Over the last few years, India’s fashion and e-commerce industries have witnessed a tremendous shift, and one of the fastest-growing categories has been T-shirts. Whether plain or custom-designed, T-shirts have become a universal essential, representing comfort, affordability, and self-expression all in one fabric.
According to multiple market studies, India’s T-shirt segment continues to expand year after year, supported by affordable production, e-commerce accessibility, and an increasingly fashion-aware youth population.
The market for both plain and custom-printed T-shirts is evolving into an expertise-earning industry, attracting entrepreneurs, designers, and print on demand sellers to start their own brand. Understanding the t-shirt market size in India is fundamental knowledge before getting into the real business.
This blog explores the current market size, growth potential, key trends, and opportunities shaping India’s booming T-shirt industry. If you are planning to start your own T-shirt brand or are curious about the market dynamics, this blog offers practical insights backed by industry trends.
Key Takeaways:
- The T-shirt market size in India is expanding rapidly, supported by both fashion trends and eCommerce growth.
- Rising demand for affordable and customizable apparel continues to drive the custom T-shirt printing market.
- Custom-printed T-shirts offer higher engagement and brand value compared to plain apparel.
- The Indian T-shirt market is projected to grow steadily beyond the current year, with increasing opportunities in personalisation and sustainable production.
- The industry’s future growth depends on innovation, quality control, and faster fulfilment through trusted print on demand platforms.
T-Shirt Market Size in India
According to reports from Statista, the T-shirt market size in India currently has an estimated revenue of US $5.31 billion, with an annual growth projected to be 30%.
Trending fashion preferences drive this steady growth, also fueled by the rise of e-commerce and increasing consumer demand for both plain and custom-printed T-shirts. Within this vast market, T-shirts occupy a significant place as a reliable casual wear item across all age groups, from men and women to children.
While global markets focus on brand-led innovation, India’s advantage lies in cost-efficient production, fabrics, and customisation capabilities, making it a perfect fit for both domestic and export growth.
How T-Shirts Fit Into India’s Apparel Industry
The T-shirt industry has become one of the most active sub-categories, driven by the adoption of daily comfort wear, affordable pricing, and popular demand. T-shirts have combined the line between comfort and fashion, as most consumers shift from formal to casual styles, even for their work. Especially after lockdown days, the T-shirts are not just weekend wear.
India’s T-shirt market today is an exceptional trend with the blend of traditional plain tees with rapid growth in customisation and print on demand fulfilment services. This market is prepared for continued expansion and innovation, offering exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs, brands, and consumers.
Custom T-Shirt Printing Market in India
The custom t-shirt printing market alone is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% from 2025 to 2029.
Due to the rapid growth of the custom T-shirt printing market in India, numerous opportunities have emerged for entrepreneurs, brands, and consumers seeking personalised apparel. As personalisation and on-demand fashion continue to rise, more consumers are eager to create a t-shirt with their design ideas.
Digital printing is gaining popularity alongside traditional methods, offering businesses and customers more affordable, efficient, and high-quality customisation.
Plain vs Custom T-Shirts
- Plain T-shirts are the base layer of everyday fashion, which are simple, affordable, and essential. They’re used by everyone, from students and office employees to retail brands and corporate teams.
- On the other hand, custom T-shirts add a unique value. They can be used for events, merchandise, uniforms, influencer brands, and personalised fashion. With the rise of online stores and print on demand services, custom printing has never been easier or faster.
In India, plain T-shirts serve as the foundation for the rise of the custom printing market, which creates a strong and steady demand cycle throughout the year.
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Feature
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Plain T-Shirts
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Custom Printed T-Shirts
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Product Definition
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Simple or basic T-shirts.
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T-shirts with personalised designs, logos, and graphics.
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Target Audience
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General consumers, retail stores, wholesalers, and uniform suppliers.
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Entrepreneurs, influencers, event organisers, and consumers who are seeking personalisation.
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Market Size & Growth
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A large volume of the market is driven by bulk manufacturing and affordability.
