So You Want to Put That on a Shirt? A Beginner's Guide to Custom Tees
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Here at Dual Threads, we live for turning personal chaos into print-worthy design. From late-night rants to iconic bestie slogans, we've seen it all—and helped make it wearable. If you're thinking about custom t-shirt printing but don't know where to start, we got you. This guide covers:
- How our custom graphics service works
- What files to send (and which ones will make your designer cry)
- Design tips to avoid "high school talent show energy"
- Inspiration from our bestselling designs
Let's get that idea out of your brain and onto your shirt.
Step 1: Nail Down the Idea (Weirdness Encouraged)
Every great tee starts with a vibe. Maybe it's:
- A line from your chaotic group chat: "I'm not messy, I'm emotionally atmospheric"
- Your grandma's most iconic roast
- A motivational quote that sounds like it came from a wine tumbler
- A phrase that sums up your entire life: "Fueled by Coffee, Chaos & Love"
Don't overthink it. If it makes you laugh, nod, or roll your eyes in solidarity—that's a win.
Step 2: Choose the Right Shirt Style
The design is only half the magic. The other half is finding the perfect blank canvas. We offer super-soft, unisex fit tees that are as flattering as they are durable.
Start with one of our customer favorites:
These pieces show how simple fonts, powerful phrases, and clean designs can pop when paired with quality shirts.
Step 3: Prep Your File (No Blurry JPEGs, Please)
File type matters. If you're sending us a design, here are the golden rules:
- Best formats: PNG (with a transparent background), high-res PDF, SVG, or EPS
- Resolution: 300 DPI (dots per inch). Anything less and it might print like a potato.
- No screenshots. If you zoom in and it’s pixelated, it’s not ready.
- Text in outlines: If you’re using a design program, convert text to outlines so we don’t play "Guess That Font."
Hot Tip: Canva is great for mockups, but make sure to download the high-quality version and double-check your export settings.
Step 4: Mind Your Fonts (This Is a Comic Sans-Free Zone)
We beg of you: choose your fonts with care. A great font can make even the most ridiculous phrase look stylish. A bad font? Well, it can turn your great idea into something that looks like it was made in PowerPoint 2003.
Safe bets:
- Sans-serifs with personality (think bold and clean)
- Handwritten fonts (if they’re legible)
- Serif fonts for drama (but not too curly)
Fonts to avoid unless ironic:
- Comic Sans
- Papyrus
- Curlz MT (unless your shirt is about a cursed invitation to a haunted bake sale)
Step 5: Color & Contrast 101
Want your text to actually be readable from 3 feet away? Choose contrasting colors. Light text on a dark shirt = good. Beige on pale pink = chaos (not the good kind).
We’ll help you pick combos that work, but basic color rules go a long way:
- Black on white = timeless
- White on black = bold
- Red on black = drama
- Yellow on white = instant regret
Step 6: Mock It Up Like a Pro
We’ll send you a digital mockup so you can see what your shirt will look like before it goes to print. This is your chance to:
- Check spelling (seriously, triple-check it)
- Confirm placement (chest print, oversized back graphic, etc.)
- Ask your funniest friend for feedback
If it makes your group chat scream-laugh, it’s probably perfect.
Step 7: Approve, Print, and Wait for the Compliments
Once you approve the final design, we print it on our buttery-soft tees using high-quality printing methods that don’t fade after two washes. You get:
- A custom tee made with love and zero Comic Sans
- Fast turnaround
- Endless bragging rights
And yes, bulk orders are available. Got a whole team, book club, or bachelorette party with something to say? We got you.
Custom T-Shirt Printing FAQ
Q: Can I order just one shirt?
A: Absolutely. We love one-off masterpieces. Whether it's for you, your bestie, or your alter ego, we’re here for it.
Q: What’s the turnaround time for custom orders?
A: Typically 5–7 business days once your design is finalized and approved. Need it rushed? Let us know!
Q: Do you help with design if I have an idea but no file?
A: Yes! We can collaborate with you to bring your vision to life. Describe it, doodle it, send us a voice memo—we’ll figure it out together.
Q: Can I print on other products like mugs or journals?
A: Absolutely. Many of our designs can go on mugs, tumblers, and journals. We’ll help make sure it fits and looks fab.
Q: What if I want matching shirts for an event?
A: We love that. We offer bulk pricing for orders of 10+, and we’ll help you get the vibe just right.
Final Thoughts: Your Tee, Your Voice, Your Vibe
The best part about custom tees? You get to wear something that actually feels like you. Whether it’s unfiltered honesty, low-key chaos, or a pun that made your mom groan, it deserves to be seen.
So go ahead: say it louder on a tee.
Ready to create yours? Get in touch with us and let’s design something unapologetically you.