Every brand has a story. For us, Gentle Craft was never just about printing T-shirts, it was about bringing creativity to life, building something of our own, and creating a space where every design could speak for itself. In this blog, I want to take you behind the scenes of how our journey began, the challenges we faced, and how we’re slowly turning our dream into a growing reality.
How It All Started
It all began during one of our everyday conversations between me and my wife, Kowsalya, brainstorming ideas about starting something together. We both wanted to build something creative, something meaningful. That’s when the idea of custom T-shirt printing came up. It felt simple, exciting, and full of potential.
We noticed that people love expressing themselves through what they wear, and T-shirts are the most versatile canvas. The idea of helping others tell their stories through custom designs felt like the perfect match for us.
And so, Gentle Craft was born.
The name came naturally. We wanted something that sounded soft yet powerful, something that reflected the care we put into our work and the uniqueness of every print we created.
Taking the First Steps
Once the idea was in place, reality hit us, we had no background in fashion, printing, or business. But we were determined to learn. We registered our partnership firm, started researching printing technology, and began exploring vendors, materials, and tools.
Every day was a lesson. We watched countless videos, connected with people in the printing space, and slowly started understanding the ins and outs of the business. We were excited, nervous, and hopeful all at the same time.
Our Early Struggles
The road wasn’t smooth. Like any new business, we faced our share of challenges.
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Finding reliable vendors was tougher than we imagined. From blank T-shirt quality to film sheets and inks, we had to test multiple suppliers before finding the right ones.
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Budget constraints made every decision harder. We had to be cautious and creative with our investments.
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We had to learn everything from scratch from design software and color calibration to understanding customer preferences and building a social media presence.
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Most importantly, we had to balance our time between family, work, and this new venture.
There were moments when we felt stuck, unsure if we were making the right choices. Some of our first test prints didn’t turn out as expected. We second-guessed our designs, our process, even the name.
But we never stopped moving forward.
A Small Win That Meant Everything
Our first actual order came from a friend, a simple custom design. That moment was unforgettable. It wasn’t just a T-shirt, it was a sign that people saw value in what we were doing. That one order gave us a huge boost of confidence.
Soon after, we started receiving more inquiries, more interest, and slowly, the word began to spread.
Where We Are Today
We’re still a young brand, and we’re learning every day. But we’re proud of how far we’ve come. Today, Gentle Craft stands for more than just T-shirts, it’s about self-expression, quality craftsmanship, and celebrating individuality.
We’re experimenting with bold designs, expanding our collections, and trying to create something that truly resonates with the Indian youth, especially those who want to wear something that reflects who they are.
To Anyone Starting Their Journey…
If you’ve been thinking of starting something of your own, don’t wait for the “perfect time.” Start where you are, with what you have. The learning happens along the way. Trust yourself, believe in your vision, and most importantly, don’t give up when things get tough.
Because the most beautiful things are built through struggle, persistence, and heart.
Join Our Journey
We’re just getting started, and there’s so much more to come. If you’d like to be a part of our story, follow us on Instagram and explore our latest designs.
And if you’ve started a journey of your own, we’d love to hear your story too. Drop a comment, message us, let’s grow together.