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Rapidly growing niche with higher profit margins, fueled by print on demand and eCommerce.
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Cost
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Low-cost, affordable base product.
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Higher unit cost due to printing.
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Profit Margins
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Higher sales volume but lower profit margins.
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Flexible order volumes with Higher margins.
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Business Opportunity
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Ideal for bulk traders, basic apparel sellers, and wholesale or uniform supply businesses.
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Perfect for online sellers, online brands, custom merchandise stores, and creators using print on demand services.
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Plain T-shirts, often manufactured in bulk, can sometimes compromise on quality due to overproduction and stock wastage. In contrast, custom T-shirts created with print on demand model naturally limit overproduction, as they are produced only after an order.
Brands that carry out ethical production methods and offer customisation can position themselves firmly in the Indian market. They will be the first choice for consumers who seek comfort and sustainability in their clothing choices.
What is T-Shirt Print on Demand in India?
Print on Demand (POD) is a business model that allows you to sell customised T-shirts without owning an inventory. You create your designs, upload them to a platform, and then connect your online store to sell them. When a customer places an order, the T-shirt is printed, packed, and shipped directly by print on demand services.
This model is perfect for entrepreneurs, influencers, and small brands because it eliminates upfront investment in stock and production. Those platforms make it easy to start a T-shirt brand in India, offering a wide range of T-shirts and printing options, along with automated order fulfilment.
How Does Print on Demand Work?
- The customer places an order on your website or online store.
- The order is automatically sent to your print on demand partner, who manages inventory for printing your orders..
- The POD provider prints the design on a plain T-shirt using modern or traditional digital printing techniques.
- The product is packed and shipped directly to the customer, also under your brand name.
With POD, you don’t need to manage inventory, warehouse space, or bulk production, making it a low-risk and scalable option for new entrepreneurs.
Is On-Demand T-shirt Printing India profitable?
Yes, print on demand t-shirt printing in India is profitable. Still, profitability depends on several factors, including design quality, pricing strategy, operational efficiency, the right business strategy, and a trusted fulfilment partner.
For example, if a printed T-shirt costs you ₹350 from a supplier and you sell it for ₹700, you earn a profit of ₹350 per sale. With growing demand for unique, personalised apparel and rising online shopping adoption in India, businesses have become an accessible and scalable income source.
Print on demand can be profitable in India, because:
- Low initial investment and no need to buy t-shirts upfront or manage stock.
- Offers flexible production, where you can try designs without risking capital.
- Unique or limited-edition designs often allow higher margins per unit, which shows their premium pricing potential.
Although it is a highly profitable venture, it can be affected by printing costs per piece, shipping costs that impact margins and returns, or quality issues. Choosing the best fulfilment service ensures high-quality printing and maximises the chances of a profitable business.
Key Factors of India’s T-Shirt Market Growth
Both plain and custom-printed varieties drive India’s T-shirt market, which is witnessing dynamic growth boosted by trends, shifting consumer preferences, the expanding eCommerce industry, and technological innovations in printing. The annual growth rate of 30% demonstrates strong demand and retail access across urban, semi-urban and rural areas.
Several factors play a crucial role in the growth of this industry. Understanding these helps entrepreneurs, brands, and investors identify opportunities and plan strategies for success.
1. Comfort and Style
Consumers are increasingly looking for clothing that is both stylish and comfortable. T-shirts perfectly fill this demand, offering several key benefits: they are easy to wear, versatile, and suitable for casual, office-casual, and other occasions. The shift from formal to casual wear has made T-shirts a must-have in your wardrobe.
2. Customisation Trend
Though plain t-shirts have their own fanbase, custom-printed t-shirts are the market trend. This customisation culture drives higher engagement and willingness to buy, making personalised T-shirts a profitable segment within the broader market.
3. eCommerce Growth
The rise of online marketplaces and D2C brands has made T-shirts more accessible than ever. Consumers can browse designs, order online, and receive products at home. This boosts both plain and custom printed T-shirt sales, while supporting print on demand business models.
