7 Tips for Better T-shirt Designs

T-shirt design is becoming one of the most popular outlets for creatives. Whether you're an illustrator, graphic designer, typographer or not, the thought of having your design on a T-shirt is a pretty cool concept.

1. Take your time and explore your concept Sketch it out, go for a walk, create a few variations, have something to eat, do a full brainstorming process. Then sleep on it. And do it over again. If it comes to you straight away, great. But explore other options just in case.

2. There are a vast difference between design on screen and a printed piece. Don't be afraid to mock it up on a photo of a model, print it out if necessary and place it on an actual tee, and of course create your artwork at actual size.

3. Detail is king but keep things simple Everyone appreciates great drawing ability and attention to detail. There is nothing better than seeing a really well executed masterpiece on a tee, that you can study for hours. But equally, some of the most classic designs have been the simplest and get the message across through their simplest form.

4. Consider your market This is an important one. Are you designing for male or female, young or old? At the end of the day you're designing a product that you want people to wear. Like a good marketeer would do, write down the exact person you want to attract to your design – who they are, what they like, what other brands they like and go from there.

5. Keep your humour subtle If you're going for a humorous designs you don't want it coming across as a cheap and low-cost joke shirt. Done correctly it can turn heads! Even the most successful loud and in your face designs have subtle humour.

6. Choose a good printing So your design is finished and properly artworked, but your tee will only be as ever as good your printer.

7. Be ahead of the game Be inspired by what the latest trends are but don't copy them. Chances are by the time you have seen that T-shirt produced, other designers are moving on to something else behind closed doors.