Introduction
Ever wondered how much money T-shirt companies make in a year?
Whether you’re dreaming of starting your own clothing line or just curious about the apparel industry’s potential, understanding the earning capacity of T-shirt businesses is crucial.
The global T-shirt market was valued at over $45 billion in 2024, and it’s expected to keep growing at a CAGR of 6.2% through 2030. From small online print-on-demand stores to large-scale private-label manufacturers, profit margins and earnings vary significantly.
Let’s break down how much T-shirt companies actually make per year — and what factors determine their success.
Estimating Annual Earnings for T-Shirt Companies
How much do t-shirt companies make a year? On average, small online t-shirt businesses report $50,000-$200,000 in annual revenue, with profits ranging from $10,000-$100,000 after costs. Established companies can scale to $500,000-$1 million+ in profits, especially with POD platforms that handle fulfillment. These figures depend on several key factors:
Pricing Strategy and Profit Margins
T-shirt pricing is crucial for annual profits. Custom t-shirts typically sell for $20-$40 each, while production costs (blank shirts, printing, packaging) range from $5-$15 per unit. This yields 50-70% margins—higher than many retail sectors.
Here’s a simple monthly breakdown scaling to yearly earnings:
- Production cost per shirt: $10
- Selling price: $30
- Profit per shirt: $20
Selling 500 shirts/month = $10,000 gross profit/month = $120,000/year.
1. Average Annual Earnings of T-Shirt Companies
| Company Type | Scale | Average Yearly Revenue (USD) | Profit Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Online Seller (Etsy, Shopify) | 1–2 employees | $50,000–$250,000 | 20–40% |
| Mid-Size Brand (Private Label / Boutique) | 5–20 employees | $300,000–$2 million | 25–50% |
| Large Apparel Manufacturer | 100+ employees | $5–50 million | 10–25% |
| Global T-Shirt Retailer (e.g., Hanes, Gildan) | 1,000+ employees | $500M–$2B+ | 8–15% |
👉 Key takeaway:
Even small T-shirt businesses can generate six figures annually, while large brands operate on thinner margins but much higher volume.
Here’s How Much It Costs to Make a T-Shirt
T-Shirt Production Cost
| Location | Bulk Order Fee (for 100 pcs) | Bulk Order Shipping Fee (for 100 pcs) | Total cost (for 100 pcs) |
| New Jersey, USA | $1650 ($16.50/shirt) | $100 ($1/shirt) | $1,750 ($17.50/shirt) |
| Guangdong, China | $910 ($9.10/shirt) | $404 ($4.04/shirt) | $1,314 ($13.14/shirt) |
| Dhaka, Bangladesh | $540 ($5.40/shirt) | $315 ($3.15/shirt) | $855 ($8.55/shirt) |
| Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam | $635 ($6.35/shirt) | $513 ($5.13/shirt) | $1,148 ($11.48/shirt) |
| Sialkot, Pakistan | $735 ($7.35/shirt) | $365 (3.65/shirt) | $1,100 ($11/shirt) |
T-Shirt Sample Cost
| Location | Sample Fee (for 1 piece) | Sample Shipping Fee to USA (for 1 piece) | Total Sample + Shipping Fee to USA |
| New Jersey, USA | $250 | $7 | $257 |
| Guangdong, China | $50 | $30 | $80 |
| Dhaka, Bangladesh | $50 | $45 | $95 |
| Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam | $60 | $40 | $100 |
| Sialkot, Pakistan | $60 | $40 | $100 |
On average, sampling and manufacturing costs in Asian countries like China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Pakistan were 2-5x cheaper compared to the USA. While manufacturing overseas is cheaper, shipping costs from within the mainland USA are 3-5x cheaper.
How T-Shirt Companies Make Money
T-shirt companies earn through several business models:
- Print-on-Demand (POD)
Low startup cost but lower profit per shirt (average profit $8–$15 per unit). - Wholesale / Bulk Manufacturing
Higher volume sales to retailers and brands with better margins (20–50%). - Private Label / OEM Production
Custom-designed shirts for other companies — often the most profitable and scalable model. - Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Sales
Selling through brand websites or social media to retain full margins.
Factors That Influence T-Shirt Company Profits
Profitability depends on a combination of smart design, cost control, and supply chain efficiency.
Here are the top five profit drivers:
- Production Costs – Fabric type, labor, and manufacturing country directly affect margins.