4. Printing Technology
Modern printing innovations like DTG (Direct-to-Garment) and Screen printing have made custom T-shirt production faster, cost-effective, and higher quality, making it easier for business startups and smaller brands to enter this industry.
5. Social Media Influence
Platforms like Instagram and YouTube have adopted the merchandise and branding culture, where Indian influencers, creators and even smaller brands start selling custom T-shirts to their audience. This trend not only drives the custom t-shirt printing market but also raises awareness of plain T-shirts and their personalisation.
6. Eco-Friendly Apparel
Consumers nowadays are increasingly conscious of their apparel choices, expecting them to be sustainable. Organic cotton and eco-friendly T-shirts are gaining more attention, creating opportunities for brands to focus on fashion, comfort, and eco-friendly manufacturing techniques.
Overall, the Indian T-shirt industry is expected to increase its growth into the next decade, driven by the combination of traditional plain T-shirts and the expansion of the custom print segment. This provides a foundation for every entrepreneur and brand that prioritises quality, innovation, and digital integration.
Profitability of Custom T-Shirt Printing and Business Models in India
The custom T-shirt printing business in India offers numerous opportunities with low upfront investment. Profitability also depends on multiple factors, including design, pricing strategies, production and marketing.
Besides the factors mentioned above, choosing your business model also plays a crucial role in the profit margins of your plain and custom t-shirt printing brand. For example, when choosing a print on demand model, the estimates can be calculated as:
- Oversized T-shirt: ₹240
- Printing: ₹160
- Packaging & Shipping: ₹60
- Marketing & Overheads: ₹40
- Total Cost: ₹500
- Selling Price Range: ₹700 – ₹800
- Profit per T-shirt: ₹200 to ₹300 (Approx 40-50% margin)
The profit margin also changes accordingly to the business model you choose. Let’s explore the two primary models in the printing apparel industry that can be profitable and scalable for your business.
Business Models Overview
- Print on Demand is a model for small-scale entrepreneurs and creators who want to avoid inventory risks. You upload your designs to your platforms, where they are printed and packed, and then shipped.
- Brands or businesses aiming for bulk printing and sales can invest in large-scale T-shirt manufacturing. This model demands upfront capital for inventory but offers better per-unit cost advantages, enabling higher margins in bulk sales.
Many have already started adopting hybrid business models combining print on demand flexibility with selective bulk manufacturing for bestsellers and regional preferences. This will balance cost, customisation, speed, and quality to serve diverse markets more effectively.
Strategic Tips for Indian Businesses
- Designs that are appealing, unique, and trendy, targeted to specific audiences, have better conversion rates.
- Choosing the most suitable print techniques (DTG for versatile designs, screen printing for bulk) influences cost-effectiveness and production speed.
- Strong online presence, influencer partnerships, and smart social media ads can rapidly increase sales volumes and reduce customer acquisition costs.
- Dependable and local, reliable print on demand platforms with high print quality and reliable logistics enhance customer trust and encourage repeat purchases.
- Select a business model that aligns with your market and financial risks, enabling you to scale your brand gradually.
- Monitor customer feedback and trends regularly to refresh designs and maintain relevance.
India’s custom T-shirt printing market has a strong growth outlook supported by increasing demand for personalised fashion and the flexibility offered via multiple business models. With proper strategy and quality execution, entrepreneurs can build their profitable apparel brands.
Beyond the Basics: How to Print T Shirts? – Advanced Techniques
Pros and Cons of T-Shirt Print on Demand in India
Among the various business models, the print on demand business model stands out as the best, offering multiple advantages to both small businesses and established brands in India. Additionally, it creates some inevitable challenges that can still be overcome.
Pros of T-Shirt Print on Demand
- Low Initial Investment: By eliminating the need for bulk inventory purchases, Print on Demand enables entrepreneurs to start with minimal capital and test multiple designs without financial risk.
- No Inventory Management: Since products are printed only after an order is placed, there is no need to manage or store inventory, which can reduce warehousing costs and avoid unsold stock.
