Designing your first custom t-shirt is an awesome experience, providing you with the ability to really let your creativity flow. With that said, we’ve found that many people who design their own t-shirts rush into it and end up unsatisfied when it’s all said and printed. Before jumping into your custom t-shirt design, consider these tips first to knock it out of the park from your very first tee!
Explore Your Concept First
When preparing to create your custom t-shirt design, you’re likely very eager to get it onto a shirt and printed as soon as possible. Our suggestion is to slow that process down and consider every aspect of your design. Your first draft, while critical to the overall design, will likely go through several revisions when you’re done with it and ready to print it. Spend time fleshing out different versions, brainstorming different changes, and experimenting with different layouts. Once you’ve done all this and you’re 100% satisfied with your final design, then it’s ready to move on to print.
Play Around With The Colors
One of the first things you have to consider when working on your custom t-shirt design are the colors of your design. While a combination of colors may work out perfectly in your head, they may not look the same when printed on a tee. This is caused by a number of factors, from the computer screen you were viewing them on, the type of print you’re utilizing, etc. If the color palette you choose just isn’t working, it might be best to make a switch to another color scheme.
Consider Who You’re Designing For
Knowing who your design is for is critical. A message or design might work for one demographic, while completely pushing away another. A corporate event custom t-shirt design will be very different from a band tee, so always keep in mind who you’re designing for before you ever go to print. You’re designing a product you want people to wear, so when drafting your design we recommend having a set frame of descriptions for the ideal wearer. This can include a generalized description of who they are, what they like, and brands they enjoy.
Don’t Overcomplicate It
You want the details of your design to shine through and make your shirt stand out, but you also don’t want it to be so muddy that your message fails to be read. The most classic custom t-shirt designs are simple yet stunning, getting their message across flawlessly while still looking awesome.
Utilize A High Quality Screen Printer
There’s nothing worse than having a great custom t-shirt design, nailing your messaging, and having a subpar print job on it. A poor print or low-quality t-shirt material can completely detract from all the hard work you’ve put into your design. Don’t get caught with weak printing and trust the custom t-shirt design experts at Liberated Images. We specialize in custom apparel & screen printing for brands, businesses, bands, and much more. Simply contact us online or give us a call at (978) 532-1880 to learn more!