(For example, producing in China or Vietnam through OEM partners like Newasia Garment Co., Ltd. can reduce unit costs by up to 40%.) - Branding & Design – Unique graphics and sustainable materials allow higher markups.
- Marketing Channels – Brands using influencer or TikTok marketing scale faster than those relying only on ads.
- Inventory Control – On-demand manufacturing minimizes waste and storage costs.
- Customer Loyalty – Returning customers drive consistent yearly growth.
How Much Profit Do T-Shirt Companies Keep?
Most T-shirt companies maintain profit margins between 20–60%, depending on scale and model.
| Business Model | Average Cost per Shirt | Selling Price | Profit Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print-on-Demand | $10–$15 | $25–$35 | 30–40% |
| Private Label OEM | $4–$7 | $20–$30 | 50–65% |
| Wholesale Bulk | $3–$5 | $8–$15 | 25–40% |
| Retail Brand | $8–$12 | $35–$50 | 55–70% |
💡 Tip: Partnering directly with a T-shirt manufacturer allows brands to cut out middlemen and keep more profit per unit.
Case Study: How a Small Brand Made $500K in One Year
A Los Angeles-based startup began with a $5,000 investment using a Chinese OEM factory for production.
By sourcing custom cotton T-shirts through Newasia Garment Co., Ltd., they reduced per-unit costs from $9.50 to $5.80 — increasing gross margin from 38% to 57%.
Within 12 months:
- Revenue: $502,000
- Units sold: 18,000
- Net profit: $110,000
✅ Lesson: Manufacturing partnerships directly impact your bottom line.
How to Increase Your T-Shirt Company’s Annual Profit
If you want to grow your T-shirt brand’s yearly income, focus on these proven strategies:
- Source directly from a manufacturer instead of resellers.
- Choose sustainable fabrics (organic cotton, recycled blends).
- Offer customization — customers love limited editions.
- Automate fulfillment with print or warehousing partners.
- Build your brand identity — logos, consistent color palette, lifestyle visuals.
The Role of T-Shirt Manufacturers
Choosing the right manufacturer determines your scalability and profitability.
Reliable suppliers offer:
- OEM & ODM services
- Custom labels, tags, and packaging
- Flexible MOQs (minimum order quantities)
- Fast production turnaround (15–25 days)
- Quality inspection and global shipping
At Newasia Garment Co., Ltd., we specialize in helping apparel brands produce custom T-shirts, denim skirts, and casualwear in bulk — ensuring consistent quality, fast delivery, and factory-direct prices.
FAQs About T-Shirt Business Earnings
Q1. Can a T-shirt business make $100K a year?
Yes. Many small online brands or print-on-demand sellers make between $100K–$250K annually.
Q2. How much does it cost to start a T-shirt company?
Startup costs range from $2,000–$10,000, depending on your model and marketing.
Q3. How much profit per T-shirt?
Profit typically ranges between $5–$20 per shirt, depending on material and sales channel.
Q4. Is T-shirt business still profitable in 2025?
Absolutely. With eCommerce and customization trends, the T-shirt market continues to expand, especially for niche and sustainable brands.
Pick your favorite custom shirt style
Our high-quality custom T-shirts come in a variety of sleeve and neck styles – whatever you need, we’ve got you covered.
Sleeveless
How Do We Guarantee the Quality
Our quality assurance begins with designing and planning, then continues through every step of the production and post-production inspections. Delivery is not an ending. We still offer money-back guarantee for quality issues.
When sourcing fabrics, we will check all related fabric certificates from our suppliers.
We make sure the fabric is well pre-washed to meet the standards before cutting.
All our workers are well-trained and have many years of experience in the garment industry. They are all local workers with high stability.
Our quality team will follow SOPs to conduct five times of quality checks before shipping.
Clothing Manufacturer – Customized Clothing Solutions For Every Concept
We deliver fully integrated, end-to-end apparel manufacturing that seamlessly blends design intent with technical execution. Our in-house fabric R&D lab develops proprietary textiles—from advanced performance blends to sustainable cottons and recycled polymers—ensuring material innovation aligns with your brand’s aesthetic and functional needs.
