Designing your own custom t-shirts is one of the most fun and creative ways to express yourself — whether you’re promoting your business, designing merch for an event, or just creating something unique for your crew. But if you want your shirts to really pop, you’ll need to think beyond the logo and pick the right design details.
At Bare Design Lab Co., we’ve helped countless clients across Massachusetts turn their ideas into eye-catching apparel. Here are our top custom t-shirt design tips to make your next shirt a total standout.
When it comes to t-shirt design, less is more. Simple designs with strong visuals are easier to recognize and remember. Avoid cluttering your shirt with too much text or tiny graphics — clean lines and bold shapes always stand out better, especially from a distance.
Pro tip: If someone can’t understand your design in three seconds, it’s probably too busy.
Colors can make or break your design. Make sure your print colors contrast well with the shirt color — light designs look great on dark shirts, and vice versa.
Bonus tip: Always check how your colors look when printed, not just on screen. The way ink interacts with fabric can slightly change the shade, especially with t-shirt printing in Massachusetts weather conditions (humidity can affect ink curing).
Fonts tell a story just like images do. Choose fonts that match your design’s personality — bold for strong messages, script for elegant looks, and sans-serif for clean modern vibes.
Stick to one or two fonts per design to keep it readable and cohesive. If you’re designing your own shirts, test how your text looks from a few feet away to make sure it’s legible.
Where you place your design matters. Center chest prints are classic, but left chest logos, oversized back designs, or sleeve prints can give your shirt a unique edge.
Pro tip: For event shirts or business branding, use front-and-back prints to maximize visibility and showcase your logo or message.
Even the best design can fall flat with the wrong printing technique. Depending on your design’s complexity and order size, you might choose between screen printing for bold colors or heat transfer for detailed images.
If you’re unsure which method is best, our team at Bare Design Lab Co. can guide you through the options to ensure your shirts look and feel exactly how you imagine.
Great t-shirt design isn’t just about creativity — it’s about clarity, color, and quality. Whether you’re promoting your business or designing something personal, following these custom t-shirt design tips will help you make an impact that lasts.
Ready to bring your vision to life? At Bare Design Lab Co., we specialize in t-shirt printing in Massachusetts that makes your ideas stand out.