How to start Home based T-Shirt Printing Business in India and earn more than Rs 1,00,000 per month

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Work from Home Business Sep 28, 2025 0

Opening: Printing T-shirts using Heat transfer method  is simple, economical, scalable for small batches, and gives you control overprinting and selling in short or long span of time. Below I walk you through everything: equipment and components, step-by-step process, production tips for small-scale home business, hygiene & labelling  notes, list useful machine/components (small scale), and point you to a few real Indian suppliers for machines, and raw materials so you can source what you need.

1) Details about information covered in this guide and what info in which section of guide:

This guide can be divided into 4 phases. First phase gives info about Raw material and Basic Ingredients, Manufacturing process, next phase gives info about Materials and equipment required to carry out manufacturing process, next phase covers costing and Selling details, and last phase covers License and other government regulations.

2) How this Production method works: Understanding Heat-Transfer / Sublimation Printing

Heat-transfer printing involves two major stages:

    • Dye-sublimation: Designs printed in reverse on a coated transfer paper using sublimation inks, and then heat-pressed onto polyester or polymer-coated Under ~175–215°C, dyes sublimate and bond at the molecular level—offering vibrant, durable, UV- and wash-resistant prints.
    • Transfer paper printing (Laser or Inkjet): Print one design on transfer paper, then use a heat press to transfer it onto Blends, cotton, or polyester.

This method is suitable for low- to medium-volume, full-color customization.

3) Essential Machine Components & Setup

a)  Core Equipment:

i) Heat Press Machine:

      • Manual or semi-automatic clamshell, swing-away, vacuum, or drawer-style models.
      • Controls temperature, pressure and time precisely—critical for reliable sublimation transfer.

ii) Sublimation or Inkjet Printer:

      • Can be a modified inkjet with refillable tank system using sublimation ink.
      • Epson-based models (e.g., EcoTank series) are popular due to ease of conversion and maintenance.

iii)  Sublimation Transfer Paper: High-temperature coated paper to hold dye for transfer.

iv) Sublimation Inks: CMYK sublimation inks compatible with your printer.

b) Additional Items:

    • Protective Sheets (Teflon or silicone pads) to prevent ghosting or heat marks.
    • Pallet or Tray Inserts to hold garments during pressing.
    • Heat Resistant Tape to secure transfer paper or protect cloth edges.

4) Raw Materials You’ll Need

  • Inks: Plastisol (most common), water-based, discharge, pigment inks. Plastisol needs to be cured at ~150°C Wikipedia
  • Mesh Sizes & Types: Choose mesh count based on design detail; polyester is widely used
  • Thickeners/Printing Pastes (e.g. guar gum, starch) when working with dye inks Wikipedia
  • Emulsions, Degreasers, Hardeners, Block-out Pens for preparing screens and filling pinholes
  • Pallet Tape and masking tapes to protect the platen and edges of the screen Wikipedia

5)  Workflow: Detailed Step-by-Step Workflow to do Printing of T-Shirts

a) Prepare Your Workspace

Clean area for coating screens (avoid stray light), drying area, wash-out/reclaim zone, ventilation

b) Designing the Artwork

  • Software Options: CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop, or free tools like Canva/GIMP.
  • Design Considerations:
    • Use high-resolution graphics (300 DPI or more).
    • Set the canvas size to A4 if using A4 sublimation paper.
    • Mirror the design (important for sublimation transfer).
  • File Format: Save/export in PNG (transparent background) or JPEG.

c) Preparing the Printer

  • Printer Choice: Epson EcoTank L805 or L3210 converted for sublimation inks.
  • Steps:
    • Load sublimation ink (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black).
    • Use A4 sublimation transfer paper (keep the coated side for printing).
    • Print settings:
      • High quality / Photo mode.
      • Mirror print enabled.
      • Disable unnecessary margins.
    • [Note: You can start minimal with a manual 1 color, 1 station table-top press (~Rs 8,000) p3machinery.in Or upgrade to a semi automatic unit (Rs 1.8 Lakh +) when scaling up ExportersIndia]

d) Prepping the Blank T-Shirt

  • Material: For sublimation, use 100% polyester or polyester-coated fabric (light colors, usually white).
  • For cotton T-shirts: You’ll need sublimation coating spray or sublimation transfer paper (dark fabric type).
  • Steps:
    • Pre-wash T-shirts (to remove starch/chemicals).
    • Iron/press them briefly to remove wrinkles.
    • Place a heat-resistant mat/pad on the press surface.

