Online T Shirt Business

How Profitable Is An Online T Shirt Business? (Updated for 2025)

Pat Walls

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Updated: April 17th, 2025

How Profitable Is An Online T Shirt Business? (Updated for 2025)

So you want to start an online t-shirt business?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are online t-shirt businesses actually profitable?”

With a market size of $1.71T - there’s plenty of business to go around.

Especially considering:

You could start a online t-shirt business with as low as $69
Based on our data, online t-shirt businesses generate an average of $995K per year

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a online t-shirt business.

Let’s dive in!

Is an online t-shirt business profitable?

Yes, an online t-shirt business is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $995K per year with an estimated gross margin of 40%, you could expect to recover your investment within 7 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your online t-shirt business.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your online t-shirt business is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is an online t-shirt business worth it?

If you’re wondering if a online t-shirt business is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With online t-shirt businesses, you have the potential to earn $995K per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $1.71T, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a online t-shirt business to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful online t-shirt businesses case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Online T Shirt Businesses

Here are a few examples of profitable online t-shirt businesses, and a few more details about them:

1. Cinquanta Cox-Smith ($120K/year)

Cinquanta Cox-Smith, a Multipreneur from South Carolina, stumbled upon the Print On Demand industry 12 years ago when she wanted to create a unique shirt and discovered Spreadshirt.com. Through her creativity and networking skills, she found success in designing and selling catchy, conversation-starting shirts. This eventually led her to create multiple POD brands on various platforms, generating an impressive $120k per year in revenue.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100

I Make $120K/Year With My Print On Demand T-Shirt Side Hustle

A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.

Read this case study

Read by 13,060 founders

Learn more about starting an online t-shirt business:

Where to start?

-> Online t-shirt business plan
-> How to finance an online t-shirt business?
-> How much does it cost to start an online t-shirt business?
-> Pros and cons of an online t-shirt business

Need inspiration?

-> Other online t-shirt business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for an online t-shirt business
-> Online t-shirt business names

Other resources

-> Online t-shirt business tips

How much can you make with an online t-shirt business?

With a online t-shirt business, you can make an average of $995K revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $69. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 7 months.

How much does a online t-shirt business make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a online t-shirt business ranges around $20.7K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $82.9K.

To know if your online t-shirt business achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your online t-shirt business.

How much do online t-shirt businesses owners make?

The income of an online t-shirt business owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established online t-shirt business is about $20.7K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as an online t-shirt business owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Online T Shirt Business Profit Margins

Generally speaking, an online t-shirt business can expect profit margin of around 40%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of an online t-shirt business, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, online t-shirt business owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, online t-shirt business owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Online t-shirt business owner salary

The salary of an online t-shirt business owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established online t-shirt business, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $8.29K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a online t-shirt business may be a promising business to start - but the success of your online t-shirt business mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable online t-shirt business.

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Starting An Online T Shirt Business: Everything You Need To Know

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