When choosing a design for custom printed t-shirts, whether as part of a business marketing strategy or as a one-off for a special social occasion, it can be confusing to know where to start.

1. How to Design a Custom Printed T-shirt
When choosing a design for custom printed t-shirts, whether as part of a business marketing strategy
or as a one-off for a special social occasion, it can be confusing to know where to start. If you have
never designed a personalised t-shirt before, this is unsurprising; however, with a little knowledge
about the design process, you’ll realise it is not as complicated as it initially seems.
The first thing to bear in mind is what you intend the custom printed t-shirts to be used for. This can
greatly affect everything from the design to the method of customisation and the materials used. Do
you count on the t-shirts being used regularly by your staff or yourself? If so, you may choose to ask
the manufacturer about some of the more durable materials on offer.
If you are looking for a very long lasting and durable design, embroidered logos or patterns can be a
great choice.An example of a harder wearing item is the polo shirt, which can last longer than a t-
shirt. If you do prefer a printed t-shirt, however, be sure that your printing company of choice can
fully inform you about whether the item is fit for your needs.
Other options for custom printed t-shirts include screen printing and vinyl printing. Screen printing is
a very versatile option that uses stencils to print onto items of clothing. The process involves the
creation of customised films and screens which apply the colours and designs to the garment in
question.
Vinyl custom printed t-shirts differ significantly in technique. This method involves the cutting of
sheets of polyurethane to create designs to be applied to garments. These pieces of vinyl are
‘printed’ on to the item of clothing using heat treatment.
The vinyl printing method is a popular choice for ‘statement’ t-shirts that spell out words or a
message. A popular example of this method is the ‘I love NY’ t-shirts seen in New York, often worn
by enthusiastic tourists. However, compared to screen printing, vinyl printing often has a one-colour
print limit.
Custom screen printed t-shirts have the advantage of being able to use severaldifferent colours as
part of the design. This allows for more complex prints, although it is worth considering that too
many colours can be too much and can ruin the effect of the design. Experts normally recommend
choosing 2 or 3 principal colours and then 2 or 3 additional shades of the original colours.

2. Obviously, your choice of method will depend on the overall effect you want to create. Embroidered
customised t-shirts can create a durable, classy and subtle look, whereas vinyl custom printed t shirts
are ideal for making statements and screen printed shirts allow for more colour options and
versatility.
Next is to look at different design ideas. It may be difficult to come up with you own, so depending
on your choice of printing method, search on the internet for vinyl, screen printed or embroidered
designs that stimulate your imagination. It is likely that you will find a few that resemble what you
originally had in mind and these will provide a great starting point for your creation.
It is also worth enquiring at one of the many companies who design and manufacture custom printed
t-shirts. The most reputable companies will be able to guide you through the design process and
supply you with ideas that will fit your purpose and your needs.
Furthermore, a reputable company will be able to take your crude ideas and transform them into a
final design that lives up to your original idea. It is difficult to create a finished design without the
help of specialist design software, so it is best to leave this to the pros. Instead, find examples of
designs you like and create a basic sketch and colour scheme to work from.
After taking all these steps, you are ready to turn your design into a reality! If you haven’t already,
search for a reputable designer and manufacturer of custom printed t-shirts and make sure that they
can provide you with the right options to meet your specific needs. All that’s left then is to wait for
your new custom printed t-shirts to be made, delivered and then enjoyed!
About Us:
Reinspire are a UK-based company specialising in creating customised t-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies,
jerseys and many other clothing items. With many years’ experience in the t-shirt printing industry,
Reinspire has served thousands of customers with prints of excellent quality and embroideries of
unparalleled craftsmanship. The company offers screen printing, vinyl printing and embroidery
options for clients ranging from businesses promoting their brands to individuals looking to make a
statement with their everyday wear. Reinspire’s customer care team are on hand to offer expert
advice on the best designs and prints for any product, or simply take a client’s specifications and
design and make them a reality. To find out more, please visit the Reinspire website at:
http://www.reinspire.co.uk/