Through precision pattern engineering and fabric mapping, we create tailored through relaxed silhouettes optimized for drape, movement, and consistency. Each collection is supported by comprehensive development services: tech pack preparation, size grading, garment dyeing, custom washes, and specialty finishes. With full control over the entire supply chain—from yarn to final garment—we guarantee quality, scalability, and brand integrity across every piece we produce.
Trusted Certificates：
Trusted by Global Clients
From Factory to You, Cut Out the Middleman
- Say goodbye to the waiting game with direct communication.
- Work directly with the team to create custom products to your exact needs.
- No middlemen means no markup—just direct, cost-effective pricing.
- No guesswork—get a clear view of your costs and progress.
We can provide
We are a clothing manufacturing group that focuses on producing high-quality clothing and adhering to the concepts of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Fully custom garments, designed and produced to your specifications by a trusted clothing manufacturer.
Jackets | Denim | streetwear | Sports wear | And more
MOQ: Starts at 300 pieces per model/color
Personalize our premium blank apparel with prints, embroidery, labeling, and more, from a reliable garment manufacturer.
MOQ: 100 pieces per model/color.
High-quality, ready-to-brand apparel Made in Portugal in our clothing manufacturer for startups for premium garments.
No MOQ | No minimum quantities
OUR PROCESS
Enhance Your Brand with Premium Washed Apparel
We specialize in providing high-quality, customizable washed apparel, including T-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies,denim clothes and jackets. With a variety of washing techniques to choose from, we help you showcase your brand’s unique personality through every garment.
✅Enzyme Washing
✅Acid Washing
✅Gradient Washing
✅Stone Washing
✅Destroy Washing
✅Ink Splash Washing
✅Tie Dyeing
✅Hanging Dyeing
What Types of T-Shirts Can We Manufacture?
See below for our complete list of T-shirt types and designs so that you can find what suits you best.
✅Women T-shirts
✅Oversized T-shirts
✅Fitness T-shirts
✅Polo T-shirts
✅Bamboo T-shirts
✅Neon T-shirts
✅Men T-shirts
✅Long sleeve T-shirts
✅Baseball T-shirts
✅Blank T-shirts
✅Organic cotton T-shirts
✅Hemp T-shirts
Reasons to Choose Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd. as Your womens t shirt manufacturers
All of our practices are eco-friendly and sustainable from start to finish, from the fabrics and materials that we source to our production processes.
Every aspect that goes into our custom t-shirts is carefully weighed against our high quality standards, from fabrics to notions to labels.
You can unleash your creativity with Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd. by choosing the fabrics, colors, patterns, labels, and more that go into each and every custom design.
No more waiting ages for your custom designs – we are able to offer quick production timelines to get you your designs as quickly as possible.
Our designs aren’t limited to classic t-shirts – we carefully research and source styles that are on-trend for the best selection for our customers.
In order to make our products as accessible as possible to all of our customers, we offer low minimum order quantities.
custom high-end clothing
1. Key Manufacturer for leading global streetwear brands
2. 90% repeat clients, 30% partnerships over 10 years
1. Annual output of 30 million pcs
2. Intelligent supplier management system
1. Over 200 premium fabric options
2. Service of 500 + brands, 1500 + Annual Designs
1. MOQ from 100 pcs per color
2. Fast reorders & quick delivery
New to T-Shirt Customization? We Make It Easy
You don’t need to be an expert — just tell us what you want to print, and we’ll guide you to the right technique. From bold screen prints to delicate embroidery, we help you choose what fits best based on your design, budget, and fabric.
Printing Techniques
Features & Effects：Vivid, saturated colors; excellent wash-fastness and ink opacity
Application Scenarios： corporate logos and large-area graphics
Features & Effects：No setup plates; superb detail and gradient reproduction
Application Scenarios： complex or photo-quality designs
Features & Effects：Dye bonds with polyester fibers; crack-resistant
Application Scenarios：Custom polyester sportswear; vibrant, full-coverage prints
Features & Effects：Soft, raised “gel” effect; very durable and wash-resistant
Application Scenarios：Limited-edition streetwear; 3D logos or text
Features & Effects：Reflective metallic finish; medium cost
Application Scenarios：Fashion accents or partywear; spot-application for visual impact
Features & Effects：Thick, raised print with high opacity; very color-fast
Application Scenarios：Premium logos; combine with double-needle stitching for upscale look
Dye & Wash Processes
Features & Effects：Gentle abrasion, reduced pilling; soft vintage feel
Application Scenarios：Washed-out, worn-in styles on cotton or blends
Features & Effects：Controlled de-coloring; enables mottled or gradient effects
Application Scenarios：Pre-treatment for tie-dye; creative art-wash finishes
Features & Effects：Unique, handcrafted patterns; each piece is one-of-a-kind
Application Scenarios：Boho or artisan collections; limited runs
Features & Effects：Post-cut dyeing; soft, natural color variation; low shrinkage
Application Scenarios：Vintage washes;
Features & Effects：Chemical etching removes fiber to create semi-sheer patterns
Application Scenarios：Lightweight, see-through details; high-end feminine styles
Features & Effects：Harsh chemical wash for stone-washed, mottled look
Application Scenarios：Retro rock or grunge styles; niche limited-edition runs
From Factory to You, Cut Out the Middleman
- Say goodbye to the waiting game with direct communication.