e) Aligning the Print

  • Trim the printed sublimation paper to fit the design area.
  • Position it face-down on the T-shirt where the design should appear.
  • Secure with heat-resistant tape so it doesn’t shift during pressing.

f) Heat Press Process

  • i) Machine: A4 flatbed clamshell heat press.
  • ii) Settings (for sublimation on polyester):
    • Temperature: 190–200°C
    • Time: 50–60 seconds
    • Pressure: Medium-Firm
  • iii) Steps:
    • Pre-press T-shirt for 5 seconds to remove moisture.
    • Place paper with design facing down.
    • Close heat press firmly for the set duration.
    • Once timer ends, lift carefully and peel hot.

g) Finishing the Product

  • Check for color sharpness & alignment.
  • Let the shirt cool down completely before folding/packing.
  • If selling, add branding labels, tags, or packaging (polybag/box).

h) Packaging & Delivery

  • Fold neatly, pack in a clear polybag (with moisture protection).
  • For shipping, use corrugated boxes or courier flyers.
  • Label with size, design code, and order details.

i) Post-Production Workflow

  • Maintain a record of orders (Excel/Google Sheet).
  • Keep inventory stock of blank T-shirts in popular sizes (M, L, XL).
  • Collect customer feedback and refine designs.

This is the end-to-end production cycle for a sublimation/heat transfer T-shirt business at home.
It ensures consistent quality, professional finishing, and faster turnaround.

6) Raw Materials & Supplier Options in India 

a) Machine & Equipment Suppliers:

  • Vipsa Import Export (Surat, Gujarat): Offers semi-automatic 16″×24″ heat press machines  and heat transfer machine suitable for sublimation and transfer printing.
  • Sublikraft India (Jaipur): Sells affordable 5-in-1 combo heat-press machines (~Rs 8,500) including flatbed options and blanks; also offers sublimation inks and paper rolls.
  • M S Technologies (Ahmedabad): Supplies Epson SC-F530 24″ sublimation printer (~Rs 1.44L), delivering high-resolution output with reliable performance for small-scale production.
  • SSM Machines (Coimbatore): Industrial-scale dye-sublimation printers (~Rs 7L–9L) for high-volume textile printing (70sqm/hr throughput).

b) Consumables & Blanks:

  • Sublikraft India also supplies: sublimation blanks, inks, and transfer paper rolls for printing setups.
  • Local B2B Portals (TradeIndia, IndiaMART, ExportersIndia): Multiple suppliers for sublimation blanks (polyester T-shirts), transfer paper, and ink in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur.

7) Extra Information about basic components such as Paper size etc.

a)  Choosing the Right Paper Size

Your paper size should match both:

    • The printer’s max print width
    • The largest design you expect to print
Paper Size Printer Fit Best Use Cases Pros Cons
A4 (210 × 297 mm) Entry-level Epson EcoTank (e.g., L805, L3210) Small logos, chest prints, kids’ tees Cheaper printer & paper Not ideal for large prints or all-over designs
A3 (297 × 420 mm) Mid-tier printers (Epson L1800, L1300) Medium front/back prints, wider designs Better coverage, fewer seams Printer cost & paper higher than A4
Roll / Large Format (24″, 44″) Epson SC-F530, SC-F6430, Mimaki, Roland Full-front or all-over prints Unlimited design size Expensive setup; needs bigger space

Recommendation for Home Scale
Start with A3 if possible — it gives you flexibility to print both small and large designs, while keeping printer cost manageable.

