The popularity and flexibility of t-shirts mean they are an excellent medium for custom printed designs. Modern printing equipment also means it’s easier than ever before for people to create a design and have it printed. This, combined with the rise of the ecommerce industry, has seen a surge in the custom t-shirt market. Indeed, the industry is expected to rise by a compound annual growth rate of 9.9% between 2022 and 2030.
Such figures make it easy to see why more people want to get involved in selling custom t-shirts. However, while ecommerce stores are easier to open than brick and mortar stores, there’s still much to consider to make the business successful. For example, one of the most important considerations is getting your designs right so they appeal to enough people.
However, creating successful t-shirt design images is easier said than done, and it can also be difficult to find inspiration. The good news is that there are plenty of places online where you can find t-shirt design ideas.
We have created this article to help you know where you can find the inspiration that will help you create t-shirt design images that will fly off the virtual shelf.
Places to Find T-Shirt Design Ideas
Amazon
Amazon is the largest ecommerce platform in the world, so you can expect to find no shortage of t-shirt design ideas for businesses there. Indeed, the platform sold 12 million products in 2020, and the platform has grown even more since. Many of the sales made on Amazon will be custom t-shirts.
All it takes is a quick search for custom t-shirts on Amazon and you will find thousands of designs covering just about any topic you could imagine. You can also use keywords to help you find ideas on specific topics for inspiration for your niche. You don’t have to stick with looking for ideas from t-shorts only; other apparel can also be an excellent source.
In addition to being a superb source of inspiration, Amazon can also be helpful in other ways. For example, the platform lets you know how many pieces of a particular product have been sold, while you can also read customer reviews on products. The reviews alone could give you plenty of ideas while also helping you know what to avoid.
Also, keep an eye on prices, and this applies to other sources of inspiration. Getting the pricing right is essential if your products are going to sell, regardless of the design. If you price your products too low, they will appear cheap and undesirable while also decreasing your profit per item. Price them too high, and you are unlikely to sell enough.
Social Media
Social media platforms are vast, bringing people together from across the planet and allowing them to set up groups of like-minded people so they can share their interests. Such interests include t-shirt design in addition to any other design niche you can imagine. Not only does social media help you reach out to other people, but it’s also very easy to do. Once you’ve found the right group, you can jump right in, ask questions and wait for others to reply.
Not only will such groups give inspiration for t-shirt design images, but they can also give other helpful information on the topic. For example, if you have questions about which materials to use or even how to market your products, there’s likely to be somebody who can help. Not only can you get answers to your questions, but you could even form new relationships along the way.
Individual Ecommerce Stores
In addition to Amazon and other giant ecommerce platforms, there are also many independent ecommerce stores. These stores are usually easy to find; after all, they want to make themselves as visible as possible. One of the best places to look is marketplaces like Etsy, where you will find many stores in one place, along with contact details.
Many of these independent stores will also sell custom t-shirts, giving plenty of t-shirt design ideas for businesses. In addition, individual stores will often focus on a particular niche, which is great if you focus on the same niche yourself. Instead of having to browse through numerous stores to find something relevant, you can instead look for inspiration from just a handful.
When you check out individual ecommerce stores, you should also have a look at how they present their products. After all, getting the presentation right on your store will help to encourage sales. This includes having a look at how they package their products.
Google Trends
Google Trends is a platform that gives insights into what people are looking for on the internet. While the platform might not provide you with design ideas directly, it still offers insights into current trends, helping you come up with designs that are in demand. Google trends will also give you information on seasonal trends that you might not have noticed, helping you sell the right designs at the right time.
Google Trends is also very easy to use, doesn’t cost a penny, and you don’t even have to sign up to use it. You can even set up Google Trends alerts so you know when topics in your niche are trending. Being able to keep up with and even pre-empt trends makes it easier for you to create t-shirt designs images that sell.
Design Websites
The internet is awash with websites dedicated to t-shirt design ideas. Not only do such sites give you inspiration for designs, but they can also help with other practical information. For example, some websites will help with information related to different practices and methods that help you get the most impact from your designs. Many design websites let you follow certain designers, which is ideal if you find great ideas from a designer that works in a particular niche.
You can also find design forums where you can chat with other designers and exchange ideas on t-shirt design front and back. Being able to exchange ideas in this way gives new designers the chance to tap into the experience of more seasoned designers. On the flip side, experienced designers can learn from fresh input from younger people new to the role.
The Real World
While there’s no denying that the virtual world is a haven for ideas and inspiration, it’s no substitute for the real world. Go to a shopping mall or another public place, and you will see an enormous range of designs in the same place. You can also go to places that are likely to draw in your target audience, helping you find ideas related to your niche. For example, if your niche is focused on young people who enjoy skating, a skate park would be the perfect source of inspiration.
Remember that you can find inspiration for t-shirts all around you in the real world, not just in other t-shirts you see. For example, you might see a cool design on a hoodie or a baseball cap that would work great on a t-shirt. You might even find inspiration from graffiti or perhaps a shop window display. Just keep your mind open and your eyes peeled, and you never know what you might find.
Summary
It’s not uncommon for designers to hit a wall when it comes to ideas, but there is plenty of help available online and in the real world. For example, you will find many online stores showcasing their t-shirt designs, while you will also get insights into which designs sell well, and you can even read reviews in some cases.
There are also social media groups and websites that are packed full of inspiration, and you can also talk with other designers. You will find a plethora of groups on platforms like Facebook that are easy to get involved with. You could even end up making friends along the way.
And don’t forget that there’s also plenty of inspiration around you in the ‘real world’. So, if you’re stuck for ideas, go for a walk and see what you find; you might even find ideas in the most unexpected places.
Remember that while it’s fine to take inspiration from other ideas, it is not good to copy outright. Instead, take ideas and add your own twist to them, perhaps incorporating them with other ideas. You will also need to consider other factors such as the printing process, materials, and how to market and sell your t-shirt design images.
Another key consideration is the print on demand partner you work with. You will need a partner you can count on to deliver quality printed products. They will also need to send products out to your customers on time and provide a pleasant all-around experience. When working with the Printbest team, you can be confident you have a print on demand partner that will help your business excel.
