October 25, 2026 · 6 min read
How to design your own T-shirt, step by step
From idea to a print-ready design: choosing the shirt, placing your artwork, picking fonts and colours, and checking the details before you order.
Designing your own T-shirt is easier than it looks, and a few simple choices make the difference between a shirt that sits in a drawer and one you wear all the time.
This guide follows the steps in the Kaleido studio, but the advice holds wherever you design.
1. Decide what the shirt is for
A gift, a team, an event, a brand idea or just yourself? The purpose decides almost everything else: a birthday shirt can be bold and personal, a brand piece should be simple enough to wear often, and an event shirt needs to be readable from across the room.
2. Choose the shirt and its colour
Fit and fabric matter as much as the print. In Kaleido you can choose a smooth organic cotton tee, a thick garment-dyed tee with a relaxed fit, or a heavyweight boxy tee with dropped shoulders. Compare the size guide with a shirt you already love.
Pick the shirt colour early: your design's colours need to stand out against it.
3. Choose where your design goes
The front is the classic spot, but the back and sleeves can carry a lot of personality: a small logo on the chest and a large graphic on the back is a combination that always works. The studio shows each area you can print on, so you can see exactly how much space you have.
4. Start from a template or a blank canvas
If you're not sure where to begin, start from a template and change everything: the text, the colours, the graphics. Or press Surprise me for a fresh idea. If you already know what you want, start blank.
5. Add text that reads well
- Choose a font that suits the mood: there are over 160 to search, from bold display letters to scripts and gothic, and you can upload your own if you have the licence to print it.
- Make sure the text contrasts with the shirt colour, and use an outline or shadow when it sits on a busy background.
- Keep important words big enough to read: thin lines and tiny letters can get lost on fabric.
- Use the arc for curved lettering, and adjust the letter spacing for a cleaner look.
6. Use images that will print sharply
Upload the original file rather than a screenshot. For a sharp print, an image needs around 150 DPI at the size you print it, and the studio warns you when an image is too small for its size. A PNG with a transparent background gives the cleanest edges.
Only upload artwork you made yourself or have permission to print: logos, characters and photos by others usually need a licence.
7. Check it in 3D
Switch to the 3D view and turn the shirt around. Does the print sit where you expect on the body? Is it too high, too low, too big? Seeing it on the garment catches the things a flat drawing hides.
8. Review the details before you order
A last check saves a reprint:
- Read every word twice: spelling, names and dates.
- Remember that colours on a screen can look a little different on fabric.
- Check the size, and the front, back and sleeves one last time.