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Free guide · no login · checked 4 Nov 2026

T-shirt and merchandise printing

Print custom T-shirts, mugs and bags for events, teams and brands.

Money to start

Up to ₹5 lakh

Time it needs

10 to 25 hours a week

Risk

Medium

Works from home

Yes

Explore

What it is, who it suits, what it can pay, how soon, the upside and the risks.

With a heat press, a printer or screen printing setup, you make custom T-shirts, mugs, caps and bags for colleges, companies, events and online buyers.

Who it suits

  • Designers and makers
  • People near colleges and offices
  • Online sellers

Upside

  • Bulk orders
  • Online print on demand
  • Seasonal events

Risks to know

  • Machine investment
  • Print quality complaints
  • Copyright: never print brand logos you do not own

What it can pay

We do not publish a number without a reliable source.

What drives it: Order size, blank product cost, print method, and corporate or event repeat orders.

Time to first income

Two to four weeks.

Assess

Skills, money, tools, hours and registrations you need, and a five question fit check.

Skills

  • Design
  • Operating the press

Money to start

Heat press or screen setup, blanks and inks.

Tools

  • Heat press
  • Printer or screens
  • Design software

Time per week

10 to 30 hours a week.

Licences and registrations

Tick each one as you get it. Your ticks stay on this device.

Quick fit check

  1. 1.Do you have design skills?
  2. 2.Can you invest in a press?
  3. 3.Do you know colleges or companies that order merch?
  4. 4.Will you print only designs you have rights to?
  5. 5.Can you handle bulk deadlines?

Answer all five to see how well this fits you.

Run

Your first 30 days to the first rupee: set up, price, get paid, find customers, keep records.

0 of 11 steps done

  1. Days 1 to 7

    Set up

  2. Days 8 to 10

    Price it and get ready to be paid

  3. Days 11 to 24

    Find your first customers

  4. Days 25 to 30

    Record and review

Nurture

Grow and stay compliant: tax, GST, government schemes and the help that fits.

Grow it

  • Add embroidery and DTF printing
  • Corporate gifting contracts
  • Launch your own clothing brand

Tax: Small business on presumptive tax

Return: ITR-4 (Sugam) if total income is up to ₹50 lakh; otherwise ITR-3

  • This is business income. With turnover up to ₹2 crore (₹3 crore if at least 95% comes in digitally) you can use Sec 58 of the Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 44AD): declare 6% of digital receipts and 8% of cash receipts as profit, or more if you earn more. No detailed books needed.
  • If you leave this scheme after using it, you cannot come back to it for the next five years. Choose with care.
  • Under the new regime, total income up to ₹12 lakh usually means no tax after the rebate. You still file, to show the income and claim back any TDS.
  • Pay advance tax in one go by 15 March if the year's tax is ₹10,000 or more.

GST on goods

Register once turnover from goods crosses ₹40 lakh in most states (₹20 lakh or ₹10 lakh in some special category states). Selling goods to other states usually needs registration from the start. Composition (1% for traders) keeps it simple up to ₹1.5 crore.

Government schemes that help

Make it official

Only what this way of earning needs. Free tools are marked; services are done by a TaxSavvy CA.

TaxSavvy serviceUdyam registrationGet your MSME certificate done right, with the correct activity code.See how it works →TaxSavvy serviceGST registrationA Savvy files it and tells you if composition suits you.See how it works →TaxSavvy serviceMudra loan fileChoose the right Mudra category and prepare your loan papers.See how it works →Free toolFree invoice generatorGST or plain invoice with UPI QR, as a PDF. No login.Open the tool →Ask a SavvyTrademarkProtect your brand name and logo.See how it works →

Questions

How much can I earn from t-shirt and merchandise printing in India?

What drives it: Order size, blank product cost, print method, and corporate or event repeat orders.

How long until the first income?

Two to four weeks.

What do I need to start?

Heat press or screen setup, blanks and inks. Registrations: Udyam registration, GST registration, Bank account and UPI.

Which ITR form do I file for this income?

ITR-4 (Sugam) if total income is up to ₹50 lakh; otherwise ITR-3. This is business income. With turnover up to ₹2 crore (₹3 crore if at least 95% comes in digitally) you can use Sec 58 of the Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 44AD): declare 6% of digital receipts and 8% of cash receipts as profit, or more if you earn more. No detailed books needed.

Do I need GST?

Register once turnover from goods crosses ₹40 lakh in most states (₹20 lakh or ₹10 lakh in some special category states). Selling goods to other states usually needs registration from the start. Composition (1% for traders) keeps it simple up to ₹1.5 crore.

Which government schemes can help?

PM Mudra Yojana, PMEGP. Each scheme has its own eligibility; check the official site before applying.

Sources

Read on 4 Nov 2026. Limits, rates and fees change: check the official site before you rely on them.

This guide is general information from TaxSavvy, not a promise of income. No legal way to earn is guaranteed or instant. Avoid any offer that asks you to pay to join, recruit others or bet.

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