Let’s be honest—moms are already CEOs of their households. Between snack prep, laundry mountains, and birthday party planning, you’re already running a tight ship. But what if you could take that same hustle and turn it into a side gig that brings in some extra cash and lets your creativity shine?

That’s where custom screen printing comes in. Whether it’s cute slogans for toddler tees or matching holiday sweatshirts for the whole family, screen-printed merch is a fun, flexible way to earn from home. And thanks to local services like Philadelphia screen printing, the process is more accessible than ever—even if you’ve never designed a shirt in your life.

Let’s break it all down and get you from “just an idea” to “just sold another batch!”

Photo by HONG SON

Why Screen Printing Works for Busy Moms

Screen printing isn’t just for big brands or Etsy pros. It’s ideal for moms who want:

  • A creative outlet that can actually earn income
  • A business model that fits into naptime, school runs, or evening hours
  • Low upfront investment (especially when you use local printing services instead of doing it all yourself)

Plus, it’s scalable. You can start small—think 10 shirts for your kid’s soccer team—and grow as your confidence and customer base grow. No huge warehouse needed. No late-night packaging marathons (unless you’re into that).

What You Can Sell: Simple Ideas That Work

You don’t need a degree in design or marketing to come up with screen-printed products people will actually buy. You just need to think like… well, a mom.

Here are a few low-risk, high-demand ideas:

1. Mom Life Apparel

Think “Coffee First,” “Messy Bun, Getting Stuff Done,” or “Nap Queen.” These relatable sayings can go on tees, hoodies, or even tote bags.

2. Family Reunion and Holiday Sets

Matching shirts for Thanksgiving, custom jammies for Christmas, or “Cousin Crew” summer tees. People love coordinating gear for photos and events.

3. Kids’ Birthday Shirts

Parents love these. They’re personalized, easy to sell, and always in demand.

4. Fundraisers and School Events

PTAs, dance teams, and sports clubs are always looking for someone to make branded gear. That could be you!

5. Custom Gift Sets

Put together baby shower bundles, “first day of school” photo kits, or bridesmaid gifts with printed items like shirts, bags, or aprons.

Keep It Simple, Start Smart

Launching a merch business doesn’t mean you need to invest thousands or buy a heat press. Start with a few designs and work with a reliable screen printer who can handle the production.

Here’s how to get rolling:

  1. Pick a Niche
    Decide who you’re selling to. Is it moms like you? Local teams? Teachers? The more specific you are, the better your messaging and designs will land.
  2. Choose a Few Products to Start
    Don’t go overboard with options. One tee and one tote is enough to start. Test what sells.
  3. Design or Find Designs
    You can create your own graphics using free tools like Canva or buy pre-made SVGs from Etsy. Not into design? Hire someone for cheap on Fiverr.
  4. Work with a Local Printer
    This saves time and shipping costs. You can also feel more confident about the quality when you’re working with someone nearby—and ask questions without waiting days for a reply.

Design Tips That Don’t Require a Design Degree

If the idea of “graphic design” sounds intimidating, breathe. You don’t need fancy software or an art background to make great merch.

  • Stick with bold, easy-to-read fonts.
  • Limit your colors (more colors = more expensive prints).
  • Avoid overcomplicating. A witty phrase in a cute font can outperform a detailed illustration.
  • Think about your fabric color. White ink on a black shirt pops. Yellow on white? Not so much.

And before you finalize a design, ask a couple of fellow moms or friends if they’d wear it. Free feedback = fewer flops.

Pricing It Right (So You Actually Make Money)

You don’t want to charge too little and end up doing tons of work for pennies, but you also don’t want to scare people off with boutique-level prices.

Here’s a quick formula:

  1. Cost of Goods (what the printer charges you)
  2. Add $5–$15 profit depending on your audience and effort
  3. Factor in packaging and shipping

Let’s say a shirt costs $10 to print, and you want $8 profit. Your selling price is $18. Add $2 for packaging. $20 total is totally reasonable—and you’re making more than minimum wage for each sale.

Where to Sell Your Custom Creations

You don’t need a Shopify store to start. Here are some easy (and often free) options:

  • Instagram or Facebook Shops: Post photos, use hashtags, take orders in DMs or through forms.
  • Etsy: Ideal for personalized items and one-off sales.
  • Local Markets or PTA Events: Great for exposure, even if you just take pre-orders.
  • Word of Mouth: Ask friends to spread the word. Give them a discount for referrals.

And don’t forget to snap pics of your products in real-life settings. A cute kid in a birthday shirt or a holiday flat lay goes a long way in building trust.

Making the Most of Local Printing Services

Working with a trusted printer can be a game-changer. No dealing with messy ink at home, no ruined shirts from DIY mistakes, and no guesswork on quality. Local shops like those offering screen printing can walk you through fabric choices, quantities, timelines, and best design practices. This kind of partnership saves time and boosts your confidence, especially when you’re just starting out.

Some printers even offer dropshipping—they handle the printing and shipping after you make the sale. That means zero inventory for you to store.

When to Get Fancy (And When Not To)

It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing online. But your side hustle doesn’t need to look like a brand empire overnight.

Here’s what you can skip (at first):

  • A logo
  • A full-blown website
  • Custom packaging
  • Business cards

Here’s what you should definitely do:

  • Set up a way to collect payments (Venmo, PayPal, or a Square account)
  • Keep track of orders (a basic spreadsheet will do)
  • Deliver on time
  • Be kind and responsive to customers

Your customer service is part of your product. People will buy from you again simply because you’re a joy to deal with.

Balancing Business and Mom Life (Without Losing Your Mind)

Let’s be real—running a side hustle with kids in the mix is not always smooth sailing. But it can be fun and fulfilling if you set some realistic boundaries.

A few sanity-saving tips:

  • Batch your work. Design on Sundays. Pack orders on Tuesdays. Don’t do everything every day.
  • Involve the kids. Older kids can help pack, sort shirts, or even suggest designs.
  • Say no to custom orders at first. They’ll eat up your time and make pricing messy.

This is your side hustle, not another source of stress. Start small, grow slow, and keep it fun.

Photo by Wendelin Jacober

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This, Mom

You already have the drive, the creativity, and the ability to multitask like a superhero. Adding a screen-printed merch side hustle isn’t just doable—it’s totally within reach.

It doesn’t take a huge budget, a fancy camera, or a degree in business. Just a few good ideas, a reliable printing partner, and a little bit of mom grit.

So go ahead, sketch that idea on a sticky note, upload your first design, or message a local printer for a quote. Your first sale might be closer than you think.

Mom boss mode: activated.