![How to plan and track the budget of your custom printed t-shirts store [template]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-budget-8_92c174e5-0d73-494f-aa91-ef8280cebc93.png?v=1715856545&width=1100)
If you don’t plan and track your custom printed t-shirts business budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for custom t-shirt business owners, we saw a lot of entrepreneurs struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial orders.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your custom t-shirt business's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for t-shirts businesses
Most t-shirt business owners don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for t-shirts businesses
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a custom printed t-shirts business, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for production and office space | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for printing machines and office | $500 | $6,000 |
| Water | Water usage for cleaning and maintenance | $100 | $1,200 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $150 | $1,800 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $100 | $1,200 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $300 | $3,600 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production Manager | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Graphic Designer | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Print Technicians | 2 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 2 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Marketing Specialist | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
3. Production Costs
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank T-Shirts | Inventory of blank t-shirts for printing | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Printing Inks | Inks for screen printing and digital printing | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Printing Supplies | Screen frames, squeegees, and other tools | $500 | $6,000 |
| Packaging Materials | Boxes, bags, and other packaging supplies | $300 | $3,600 |
| Cleaning Supplies | Detergents, sanitizers, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $300 | $3,600 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $500 | $6,000 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, newspaper ads | $200 | $2,400 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $100 | $1,200 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $150 | $1,800 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $200 | $2,400 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of printing equipment | $300 | $3,600 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms and aprons | $100 | $1,200 |
| Licenses & Permits | Business licenses and permits | $100 | $1,200 |
| POS System | Point of Sale software and hardware | $150 | $1,800 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $500 | $6,000 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $200 | $2,400 |
Some t-shirts businesses make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best t-shirts businesses in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for a custom printed t-shirts business?
Be mindful of these critical expenses. Here are five major costs every custom printed t-shirts business owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them effectively.
- Material and printing costsThese can take up a significant portion of your budget. You're dealing with various types of fabrics and printing methods, and prices can vary based on quality, supplier, and order volume. To keep these costs in check, focus on bulk purchasing, negotiate better rates with suppliers, and minimize waste. It's easy to overspend by buying too much inventory or opting for premium materials that don’t add enough value.
- Your teamYour staff is essential, but paying for their wages, benefits, and training can be costly. This expense is always high because you need skilled employees to ensure quality and efficiency. You can optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your team, as this can lead to high turnover and poor quality.
- Rent and utilities of your workspacePrime locations come with high rent, but they can attract more walk-in customers. Utilities like electricity, water, and internet are essential but can add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient equipment and lighting. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too large or too upscale for your needs.
- MarketingYou need to promote your custom printed t-shirts, but advertising can be expensive, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we recommend. Overspending can occur if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Equipment and maintenance costsThis includes everything from printing machines to packaging materials. These are expensive because quality equipment and regular maintenance are crucial for smooth operations and customer satisfaction. Optimize by investing in durable, energy-efficient equipment and maintaining it regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech gadgets you don’t really need.
How to spend less with your custom printed t-shirts store?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a custom printed t-shirts business owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Material Costs | Partner with local suppliers for bulk discounts on high-quality fabrics and inks. |
| Labor Costs | Implement a scheduling software to optimize staff hours and reduce overtime. |
| Utilities | Install energy-efficient lighting and machinery to lower electricity bills. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your t-shirt designs and collaborate with local influencers for free exposure. |
| Printing Supplies | Train staff on efficient use of printing supplies to reduce waste and costs. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular checks and servicing of printing equipment. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Packaging | Use cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging and offer discounts for customers bringing their own bags. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital order systems. |
| POS System | Choose a POS system that offers essential features with low transaction fees and integrates with other systems. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources. |
| Waste Management | Implement a waste tracking system to minimize waste and recycle excess materials. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional printing machines and utilize business management software for orders and inventory. |
| Shipping | Partner with cost-effective shipping services and offer local pickup options to reduce costs. |
| Design Software | Use subscription-based design software to keep costs low and access the latest features. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan delivery routes to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce overstocking. |
| Pest Control | Schedule monthly pest control services and maintain cleanliness standards to prevent infestations. |
| Music and Entertainment | Use a streaming service for background music in your store and host local artists' designs during off-peak times. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms for staff and offer a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
Copy the tactics of the best t-shirts businesses in the world!
There are t-shirts businesses that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Expenses that are just useless for a custom printed t-shirts business
Yes, some expenses for your custom printed t-shirts business are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing revenue or improving customer satisfaction.
| Business Expense | Reason It's Useless |
|---|---|
| High-End Printing Machines | Top-of-the-line printing machines are not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. Mid-range options often deliver excellent quality. |
| Expensive Graphic Design Software | Unless you are creating highly complex designs, free or low-cost software can be just as effective. |
| Premium Fabric Options | Most customers are satisfied with standard fabric options, making premium fabrics an unnecessary expense. |
| Excessive Inventory | Holding too much inventory increases storage costs and the risk of unsold stock. |
| Custom Packaging | Personalized packaging is often overlooked by customers and can be expensive. |
| Multiple Website Features | Paying for website features you don’t use is a waste of resources. Focus on essential functionalities. |
| Premium Marketing Services | High-cost marketing services are not always more effective. Consider more affordable options that offer good ROI. |
| Exclusive Ink Brands | Using rare or exclusive ink brands can inflate costs without significantly improving print quality. |
| Costly Office Furniture | High-end office furniture is not always appreciated by employees and can be a significant expense. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving productivity. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for design resources or industry magazines often go underutilized. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Office Renovations | Constantly updating office decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Promotional Items | Elaborate promotional items are often ignored by customers and add to the cost. |
| High-End Office Supplies | Luxury office supplies are prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by employees. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Website Redesigns | Frequently redesigning your website is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Delivery Vehicles | Specialized delivery vehicles are often unnecessary and add to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your custom printed t-shirts store!
Managing a budget for a custom printed t-shirts business when funds are tight can feel overwhelming. It's like being trapped where any unexpected expense can throw you off balance.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in growth projects, leaving you always scrambling to cover costs. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, pinching pennies and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more breathing room and more money to invest back into your business.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of custom printed t-shirts businesses just like yours. Get them now!
Make your custom printed t-shirts store more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best t-shirts businesses in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