b) Printer Selection

Here’s a breakdown by budget & volume:

Budget Range Printer Model (India availability) Pros Cons
Rs 20K–Rs 30K Epson EcoTank L805 / L3210 (converted to sublimation) Affordable, easy to run Slower output, A4 size only
Rs 45K–Rs 60K Epson L1300 / L1800 (A3) Larger designs, better versatility Ink usage slightly higher
Rs 1.4 L– Rs 1.8 L Epson SC-F530 (24″ roll) Commercial quality, fast, ICC profiles ready High initial investment
Rs 5 L+ Mimaki / Roland dye-sublimation printers High-speed, bulk production Not practical for home unless doing B2B orders

Note: For sublimation, always use printers with piezo print heads (Epson tech) because heat-based inkjets like HP/Canon are incompatible with sublimation inks.

c)  Run-Time Production Estimates

(Assumes you already have the designs ready and cut to size)

i) Printing Time

    • Entry-level printer (A4): 2–3 min per sheet
    • Mid-tier A3 printer: 3–4 min per sheet
    • Roll printer (24″): 5–10 min for multiple designs in one run

ii) Heat Press Time

    • Standard flat press: 40–60 sec at 195–205 °C
    • Includes setup, positioning, pre-press, transfer, and post-press

iii) Daily Output Estimate

Printer & Paper Avg. Prints per Hour Prints in 8-Hr Day
A4 entry-level 10–12 ~80–90
A3 mid-tier 8–10 ~70–80
24″ roll 20–25 160–200

8) Costing and Budgeting: Cost & ROI Calculator for starting an A4-size heat transfer/sublimation T-shirt business using an Epson L805/L3210 printer with 10 daily orders.

a) Cost of One-Time setup

One-time Expense Cost (Rs)
Epson L805/L3210 Printer 25,000
Heat Press Machine (A4) 25,000
Design Software / Tools 5,000
Misc Setup & Furniture 5,000
Total Initial Investment 60,000

b) Monthly Recurring Costs

Monthly Recurring Expense Cost (Rs)
Raw Materials (T-shirts, Paper, Ink) 35,880
Labour 5,200
Electricity 1,300
Packaging 2,600
Internet 1,000
Marketing 3,000
Misc Overhead 2,000

Total Monthly Recurring expense: Rs 50.980/-

c) Breakup of Monthly recurring revenue for easy understanding:

For our calculations, we have assumed 10 daily orders × 26 working days = 260 shirts per month.

Here’s the detailed breakdown of the monthly recurring expenses (Rs 50,980):

i) Raw Material (260 shirts/month) – Rs 35,880

    • Blank T-shirt: Rs 120 × 260 = Rs 31,200
    • Sublimation paper (A4): Rs 10 × 260 = Rs 2,600
    • Sublimation ink (per print): Rs 8 × 260 = Rs 2,080
    • Total Raw Material = Rs 35,880

ii) Labour – Rs 5,200

    • Labour per shirt = Rs 20
    • Rs 20 × 260 shirts = Rs 5,200
      (If you self-handle, this cost is saved, but I kept it to simulate paying a helper or your own time cost.)

iii) Electricity – Rs 1,300

    • Heat press uses ~1 kWh/hour.
    • Approx. 5 minutes pressing time per shirt means  ~0.1 kWh per shirt.
    • 260 shirts × 0.1 kWh × Rs 5/unit electricity rate = Appx 130.
    • Added buffer for printer + lights + standby = Rs 1,300/month.

iv) Packaging – Rs 2,600

    • Polybag + tape + label = Rs 10 per shirt.
    • 260 × 10 = Rs 2,600.

v) Internet – Rs 1,000

    • Fixed cost (broadband or mobile data pack).

vi) Marketing – Rs 3,000

    • Social media ads, Instagram promotions, or local campaigns.

vii) Miscellaneous Overhead – Rs 2,000

    • Small expenses like transport, sample shirts, courier tape, etc.

viii) Grand Total (per month)

