10 Pro Tips For Better T-Shirt Designs - by Akshita Jhalani - CollectLo

10 Pro Tips For Better T-Shirt Designs

Akshita Jhalani - CollectLo

Akshita Jhalani

Content Writer

5 min read . Sep 03 2023

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T-shirt design is a very popular form of artistic expression. Whether you're an illustrator, graphic designer, or type designer, printing your artwork on T-shirts may be entertaining and a great way to promote your work online.

Making t-shirts might seem like a fun and lighthearted hobby, but with the right strategic design, it could be a useful marketing tool. If brand ambassadors want to create custom t-shirts for their staff, customers, or themselves, they can do so. This allows them to promote their company wherever they go.

However, the process could appear intimidating if you've never done it. In the article, you will know everything from the design's concerns to the practicalities of printing your ideas on T-shirts.

10 Pro Tips For Better T-Shirt Designs

1. Spend some time investigating your idea.

Take your time when designing. You should sketch up your T-shirt design, then go for a walk, go through it several times, eat, have a serious brainstorming session, and then sleep on it. Then retrace your steps. Even if the design comes to you immediately, take the time to investigate other creative options.

2. Picture one of your designs on a T-shirt.

The considerable disparities in how a design appears on a screen and in print are known to anyone who has experience working with both print and the web. Without hesitation, test out your T-shirt design on a model's picture. Print it out if necessary and put it on an actual t-shirt. Make sure to view your work at its original size before continuing. The best way to do this is to make your own T-shirt.

3. Simple is best, but pay attention to the details.

Everyone admires meticulousness and outstanding artistic abilities. Finding a truly wonderful piece of artwork on a t-shirt that you can pore over for hours is the ultimate reward.

However, some of the most recognisable T-shirt designs are frequently the simplest and successfully communicate the intended concept. It could be challenging to deliver a good design if you fall anywhere in the middle.

4. Consider your market.

This is an important one. Think about the target audience for the T-shirt. Do you design apparel for men or women, young or old? Ultimately, you're making something you want people to wear.

Try to describe in writing the particular individual you want your T-shirt design to appeal to. Before continuing, include details on who they are, what they like, and other businesses they prefer.

5. Use Humor Cautionary

If you're going for a humorous design, be sure the T-shirt doesn't appear to be a cheap, low-cost joke shirt. The most effective T-shirts that contain humour do it in a subtle, clever way, even with the loudest and most obvious designs.

Many funny t-shirts lose their charm quickly, but when comedy is done correctly and with a novel idea, it can catch people's attention and make them smile.

6. Choose the Right Colors 

Make use of the T-color shirts and try to employ complementary colours. If using Adobe Illustrator, make sure Global Colors is turned on. This will save you a tonne of time and might even save your life.

You can also use halftones to get the most out of the few colours you are allowed to use.

7. Ensure that your artwork is prepared.

Use Pantone Colors for screen printing. Your printer will appreciate it. Additionally, they'll appreciate you if you highlight any words and enlarge any existing strokes. Use one of the many top-notch Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator lessons to spend some time getting acquainted with the process. Working with you will be appreciated by your print company. There are also various T-shirt design software through which you can creatively design your T-shirt.

8. Locate a reliable printer

Even if your design is finished and your artwork to perfection, your shirt will only ever be as good as your printer. Think about contacting a reputable company. You might also give your local screen printer a call. Researching the type of t-shirt you want to print on is essential, though.

The ultimate product you'll produce will depend on various elements, including weight, sizes, labelling possibilities, price, and others. It will take some time to research this and include speaking with several companies, but always choose a partner who will handle your work with care and treat your t-shirt like a polished retail item. The screen-printing technique. Choose a reliable printer software from web to print spectacularly.

9. Consider Education

To understand something fully, you must study it and understand its context. T-shirts have spawned from every subculture phenomenon that has ever existed, including music, skateboarding, street art, sports, and general pop culture.

To have a greater understanding of T-shirts, read up on their history. Even designs you don't particularly like might motivate you and give you an understanding of what other people choose to wear. Lisa Kidner's book Vintage T-shirts(opens in new tab) is an excellent source.

10. Keep your competitive edge.

It's acceptable to be influenced by current trends, but if you want to stay in style, you shouldn't copy them exactly. Any particular T-designer shirts are probably already working on something different by the time it is produced. Keep up with the most recent fashion and pop culture trends while attempting to forge your unique path.

Conclusion

Don't skimp on either quality or time while creating a T-shirt. Before sending the print order, pay great attention to every detail to ensure accuracy. (T-shirt design mistakes can be pricey if you have to keep the inventory or discard it.) A smaller run of superior quality T-shirts with outstanding designs can become much more popular than a large run of uninteresting designs on subpar material. Unlike a simple marketing plan or product sale, t-shirt design is something that customers identify with your company. For a very long time, people's beliefs can be influenced by a T-shirt's calibre (or lack thereof).