Step by step guide on how to design better products.

1. How to Optimize Your T-Shirt
Designs for Max Wearability
We want people to wear the shirts we make. And sometimes, despite top-
notch graphics, it’s subtle misfires that keep these shirts on the hangers (or
boxed up at parents’ houses). While nobody may outwardly criticize your
designs, there are subconscious preferences at play that may discourage
people from wearing your tee (as outlined below).

2. Don’t burn your money on shirts that don’t get worn. Here are a few
guidelines to screen your designs before hitting the screenprinters.
. . .
Design + Composition
This is not talking about the content of the design, but rather the
formatting, layout, and composition of the elements.
. . .
No full-torso graphics.
Some people can rock large graphics on their torso. But graphics that pass
the sternum draw the eye to the stomach and can discourage larger people
from wearing them.
. . .
Don’t go too wide.

3. If your graphic is too wide, it’ll get lost in the armpit folds. I use the nipple-
to-nipple longitudinal region (about 9 inches wide) as an easy rule of
thumb. The human back is flatter than the chest, so this is less of an issue
for the reverse side of the shirt. If you must use a back graphic, it can extend
up to 12 inches wide.
. . .
Don’t go too high or too low.
This is a precision exercise. Chest graphics that are too high make the body
feel empty, while graphics that are too low appear saggy and run the risk of
getting hidden underneath the downslope of breasts. To solve this, start by

4. vertically centering graphics on the nipples. If that doesn’t look optically
correct, raise it an inch or so.
. . .
Don’t touch the shoulders.
Only TapouT is allowed to do this. And only assholes wear TapouT.
. . .
Don’t forget about boobs.

5. You can’t really avoid placing your design on the chest, but do try to avoid
elements that emphasize the breasts. It’s a rare occurrence, but you’ll want
to be conscious of, say, a graphic of a face with two precariously placed
eyeballs. Be considerate. And remember, women aren’t the only people with
potentially large breasts.
. . .
Garment Selection
Choosing the right base product to print on is just as important as the design
itself, so don’t let it become an afterthought. Here’s are my favorites, sorted
by price to help match your budget.
All styles shown are unisex short sleeve, the most common shirt for general
audiences. That said, each product below is part of a family of styles with
women’s fits, youth, long sleeve, v-neck, etc. Check links for alternatives.
. . .
American Apparel 50/50 ($$$)

6. Product ID: BB401
50% Polyester, 50% Cotton
aka Poly-Cotton Crew Neck
This is the tech world’s favorite skin shield.
Pros: Good fit for most people. Lightweight. Wide color selection. Subtle
heathered look.
Cons: Expensive. Gets pilly after a while. Runs a bit small. Somewhat
inconsistent sizing and construction.
. . .

7. Next Level Poly/Cotton Crew ($$)
Product ID: 6200
50% Polyester, 50% Cotton
This it the tech world’s favorite knock-off American Apparel.

8. Pro: Moderate pricing. Rising in popularity (and availability). Tear-out tag
for max brand ownership.
Con: Baggier fit. Limited color selection.
. . .
Gildan Softstyle ($)
Product ID: 64000
65% Polyester, 35% Cotton (* heather styles only!)

9. Passable as a knock-off American Apparel. I confidently endorse this product
for the budget-conscious.
Pros: Super inexpensive. Comfortable fit. Thicker weight (longer life).
Cons: Annoying tag. Slightly lengthy. (*) Non-heather shirts have a different
material composition and are not as soft.
. . .
Epilogue
There is certainly space for experimental design and breaking the norm in t-
shirt graphics. Some of my own favorite shirts don’t conform to these
standards. But when your goal is to attain mass-wearitude and universal
appreciation, these are good measures to follow.
. . .
I’ve been making shirt designs for almost ten years, but only recently began
learning about screenprinting. It introduces a whole world of nuance and
craft to apparel — I recommend trying it out! My buddy Jackson and I ran
Pantschanger Prints, a small batch shirt co, for fun out of our house.

10. . . .
(I modified a version of VecFashion’s t-shirt graphic for the demos above.)
. . .
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Here’s Jackson, all messy in our living room.