Custom T-shirt Printing Business

1. Type of Business: Custom T-shirt Printing

2. Key Products for Sale

Unique and creative custom-designed T-shirts targeting specific niches.

3. Technology Considerations

• Include Direct Garment (DTG) printing for high-quality and detailed designs.
• E-commerce platform for online sales.

4. Market for the Product

• Targeted towards individuals passionate about specific themes or cultures (e.g., Kenyan matatu culture).
• Online market through social media platforms and e-commerce websites.

5. Key Inputs into the Business

1. High-quality T-shirt materials.
   1. Creative designs from the artist/entrepreneur.
   1. DTG printing technology.
   1. Skilled labor for design validation.

7. Product Preparation Process

• Design creation and validation.
• DTG printing for quality and detailed prints.
• Quality check and packaging.

8. Quality Considerations

• Ensure designs are at least 300 digital pixels with a transparent background.
• Use DTG printing for an accurate representation of the artwork.

9. Cost of Investment

• Design tools and software- Canva and other online subscriptions cost around 6000 for one year
• DTG printing equipment  A good one costs around 3000-5000 KSH but you can buy a second-hand printer online which is 1500
• Initial inventory of T-shirt materials  10,000
• Online store setup.
• Cost of ink, screens, and other consumables  8,000

10. Required Operational Infrastructure

• Design studio/workspace.  The beauty of this business is that you can do it at home.
• DTG printing setup.
• Packaging and shipping area.  Cost will depend on the location but with pickup mtaani, it is significantly cheaper.

11. Most Suitable or Viable Location of the Business

• Proximity to courier services for shipping.
• Accessible location for potential customers to visit.

12. Potential Sources of Investment Capital

1. Personal savings.

2. Small business loans.

3. Crowdfunding for special editions.

13. Requirements for Effective Management

• Skilled designer or partnership with a designer.
• Operations manager for inventory and fulfillment.
• Marketing Specialist for online promotion.

14. Role of Mobile Phone and ICT

• E-commerce website for online orders.
• Social media platforms for marketing.
• Communication with customers through mobile.

15. Statutory Regulations and Licenses

• Business registration.
• Compliance with copyright laws.
• Health and safety regulations for the workspace.

16. Pricing

• Competitive pricing based on design intricacy and quality.
• Consider production costs and market demand.

17. Profitability

• Profit margin depends on pricing strategy and sales volume.
• Aim for scalability to increase profitability over time.
• Estimated income 50,000 KSH – 1,000,000 KSH

18. Next Steps to Take

1. Launch an e-commerce platform.
   1. Initiate targeted marketing campaigns.
   1. Monitor customer feedback and iterate designs based on demand.
   1. Explore collaborations and partnerships for increased visibility