Tee Shirt My Grandma and I Got in Trouble Again

Information technology's stained, it's ripped, it'southward full of holes… Only you just can't seem to throw it out. For a lot of us, our favorite t-shirts are a way to limited who we are. (And for others, they're free advert!) Just how to design a t-shirt that ticks all the boxes? You'll find out below.

We know ironic t-shirts are hot, but this is some side by side level stuff.

Do you accept an killer t-shirt thought and suspect others will feel the same way? Are you looking for an alternative means of promoting your business, or making some side income with merch? Practise you want to commemorate a special issue, like a family unit reunion or bachelorette party?

We've just sent yous your free t-shirt design ebook.

Whatever your reasons, the fundamentals of t-shirt design remain the same; it's what you do with them that counts.

In this Ultimate Guide to T-Shirt Design, nosotros'll run through the each step of the pattern process, from the inception of an idea to getting your shirt mass-produced. No matter how much (or how piffling) experience yous accept, these t-shirt design tips will give you everything y'all need to know.

How to blueprint a t-shirt in vii steps
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• Figure out why you need a shirt
• Define your budget at quantity
• Know your press options
  • Screen printing
  • Vinyl graphics
  • Direct-to-garment
• Brainstorm your design concept
  • T-shirt types
  • Style and imagery
  • Typography
  • Colour
  • Specialty printing
• Find a designer
• Evaluate your design
• Get the right files
• Find a kick-ass printer

1. Figure out why you need a shirt

No matter your reason for designing a t-shirt, it'll e'er involve a petty chip of branding. If yous're using t-shirts for promotional purposes, branding is your main goal. Fifty-fifty if it's strictly style, you'll yet need to weave consistent brand themes into all your products. For personal use—like commemorating an event, for example—you want to make sure your t-shirt pattern communicates clearly.

If you haven't already, write out a list of the key themes, styles, and personality traits you want your brand and shirts to convey. Is your brand playful or serious? Edgy or conservative? Luxurious or affordable? A focused t-shirt design can reply all of these questions at a glance.

What'southward the Prince Adam version of the Brewmaster look like? T-shirt pattern by yuyunarts

Take a quick peek at the example above. What does it tell you about the Brewmasters company? For starters, they don't take themselves besides seriously, and the wooden instruments suggest a more traditional brewing mode that hints at a classic taste. That's a lot of information from a cartoon.

To get the most constructive design, move abroad from your personal preference and rely more on existent, quantifiable information. Who are your target clients/customers? What brand traits practise they want to do business with?

Here are four goals to assist guide your t-shirt design process by helping you lot empathize why y'all need a shirt and what you want it to practice.

Promotional gifts

Your t-shirts are something you lot give away for free to keep your brand in the minds of prospective clients/customers.

This could exist something given away at conventions, conferences, other promotional events or even a exit-behind at a concern coming together.

Internal company usage

Employees become shirts for solidarity, appreciation or maybe even a company uniform.

The goals are similar to promotional gifts because there'south a strong need for branding.

Trade

Your t-shirts are a product y'all program on selling, so brand sure to factor in style, marketability and business strategy.

You'll need to understand your shirt'south place in the market, and then consider conducting inquiry to discover the tastes of your customers. Your own personal tastes are a good start, but when it comes down to selling to the masses, quantifiable data always beats guesswork.

Issue souvenirs

Special events need special souvenirs, and t-shirts are always a great option.

These share many of the same goals as shirts for internal visitor usage (solidarity, appreciation) just for a more coincidental, less restrictive audience.

Regardless of their use, most t-shirts are promotional in some style. Even if y'all're designing t-shirts equally merchandise, include your make logo so observers know who made the shirt if they want something similar. It should take a strong, even dominant, presence on the shirt.

Use the same design quality and cleverness every bit yous would a billboard advertising. More than only clothes, t-shirts provide exposure every fourth dimension a person wears them in public, peculiarly if the owner likes the shirt and wears it often.

In one case you've adamant your goals, you tin can then prioritize the different aspects of your t-shirt design. For instance, fashion might be a high priority for merchandise tees, but not for employee gifts. Yous desire to tailor your pattern in a style that best suits your needs.

2. Define your upkeep and quantity

You're anxious to go to the actual t-shirt designing. We go it. But let'south settle some details first so y'all can focus your pattern amend: namely, your upkeep and quantity. How much you can spend and how many t-shirts you need volition impact your design.

For example, upkeep and quantity will assistance determine how many colors yous can employ. Depending on your press method, boosted colors may cost more than money. If your budget is tight, a expert way to save is conserving colors.

The number of shirts y'all need volition also influence your printing method. Some methods are ideal for press in bulk. Others have a college cost per shirt and are better for small orders.

Before you begin to think about designing or printing, program your budget and quantity appropriately.

iii. Know your printing options

There are a lot of things to consider when yous're looking for the best t-shirt press method for you. Price, appearance, production time, materials—they're all important. The more you lot know nigh each method, the easier it will be to decide which one is all-time for yous.

