Getting Started
There are plenty of direct to print places, where you select a basic white tee and a graphic, and voila, you got yourself a printed tee. But how do you design a custom tee that mirrors the coolness of a vintage band shirt, name-brand merch, or cheeky graphic tees? Simple, it's all about the design process. Design is not just picking color and the graphic but how you piece together everything that really makes it pop. Scroll through my suggestions on how to make your tee a cut above the rest.
Silhouette
The type of T-shirt is important. Most print-on-demand companies offer really basic styles. They honestly look like old school Hanes undershirts that are anything but fun. Below are few cool silhouettes to consider. If your still stuck, look up your favorite basics brand and search the T-shirt silhouette styles you like the best and keep note.
Boxed Tee
Contrast Pocket Tee
Mockneck Tank
Racerback Tank
Henley Long Sleeve Tee
Raglan Long Sleeve
Crewneck Long Sleeve
Graphic Design & Placement
A compelling design really works wonders. It takes a basic print and transitions it into something you want to wear instantly. So how do you get that design? Explore graphic designers and illustrators to understand what you like. Do a simple google search of graphic T-shirts or graphic designs, look up graphic designers and illustrators on Instagram, or collect pins on Pinterest, to understand the style you gravitate toward. Then after you narrow it down, you can understand what technique you like. Do you like typography, pencil illustration, charcoal illustration, watercolor, pen and ink, collages? All these visuals will help carve out the design you want.
Next, is placement. Once you are settled on the design, placement adds another element of creativity. Do you want it on the sleeve, printed on the pocket, straight down the back, or along the neckline? Placement is every bit about the design as the design itself, so get thinking.
Printing Techniques
Last but not least are printing techniques. Printing graphics on T-shirts is a whole other process. Below are the three most common printing methods along with a few frills if you are feeling extra fancy.
Screen Print- a process where each color requires an individual screen where ink is transferred through a mesh. So if you have 4 colors, you would need 4 screens. Pro of this method, it's long-lasting so designs don't fade easily after wear and tear. Cons, it can be expensive with each color is a new screen charge.
DTG- Direct to garment printing is similar to the process of your at-home printer. PRO, it's cheaper especially when you are trying to achieve multiple colors or a detailed intricate design.
Sublimation - Use Heat to apply ink to the T-shirt. PRO, produces vibrant color and high-resolution quality as well as it being cost-effective with its high output with a short time period. CON, not all fabrics are compatible, synthetic fibers like polyester or blends work best compared to natural fibers such as cotton.
Next Steps
Silhouette, Graphic Design, Placement, and Printing can all get pretty technical. So my approach, shop for T-Shirts where you like the look and break it apart. What is the silhouette, what type of graphic design did they use, how was the placement on the tee, and what printing method did they use. The more you recognize what you like in existing designs, the more framework you have to create your own.
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