Online t-shirt store with print on demand

Online shoppers who share the interest or identity your designs speak to, including gift buyers.

You keep the difference between your selling price and the print partner's cost per shirt. Margins per shirt are modest, so success depends on a clear niche and steady marketing.

• Graphic design or working with a designer
• Social media and online marketing
• Writing product descriptions
• Basic customer service

• Check your designs do not copy trademarks, slogans or artwork you do not own
• Check whether you need to register for and charge GST/HST or provincial sales tax, including on sales to other provinces
• Shipping from a partner outside Canada can mean long delivery times and duties, so check where they print
• Competition is strong, so plan marketing time and a small ad budget
• Check your province's rules on registering a business name

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $200 to $1,500, depending on design work, store setup and how much you spend on advertising. Because a print partner makes and ships each order, you hold no stock.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $100 to $2,000, depending on your designs, niche and marketing effort. Plan for at least about 6 hours a week, and expect strong competition, so budget time for promotion.

Check that your designs don't copy trademarks, slogans or artwork you don't own. Also check whether you need to register for and charge GST/HST or provincial sales tax, where your print partner ships from, and your province's business name rules.