If you’re interested in creating custom apparel for your brand, event, or team, t-shirts are a cost effective way to start. T-shirts are accessible and easy to print on. To get started with your new t-shirts, you’ll need a design. There are a few quick tips that we have for people looking to create awesome custom apparel.

Why Print on T-Shirts

T-shirts are one of the most common (and popular) items for people looking to get quick and easy custom apparel. They can be screen printed on easily and look great when finished. You can use t-shirts for anything from kid’s sports jerseys to family vacation swag. They come in a wide variety of colors, brands, and blends. There’s a t-shirt for every type of person.

1. Research your target market

Defining your audience is the first step you should take in printing custom t-shirts, even before thinking about the design. If your audience is fans of metal music, they’re likely going to want a darker t-shirt. If your audience is athletes, you’re likely going to pick a lighter, more breathable blend. Your research will also help with your design down the line.

2. Make an good design

This might sound like an incredibly simple tip, but hear me out. Unless you’re a graphic designer, creating a good looking t-shirt can (and will) be hard. We recommend going to a printing company or graphic design agency that can help design the shirts and facilitate the rest of the printing process.

3. Make your shirt make sense

Similarly to defining your audience, your custom apparel should make sense as a whole. For example, if you’re promoting your business your logo should be on the shirt. If you’re looking for more cost effective shirts for giveaways, consider printing in one color and one location. Each additional color and location will increase your price. It’s these little things that will make the difference between a good t-shirt and a great t-shirt.

4. Quality

If you’re looking to make custom apparel, there is no situation in which a quality t-shirt DOESN’T benefit you. A quality made t-shirt will last longer and get far more “wears” than a poor t-shirt. More “wears” means more exposure for your brand or just more time repping your favorite bands or sports teams.

Low quality t-shirts can tear easily, either on the seams or in the middle of the fabric. Low quality t-shirts can also cause other technical issues with your custom apparel. Not all screen printing is created equal. High quality screen printing makes the imprint on your shirt last longer, as it won’t crack or peel.

Remembering these 4 things will help you create custom apparel (not just t-shirts) that everyone will love. If you’re looking for custom apparel, J&R Pring can help. J&R Print is the printing side of J&R Marketing, a full service marketing and branding agency that specializes in digital, print, and design. Contact us to get started today.