Printed t-shirts are an integral part of everyone’s wardrobe due to its functionality and simplicity. It is ideal for hot to mild conditions and is simple to style. Many individuals use it to express their creativity, interests, and passions. On the other hand, businesses use it to enhance their professionalism, team unity, and branding, plus boost sales. Organizations are also used to promote awareness related to different causes and initiatives.
Overall, t-shirt printing can be useful, only if designed and printed correctly. Sadly, designers and manufacturers commit typical blunders that negatively affect the outcome. Read this insightful blog to find out five common mistakes that you should avoid in t-shirt printing.
Mistake #1: Poorly Placed Design Elements
The most common mistake during the t-shirt printing process is to poorly place design elements. It can make the overall outcome look messy and fail to convey the desired message. For instance, some novice designers place all the elements in the middle of the shirt. Though it is a logical placement, but it may not turn out well on the wearer’s body.
The design should ideally appear at the chest area and end up displaying at the belly level. Understand there is a difference between visual and geometric centers. Placing your appealing elements at the visual location or chest area can make a huge difference in how it’s perceived.
Tips To Avoid:
- Consider the placement about 4 to 6 inches below the collar for adult t-shirt printing UK
- Observe the tee’s cut and overall style, like whether it is V-necks, tank tops, etc. Choose the exact area accordingly
- Employ the rule of thirds to achieve a balanced composition
- Use tools to determine the actual visually appealing spot.
Mistake #2: The Wrong Choice Of Typography
Typography is an important part of the design element. It not only contributes to the overall appeal but significantly impacts readability. Here are some typical wrong decisions inexperienced designers while choosing typography:
It can appear disorganized to use several fonts. Selecting unsuitable or difficult-to-read fonts makes it more difficult to communicate your ideas. It may initially look good on the screen but doesn’t translate well on the printed shirts. The chosen typeface may not fit well with the overall tone of your message.
Improper letters can affect the readability. The space between letters or lines can make the text hard to read and ruin the overall aesthetic appeal. Another mistake is the overuse of capital letters. ALL CAPS work only for short and catchy phrases but not for longer text. So, avoid it otherwise it may look as if you’re shouting in the design language.
Tips To Avoid:
- Only use one or two complementary fonts for a cleaner, cohesive, and professional look
- Choose typefaces that are readable at different sizes
- Use capital letters to emphasis only
- Keep the text height to at least 1/10th the height of the available design diameter
- Test your typography at various sizes, particularly the ones that will be actually printed
Mistake #3: Inappropriate Selection Of Colors
Colors have the power to make or break your t-shirt design. Here are common color-related mistakes designers make:
Just like typography, the usage of too many colors can make your artwork look busy. It also increases the production costs and distracts the spectator from the main message. Poor combinations of shades in shirts or hoodie printing UK can clash with each other and make the typography hard to read.
Even similar colors picked for one frame may result in a dull outcome. The goal is to strategically choose shades that contrast well together and fail to stand out. Usage of tones that don’t go well with the shirt is another major blunder.
Tips To Avoid:
- Learn about the color theory to pick harmonious color schemes for your products
- Select design hues that allow the typography on the shirt to be readable.. For instance, light tones on the dark tees and vice versa
- Don’t use more than two or four colors per shirt.
- Use online color contrasting tools to check the appeal of your chosen combinations
Mistake #4: Overly Complicated Designs
Less is more is that one saying you should always remember while t-shirt printing. Here are a few common mistakes you should never make:
While you may feel the temptation to include every cool element in your design, it leads to cluttered and confusing designs. It becomes a step towards flop artwork. Too much detail, especially on smaller sizes or textured t-shirts will not look clear. An intricate artwork on a small area or a smaller size can turn out to be a big flop.
Tips To Avoid:
- Keep the design simple by focusing on a single concept or message
- Use negative space mindfully
- Restrict the number of colors and fonts you include in your design
- Verify your outcome through the ‘squint test’ by squinting your one eye. If it is still clearly visible on your customized tee or sports jersey, then it is ready for print
- Use a minimalistic artwork if you’ll print it in a small size.
Mistake #5: Low-Quality Imagery And Graphics
Quality matters a lot when it comes to t-shirt printing. Images or graphics are the second factor after color that attracts the spectators. Anything wrong with it, particularly its quality can make all your efforts go down the tube. A blurry or pixelated print due to poor graphics can make the printed shirt appear unprofessional. This mistake commonly occurs when designers use graphics they find online without properly verifying their resolution.
Another typical blunder many inexperienced designers commit is that they don’t remove backgrounds properly. Graphics with solid backgrounds may look like the manufacturer has placed a sticker onto the tee instead of a print. It looks unappealing and amateur. One more slip-up regarding the imagery and graphics is to neglect the file format and size requirements.
Tips To Avoid:
- Use high-resolution images to obtain best-quality prints
- Whenever using vector graphics, ensure its scalability
- Remove backgrounds properly using tools, such as Adobe Photoshop or Apowersoft
- Adhere to the printing file format and size requirements
- Always preview your imagery or graphics before finalizing
Summing Up
Achieving a perfect t-shirt printing is all about paying close attention to the finer details and avoiding common pitfalls. Poorly placed design elements can make even the most creative artwork look unbalanced, while the wrong typography can undermine readability. Color selection is equally crucial. Overly complicated designs can overwhelm the viewer and lose the intended message.
Using low-quality imagery and graphics can result in a finished product that looks unprofessional and cheap. Be mindful of these common mistakes by well-placing your design elements and choosing fonts that are both readable and appropriate. Select colors that enhance rather than detract, keep designs simple, and use high-resolution graphics to achieve flawless printed t-shirts.
Whether new to t-shirt printing or looking to refine your process, these handy tips will help you create visually appealing products that effectively communicate your message.