[Business Guides] How to Start a Heat Press T-Shirt Business in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide with HTVRONT & LOKLiK

If you've ever dreamed of turning your creativity into a money-making venture, 2025 is a great time to start your custom T-shirt business. With the right gear and tutorial, starting your home-based T-shirt business has never been easier or more affordable.

Getting started with a heat press is now more affordable thanks to the innovative and inexpensive solutions from HTVRONT and LOKLiK. You can begin using general T-shirt print materials without blowing your finances out of the water.

Are you an entrepreneur looking for a side business? Or maybe you're a crafty individual ready to scale up. This heat press business startup guide will help you develop a successful business.

With the rise of custom fashion and e-commerce, 2025 is an excellent time to start a custom T-shirt business. The following are key reasons why starting a home-based T-shirt business this year is perfect.

People love distinctive, one-of-a-kind designs that speak to themselves, their passion, or even their cause. The market for customized t-shirts is booming, all the way from discussion tees to specialty items (e.g., dog owners, sports fans, or pop stars).

Corporations and businesses also purchase company-branded items for marketing campaigns, events, and employee uniforms.

Compared to the mass orders and steep setup costs of traditional screen printing, heat press printing is cost-effective and simple to master. You can start small and grow as your business grows with an inexpensive heat press like the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press or HTVRONT T-shirt Heat Press.

One of the best things about learning how to start a T-Shirt printing business is that it is highly flexible. You do not need to have a storefront or a large work area. You can start from your garage, spare bedroom, or even your kitchen counter when considering a home-based T-shirt business setup.

Starting a business selling custom T-shirts can be extremely profitable with the right strategy. The material costs (blanks, heat transfer vinyl, sublimation paper) are low, and custom designs can have a high markup.

Selling through an Etsy store, Shopify storefront, social media, or farmers' markets offers strong potential for high returns.

Starting a custom T-shirt business in 2025 is easy, even if you're a beginner. HTVRONT and LOKLiK offer tons of free tutorials on YouTube, TikTok, and our websites, teaching you everything from heat transfer vinyl (HTV) to sublimation and direct-to-film (DTF) printing. 

You can follow along with HTVRONT’s videos to learn how to use their Auto and Mini Heat Presses, or get tips from LOKLiK’s TikToks on cutting vinyl with the iCraft machine and designing with IdeaStudio. With these resources, you can learn quickly without needing expensive courses or technical skills.

As opposed to traditional fast fashion, a bespoke T-shirt business only makes something when an order has been put through, thus reducing waste and minimizing environmental pressure. HTVRONT's high-quality material ensures durability while reducing waste.

The LOKLiK iPrinter also enables low-waste, high-quality printing without producing goods in bulk. This sustainability strategy appeals to earth-conscious consumers and green enthusiasts alike.

Many consumers are willing to pay a premium for custom zero-waste clothing, making your business both profitable and ethically driven.

Starting your custom T-shirt business requires the right equipment. From heat presses to cutting machines and printers, HTVRONT and LOKLiK offer affordable, easy-to-use tools for beginners and those looking to scale.

HTVRONT has the best heat press machines for startups, so you can find the perfect one for your heat press T-Shirt business plan. Let’s check out some top picks!

For beginners with T-shirt printing, the best entry-level model is the HTVRONT T-shirt Heat Press 10'' x 10''. It is compact, affordable, and easy to use, making it an ideal choice for home-based businesses with limited space or hobbyists.

The perfect 10" x 10" platen can be used to print regular-sized T-shirts, and prints are made using even heat and pressure, ensuring good quality results. Its simple design makes it easy for beginners to quickly get familiar with and create custom designs for friends, family, or customers.

Ready to take your T-shirt printing operation to an industrial level? The HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2-Digit is a powerful machine designed for mass production.

With automatic control of pressure and temperature, it minimizes manual work and makes printing as easy as possible. This heat press is perfect for businesses that need to print multiple shirts in a short time, offering efficiency without sacrificing quality.

