A number of technologies exist today, from inkjet transfers to online designers, which make designing and printing your own t-shirts easy and affordable. But ease of production doesn't guarantee a good design. The following are three design components to consider when creating a design for a t-shirt: Contrast, Size, and Balance.
Contrast refers to the difference in two colors. When designing, consider using high contrast colors for your shirt fabric and inks. You can design a shirt to be low contrast, as long as it is a planned aspect of the design. Generally speaking, you want to design and print light inks on dark fabric t-shirts and on light fabric t-shirts you want to utilize darker inks. For example, when you print purple ink on a navy blue shirt fabric, you will not be able to see the ink well. Likewise, if you are printing a lighter gray or silver on a plain white t-shirt, you will experience the same effect.
Contrast is an element that has to be part of the actual graphics to be printed. If you try to use black ink and navy ink as separate elements in your design, you may find that once printed the design appears flat and lacks depth. While not a golden rule, it certainly is something to consider and plan for.
Size is a very important aspect to take into consideration when designing apparel. The size of the design is extremely important. If the design, or text, is too small, people will have a very hard time trying to decipher your message. Also, if you are creating a text only design, try to avoid using more than 3 lines of text. If you have more than three lines of text chances are that very few people will take, or have, the time to read it all. Make sure the graphics you use are large enough to get your message across. If your design is intentionally small, make sure it is a simple and not complex design as the detail will most likely be lost.
Balance refers to the overall distribution of text and images on your shirt. A layout is described as being "heavy" where there is a lot of imagery or thick, full, font styles. As the word implies, when there is an area that is heavy (or light), there needs to be a similar area on the other side. Balance can be focused either left/right or top/bottom. As a design element, balance is an area where there is the most leeway for "breaking the rules". Many times an off-balance, asymmetric design can be very energetic. But for a classic, clean design remember to keep your elements balanced.
When designing your t-shirt, keep these elements in mind. Doing so will help ensure that your shirt will look great and your message will be received.
Contrast refers to the difference in two colors. When designing, consider using high contrast colors for your shirt fabric and inks. You can design a shirt to be low contrast, as long as it is a planned aspect of the design. Generally speaking, you want to design and print light inks on dark fabric t-shirts and on light fabric t-shirts you want to utilize darker inks. For example, when you print purple ink on a navy blue shirt fabric, you will not be able to see the ink well. Likewise, if you are printing a lighter gray or silver on a plain white t-shirt, you will experience the same effect.
Contrast is an element that has to be part of the actual graphics to be printed. If you try to use black ink and navy ink as separate elements in your design, you may find that once printed the design appears flat and lacks depth. While not a golden rule, it certainly is something to consider and plan for.
Size is a very important aspect to take into consideration when designing apparel. The size of the design is extremely important. If the design, or text, is too small, people will have a very hard time trying to decipher your message. Also, if you are creating a text only design, try to avoid using more than 3 lines of text. If you have more than three lines of text chances are that very few people will take, or have, the time to read it all. Make sure the graphics you use are large enough to get your message across. If your design is intentionally small, make sure it is a simple and not complex design as the detail will most likely be lost.
Balance refers to the overall distribution of text and images on your shirt. A layout is described as being "heavy" where there is a lot of imagery or thick, full, font styles. As the word implies, when there is an area that is heavy (or light), there needs to be a similar area on the other side. Balance can be focused either left/right or top/bottom. As a design element, balance is an area where there is the most leeway for "breaking the rules". Many times an off-balance, asymmetric design can be very energetic. But for a classic, clean design remember to keep your elements balanced.
When designing your t-shirt, keep these elements in mind. Doing so will help ensure that your shirt will look great and your message will be received.
About the Author:
Eric is a designer, owner and operator of two popular t-shirt companies, Big Sister Shirts and Phish Shirts.
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