"Apart from selling artwork at affordable prices, it can also promote our country to the world," said Saiful Anuar, 40,
who is producing tie-dye T-shirts with the independence day theme.

He said the T-shirts were favourites among tourists as a gift for their family and friends back home and also as a remembrance of their visit to the country.

"It's true that the price I offer is cheap but what is important is that everyone can buy and wear the T-shirt not only on the celebration day but also every other day," he told Bernama when met at his stall at Jalan Tun Razak here.

He said the T-shirts of various sizes from children aged 13 to adults, were sold at between RM25 and RM50.

Saiful said before starting his career in tie-dye, he was in printing business for six years and was working as a contractor for 18 years.

At the beginning of his career, Saiful incurred losses of around tens of thousands but that did not demoralise him instead he took the initiative to learn the art through YouTube.

"After that, I was inspired to produce T-shirts with the independence day theme beginning last year and it is well received," he said.

He said a shirt, which is using imported cotton fabric and dye, would take about three days to complete at his printing premises in Puchong, Selangor.