Feel you’ve got something to offer the fashion industry in New Jersey? If you’re considering starting your own t-shirt business, you’re much more likely to succeed if you have clear targets to hit, from initial planning to the moment you launch.
Here, we’re breaking down the 6 steps you should follow when you’re starting a t-shirt business in New Jersey and beyond.
1. Choose Your Business Name
The most exciting part of the process for many people, something that solidifies your idea and makes it real, is choosing a name for your business.
Go for something catchy, memorable, and ideally no longer than two or three words, and make sure to check that it’s available with the New Jersey Division of Revenue before you become set on it.
2. Register Your Business
The next step is to register your business and get an EIN from the IRS. Becoming a registered business essentially means that you’re legally able to trade and earn money. You’ll want to do it as soon as possible, at least before you make your first sale, to avoid getting in trouble and possibly even being fined.
At the same time, you should apply for a New Jersey Sales Tax Certificate and have a think about your business structure (LLC, sole proprietorship, and so on.). This is also the time to set up a business bank account.
3. Choose a Printing Method
There are a few different options you can choose from when it comes to printing t-shirt designs, like screen printing, heat press, DTG, and so on.
Make sure to learn about these in detail before you decide on one or two printing methods. You could even test a few of the strongest contenders so you can see the designs in person before you make a final decision.
4. Design Your Shirts or Hire a Designer
If you have clear designs in mind and you’re artistic, get them down on paper. Otherwise, you can hire a designer to bring your visions to life.
Don’t just think about the design that’ll be printed onto your shirts. Also think about the materials and colors you want to use in the shirts themselves, as well as the labels. It’s worth looking into Label Solutions by Labeloom to offer something personalised to your own brand, rather than a generic label or nothing at all.
5. Find a Reliable Supplier
With everything confirmed design-wise, your next step is to find a reliable supplier for blanks and printing equipment.
You can also outsource your printing to another company, although this can limit you somewhat when it comes to things like t-shirt materials and labels.
6. Build an Online Store
All that’s left to do is build a store to sell your t-shirts online. You can use website builders like Squarespace for this, or, if you don’t want to commit to the cost of a website to start with, set up on platforms like Etsy or Shopify.
Don’t forget to market your business! This will help customers find you in those early days. Social media and paid ads on Google or the store you’re selling on will all be a big help here.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.