How it Works
Cotton Bureau is kind of like a cool mall. Remember those? Lots of indie shops to browse plus a few big stores everyone knows.
If you want to get in on the fun, we’d love to help. Every day the world’s most incredible designers and illustrators, causes and charities, and creative communities (podcasters, app and game developers, design agencies, blogs and media outlets, etc.) turn their ideas into real products.
Since 2010 we’ve shipped over a million products. Is yours next?
Yes, But how does Cotton Bureau work?
We’re here for you every step of the way.
Whether you’re looking for the convenience of on demand, the quality of screen printing, or the flexibility of our stock and pre-order campaign models, we’re your one-stop ecommerce shop.
From creating an account to getting your first product live, Cotton Bureau is completely self-serve. Once your account has been approved by our t-shirt task force, you’re ready to start selling.
If you need a little help though, operators are standing by to make sure your artwork is print-ready (and provide light creative direction if necessary). We’re also more than happy to discuss recommended prices, help choose shirt colors, fabrics, and ink types, review your account and profile, and more. Don’t be afraid to reach out .
Just like that, your product is live. Maybe the clock starts ticking on a two week pre-order campaign, or maybe you chose to use our stock or on demand options. No matter which sales method you use, you can count on Cotton Bureau to handle everything from production to taxes to replacements and exchanges.
When it’s time to start production, you can rely on our tested network of local, national, and international partners. We’ve been using the same trusted team for the last 10+ years to print, embroider, cast, forge, decorate, and otherwise manufacture exactly what you need and when you need it.
Why should I work with Cotton Bureau instead of some other print-me-a-shirt service?
- No AI slop
- Only the best designs
- The absolute finest-quality shirts and apparel
- Dependable printing and production
- Slick online shopping experience
- Attentive customer service
- Did we mention real people? No bots allowed. 🤖
Listen, there are a zillion places on the internet to get a crappy t-shirt made, but we’re not one of them. We’ve made a name for ourselves by focusing on quality at every turn: the best designers and communities, comfy and stylish tees, a rock-solid print shop, a slick and accessible website experience, and caring and swift customer service.
If we team up on a t-shirt together, you can rest assured that it won’t be for sale next to someone’s charity 5K tee, printed on low quality scratchy tees with the wrong color ink, and shipped three weeks late by people you can’t reach via email. We’ve been doing this since 2013, and we’re getting better all the time. We got this.
Oh, by the way, all customer service is handled 100% in-house by real people — no ifs, ands, or bots. Refunds, exchanges, lost packages? Just email us@cottonbureau.com . We’re here to help.
Couldn’t I do it myself?
Sure. We have fond memories of doing it ourselves, too. Once upon a time, before Cotton Bureau was even a twinkle in our eye, we set up a little internet t-shirt shop of our own. If designing and building a store is your kind of fun, we salute you.
For everyone else who just wants to be up and running in minutes, that’s why Cotton Bureau exists. No need to set shipping rates or mess around with tariff codes. No 3PLs to investigate, international laws to parse, or packages to track down. Say sayonara to sales tax. Enjoy global shipping at competitive rates. Sit back and relax while someone else handles the customer service.
Sound too good to be true? There’s only one way to find out.
I’m sold. What do I have to do?
We thought you’d never ask.
All you need to get started is a design. Simply grab your artwork, choose the product type, and add a title and description. Once you create your first product, we’ll take a look to make sure it’s a good fit for our audience. While we review your work, go ahead and fill out your profile — including payment information. It only takes a minute. Before you know it, your shirt is live and it’s time to promote, so take to the highways and byways to let the people know: you’re in business!
P.S. The standards are high to be included in the official Cotton Bureau shop. If know you’re not quite up to snuff, but you still need someone to help print and ship shirts for your school chess club, organic meal delivery startup, family choir, or cross-country road trip, check out Cotton Bureau Custom . It’s the same quality and service you love minus the smug designer spectacles.
How much money will I make?
Whether you just want to make a few extra bucks, raise money for a worthy cause, or generate actual revenue for your business, Cotton Bureau can help.
There’s literally no limit to how much money you can make when you work with Cotton Bureau. Will you see seven figures in profit? Probably not, but if you do, it wouldn’t be our first time.
Either way, it’s 100% free to get started. All approved accounts have access to our complete on demand catalog and extensive pre-order campaign services.
When you’re ready, just pick a product, add your profit margin, and tell people about it. It’s that simple.
Once a month as long as you’ve earned at least $25 Cotton Bureau sends you money via PayPal or direct bank transfer.
Not a bad deal for a couple of minutes setting up an account and telling a few friends.
Every time you sell an on demand shirt, hat, phone case, tote, tumbler, etc. you make money. If you sell enough, we start handing out bonuses like candy. First an extra $1 for each sale, then an extra $2, and it doesn’t stop there. The more you sell, the better for us all, you know?
If you decided to run a pre-order campaigns, it works the same way, except there’s a 12 shirt minimum before anything gets made (and you get paid). The bar to clear is a little higher than on demand, but the payoff is a shirt that will last a lifetime.
What else can we do together?
Lots of things, it turns out.
Our selection of on demand and pre-order products is substantial (and growing), but sometimes you need help with something a little more custom like enamel pins, challenge coins, or embroidered patches. We can assist with those as well. If that’s you, email us about joining Cotton Bureau Pro.
All upgraded accounts are eligible for our stock products program and receive an instant $1 bonus on all future on demand and pre-order campaign sales. Cotton Bureau Pro is just $9 / month which includes a $5 monthly storage credit.
For those looking for a more immersive customer experience, we also offer Cotton Bureau Plus. Integrate your brand’s colors, fonts, and styles directly into your storefront and product pages. Cotton Bureau Plus is $29 / month plus a one time store setup fee of $6,000.
All Plus accounts are immediately upgraded to a Tier 3 account which includes a +$2 bonus for all on demand and campaign sales. All stock product setup fees are waived for the first round of products. Plus accounts also include $19 in monthly storage credits, dedicated VIP support, and access to our vast network of exceptional designers and illustrators.
If you’re looking for the right partner to take a more hands-on approach, consider joining Letterboxd , Texas Monthly , Font Awesome , Obsidian , and more.
To get started with Cotton Bureau Plus, email plus@cottonbureau.com or visit our Plus gallery and information page .