For smaller projects or portable customization, the HTVRONT Mini Heat Press 3 is a great choice. Its tiny footprint and flexibility make it perfect for personalizing items like baby onesies, hats, and bags. It also works well for on-the-go crafting.

This mini heat press makes it easy to add unique designs to shirts and explore different creative projects. With its affordability and versatility, customization becomes simple and fun.

Investing in the right cutting and printing equipment can be instrumental for your T shirt business. LOKLiK has a great number of tools available which can definitely help you create high quality prints.

Here’s some of the best LOKLiK gear that you’ll need for your company:

The LOKLiK iCraft Cutting Machine is perfect for the person starting their own custom T-shirt line. It's ideal for cutting heat transfer vinyl (HTV), which is necessary for making custom designs that you add to your shirts.

The iCraft cutting machine is a powerful machine capable of cutting out incredibly detailed designs, along with lettering and logos that you can upload directly onto T-shirts. Whether you’re printing a few shirts or something custom, this machine makes it easy for you to get your vision off the ground.

The LOKLiK iPrinter is a great investment if you need high-quality printing. This DTF (direct-to-film) printer is great for creating vibrant, durable prints on a wide range of fabrics.

Instead of needing large machines or multiple processes, the iPrinter prints the molds directly on transfer film that you can heat-press onto the T-shirt.

It's a beautiful solution for companies who want to create full-color, complex designs without the screen printing headaches. Plus, it works with more types of fabrics, for added creative freedom.

LOKLiK IdeaStudio is a free program to help you add unique graphics and designs to your T-shirts, and rounds out your T-shirt printing setup. Whether you’re just starting your design career, or have been in the trenches for years, this software is about as easy to use as it gets.

It shows many tools, templates, and design elements which help you create attractive T-shirt designs. And best of all, it's completely free, providing you access to a powerful resource without the need for expensive design software.

Now that you have your equipment, it's time to choose the right supplies.

In choosing between Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) and DTF Printing, it’s crucial to know their application, material compatibility, and output results. Both methods have their pros and cons, so let’s explore deep diving!

HTVRONT Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) is a type of heat transfer material used to apply vinyl onto fabric using heat and pressure.

Because it’s relatively easy to use, it’s a great choice for novices. Simply cut the design with an HTVRONT-compatible cutting machine, peel away the excess vinyl, and press it onto your garment with a heat press.

HTV is suitable for:

The biggest advantage that HTV provides is its simplicity. It doesn’t need any extra equipment aside from a cutting machine and heat press, which are both relatively low-cost items to get started with. HTV prints are durable and do not crack after repeated washes.

HTV is not the same as sublimation printing. With sublimation, you print high-quality, full-color designs directly onto sublimation blanks (such as polyester fabrics) using HTVRONT Sublimation Paper.

The ink turns into a gas and bonds with the fabric fibers, resulting in vivid, photo-quality permanent prints that will not peel over time.

Sublimation printing works best for:

Sublimation could be the perfect choice for you if you’re looking to create high-quality, full-color designs that are smooth and permanent!

To get the best results with sublimation printing, sublimation blanks are a must. HTVRONT offers high-quality blanks designed to absorb sublimation ink efficiently.

These blanks work for all kinds of products, including T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and caps. Creating customized items has never been easier!

HTVRONT has blanks for a multitude of projects:

These blanks are designed for sublimation printing, giving your prints a bright and long-lasting look. They’re great for T-shirt businesses that offer multi-product customizations.

Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) is a great choice for simple, one-color designs or text-based graphics. It’s easy to apply, works on many types of fabrics, and is perfect for custom orders. Plus, the learning curve is low, making it ideal for small-to-medium-scale businesses.

DTF printing, on the other hand, is the way to go for full-color, photo-quality designs. Detailed graphics, images, and gradient effects all come out crisp and vibrant. A DTF printer (like the LOKLiK iPrinter) is required, but the payoff is huge—complex, full-color prints on a variety of materials, including both light and dark fabrics.

