In Philadelphia, we don't wait for permission. We hustle.
The biggest lie in the clothing industry is that you need a garage full of inventory, a $10,000 screen printing setup, or a loan from a bank to start a brand.
You don’t.
You need an idea, a laptop, and about $200. Here is the blueprint to launching a streetwear brand in the 215 without going broke.
Step 1: The Design (The "Jawn")
Don’t try to be Nike. Be specific. The best selling designs in Philly right now are hyper-local.
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The Neighborhood Flex: Fishtown, West Philly, South Philly. People rep their blocks harder than their country.
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The Sports Pain/Joy: We bleed green. We love (and hate) our teams. A funny take on the current season always sells.
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The Inside Joke: Slang that only people from the Delaware Valley understand.
Cost: $0 (If you design it yourself on Canva or Photoshop).
Step 2: The "Fake Out" (Digital Mockups)
Here is the rule: Never print a shirt until you’ve sold a shirt.
Do not order 50 mediums just to have them sit in your basement. Instead, take your design and put it on a digital mockup. You can use sites like Placeit, or just grab a high-res photo of a blank hoodie on a hanger and Photoshop your design on top.
Make it look real. Make it look gritty.
Cost: $0 - $15 (For a mockup subscription).
Step 3: The Pre-Order (Securing the Bag)
Post that mockup on Instagram or TikTok. Set up a simple Shopify store (or even just use DMs/CashApp if you're really bootstrapping).
Announce a "48-Hour Pre-Order."
This does two things:
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Creates Hype: Scarcity makes people buy.
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Funds the Production: You use their money to buy the blank shirts and the transfers. You are cash-flow positive from Day 1.
Cost: $29/mo (Shopify Basic).
Step 4: The Production (The Plug)
Once the orders are in, you need to make the product. This is where Philly DTF Transfers comes in.
Don't buy individual transfers. Build a Gang Sheet. A Gang Sheet is a massive roll of film (we offer sizes up to 22" x 120"). You take all the orders you just got—small chest logos, neck tags, full back prints—and you Tetris them onto one sheet.
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The Math: If you fit 10 designs on a $40 sheet, your print cost is **$4.00 per shirt.**
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The Blanks: Buy blank tees from a wholesaler (like JiffyShirts). Cost: ~$4-$6 per shirt.
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Total Cost per Shirt: ~$10.
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Sell Price: $30.
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Profit: $20 per shirt.
Cost: ~$50 for your first Gang Sheet run.
Step 5: The Heat (The Finish)
You need a Heat Press. For your first run, a basic clamshell press from Amazon will do the job. Set it to roughly 300°F (check our instructions page for exact specs).
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Press the shirt to get moisture out.
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Place your Philly DTF Transfer.
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Press for 10 seconds.
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Wait. Let it get cold. Stone cold.
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Peel.
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Press again for 5 seconds to lock it in.
Cost: ~$100 for a starter heat press.
Step 6: The Drop (Local Speed)
If you ordered from a print shop in Florida, you'd be waiting a week for shipping.
Since you're rolling with us, you can upload your art in the morning and pick up your transfers at 4600 N. Fairhill St. the same day (if ordered by 2 PM). You can print, press, and deliver to your customers before the hype dies down.
Total Startup Cost: ~$194.00
Stop overthinking it. Design something today. Sell it tomorrow. Print it with us.
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