Screen printing

This is the gold standard for t-shirt press. Your printer makes original screens of your pattern (ane for each colour) so yous tin print in bulk.

Screen press

Pros : Reliable standard for printing. Affordable and loftier quality. Ideal for large orders over xx.

Cons: New screen required for every new color or design revision (which gets costly). Colorful designs end up beingness expensive.

Vinyl graphics

Some other method of heated transfer, vinyl printing uses more than durable vinyl instead of merely ink.

Vinyl graphics

Pros: Extremely durable and high quality. Ideal for when you desire your design to stand out (literally).

Cons: Additional colors toll more than, then complicated designs get expensive. Non dandy for large orders.

Direct-to-garment (or print-on-demand)

A newer selection, DTG press uses the liberty of inkjet printing, but prints directly on fabric.

Direct-to-garment

Pros : Highly customizable designs with maximum detail and all-encompassing colour choices.

Cons : Use for small batches or perhaps a single sample. The more than y'all're printing, the less viable it becomes. Doesn't work well on nighttime-colored garments.

Take a wait at our guide to t-shirt printing for more than information.

4. Begin your design concept

Here comes the fun stuff… Now y'all get to start figuring out what's actually going on your t-shirt! Make certain yous don't jump to this step offset. The more fourth dimension and try y'all put into preparing for this, the ameliorate.

Your design could go in a meg different directions. Every bit you're brainstorming, here are some tips to aid focus your creativity.

T-shirt types

All this talk about t-shirts, and information technology's easy to forget that in that location are lots of different types of shirts. Just to proper name a few…

Think about your audience and intended goals earlier deciding the right type of t-shirt. A revealing crop meridian might not be the all-time promotion for a law firm.

As yous start sketching out t-shirt pattern ideas, make sure it will translate to the actual size. Design using an xviii"x18" sheet and physically identify your designs on a shirt. That doesn't mean you have to fill the whole infinite (similar if y'all're keeping it minimal with a minor logo), only a realistically sized canvas will help you become the proportions correct.

Once you take your design, consider how information technology will expect on larger and smaller shirt sizes. If you choose a screen printing process, different sizes may require different screens, which means additional costs.

Manner and imagery

T-shirt pattern by Prim

At this stage, you have to rely on your creative and artistic instincts to communicate the letters you want to say. Don't forget these questions nosotros talked virtually before:

• What is your make?
• Who is your market?
• Why are yous designing a shirt in the first place?

Put all of that together, and yous're ready to get-go designing a t-shirt that's perfect for you.

For example, have a look at Prim'south  dinosaur t-shirt design. This is a kid'due south merchandise brand, so the style is beautiful and cartoony, appealing to its marketplace.

Compare that to the winning entry for the Pumpkin t-shirt design contest, by 99designs creator DiditRed.

T-shirt design by DiditRed

This German hardcore music festival is definitely non marketed to kids. That opens upwardly their designs to edgier material, which suits their prospective clients better.

Of course, in that location are more options than existence terrifying or sugary sweetness.

Datafinity t-shirt design by Alex Lalove

Alex Lalove shows u.s.a. how to pattern a professional, risk-free t-shirt without beingness wearisome. His winning entry promotes the Datafinity make with its logo front and center, but spices upward the look and feel so it seems more than fashionable than a standard business tee.

Also, call up that your design is beingness displayed on bodies. Lumpy, bumpy bodies that aren't ever as symmetrical as we'd like. Retrieve nearly flat, unproblematic designs since there's no telling where the nooks and crannies will land on your image.

For similar reasons, yous besides want to avert detailed imagery, such as subtle color gradients and intricate linework. Ever err on the side of simple.

Designer Monkeii uses a 2d image and ii colors that match the background well—all without sacrificing the artistic quality.

T-shirt typography

The fonts you lot choose say a lot about your make. Serif fonts (the ones with little arms) or script fonts await more classic. Sans-serif fonts make it more modern. T-shirts offering more of an opportunity than other areas of graphic design to play with fun, crazy brandish fonts, merely do go on readability in listen. If the words on your shirt are of import to communicating your message, make sure they don't become overshadowed past swirly, grungy, loopy typography.

Color in t-shirt design

The element of pattern that is best at instantly communicating personality is colour. Each shade, hue and tint evokes an emotion, acting as a shortcut for you to portray something about your brand at merely a glance.

T-shirt designs have two sets of colors to go on in mind: the fabric color(s) and the impress colour(s).To make sure that these two complement each other, always use your fabric color as the background of your design ideas. (And also note that a colored canvas tin have an impact on what inks expect like, and then make sure y'all talk to your printer about that!)

Pantone colors vs. CMYK printing

Considering of the way t-shirt inks piece of work, printing colors can get a little tricky. The least expensive fashion to print your design will be to judge the colors. Just know that your "teal" might not lucifer your printer'south "teal."

