Published Apr 18, 2024 ⦁ 11 min read
T Shirt Design with Company Logo Essentials

T Shirt Design with Company Logo Essentials

Designing a t-shirt with your company logo involves more than just placing the logo on fabric. It's about creating a piece that looks good, showcases your brand effectively, and holds up well over time. Here's a quick guide to get it right:

  • Choose complementary colors for the logo and t-shirt that match your brand and appeal to your audience.
  • Select the right logo size and placement to ensure visibility and balance.
  • Keep the design simple to avoid overwhelming the shirt and ensure your logo stands out.
  • Consider the t-shirt material and printing method to make sure your logo looks great even after several washes.
  • Order samples before a full run to check for quality and design accuracy.

These steps will help you create a t-shirt that not only looks good but also effectively promotes your brand.

Prioritizing Logo Visibility

  • Make sure your logo is big enough and placed in a spot where people can easily see it. Common spots are the left side of the chest, the middle, or all across the front.
  • Choose a logo color that stands out against the t-shirt. If your shirt is dark, use a light-colored logo, and do the opposite for light shirts. This helps your logo stand out.
  • Don't crowd your logo with too many things around it. Leave some space so it's the main thing people see.

Incorporating Design Principles

  • Keep things simple. A busy design can distract from your logo.
  • Match your logo color with the t-shirt colors. This makes everything look like it belongs together.
  • Place things in a way that looks balanced. You don't want one side to look heavier than the other.
  • Make your logo the most noticeable thing by making it bigger or using contrasting colors compared to other design elements.

By sticking to these basic design rules, you can make a t-shirt that not only highlights your logo but also looks good. This means using simple designs, matching colors well, keeping things balanced, and making sure your logo stands out.

Selecting the Right Logo Size and Placement

When you're putting your company logo on a t-shirt, it's really important to get the size and where you put it just right. This helps make sure people can see it well and that it looks good on the shirt. Here's a quick guide on how to choose the right size and place for your logo on the front, back, and sleeves of t-shirts.

Front of Shirt

The front of the shirt is where logos are seen the most. Here are some tips:

  • Left chest: A common size is 4" x 4". This is great for logos or small designs.
  • Center chest: Also 4" x 4". This spot is very visible and good for logos or small pictures.
  • Full front: Sizes can be between 10" x 12" and 12" x 16". This gives you a lot of space for bigger designs.

For any text, make sure capital letters are at least 0.3" tall and small letters are 0.25" tall. If you're embroidering, the smallest details should be at least 0.05" thick.

Back of Shirt

The back of the shirt also has a lot of space for your logo:

  • Full back: You can go up to 16" x 16". This is perfect for a big statement design.
  • Shoulder blade: Around 5" x 5". A cool place for a logo.
  • Below neck: About 4" x 6". This spot stands out too.

You can mix and match with the front. For example, add a small logo on the back if you have a big design on the front.

Secondary Placements

Other places you can put your logo include:

  • Sleeves: Up to 4" x 4". Good for a bit of extra branding.
  • Side seams: A more subtle spot, around 3" x 3".
  • Inside label: 1" x 2". A nice touch for branding.

These spots are good for logos, symbols, or small quotes. Using colors that stand out from the main shirt color can help these details pop.

By choosing the right size and place for your logo, you make sure it's easy to see and looks good on the shirt. These tips should help you get started.

Color Matching and Design Considerations

Choosing Complementary Colors

When you're picking colors for your t-shirt, you want to make sure the colors of your logo and the shirt go well together. Here are some tips:

  • Stick with your brand colors: Use the main colors from your logo on the t-shirt. This makes your brand more recognizable. But, feel free to mix in other colors too.
  • Think about what colors mean: Different colors can make people feel different things. Choose colors that fit what your brand is about.
  • Look at a color wheel: A color wheel can show you which colors look good together. Colors that are next to each other usually match well.
  • Pay attention to light and dark: If your shirt is light, use a dark logo, and if your shirt is dark, use a light logo. This helps your logo stand out.
  • Try out different color mixes: Make some sample designs to see which color combinations make your logo and design look the best.

Adapting Logos for T-Shirts

Sometimes, you need to change your logo a bit to make it work on a t-shirt:

  • Keep it simple: Take out small details that might not show up well. Focus on the main parts of your logo.
  • Go for solid colors: If your logo has gradients or lots of textures, switch to solid colors for better printing.
  • Change the shape if needed: If your logo looks odd on a shirt, don't be afraid to tweak its shape a bit.
  • Use easy-to-read fonts: Fancy or thin fonts might not print well. Choose simple, bold fonts instead.
  • Make important parts bigger: Make sure your logo and any text are big enough to be seen easily. Stick to the recommended sizes.
  • Don't use too many colors: Having a lot of colors can make your shirt look too busy. Try to use just a few colors.

