How To Sell Shirts On Etsy And Make $10K A Month

Are you ready to learn how to sell shirts on Etsy and actually make money running a t-shirt business?

Running a t-shirt business on Etsy can be the side hustle or venture you’ve been looking for.

You’ve probably stumbled across tons of Etsy sellers making hundreds of thousands, if not millions, just from starting a shirt business.

You literally could make 6-figures from selling shirts on Etsy. It definitely is possible. But it comes with a lot of hard work and consistency.

I’ll also be sharing case study examples of Etsy sellers who clearly make more than 6-figures just from selling shirts!

You might be wondering how to sell shirts on Etsy and make actual money. Let’s walk through the essential steps to get you started!

8 Steps: How To Sell Shirts On Etsy

Step 1: Choose a profitable niche

At the heart of every great t-shirt line lies a well-defined niche.

A niche ensures that your designs resonate deeply with a specific segment of the market, allowing you to connect with customers on a personal level.

Think about what makes your brand unique: Is it your advocacy for sustainability, your witty slogans, or perhaps your intricate artwork?

For example, you can see that this Etsy shop’s brand is about special designs like holiday t-shirts or birthday shirts (example above).

When selecting a niche, consider the following:

Your own passions and expertise
Are there specific themes or styles you are drawn to?
What are current trends, customer interests, and gaps in the market?

The more precise and focused your niche, the more likely you are to stand out and attract a loyal customer base!

Step 2: Define your Etsy audience

Understanding your audience is just as critical as choosing your niche.

Your target market consists of the customers most likely to buy from you.

Examine demographics such as age, gender, location, and income level, as well as psychographics like interests, behaviors, and values.

Create buyer personas to embody the types of individuals who would be smitten by your shirts.

What challenges do they face? How can your designs speak to those challenges?

Tailor your products to your audience’s preferences to increase customer engagement and drive sales.

Step 3: Create your designs

The visual appeal of your t-shirt designs is probably the most important of it all (in my opinion).

Beautifully crafted designs should be unique, high-quality, and aligned with your brand’s story.

You could use online tools like Creative Fabrica or Canva to get free or paid graphics, fonts, and illustrations.

I personally use Canva for all my graphics, but there are so many websites to choose from.

Remember to keep your designs adaptable, based on how they will look on different shirt colors and styles.

I would suggest experimenting in the beginning of your t-shirt business with different fonts, color palettes, and designs.

Seriously, do NOT stop creating! I’ll repeat that: do not stop creating and be consistent.

Consistency is literally key to success.

If you look at the number of listings the most successful POD Etsy shops have, it’s probably thousands of listings.

I bet you that only 40% of those listings actually make sales, but those best-sellers bring in so much income for these Etsy sellers.

Step 4: Choose a Print-On-Demand (POD) supplier

Print-on-demand (POD) services have become so popular in modern Etsy t-shirt businesses. Things are changing, people! 🙂

These services allow you to print a shirt only after it’s been ordered, which reduces upfront costs and minimizing the risk of overstock.

Selecting the right POD partner is crucial to the success of your business.

With that said, you want to consider the following factors:

Product quality
Printing techniques (like direct-to-garment or screen printing)
Available inventory
Any additional features the POD business may offer, such as tagging or packaging.

Platforms such as Printful and Printify allow you to integrate with Etsy seamlessly, providing a wide range of shirt options. Many Etsy sellers choose to partner with these platforms because they easily integrate with Etsy.

Be sure to choose a POD partner that can meet the expectations of potential customers.

Step 5: Price your shirts for profit

Setting the right price for your shirts can be tricky.

You need to consider the costs of production, the platform’s fees, and your desired profit margin.

Research your competition to understand what prices customers are willing to pay for similar products. For different articles of clothing, the pricing may vary.

For example, a customized t-shirt will probably be priced higher than a simple graphic t-shirt. You want to consider the time and energy it takes to create your t-shirts and price accordingly based on that.

Remember that value perception is just as important as the actual price.

Step 6: Choose good photo mock-ups to display your designs

Visuals can make or break your listings on Etsy.

Use high-quality photographs and consider buying photo mockups to showcase your designs on actual shirts. This will help show accurate representation of the final product.

You could even invest in professional photography to capture your t-shirts in the best light.

Create a consistent aesthetic for your Etsy shop to enhance its visual appeal and brand identity.

I would suggest highlighting the features and benefits of your shirts in your Etsy product description. This will help customers trust your brand more!

Step 7: Post your listings on Etsy

You’ll need to set up an Etsy shop that reflects your brand.

I would recommend creating an “About” description that tells customers who you are, what inspired your designs, and why they should buy from you.

It’s so important to list your shirts with detailed titles, descriptions, and tags that include relevant keywords to improve their visibility in the Etsy search engine.

Also, make sure to regularly update your shop with new designs, and engage with your customers. They are human, after all!

Step 8: Scale your business

As your business grows, you may want to consider expanding your product range.

If you want to scale your business, you could consider selling hoodies, tank tops, or accessories. Just remember to keep your target audience in mind!

Another way to scale your business is promoting your business through social media.

If you haven’t started a social media account, this is your opportunity to do so!

Social media like TikTok or Instagram is a great way to leverage your marketing strategy and bring in more sales.

Case Studies in Etsy T-Shirt Success

Hannah Ebeling began her Etsy journey by selling custom leggings. She quickly transitioned to t-shirts and has since made over $300,000 in sales.

According to industry experts, the key to success is to find the intersection of passion and market demand.

Align your business with your creative vision while considering what customers are searching for on Etsy. Continuous learning, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt are essential for long-term success.

This Etsy shop has more than 100,000 sales, but what surprised me the most was basically this Etsy seller’s nonexistent profile.

There’s absolutely no profile pic, no bio, or anything about the seller. Yet, this company was able to make more than 6-figures completely anonymously.

That’s crazy, but it goes to show that you don’t need to show your face to be a top 1% Etsy seller. Honestly, it’s an introvert’s dream, haha.

So are you convinced to start your OWN Etsy store? Then, get these 40 free Etsy listings and start now!

Final thoughts on how to sell shirts on Etsy

Selling shirts on Etsy can be a fulfilling and profitable business.

By carefully following these tips, you can turn your shop into a thriving business!

Remember that building a business takes time, effort, and a lot of trial and error.

With the tools and strategies outlined in this guide, you’re well on your way to generating a sustainable income!

Want to get started with your own Etsy business? Get these 40 free Etsy listings and start now!

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Yay! You’ve got your 40 free listings on Etsy! 🙂

Because you launched your shop, it means that you’re ready to start your Etsy journey. Here are some awesome, free guides that will help you run a successful shop:

How to Open an Etsy Shop for Beginners (An Easy Simple Guide)

How Do I Find Low Competition and High Demand Niches On Etsy?

How To Make Passive Income on Etsy Selling Digital Products

11 Things You Need To Know Before Starting An Etsy Shop