Verbal color matches are possible with Pantone (PMS) or custom blended CMYK inks—but they're more expensive. PMS uses predefined, exact ink tones that your printers can purchase. CMYK printing creates nearly any color past combining Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (black) inks. Cheque with your printer to determine what's available.

Specialty printing techniques

We've just sent you your gratuitous t-shirt design ebook.

Like any other press medium, t-shirts take their ain set unique ink options.

• Plastisol— The standard ink used in screen-printing
• Foil — Shiny and reflective
• Novelty — Glitter, hologram or even a fuzzy feel
• High-density — For a dimensional advent that pops out from the shirt
• Gel — Like loftier-density, merely with a "wetter" wait
• Water-based — No feeling at all; ingrained in the fabric

five. Find a designer

Got design skills? Get crackin'! If y'all don't, d on't worry. There are tons of pros out there ready to turn your design concept into a reality.

The DIY road

The main advantage of designing a t-shirt yourself is the price. If your budget is tight, the decision is already made for you. Design freedom is a huge advantage, but don't forget that professionals know the technical concerns of t-shirt blueprint (plus a whole lot more than). If you broke out into a common cold sweat when we mentioned acronyms like CMYK, yous might sleep amend handing this off to a pro.

Hiring a pro

Rather than teaching yourself marketing, branding and graphic design, why not pay someone who knows all them already?

Designs past Budi A, dudeowl, and Natalia Maca

Collaborating with a freelancer tin can be tricky, but too a lot of fun. Do your best to find a designer that thinks like yous and understands what you're looking for. Consider the designer's personality, blueprint style and expertise. You can also try working with multiple designers at once past launching a T-Shirt Design Contest on 99designs.

Once you've establish your designer(s), y'all accept to clearly communicate your vision. Tell them what about your blueprint ideas, messaging, and intended audience. Include details near colors, logos, visual style, t-shirt type and printing specifications. Send them images of designs that match the style you're looking for. Give them everything they demand to know then you can become the perfect t-shirt blueprint.

6. Evaluate your design

Every bit your blueprint options showtime rolling in, browse through every version and select your favorites. Don't forget your marketing and technical requirements. Will your design fit on a tank acme? Is the amount of color within your budget? Is the messaging right? This isn't only an art contest, but a business organization conclusion. Communicate your feedback conspicuously to your designer to make sure your next prepare of options wait fifty-fifty better.

So, brand sure to run it by both key stakeholders and people who don't have any connection to what you're doing. Even if it'due south just your neighbor across the street, people not closely associated with your t-shirt design will find things y'all never did.

Consider request them:

• What is the one key message you get when you look at this shirt?
• Who is this shirt for?

Their answers to these questions will help yous determine if the t-shirt is communicating what you lot desire it to. If it'south non, go dorsum to your designer and figure out what you can change.

7. Become the correct files from your designer

You've got the perfect t-shirt blueprint. Hell yes! Now get back to that data you got from your printer and check to make sure y'all have the right files.

You probably need:

• Your t-shirt design in vector format. This volition likely exist an Adobe Illustrator (AI), PDF, or EPS file. You'll demand one for each different t-shirt design you're creating.
• Color codes. If your printer does custom colors, make certain you accept the Pantone or CMYK color codes so that everything turns out looking like you want.

8. Detect a kicking-ass printer

Once your design'due south ready, it's press time! Notice ane that offers the method you need at a price you can afford. Of course, extra features and discounts to sweeten the bargain are great, too. Sifting through press options to find the best i for your particular project normally requires experience and time… just we're going to fast-track it for yous!

Our designers create crawly stuff for us, also! T-shirt design by Asael Varas

• Find out if the printer has an in-house art department. Not only does this hateful the printer does in-house prints, but information technology unremarkably means these folks practice good work. Only successful printers tin can sustain an in-house art department.
  
• Asking samples of finished shirts, non design images. Nigh press companies love visitors! Stop past their store to run into and affect their shirts. Recall: a printer's chore is to translate design to an actual print, and simply a finished product reveals that.
• Start building a working relationship with a printer y'all can abound with. Notice a printer who prints six or more than colors. Even if yous don't need that many for your first projection, you might need them later on.
• If y'all're doing a larger gild, make certain your printer offers pre-printing proofs. You won't know for sure how the design fits on the shirts until yous encounter a sample.
• Beware hidden charges, particularly with screens, films or Pantone color matching. Just like any other manufacture, in that location are a few rotten eggs. Go over all the charges earlier payment to make certain they're existence up front end.

Time to design an amazing t-shirt!
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Every year t-shirt design and printing are becoming more than and more accessible. They're something every business can take advantage of… as long as they know what they're doing. Nosotros promise this guide on how to pattern a t-shirt gave you lot everything you need to break into the earth of making t-shirts. Got questions? Ask them in the comments below.

Looking for the perfect custom t-shirt design?

Work with our talented designers to make information technology happen.

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Source: https://99designs.com/blog/design-other/how-to-design-t-shirts/

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