- Flexible Product Range: Entrepreneurs can offer a wide variety of designs and styles, with flexibility in the range of products, allowing them to adapt quickly to trends and customer preferences without excess investment.
- Seamless Integration: POD platforms provide smooth integrations with other e-commerce platforms, automating order management and fulfilment.
- Brand Building Opportunities: Custom branding and packaging enable sellers to create a unique brand identity and a direct relationship with customers.
- Scalability: Businesses can scale efficiently, handling increasing order volumes without significant upfront costs or operational complexity.
Cons of T-Shirt Print on Demand
- Lower Profit Margins: Compared to bulk manufacturing, print on demand products generally have higher per-unit costs, which can squeeze profit margins unless priced strategically.
- Shipping Delays and Costs: Shipment times may be longer due to production lead times and logistics, which could affect customer satisfaction. Shipping costs must also be factored into the final price to maintain margins.
- Quality Control Dependence: Relying heavily on third-party print providers for product quality, printing accuracy, and packaging can be risky if they do not meet standards consistently.
- Limited Customisation Control: Although designs can be easily changed, the print on demand provider’s capabilities may limit customisation options such as fabric, cuts, and printing types.
- Marketing Reliance: Successful businesses implement effective digital marketing and branding strategies to drive traffic and conversions, which can be costly or time-consuming for small sellers.
These advantages and challenges are just an outline of the practical realities of entering the Indian T-shirt print on demand space. By carefully planning pricing and focusing on quality and customer service, entrepreneurs can overcome challenges and establish their brand in this rapidly growing market.
Future Trends in India’s T-Shirt Market
The Indian T-shirt market is evolving rapidly, and understanding future trends is crucial for entrepreneurs, brands, and creators. Both plain T-shirts and custom-printed T-shirts have shown growth and present opportunities.
Plain T-shirts offer affordability and comfort, which is why retail brands continue to require them in large volumes, making them a staple in the low-cost market segment. Additionally, the rise of eco-friendly fashion is encouraging brands to adopt organic cotton and recycled materials, which adds value even for plain T-shirts.
Seasonal, festival or event-based collections can bring higher margins. Online marketplaces reduce additional costs, making limited custom printing profitable. Brands focusing on eco-friendly inks, sustainable fabrics, and ethical practices can differentiate themselves in both plain and custom segments.
People are looking for unique, personalised designs, which leads to the rise of the custom T-shirt printing market. Printing techniques like DTG printing, sublimation, vinyl, screen printing and other digital methods make printing faster, cost-effective, and higher quality. Platforms like Qikink are leveraging these methods to offer seamless quality and fulfilment.
Advanced technologies like AI and other tools will optimise inventory, reduce waste, and enable on-time manufacturing. Print on demand platforms will integrate more intelligent data analytics for predictive demands, helping entrepreneurs meet exact customer needs efficiently without overproduction.
Using Social media platforms for business, particularly Instagram and YouTube, is expected to continue to engage the demand through influencer collaborations and limited-edition brand launches. Thus, printed T-shirts will serve as key merchandise items to monetise personal brands.
The plain T-shirts will always remain the first wardrobe choice because of their versatility. However, their role is now evolving into a business ethics perspective, prompting brands to view plain t-shirts as foundational elements for customisation and sustainable fabric innovations.
India’s T-shirt market is set to grow as a dynamic fusion of tradition and innovation. Entrepreneurs who interpret technology, understand consumer values, and blend affordability with personalisation and sustainability will thrive in this t-shirt market by selling both plain and custom-printed t-shirts.
Why Choose Qikink for Print on Demand in India
Launching a T-shirt brand is significantly easier with a partner who handles the challenging operations and processes. Qikink, as India’s best regional fulfilment partner, also provides you with hassle-free business and shipping operations.
You can focus freely on design and growth, while they handle everything behind the scenes. They offer a balanced mix of convenience, quality, and support tailored for online sellers:
- From T-shirts to accessories and home products, Qikink lets you diversify your store with ease.
