
- Seasonal promotions
- Free design mockups
Upsells
- Hoodies and sweatshirts
- Custom hats and caps
- Bulk order discounts
- Rush order fees
- Recurring team orders
Sample outreach scripts
Local Organization Script
Hi! I’m [Name], and I make custom shirts locally. I work with schools, teams, and businesses to make ordering easy—no confusing pricing or long wait times. If you ever need shirts, I’d love to help. I can handle everything from design to delivery.
Facebook Group Post
Custom t-shirts for schools, teams, and businesses. Fast turnaround and simple pricing. Shirts, hoodies, and hats available. No large minimums. Message me for a quote or to see sample designs.
Reseller / Sales Script
Hi, I help local groups and businesses get custom shirts made without the hassle of dealing with big companies. I handle design, ordering, and delivery. If you ever need apparel, I’d love to be your go-to contact.
WANT TO SKIP THE LEARNING CURVE?
Start selling custom shirts faster with Shirmo — proven systems, supplier access, and support to help you land orders without figuring it all out yourself.
SELL WITHOUT PRODUCING
Close deals. Shirmo handles production. You focus on finding customers — Shirmo manages printing, inventory, and delivery so you can earn without owning equipment.
PROVEN PRICING
Know what to charge from day one. Get access to supplier pricing, margin guidelines, and real-world pricing models so you don’t guess — you sell confidently.
START WITH YOUR NETWORK
Your first customers are already around you. Shirmo helps you land orders from schools, teams, businesses, and events with simple outreach strategies that actually work.
NOT INTO THIS IDEA? TRY THESE INSTEAD.
Explore other moonlighting opportunities from our catalog
Just talk
Can You Make $50,000 a Summer with Temp AC?
When an air conditioner breaks, homeowners can wait days for repairs or replacement. Temporary porta...
Just talk
Can you make $30K Pressure Washing?
Custom t-shirts are everywhere—events, schools, businesses, and teams all need them. With simple equ...
Just talk
Can You Make $60K a Year Working Twice a Week?
Home inspection is a licensed, in-demand profession you can build as a weekend side hustle. With $2,...
WANT A COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A SIDE VENTURE?
Get our comprehensive Moonlighter's Guide with templates, checklists, and proven strategies for launching your side business.
Buy on Amazon for $14.99
or