Online custom t-shirt shop (print on demand)

Individuals buying gifts, fans of a niche or hobby, and small clubs or groups wanting a simple one-off order.

You keep the difference between your selling price and the print partner's cost per item. Selling to a clear niche helps you stand out.

• Basic graphic design
• Social media and online marketing
• Customer service

• Copyright and trade marks: only use artwork, logos, slogans and characters you own or have permission to use
• Distance selling rules: check the rules on returns, refunds and clear pricing for online sales
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and check when VAT registration applies
• Product quality and delivery times depend on your partner, so order samples first

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £50 to £600, depending on how many sample products you order, any design tools you buy and how much you spend on early marketing. Print partners make and post each order, so you hold no stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £100 to £2,000, depending on your designs, your niche, your prices and how well you promote the shop. Revenue is not profit, as you pay your print partner for each order.

Things to check: only use artwork, logos, slogans and characters you own or have permission to use, follow distance selling rules on returns, refunds and clear pricing, register as a sole trader with HMRC, and check when VAT registration applies.