Custom t-shirt print studio in a small unit

Run a small print studio with screen or DTG printing for bulk orders, teamwear and retail customers.

Startup cost£6k to £30k

Monthly revenue£3k to £15k

Time needed30+ h/week

First incomeMonths

£6k-30k
Full-time
Own premises

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

Official data

8,677 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 18129 “Printing n.e.c.”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

A small workshop or unit with screen printing and/or direct-to-garment equipment, producing larger runs of custom t-shirts, hoodies and workwear, plus an online shop or walk-in counter.

Your first three steps

Visit local print shops or take a short printing course to understand costs and processes
Price up a small unit, equipment and a first stock of blank garments, and build a simple budget
Line up first customers, such as clubs and local firms, before signing a lease

Who pays

Businesses, schools, clubs, events and festivals, plus individuals ordering personalised items.

How it makes money

Per-item prices with discounts for volume, setup fees for screens or artwork, and extras such as embroidery, labels or delivery.

Skills that help

Screen printing or DTG operation
Design and colour matching
Quoting, sales and production planning

Watch out for

Commercial lease terms, business rates and planning use class for the unit, so check with the landlord and council
Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire anyone
Safe handling and disposal of inks, solvents and wash-out waste, so check local requirements
Copyright and trade marks on customer artwork
Cash flow, as blank stock and equipment are paid for before customers pay you

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: custom t-shirt print studio in a small unit

Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

Startup costs with real prices
Licences, registration and rules
Pricing: what others charge
Break-even example
Finding your first customers
30-day launch plan
Risks and how to reduce them

Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to open a t-shirt print studio?

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on whether you choose screen printing, direct-to-garment equipment or both, the unit you rent, and your initial stock of blank garments.

How much can a t-shirt print studio make?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many bulk orders and retail customers you win and your pricing. Revenue is not profit, and blank stock and equipment are paid for before customers pay you.

What rules should I check before opening a print unit?

Things to check: commercial lease terms, business rates and the planning use class with the landlord and council, public liability insurance (plus employer's liability once you hire), safe disposal of inks and solvents, and copyright on customer artwork.