How to Design a Sample T-Shirt

Design your sample t-shirt using software.

Prototype samples of t-shirts are created during the design and development phase of a collection. The sample t-shirt is constructed by dyeing the garment's fabric, drafting the t-shirt pattern and constructing the t-shirt silhouette. Graphic software programs are used to design the sample prior to development. The computerized t-shirt images are created by adding design elements such as fabric color and trim, which are selected prior to designing the sample. Embellishments are also designed prior to creating the computerized sample design. The detailed sketch is the road map for the sample's construction.

Things You'll Need

• T-shirt outline sketch
• Drawing paper
• Soft B pencil
• Scanner
• Graphic software program
• Personal computer
• T-shirt template (optional)
• Color forecasting service
• Pantone color wheel
• Printer

Instructions

Preparing the T-Shirt Sketch

1. Draw a rough outline sketch of a t-shirt on your drawing paper using a soft B pencil.

2. Scan the outline into your graphic software program's image pad. Save the scan in a separate file on your personal computer.

3. Outline the scanned rough sketch with your program's linear tool, a term referring to a program feature which defines vertical and horizontal lines. Although the type of features each program has differs, linear tools are common.

4. Shape the t-shirt's crew neckline and armhole with the curve tool, a term referring to a feature which defines curved, contoured and shaped lines. Activate the feature by on the tool's icon. The cursor is generally positioned over the line's starting point. A line appears connected to the cursor. It is extended towards the line's end point and then dragged at the line's center to shape or curve. Although saving the defined sketch is optional, the t-shirt outline sketch is used as a template for future sample t-shirt designs.

5. Choose the sample t-shirt's color story by selecting colors from a color forecasting service or a Pantone color wheel, which are formulated color chips available as paper or textile swatches. These swatches are used by designers, retailers and manufacturers to develop a collection's color story and dye fabric prior to construction.

Designing the T-Shirt Sample

1. Add color within the t-shirt template by clicking on your color fill tool. Drag the cursor over the selected color. Click the cursor within the t-shirt body and the color will fill the specified area. You will have to separately add the color tool in defined spaces such as the sleeve and crew neckline. Graphic software programs have established basic colors and certain programs offer Pantone colors as well as a color mixing tool to create or match color swatches.

2. Scan your artwork, graphic or patterns such as stripes into your graphic program. Save the scans in a separate file.

3. Resize your artwork, graphic or patterns in your image pad to fit your t-shirt template by clicking on the resizing tool until it fits within your t-shirt template. For example, if your computerized t-shirt template measures four inches in width by six inches in length and your scanned image measures 12 inches in width by 14 inches in length, you will not be able to superimpose the image to fit within your t-shirt template. Save the resized image in a separate file.

4. Click on your framing tool and frame your resized artwork. This is a feature that allows you to frame a specific section of your image pad and make changes within the framed section.

5. Click your duplication tool and copy the framed artwork. Move the cursor over your t-shirt template. Keep in mind that the placement of your artwork will impact the samples and production. For example, if you place your artwork over a neckline, your screen printer will most likely have difficulty screening over a neck seam while developing your samples.

6. Superimpose the framed artwork onto the t-shirt sketch. Save the image sketch in a separate file.

7. Repeat Section 2, Steps 1 through 6 for each separate color, graphic and pattern designed and selected for your t-shirt collection. Save the t-shirts in separate files on your personal computer.

8. Print out your sample t-shirts on your printer. Make sure the printer's resolution is set on high to ensure the printed color resembles your fabric color swatches as well as graphic colors. The t-shirt sample design print out is used as a guide for making the sample t-shirt prior to manufacturing.

References

• Tees: The Art of the T-Shirt; MAKI Design; 2009