In this sense, HTV is a good option for low-volume customization and basic designs, in a cost and effective manner, while DTF printing works better for high-quality, complex, and colorful designs in a variety of substrates.

The best option for you, however, will depend on your business, the types of designs you want to offer, the fabrics you would be using, etc. These both can produce a good quality product but the materials and techniques they use are very different!

HTVRONT’s free SVG library is packed with ready-to-use designs, from quotes to patterns and seasonal graphics. Just cut the files with the iCraft cutter, press them onto T-shirts with a heat press, and you’re all set. No more wasting time searching for designs—this library makes it easy to create unique, eye-catching products.

It offers a huge library of customizable design templates. Great for tailor-making themes or designing beautiful objects for different events, holidays, or specific projects. It simplifies the design process, allowing even novice designers to create striking T-shirt designs.

Making your own t-shirts with heat transfer vinyl is actually pretty fun. You design it, cut it, press it, and boom—you’ve got a custom tee. But if you don’t follow the right steps, things can go sideways fast. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it so you get it right the first time.

What You’ll Need:

First up—designing your masterpiece. If you’re feeling creative, fire up LOKLiK IdeaStudio and start playing around with fonts, shapes, and layouts. It’s a pretty easy software to use, so don’t overthink it. Just have fun with it!

Not in the mood to design from scratch? No problem. The HTVRONT SVG Library is packed with ready-made designs that are good to go. Just pick one you like, download it, and you’re set for the next step.

Now it’s time to cut that design out. Activate your LOKLiK iCraft Cutter and load the HTV onto the mat—shiny side down. Make sure your settings are right and the image is mirrored. Hit that cut button and let the machine do its thing.

Once it’s done cutting, the weeding process begins. This part can be oddly satisfying... or frustrating, depending on the design! Use a weeding tool to pick out all the extra bits of vinyl you don’t need.

Now comes the fun part—getting that design onto your fabric! Heat and time settings matter here.

Most HTVRONT HTV needs about 300°F (148°C) for 10 to 15 seconds, but always double-check the instructions for your specific vinyl. Check out our detailed heat press settings guide for more information.

Start by preheating your heat press. Place your fabric on the lower platen and give it a quick press for about five seconds. This helps remove moisture and wrinkles so the vinyl sticks better.

Next, position your design on the fabric, making sure the protective cover sheet is well placed.

Press down with even pressure for the recommended time. If you’re layering different colors, press them one at a time, but be careful not to overheat the ones already applied.

Once you’re done pressing, it’s time to peel! But hold up—check if your vinyl is hot peel or cold peel. If it’s hot peel, take the carrier sheet off right away. If it’s cold peel, let it cool down first. Rushing this step can mess up your design, so be patient!

Skipping the pre-press might not seem like a big deal, but trust me, it makes a difference. It helps the vinyl stick properly, so don’t skip it! Another thing—pressure matters. Too much, and you’ll squish the design; too little, and it won’t stick right.

And don’t forget the peel method! Hot peel needs to come off right away, while cold peel needs to cool down first. Get that part wrong, and you might end up ruining all your hard work.

Using HTVRONT and LOKLiK products can simplify your setup process. Here’s a breakdown of likely startup costs:

There are different setup levels available, starting with the Basic Starter Kit. This level includes equipment and supplies such as the HTVRONT T-Shirt Heat Press 10" x 10", the LOKLiK iCraft Cutting Machine, and starter materials like HTVRONT Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV), tools, and accessories. The estimated cost for this basic setup ranges from $500 to $1,000.

Moving to the Intermediate Setup, the equipment and supplies include the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press, the LOKLiK iPrinter DTF-A3-XP600 KIT, and the LOKLiK IdeaStudio design software. Additionally, this level includes bulk supplies of HTVRONT HTV, sublimation paper, and other consumables. The estimated cost for the intermediate setup is between $1,500 and $2,500.

