What do you get when you combine a desire for extra income, a knack for graphic design, and a basement full of t-shirt printing equipment?
For Martt Clupper, founder of Shirtburg, the answer is a new custom t-shirt side hustle.
The Birth of a Brand
The journey of Shirtburg began with more than just a desire to create custom shirts—it started with a name. The Martt shares the story behind the brand:
"I really enjoy the challenge of coming up with a unique and creative name for a project, while also needing to be able to purchase the desired domain name... I really liked the sound of Shirtburg when I thought it up, and then was happy to see the domain was available."
The branding process didn't stop there. After some experimentation, a distinctive logo emerged:
"After a little trial and error I eventually decided the water tower logo really helped sell the idea that Shirtburg was a place to go, even if it's just a place on the web that sells t-shirts."
The Seeds of a T-Shirt Venture
Shirtburg's journey from concept to reality began with a brief foray into custom shirt designs a couple of years ago. The Martt explains:
"A couple years back I briefly tried some a couple shirt designs, but it was more of an experiment. I'm just getting going now with a serious effort to produce and sell t-shirts via my shirtburg.com Shopify store. The goal is to create a very diversified collection of direct-to-consumer shirts, hats, and stickers."
What sparked this transition from casual experimentation to a more focused effort? The answer lies in technological advancements and entrepreneurial spirit:
"The versatility and simplicity of modern transfers... And a desire to make more money!"
Discovering Ninja Transfers
Shirtburg's path crossed with Ninja Transfers about a year ago during a test project. The standout feature? Durability. As the Clupper recalls:
"I did a test project a year ago with Ninja Transfers, and the durability is what caught my eye."
This durability was a significant improvement over previous attempts:
"The previous attempt a couple years back was with silk-screened transfers but they didn't hold up like I wanted."
Now, working with Ninja Transfers, Shirtburg has found a reliable partner, appreciating "the finished print quality of the transfers."
The Creative Process
At the heart of Shirtburg's designs is a message-first approach:
"It usually starts with having a message to share, and then the fun trial-and-error process of finding an effective way to say it with graphics."
This process has led to several designs, with some early favorites emerging among their initial sales.
A Basement Operation
Shirtburg's current setup is modest but functional:
"I'm set up in the basement with a 15x15 slider press and a small hat press for doing collar tags and sleeve decos. Oddly I use a really old version of Microsoft Publisher, and then also Photoshop."
For wholesale blanks, Shirtburg likes these options:
"I'm happy with the Jerzees 29M 50/50 shirt, and also use the Port & Company PC450 100% cotton shirt."
Early Days and Future Plans
Shirtburg is still in its very early stages, having launched its Shopify store in late July 2024. Despite the short time frame and lack of traditional advertising, the brand is seeing promising results:
"Since my Shopify store has only been open a few weeks, and I'm not doing any traditional advertising, I'm fairly pleased that I've made 35 sales so far, all over the country. My goal is to have at least 200 to 300 sales by the end of the year."
Clupper has ambitious goals for the future:
"Currently Shirtburg is a side project, but the hope is that within a year it’ll be generating full-time income. I'd be able to consider it a full-time income at $50,000/year, but with some creativity in marketing and overall hard work, I'm hoping to reach $100,000/year and beyond (maybe well beyond) by building a real brand."
Marketing Planning
To achieve these goals, Shirtburg is employing cost-effective marketing strategies:
"Most of my initial niche is aviation related shirts, so I'm doing what I can via Facebook and Instagram to connect with like-minded people. I've also sent some shirts out to a few people with a solid social media following to get some exposure with their help."
The Martt is also exploring content marketing:
"I've also decided to start a video podcast on YouTube where I can talk about the subject matter on the shirts (of which I have extensive knowledge) and promote the shirts at the same time."
This podcast, aptly named "Welcome To Shirtburg," will serve as a platform to discuss the themes behind the designs while promoting the brand.
Advice for Newcomers
For those just starting out in the world of DTF and custom products, Shirtburg offers this practical advice:
"Pay close attention to the details of how to press the transfer. Every product is a little different, so following instructions is very important. And of course, research how others are doing great work, and learn from them."
To Your Success
At Ninja Transfers, we're excited to support Shirtburg in its early stages. Their story showcases how modern transfer technology, combined with creativity and strategic planning, can help turn ideas into a potentially thriving small business.
Whether you're crafting niche designs or exploring broader markets, we're here to support your creative vision as you start your journey.
Martt’s small, home-based operation took its first steps into the world of custom t-shirts, driven by passion, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Here's to Shirtburg's future growth - may your transfers always be durable, your designs impactful, and your brand continue to soar!
Check them out at ShirtBurg.com and on Instagram.