- Work directly with the team to create custom products to your exact needs.
- No middlemen means no markup—just direct, cost-effective pricing.
- No guesswork—get a clear view of your costs and progress.
We can provide
We are a clothing manufacturing group that focuses on producing high-quality clothing and adhering to the concepts of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Fully custom garments, designed and produced to your specifications by a trusted clothing manufacturer.
Jackets | Denim | streetwear | Sports wear | And more
MOQ: Starts at 300 pieces per model/color
Personalize our premium blank apparel with prints, embroidery, labeling, and more, from a reliable garment manufacturer.
MOQ: 100 pieces per model/color.
High-quality, ready-to-brand apparel Made in Portugal in our clothing manufacturer for startups for premium garments.
No MOQ | No minimum quantities
Comprehensive Clothing Brand Customization Solutions
- Accept tech pack, inspiration image, or product link for full customization.
- China’s leading clothing manufacturer, with quality, sourcing fabrics, special craftsmanship, and stable turnaround.
- We do not offer private labeling; we focus exclusively on full customization.
- We do not provide standard catalogs, as we believe every clothing brand carries its own unique identity. Instead, we empower brands through product design and manufacturing concepts, helping them showcase their distinct value.
- We implement an “Inspiration Recommendation” mechanism, leveraging our accumulated manufacturing experience to suggest product patterns, fashion trends, and other valuable insights.
Why Choose Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd.
✅ Flexible MOQ –We accept a minimum order quantity of 100 pieces, allowing you to quickly test the market.
✅ Factory-Direct Pricing – We own our production lines, so you don’t pay middleman markups.
✅If a product becomes a hot seller, we can quickly reorder within 7-10 days to ensure uninterrupted sales.
✅We produce a wide variety of products in small batches, eliminating inventory risk.
✅Like Shein, we help you build a supply chain that supports small orders and fast returns.
✅Global Shipping – Experience with international logistics and customs
✅Custom tags and packaging options for bulk buyers, full customization of washes, embroideries and trims to meet your unique needs.
✅Flexible low MOQ for boutique brands + large-scale capacity for wholesalers
✅Trusted by top denim brands worldwide (Levi’s, Lee, Diesel, AEO)
✅Production scale – 140 lines, 12,000 workers, 15–30 day lead time
✅ Wide Fabric R&D and procurement – Organic cotton, recycled polyester, stretch denim, and performance blends.
✅ Private Label Services – Labels, hangtags, packaging tailored to your brand identity.
✅ Size Inclusivity – Full range from petite to plus-size.
✅ Sustainability Certifications – International quality standards – BSCI, OEM/ODM ISO14001 manufacturing certified, organic cotton and sustainable processes
✅ Reliable Lead Times – For in-stock items: ships worldwide within 3–7 days，For custom orders: production lead time 15–30 days
✅ Fast Lead Times – Ready-to-ship stock jeans + made-to-order production.
✅ Global Shipping – FOB and DDP options to the US, EU, and worldwide.
Final Thoughts
The T-shirt business remains one of the most accessible and profitable sectors in the fashion industry.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or an established brand, success depends on production efficiency, product quality, and branding consistency.
If you’re ready to scale your apparel business profitably, partner with a trusted OEM manufacturer.
At Newasia Garment Co., Ltd., we help brands produce custom T-shirts at factory-direct prices — reducing your costs while improving your margins.
👉 Get in touch today to discuss your next collection or bulk T-shirt order.
Read more: How Much Do T-Shirt Companies Make a Year in 2025?