By Sid Gaffar
Side hustles are booming. According to a recent LendingTree survey, 40 percent of Americans have a side hustle. The survey says those with side hustles earn an average of $1215 monthly. The most popular gigs are food delivery, online freelancing, and part-time or seasonal work, which includes selling custom T-shirts. This has become one of the most profitable and scalable side businesses thanks to the low barrier to entry offered by DTF transfers.
Why Selling T-Shirts is a Top Side Hustle
- Low Startup Costs: No need for expensive printing equipment.
- Easy to Start: Just order DTF transfer sheets and press them onto shirts.
- High Demand: Personalized apparel is trending across all niches.
- Flexible Work: Sell via an online store, at pop-up events, or through social media.
Essential Supplies for DTF T-Shirt Businesses
- Heat Press: Lower-cost heat presses can range from $200 – $500
- DTF Transfer Sheets: $2 – $5 per print (Pro Tip: Buy gang sheets to save money)
- Blank T-Shirts: Lower-cost blanks can range from $2 – $5 each
Minimum Cost Breakdown to Starting a DTF T-Shirt Business
Profit Potential from DTF T-Shirt Printing
Unlike drop shipping or affiliate marketing, DTF printing gives you full control over branding, pricing, and product quality – making it a sustainable, long-term business.
Must-Have Tools for Your T-Shirt Business
- DTF Transfer Profit Calculator: Mugsie offers a free tool to calculate costs and pricing.
- DTF Gang Sheet Builder: Use a DTF gang sheet builder to optimize your transfers and save money.
Next Steps to Get Started:
- Choose a heat press that fits your budget.
- Order high-quality DTF transfers
- Start pressing and selling!
Learn more about the three ways to offer DTF printing here.
Bio: Sid Gaffar is the founder of Mugsie.com, a provider of DTF transfers printing technology and sublimation printing. Starting in a UK print shop at 17, Sid evolved from screen printing to advanced DTF technology. Since launching Mugsie in 2017, his focus has been on helping creators and businesses grow through high-quality products and strong partnerships.