Finally, the Advanced Setup offers a professional equipment bundle including the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2-Digit 120V and the LOKLiK iPrinter DTF-A3-XP600 KIT. This level also comes with a comprehensive set of HTVRONT HTV, sublimation blanks, and other materials. The estimated cost for this advanced setup is $3,000 or more.

Here are some tangible tips to help you expand your home-based T-Shirt business:

Pricing is a big deal when it comes to making a profit. Be sure to factor in material costs (like HTVRONT Heat Transfer Vinyl and sublimation blanks), equipment (such as the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press), labor, and shipping.

A good rule of thumb is to charge 2–3 times your costs based on your target market. Offering bundle or bulk discounts can help boost sales and keep customers coming back.

Selling online opens the door to customers far beyond your local area. Platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and Instagram Shops make it easy to reach buyers around the world. Etsy is perfect for custom products, while Shopify lets you build a branded store that’s all your own.

Want more people to find your shop? Use SEO-friendly descriptions packed with keywords like “custom T-shirts.” And here’s a bonus—Instagram Shops let customers buy directly from their Instagram accounts, making shopping even easier!

TikTok and YouTube are great for getting your work out there. Post behind the scenes, share designs and create hashtags such as #tshirtdesign on TikTok to build your community. Posting regular tutorials helps you reach out to a good number of people.

HTVRONT Discord and LOKLiK Community for networking, tips, and advice These communities provide customer support and networking opportunities for growing your brand.

As for custom T-shirts print, there are three main methods: Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) print, Sublimation print and Direct-to-Film (DTF) print.

HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) is relatively easy to use, so it is great for beginners. You cut designs out of HTVRONT’s vinyl, then use a heat press to apply the designs to cotton or cotton-blend fabrics. It’s good for small batches and has different finishes — such as matte and glitter. It is best for simple designs, and not for detailed, full-color images.

Sublimation Printing only works on polyester or sublimation coated fabrics. It yields bright, immortal designs that won’t chip or deteriorate. This is beneficial, but it simply will not stick to polyester or sublimation-coated items, making it not flexible. Sublimation is a perfect choice for all-over prints.

Direct to Film (DTF) Printing is a versatile process that works on all fabric types, including cotton, polyester and blends. It’s ideal for intricate, multi-colored designs, and it works well on different goods such as T-shirts, hoodies, and hats. DTF doesn’t need special coatings on the fabric, and it’s suitable for a wide variety of materials.

You don’t need a cutting machine for every heat transfer design, but having one can take your projects to the next level and give them a professional touch. It makes cutting Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) easy, so you can create precise shapes and intricate designs just the way you imagined.

LOKLiK iCraft Cutter: For budget-friendly beginner It is very valuable and gives you the accuracy you need for quality cuts. Whether you want to make custom T-shirts, mugs, or other products, the iCraft Cutter makes it easy to streamline the process and produces clean, sharp edges that bring your designs to life.

However, if you’re new and not prepared to invest in a cutting machine right away, you can skip it for simple, pre-made designs or even use printable HTV. You can use a standard inkjet printer for printing your design on HTV sheets, and then transfer the design onto the apparel without cutting it out.

You don’t have to start from scratch to launch your T-shirt business. HTVRONT’s Free SVG Library has tons of ready-to-use designs, so you can get started right away. Also, LOKLiK WorkShop offers many creative design templates, ideal for further customizing your products.

Free design resources from platforms such as Canva, Creative Fabrica, and other online forums where designers share their free templates and inspiration for you to use, just to name a few!

To start your custom T-shirt business, HTVRONT and LOKLiK offer a full range of printers and heat presses—all at budget-friendly prices for both beginners and pros. Invest in entry-level tools like the HTVRONT T-shirt Heat Press, and upgrade as your business grows. These machines make it easier to create designs and build a successful business.

Explore HTVRONT and LOKLiK for real success stories and see how these tools have helped entrepreneurs thrive. Take the first step today and turn your creative passion into profit!