How to Use Shopify to Sell Shirts Online Without Inventory (Using DTF Transfers)

Want to start a t-shirt business but don’t have the space—or budget—for inventory? With DTF transfers, you don’t need to carry printed shirts at all. Whether you're pressing shirts yourself or outsourcing production, you can run your Shopify store without holding finished products. In this guide, we’ll show you how to set up your store, use DTF transfers to fulfill orders, and grow a custom shirt brand with no upfront inventory.

What Are DTF Transfers and Why Use Them?

DTF (Direct to Film) transfers are full-color designs printed on a special film that can be heat pressed onto shirts, hoodies, and more. They allow you to press on demand, which means you can:

• Stock blank tees in a variety of sizes and colors (or outsource printing altogether)
• Order only the designs you need, when you need them
• Offer seasonal or trending designs without overcommitting
• Keep your profit margins higher than print-on-demand dropshipping

DTF gives you full control over quality and turnaround—perfect for Shopify sellers who want flexibility without the clutter.  Check out the full DTF Transfer Guide to learn more.

Step 1: Set Up Your Shopify Store

Start by creating an account at shopify.com. Use a clean theme, create product collections by niche or season, and write keyword-rich product titles like:

• Fall Vibes Pumpkin Tee
• Breast Cancer Awareness Shirts
• Funny Halloween Shirts for Women

Be sure to include detailed descriptions, sizing info, and mockup photos that clearly show your designs on garments.

Step 2: Upload Your Shirt Designs

Create or purchase high-resolution PNG artwork for your shirts. You can design in Canva, Kittl, or Procreate—or browse pre-made options on We Print U Press.

Once you’ve added your designs to Shopify, choose how you’ll fulfill them:

• DIY at home: Order DTF transfers and stock blank tees to press shirts as orders come in.
• Outsource the pressing: Upload your designs and let We Print U Press handle the entire process—pressing, packing, and shipping.

Step 3: Use Mockups Instead of Printed Inventory

No need to pre-print every design. Use mockup generators or lifestyle photos to showcase your shirts online. Highlight how they look on real people, styled for each season or occasion. Canva, PlaceIt, and SmartMockups are great tools for this step.

Step 4: Fulfill Orders On Demand

When someone places an order through your Shopify store, you have two options:

1. Press it yourself: Pull a blank shirt from your shelf, apply the DTF transfer using a heat press, and ship it out. (This gives you max profit and quality control.)
2. Let us do it: At We Print U Press, we offer custom fulfillment. Simply upload your artwork and order blanks—we’ll take care of the rest so you never touch a shirt.

This hybrid model is faster and more profitable than traditional print-on-demand, and you can scale up or down as needed.

Step 5: Promote Your Shopify Store

Once your store is live, use social media, email, and seasonal campaigns to drive traffic. Show behind-the-scenes pressing videos, run giveaways, or create bundles for holidays and events. If you’re using DTF transfers, share content that shows how easy and professional your shirts really are.

FAQ: DTF and Shopify

Start Selling Shirts with No Inventory Today

If you're ready to launch a custom shirt business without stocking printed inventory, reach out to our team or call us at 352-340-4343 opt 2. Whether you want to DIY or outsource, We Print U Press can help you build a profitable brand—one shirt at a time.

Press it. Peel it. Love it.