Get your design ready

Design tools and tips

The best prints start with a design you’re happy with. Here are free tools and simple tips to get yours ready. Once you send it over, we’ll take care of the rest.

Already have a file? Send it as it is

Upload it in the designer or attach it to your quote. A real person checks every file, and getting it print-ready is free:

Background removedA white or coloured box behind your logo, taken away so only your design prints.
Sharpened for printSmall or soft files, AI pictures included. If one’s too small to print well, we’ll tell you first.
Set up for your garmentColours and fine lines adjusted so they show up and last on your shirt colour.
Small extrasA name, a date or a line of text, added for you.

You’ll see it all on your print check before we print.

Make it yourself

These apps are free to start with and easy to learn, with templates to get you going.

Easiest start

Canva

Thousands of templates for event shirts, names and simple layouts.

Tip: make a template your own by changing the words, colours and layout. Download it as a PNG: a white background is fine, we’ll remove it.

Open Canva ↗

Background remover

Adobe Express

Like Canva, from Adobe, with a free background remover built in.

Tip: use Remove background on your photo or logo before you download it as a PNG.

Open Adobe Express ↗

T-shirt style

Kittl

Made for t-shirt designs: vintage badges, bold lettering and retro looks.

Tip: great for club and event shirts. If the design is for your business, check your plan covers it.

Open Kittl ↗

Make a picture with AI

Describe what you’d like, then ask for changes until it’s right.

ChatGPTDescribe it in plain words and refine it as you go.
Open ChatGPT ↗
Google GeminiQuick ideas, with versions to choose from.
Open Gemini ↗
Adobe FireflyAdobe’s AI image tool, made with business use in mind.
Open Firefly ↗
IdeogramGood at getting words right inside a picture.
Open Ideogram ↗

A prompt that prints well

A flat illustration of your idea, bold clean outlines, three or four colours, centred on a plain white background, no text.

A plain white background is easiest. We remove it for you.
Bold shapes, clear outlines and a few strong colours print best.
Leave the words out and add them in our designer, where they come out crisp and spelled right.
Not quite right? Ask the tool for another version. It’s quicker than a fix-up, and you get to choose.
Download the biggest size the tool offers.

Words and fonts

Type your words straight into our designer: they print crisp and spelled exactly as you typed them.

Looking for a special font? Google Fonts ↗ has hundreds you can use on printed products. Tell us the name and we’ll match it.

Before you send: a quick check

The biggest file you have: at least 3000 px wide for a full front
A PNG with a transparent or plain white background
Photos and AI pictures saved at full size, rather than a screenshot
Words spelled exactly as you want them
Where it goes, and roughly how big (up to 40 × 50 cm)

A logo for your business

For a logo you’ll use for years, on signs, your website and cards as well as shirts, a graphic designer is your best partner, and you’ll own the files.

Search for graphic designers near you, have a chat about what you need, and see who’s a good fit. They’re welcome to work with us directly: share our email, orders@tshirtworkshop.com.au, and we’ll tell them exactly what we need for your print.

What to ask your designer for