- You can choose from their versatile printing techniques, including DTG, sublimation, embroidery, screen printing, and more, depending on your design needs.
- Connect your online store seamlessly with Shopify, WooCommerce, and others for automated order processing.
- Orders are dispatched promptly, helping to keep your customers happy and your brand’s reputation strong.
- Custom packaging and brand labels help you build a professional and memorable experience.
- Whether you are a startup or a developing brand, Qikink scales with your volume without minimum order quantity requirements.
- Easy to create your Qikink account and start selling your designs from today.
With Qikink’s effective fulfilment support, anyone can easily launch their t-shirt business and become a brand in the market. When Qikink manages backend operations, you can scale, market and grow your brand sustainably.
Final Thoughts
India’s T-shirt market stands at a turning point where comfort, creativity, and technology meet. Plain T-shirts continue to lead in daily wear due to their affordability and simplicity, while the custom-printed segment grows rapidly with the upcoming fashion trends.
This blog has explored the growing T-shirt market in India, covering both segments. Entrepreneurs benefit from adopting low-risk print on demand models and expanding their e-commerce platforms, which inspires and provides opportunities for new and established sellers.
As customers seek unique, sustainable, and expressive fashion, print on demand is all set to become the go-to business model for upcoming modern entrepreneurs. By choosing a dependable fulfilment partner, you can sell merchandise or test your product designs. The opportunity in India’s T-shirt market has never been brighter.
Start and scale the market size of a t-shirt brand, blending comfort and customisation aspects through a hybrid business model. Partner with Qikink to create your own T-shirt brand with ease.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the T-shirt Print-on-Demand Business Model, and Why is it Gaining Popularity in India?
T-shirt print on demand is a business model that allows you to sell your supplier’s products with your designs on your store. And when your customer makes a purchase, your print-on-demand provider prints, packs and ships the order under your brand name to your customer directly.
According to statistics, the market for printing T-shirts will grow to $3.1 billion by 2025. Companies like Teespring, Redbubble, and others have already reached their zenith on a global scale. The best part is that many Indian businesses are developing successful business models for t-shirt printing.
How does the Print-on-Demand Trend Contribute to the Growth of eCommerce in India?
Starting a business using a print-on-demand model is experiencing tremendous growth. A few reasons for its development include the absence of product investment, lower risks, and low startup costs. Anybody can start a business using print-on-demand services. Hence, there is no barrier to entering and exploring the eCommerce world.
What are the Advantages of Starting a T-shirt Print-on-Demand Venture in India?
- Fast Turnaround, High Quality: With on-demand printing, you can print only what you need, when you need it. Thanks to advances in digital technology, print quality is now excellent enough to satisfy even the most demanding print buyers.
- Reduce Shipping Costs: With POD printing, you can ship only the amount of product you print.
- Reduced or Elimination of Warehousing / Storage: By printing only what is required when it is necessary, warehouse and storage expenses are lowered and occasionally eliminated.
- Improved Customer Communications: By printing in smaller batches but more frequently, you can update collateral with each print run, ensuring that materials remain current.
Are there any Specific Challenges or Considerations when entering the Print-on-Demand Market in India?
There are three key challenges one has to face when entering the print-on-demand market in India,
- Your print-on-demand supplier reliability: If your supplier stops manufacturing the product, you must either find a replacement or remove it from your store.
- Product quality: Since you don’t see the product during the entire printing process, you can’t verify and know what your consumer will receive. The consumer won’t be aware of a third party. Therefore, you’ll have to deal with the reviews.
- Delivery time: Since you cannot control how the goods are packaged and shipped, you cannot determine the precise arrival date.
How can Entrepreneurs Capitalise on the Growing Trend of T-shirt Print-on-Demand to succeed in India's eCommerce Market?
Here’s how you can start a t-shirt print-on-demand business in India:
- Step 1: Choose a niche
- Step 2: Create your designs for t-shirts
- Step 3: Find a print-on-demand supplier
- Step 4: Set up an online store
- Step 5: List your products
- Step 6: Market your products
