One of the most popular creative outlets for artists is quickly becoming T-shirt design. Whether or not you are a graphic artist, illustrator, or typographer, the idea of having your artwork printed on apparel is an awesome concept.
#1. Be patient and flesh out your concept
Have a full brainstorming session, take a stroll, eat some lunch, sketch up your design. Now sleep on it, and do it again. Explore your options and get some constructive criticism.
#2. Picture how it will look on a shirt
There is a huge difference between how artwork looks on the computer and how it translates printed on a shirt in the real world. Do a mock-up, and even print it up in actual size and place it over a shirt if you need to.
#3. Embellishment is nice and all, but keep it simple
Create something that people will notice. Exhibit your drawing ability and attention to detail. Make it your masterpiece. Equally, some of the most quintessential designs convey their message in a clean and simple manner. Find yourself in the middle of that valley and you could struggle to deliver a successful product.
#4. Understand your market
Ultra important, people need to gravitate to your designs and products. Ask yourself, who is your demographic. What other brands do they wear? How does your marketing relate to them on a personal level?
#5. Subtle humor is the best humor
Don’t over do it when it comes to funny designs, it will cheapen your implied value. Comedy t shirts are a tricky beast, but if done correctly they can make heads turn. Balance is important.
#6. Color is paramount
Use not just the ink colors, but also the fabric color it’s self to achieve your look. Halftones will also help you out when color choice is restrictive. Make sure your color choices are complementary.
#7. Prep that artwork beforehand
Your t-shirt printing design company will love you if you prepare your artwork in pan-tone colors. Make sure that any text you have is outlined and expand those strokes. Whether you use Illustrator or Photoshop, there are loads of tutorials out there.
#8. Find and excellent print shop
No shirt is ever better than the t shirt printing design shop you choose. You can hit up a reputable fast t-shirt company or maybe even look into a local shop for your screen printer choice.
Shirt type and brand is very important when choosing what t shirt you want to print on. The sizes, weight, cost, material, etc. will affect your product and quality. This much is for sure, choose a screen printing company who is going to treat your product like it’s art, because it is.
#9. Study up
Educate yourself. If you want to understand the industry you need to research. There is an ocean of knowledge out there on the internet.
#10. Stay a step ahead
Don’t copy the latest trends, just understand them. Get inspired. Once a product or trend is out, it’s on to the next one for a designers everywhere, so the race is on.