How Are Graphic T-Shirts Made?

by Kevin Smith Author

Graphic t-shirts are one of today's fashion staples. It's no wonder why these shirts are fun, attention-grabbing, and easy to throw on over a pair of jeans.

But have you ever thought about how your favorite graphic t-shirts are made? A creative process is necessary to produce a witty, attractive tee. From the original vision for the shirt to the shirt's design, to printing the final product, a quality graphic t-shirt moves through several steps before it's ready for sale.

The Design

The key to producing great t-shirts is an attention-grabbing idea. Trendy printed t-shirts in Austin, TX, are popular today because they make people smile or laugh; a t-shirt with an awesome image will instantly brighten up your ensemble.

When a t-shirt designer has an idea for a shirt, they'll start sketching out the words and image for their design. T-shirts with bold or funny statements give designers the opportunity to play with different color gradients, typography, and lettering styles.

A design for a t-shirt differs from most illustrations. The designer must keep the shape of a t-shirt in their mind as they work. The design should be centered on the shirt and not spread out in a horizontal direction. It shouldn't be too intricately detailed because those features may not transfer well to a t-shirt.

Some designers like to sketch their ideas out on paper, and then scan them so that they can polish it up using graphic design software. Other designers might draw on a digital sketchpad or another device. Graphic design programs allow them to incorporate special effects into their work, creating unique styles.

The Perfect Shirt

In addition to creating a design, the t-shirts themselves need to be selected. While all plain white t-shirts might look the same, the quality of the fabric and the shirt's fit can vary.

Some people like shirts made from a mix of cotton and stretchy material, such as polyester. Necklines, such as V-necks and scoop-necks, can also vary. Some t-shirts are made in two fits: one that's a little boxy, for masculine bodies, and one that's more fitted, for feminine bodies.

For many people, though, classic cotton, crew-neck t-shirts can't be beaten!

When the design is done, and the blank t-shirts have been selected, the image file will be sent for printing. From there, the perfect trendy printed t-shirts in Austin, TX, are ready for sale!