Running a small gift shop has always been a labour of love. From locally made candles to quirky greeting cards and handmade mugs, I’ve always taken pride in curating products that are meaningful, a little bit different, and — above all — personal.
But a couple of years ago, I found myself thinking:
What’s missing? What could I add that’s not just another thing on a shelf — but something that reflects what this shop is all about?
That’s when the idea came: printed T-Shirts. It seemed simple at first — just another product category, right? But actually, selling printed tees has become one of the most creative, fun, and surprisingly successful additions to my business.
Here’s the full story — and everything involved.
It started with tourists and locals asking for ‘Something to Wear’
My shop sits in a busy little town that gets a decent amount of footfall — from tourists, students, day-trippers and, of course, lovely locals. Over the years, I noticed a pattern. People would pop in and ask things like:
“Do you have anything with the town name on it?”
“I’m looking for a funny T-Shirt as a gift — anything unique?”
“My son’s obsessed with the local football club....landmark....local slang — do you have anything like that?”
At first, I didn’t think much of it. But when I started paying attention, I realised there was a genuine demand for wearable souvenirs, local pride, and personalised humour.
Designing the first range (with zero experience, I might add)
Now, I’m not a graphic designer by trade. But I had ideas — phrases people in town always say, inside jokes only locals would get, and illustrations inspired by our high street and surroundings.
So I started small:
I sketched a few designs myself (badly).
I worked with a freelance designer on Fiverr to polish them up.
I found a local screen printer who could produce short runs (minimums of just 20 per design).
My first batch included:
A simple design with our town’s name in vintage lettering.
A cheeky slogan tee with local slang.
A hand-drawn line art of our most iconic landmark.
They sold out in two weeks.
Choosing the right T-Shirts
This was more involved than I expected. Not all T-Shirts are created equal, and I didn’t want to sell anything that felt cheap or didn’t wash well.
I tried out samples from — comparing:
Fabric quality (100% cotton, ringspun, organic options).
Fit (unisex vs fitted, relaxed vs boxy).
Size range (I now stock from XS to 3XL).
Cost per unit vs retail price.
Eventually, I settled on a reliable UK-based wholesaler who offers ethically sourced, mid-weight cotton tees in lovely colours. Sustainability mattered to me — and to my customers — so I made sure that was part of the story.
Printing and Production
I explored a few options: heat transfer, DTG (direct-to-garment), and traditional screen printing. I still do the heat transfers in-house myself.
In the end, I went with screen printing for most of my core range because:
It’s durable and long-lasting.
The colours pop nicely.
The finish feels professional and clean.
For short-run seasonal designs (like Christmas or Pride), I’ve also used DTG for flexibility and no upfront cost on large batches.
I now work with a small UK-based print studio that delivers within a week — and they’ve been brilliant.
Displaying and selling in the shop
This bit was exciting. I didn’t want the T-Shirts to feel like an afterthought, so I:
Installed a simple hanging rail and wooden shelving display.
Made handwritten tags explaining each design’s backstory.
Added a “Try Me On” mirror corner to encourage browsing.
I also printed a small leaflet that told customers why I started selling T-Shirts — and it genuinely helped people connect with the idea.
Online sales and custom orders
As word spread, people started asking if they could order online. So I added a simple T-Shirt section to my website with:
Clear photos (on actual people, not just flat-lays).
Sizing guides.
Shipping and return info.
Now, I regularly get orders from people who’ve visited the town and want a little reminder — or from locals buying gifts for family abroad.
Some have even asked for custom prints (e.g., adding a name or date), which I now offer for an additional fee.
What I’ve Learnt Along the Way
Selling printed T-Shirts isn’t just about slapping a design on fabric — it’s about telling a story, celebrating a place, or sparking a laugh.
Here are a few key things I’ve learnt:
Start small — don’t over-invest before you know what people like.
Listen to your customers — their ideas sparked my best-sellers.
Quality matters — people will pay a little more for a shirt that lasts.
Be proud of local culture — even the weird bits. Especially the weird bits.
Final Thoughts
Adding T-Shirts to my gift shop was never part of the original plan — but it’s become one of the most rewarding and creative parts of what I do.
It’s more than just a new product line. It’s a way for people to take home a little piece of the town, share a laugh, or wear something that actually means something to them.
And for me, that’s exactly what a great gift shop should be about.
— Claire, Owner of The Little Gift Nook