    • Raw Materials: Rs 35,880
    • Labour: Rs 5,200
    • Electricity: Rs 1,300
    • Packaging: Rs 2,600
    • Internet: Rs 1,000
    • Marketing: Rs 3,000
    • Misc Overhead: Rs 2,000

Grand Total = Rs 50,980 (Monthly Recurring)

d) Revenue & Profit Projection

    • Selling Price / Shirt: Rs 300
    • Orders / Month: 260 (10 per day × 26 working days)
    • Monthly Revenue: Rs 78,000
    • Monthly Profit (Post Expenses): Rs 27,020
    • Break-even Point: ~2.2 months

e) To earn over Rs 1,00,000/- per month by Selling Printed Tshirts:

    • If you sell 1040 Tshirts a month, then Revenue = Rs 300 * 1040 tshirts = Rs 3,12,000/-
    • Production cost of 1040 Tshirts = Rs 1,58,620/- (here Raw material cost for 1040 Tshirts = Rs 143520/-, Rest cost such as Labour, electricity will remain same)
    • So net profit = Rs 1,53,380/-

f) Key Insights

  • You recover your Rs 60,000 investment in just over 2 months if orders remain steady at 10/day.
  • Increasing volume or offering premium designs (Rs 350–Rs 400/shirt) will speed up ROI.
  • This setup is compact enough for a home workspace, requiring about 6–8 sq ft for the printer & press.

9) Tips & Best Practices

9a) Few tips which might benefit in long term

  • Use polyester-content T-shirts for sublimation; cotton is not suitable unless using transfer toner methods.
  • Avoid letting ink sit idle—printer heads clog without frequent use. Prefer Epson EcoTank or professional models designed for sublimation.
  • Pre-press garments thoroughly; apply consistent pressure and temperature.
  • Test and calibrate printing settings for time, temperature, and color profiles to achieve accurate, fade-resistant results.
  • Start with limited-color, small batches for custom orders—sublimation excels in full-color, all-over designs.
  • For basic entry level, start with a manual or semi-auto press (~Rs 25K) + Epson L805 or converted EcoTank (Rs 20–30K) with SUB ink.
  • Add initial stock of paper, inks, and blank t-shirts. Clean workspace with ironed/prepressed surface improves quality and durability.

9b) Few  Workflow Optimization Tips

  • i) Batch your work — Print multiple designs at once to reduce printer idle time.
  • ii) Pre-press blanks in batches — Removes moisture/wrinkles ahead of time.
  • iii) Use heat-resistant tape — Prevents ghosting/shifting during transfer.
  • iv) Have a cooling & quality-check station — Avoids bottlenecks at the press.
  • v) Track ink & paper usage — Helps with accurate costing and pricing.

10)  Marketing & Business Rollout

  • Identify a niche: custom sports jerseys, college event tees, personalized gifts, or full-color photo prints.
  • Launch via Instagram, Etsy, Etsy-like platforms, Blinkstore, or a simple mini-site; offer previews via mock-ups.
  • Use local print-on-demand groups and B2B portals to source regular orders.
  • Provide bulk discounts—for events/teams—where sublimation saves cost compared to DTG or vinyl.

11) Final Summary

a) Methods: Sublimation works best on polyester; transfer paper inkjet works on cotton or blends.

b) Key Equipment: Heat press, printer with sublimation ink & paper.

c) Indian Suppliers:

    • Vipsa Import Export (Surat)
    • Sublikraft (Jaipur)
    • M S Technologies (Ahmedabad)
    • SSM Machines (Coimbatore)

d) Initial Investment: Rs 30K–Rs 60K for a home-based with mid-tier printer; Rs1.5L+ for structured semi-automated setup.

12)   About Superfastjob.com

Superfastjob.com is a top 10 ranking portal which gives most authentic and correct info as compared to any other website in whole country about how to manufacture specific products using right method. We publish new manufacturing methods on weekly basis so subscribe our blog to get latest updates. To get more guides related to manufacturing products at home, please visit here.

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