By making these changes, you can keep your logo looking good on a t-shirt without losing what makes it special. Always try your design on a computer first to see how it looks before you print it.

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Practical T-Shirt Design Steps

#1 Simplify the Design

When you're making a t-shirt with your company logo, start by making the logo simple. Get rid of small details and focus on the main parts. This makes sure the logo looks clear on the shirt and people can recognize it easily. Use 1-3 solid colors for the best look.

Also, keep the rest of the shirt design simple. Too much going on makes it hard to notice the logo. Use plenty of empty space around the logo to help it stand out.

#2 Experiment with Placement

Using t-shirt mockups, you can try out different spots for your logo without printing anything yet. Usually, logos go about 4 inches square on the front or back. But you can play around with different sizes and places. See how the logo looks with the shirt's shape and try different spots like the chest, back, or sleeves. Mockups help you find the best place easily.

#3 Test Colors and Contrast

Different printing methods let you use many colors, but it's smart to check your color choices on a computer first. Make sure there's good contrast, like a light logo on a dark shirt. Colors can also make people feel certain ways, so pick ones that match your brand but don't be scared to try new accent colors. Warm colors feel energetic, and cool colors feel calm. Mockups are great for testing colors too.

#4 Consider the Print Method

The way you print the logo affects how it looks. DTG printing is good for small orders and detailed pictures. Screen printing is better for big orders and simple designs. Embroidery gives a textured look but usually uses one color. Sublimation lets you print full-color designs on polyester.

Choose the right printing method for your design. This might mean making the logo simpler, using vector images, adjusting the size, or using fewer colors for embroidery. Check with your printer for any special instructions.

#5 Order Samples

Before you order a bunch of shirts, get a few samples first. This lets you check the print quality and see how the logo, colors, and placement look in real life. It's easier to change the design now than after printing lots of shirts. Give the printer feedback on the samples so they can make any needed changes. Your logo should look sharp and consistent on all the shirts.

Conclusion

Making a t-shirt with your company logo means you have to balance showing off your brand and making sure the shirt looks good. Here are some straightforward tips to get it right:

Keep the Logo Simple

  • Cut out tiny details and focus on the main parts of your logo.
  • Switch gradients or textures to solid, flat colors.
  • If needed, adjust the logo's shape to fit the shirt better.
  • Choose simple, clear fonts for any text.

Place the Logo Wisely

  • Stick it where people can easily see it, like on the chest, back, or sleeves.
  • The logo should be big enough to spot without trouble (around 4" x 4").
  • Don't cram it in; leave some space around it.

Choose Colors That Work Together

  • Stick to your brand's main colors to keep things consistent.
  • Make sure the logo color stands out against the shirt.
  • Think about color psychology when picking colors. This means choosing colors that match the vibe you want your brand to give off.

Check Your Design Before Printing

  • Use mockups to try different logo placements without printing anything yet.
  • Make sure the colors look good together on a digital preview.
  • Order a few sample shirts first to see how everything looks in real life.

By keeping these points in mind, you can create custom t-shirts that not only spread the word about your brand but are also something people will want to wear.

Can you make a shirt with a company logo?

It's usually not okay to make and sell shirts with a company's logo without asking them first. But, you might be able to make a few shirts with a logo for yourself or to give away, as long as you're not trying to make money from it. It's always better to come up with your own design.

What do you need to print logos on t-shirts?

To print logos on t-shirts, you'll need:

  • Software to make or change your logo design
  • The logo in a vector format (like .svg or .eps)
  • A printer (could be inkjet, laser, or something special like DTG) and stuff to print with
  • A heat press or an iron for transfers
  • Plain t-shirts
  • Heat transfer paper or vinyl

Can I sell shirts with company logo?

No, selling shirts with company logos without permission is not allowed. Even if the logo isn't officially registered, using someone else's logo to make money can get you in trouble. If you want to sell shirts with a brand's logo, you need to get their okay first.

What do you need for a custom t-shirt business?

To start a custom t-shirt business, you need:

  • Printing equipment and a heat press
  • Design software
  • Blank shirts to print on
  • Transfer materials
  • An online store
  • A website and your own brand
  • A place to work
  • The right business papers and permits

It's better to focus on your own designs instead of using other companies' logos without permission.

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