10 Places to Find Inspiration for Your T-Shirt Designs
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Updated by Anne Dorfman 1/3/2025
Looking for inspiration to revamp your t-shirt designs and make them stand out? Look no further! We have compiled a variety of categories and resources to help fuel your creativity and spark new ideas. Explore themes and places like pets, travel Pinterest and more to give your designs a fresh and unique perspective.
10 Places to Find Trending T-Shirt Designs
1. PETS
You’ve just stumbled on a goldmine! Nearly half of all American households own a furry friend – that’s right, a whopping 44% have a dog, while 35% have a cat. And let’s not forget the rabbit, guinea pig, fish, lizard, snake and horse lovers out there. With the pet industry raking in $110 billion annually, it's clear that Americans are obsessed with their animal companions. That's why pet-themed t-shirts are all the rage.
For example, if you focus on “dogs,” you’ll learn that Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds top the list in U.S. households. But, don’t forget more unique pet subsets, like pigs or hedgehogs, that other t-shirt shops ignore. Cater to every type of pet parent (“Fur parent and proud” or “Rescue is my favorite breed”) with your designs!
2. JOBS
Not everyone enjoys the daily grind, but did you know that almost half of Americans actually love their jobs? Consider creating job-related t-shirts for people who are proud of what they do, like police, firefighters, first responders and healthcare workers (“Healthcare hero, saving lives everyday” or “Proud to be a healthcare warrior”). But lots of people, from hair stylists and newspaper reporters, to attorneys and accountants (“Crunching numbers and taking names”), are passionate about what they do. Choose a profession or two, and brainstorm appealing t-shirt designs and sayings.
3. HOBBIES, SPORTS & LIFESTYLE
People who search out custom t-shirts look for apparel that matches their interests, whether it’s gaming, crocheting, baseball, football, roller skating, traveling or working out. A good place to start is with your personal interests, since you have an insider’s take on what a vegetarian (“Powered by plants” or “Friends, not food”) or a soccer player (“Eat, Sleep, Soccer, Repeat”) would want displayed on their shirt, hoodie or tote.
4. RELATIONSHIPS & EVENTS
“World’s Greatest Mom.” “Awesome Big Sister.” “Coolest Nana on the Planet.” “Best Dad Ever.” “Bride-to-Be.” “Mom-to-Be.” These t-shirt graphics are super-popular, especially for gifts around occasions like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, bridal showers, weddings and baby showers. There are even shirts for single dads, co-workers, BFFs and the newly engaged.
5. TRAVEL
A certain locale like the beach or tourist destination are chock full of possibilities. Travel t-shirt quotes, famous architecture, local foods and maps are great starting points. And don’t forget different types of travel, like a cruise or camping, with catchy phrases like, "Take a hike… and camp along the way,” “Campfire hair, don’t care,” “Anchors away, adventure awaits,” or “I’m still on island time.”
6. HOLIDAYS & SEASONS
Look no further than the calendar as inspo for print-on-demand designs – New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas, for starters. Don’t forget to check out the National Day Calendar for some fun days, from National Say Something Nice Day to National Go Barefoot Day, that you can create designs for and market to your audience.
7. STATEMENTS
People can’t get enough of t-shirts that make a literal statement – whether it’s their favorite movie, a political or social issue, or a personal interest. If you use bold typography and unique color combinations, you can catch your buyer’s interest quickly with a text-based tee design. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Pop culture: Celebs, fashion, movies, TV and music all make for great text-based designs. But watch out! Before you quote your faves or drop some song lyrics, make sure they're not copyrighted.
- Political and social issues: Whether it’s saving the earth or promoting equality, t-shirts are amazing mediums to raise awareness and start conversations.
- Personal interests: Try a cool statement like “Rock and roll never dies” or “Band life is the best life” for musicians, or for travelers, “Not all who wander are lost,” “Jet setter,” or “Roaming the world.”
8. JOKES
Putting a joke or a pun on a t-shirt is a great idea, since we all love to laugh. Whether it’s a humorous observation or a play on words, sometimes the best place to find inspiration is from everyday observations or the world around you. For example: “I’m not lazy, I’m just conserving energy,” “I can’t adult today,” or “I’m not arguing, I’m just passionate about being right.” You can also make jokes that appeal to people in different professions or hobbies – an attorney might love a shirt that says, “If at first you don't succeed, appeal, appeal again,” and a fisherman would reel in a shirt that says, "I only fish on days that end in ‘y.’”
9. PINTEREST
As we’re rounding out our list of great places to find inspiration for t-shirt designs, Pinterest is a great tool for finding inspiration. Check out these tips for maximizing your time on the platform:
- Search for keywords related to your theme. If you want to create beach-themed shirts, use “summer t-shirt,” “ocean t-shirt” or “shore t-shirt.”
- Hang out on Pinterest boards. Search for boards that focus on t-shirt designs or fashion. You never know what will inspire you!
- Save designs as you go. It’s easy to create your own board or collection by pinning designs or posts you like.
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Watch for trends. Whether it’s a certain typeface, imagery or color palette, take note of different trends so you can incorporate them into your own apparel line.
10. BEHANCE
Behance is a platform for designers across all industries, including apparel. You can search the thousands of designs on Behance, or connect with other designers on a project. If you’re new to Bahance, here are some navigation tips:
- Use the right keywords to enhance your search. Type keywords like “statement t-shirt,” “illustrated t-shirt” or “custom t-shirt” into the search bar to get your creative juices flowing.
- Browse different projects. For example, the platform has a “Popular” section where you can discover the most interesting projects in categories like t-shirt design.
- Save your favorite designs. Like Pinterest, you can save designs to your Behance account with the “Save” button. You can build a collection of designs that you can refer to for inspiration.
- Join design groups. Behance has design groups where you can connect with other professionals and share your work to get feedback.
If you want to revamp your design and give them unique flair, now you’ve got 10 sources of inspiration so you can tap into your creativity. Remember, the key to dreaming up fresh, innovative designs is by putting a new spin on things we all relate to and love. With the help of the tips and resources we've provided, get ready to take your t-shirt designs to the next level and create pieces that truly stand out. So, get inspired, get creative, and start designing!
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With our affordable collection of stylish t-shirts in different colors, fabrics and fits, you can add a lot of personality to your wardrobe or the pieces you’re decorating to sell. Shop CSO’s t-shirt styles for men, women and youth, they’re great for decorating with graphic or text-based designs and wearing everywhere. After all, your new cotton garment is your blank canvas for your creativity and self-expression. The best part? Enjoy free shipping on all orders $50+! Happy shopping & creating!