Making a custom T-shirt starts with a clear description of the person who will wear it and the job the shirt must do. A birthday keepsake, team uniform, event giveaway, and retail product have different needs for fit, print durability, price, and delivery. Put those requirements in writing before you choose artwork or ask a supplier for a quote.
Quick answer
Choose the audience and use, select the garment and size range, prepare artwork at the intended print size, compare production methods, request a sample, and approve a written specification before the full order. Confirm price, quantities, delivery timing, packaging, and how defects will be handled. Keep the approved proof so a reorder can match the first batch.
Write a short product brief
Answer five questions: who will wear the shirt, where will they wear it, how often will it be washed, what is the target budget, and when must it arrive? Add the preferred fit, fabric feel, color, sleeve style, and print location. A school fundraiser may value affordable sizing and easy distribution, while a staff shirt may need repeat availability and a logo that stays legible after regular care.
Decide what is essential and what can change. If the exact color matters more than the garment brand, say so. If a particular fabric or construction is mandatory, specify it and ask the supplier to confirm availability before artwork production.
Select a garment that fits the use
Compare measurements, fabric content, weight, neckline, seams, and fit. A product labelled medium can vary between styles, so use the supplier’s garment chart and, for important orders, test a sample. If customers will choose among sizes, publish actual measurements and a fit note rather than promising a universal fit.
Color can affect both design and production. A light graphic on a dark shirt may require a different print setup from dark ink on a light shirt. Ask the printer whether the selected decoration works on the fabric and color you want. When shirts are worn in heat or used as workwear, select a garment suitable for the climate and activity rather than judging by appearance alone.
Prepare art for the chosen print area
Start with the shirt’s planned front, back, or sleeve location and the actual dimensions the supplier supports. Check that text is readable at that size and that thin lines do not disappear. Request the correct file format, resolution, color mode, and background treatment. Keep an editable master file and a separate production file, and label versions clearly.
Do not copy logos, characters, photographs, or slogans without commercial rights. If a customer supplies artwork, confirm who owns it and who is responsible for its accuracy. A proof should show the design on the chosen garment and identify print size and placement.
Choose production and ask for a comparable quote
Different methods suit different quantities and designs. Screen printing may be considered for repeated artwork; direct-to-film or direct-to-garment may fit other image types or quantities; embroidery creates a stitched result. These are planning categories, not universal rules. Ask the provider to recommend a method for your exact art and garment, and get the setup and per-piece costs in writing.
Send each supplier the same details: garment reference, color, quantity by size, artwork, print locations, delivery destination, deadline, packaging, and label requirements. Ask what is included, whether a physical sample is available, and how long production takes after approval. For more context, compare the site’s screen printing and DTF guide.
Approve a sample before the full run
Check the sample in good light. Compare garment color and fit against the brief. Measure the print from a consistent reference point, check spelling, and inspect the edges, coverage, alignment, and hand feel. Wash the sample using the garment care directions and see whether the artwork changes. If something is wrong, annotate the proof and request an updated sample or written confirmation of the correction.
Do not treat a digital mockup as proof of fabric quality or wash performance. It is useful for visual placement, but a physical sample reveals construction and print feel.
Production checklist
| Item | Confirm before approval |
|---|---|
| Garment | Style, material, color, sizes, measurements |
| Artwork | Correct version, spelling, rights, print dimensions |
| Quote | Setup, garment, decoration, packing, freight, fees |
| Timing | Sample date, production window, delivery estimate |
| Quality | Approved proof and defect or reprint procedure |
Plan delivery and care information
Count finished pieces against the size breakdown and inspect a reasonable sample of the order when it arrives. For a group, pack sizes in labelled cartons or bundles so distribution is simple. Include care instructions that match the garment and decoration. If customers will order online, show measurements, product photos, processing time, and return terms before checkout.
If you need a shirt for an event before a custom order can be produced, see current in-stock T-shirts. For a custom run, visit custom T-shirt options, review the bulk ordering checklist, and prepare your details with the tech pack checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make one custom shirt?
Some providers accept single pieces, while others have minimum charges or quantities. Ask for the total cost and sample process for one shirt.
Do I need a sample for a small order?
A sample is especially helpful when fit, color, or print placement matters. For a very small order, ask whether the provider can show a physical sample of the same garment and print method.
What should I include in a print request?
Include the shirt style, color, sizes, artwork file, print dimensions and locations, order quantity, delivery deadline, destination, and packing requirements.
How do I avoid a mismatch on the reorder?
Save the approved garment reference, artwork, color specification, print measurements, and supplier quote. Ask the supplier to disclose any substitutions before production.
