Creating Merch for Your Team: 10 Tips

Wearing merchandise is a fun way to show off your team spirit. Creating custom merch takes some thought, however. 

With that in mind, here are ten tips to consider when creating merchandise for your team.

1. Keep in Mind Sizing

The logo size should depend on the nature of the design and the properties of the t-shirt.  Some shapes can end up appearing too large.

So, for square or circular patterns, use a size smaller than the standard. You may want first to print out your design on paper and hold it up to the t-shirt to get an idea of how it will look.

2.  Determine the Best Design Placement

You want to place your t-shirt design in a location that draws people in. Keep in mind having your team’s name or logo right on the belly isn’t the most flattering choice. Instead, consider placing your logo on the left chest or upper back.

To play around with the look, use design software apps, such as DesignAShirt.

3. Be Mindful of Your Typography

Typography is the technique of arranging letters to make the text easy to read and more visually attractive. There are many elements of typography, including the size of the letters and the line length. This is an essential factor to consider when designing the text for your team’s name.

The style of the type you choose can influence your team’s image. Keep in mind some text fonts are better for certain contexts. If you’re going for a more professional image, you may want to avoid “Comic Sans.” Also, to keep it simple, only use three or fewer different font styles.

4. Think About Design Composition

Composition focuses on how things are arranged and placed within the overall design. This is an important element because it can influence how people feel about the layout. A symmetrical composition can create a calm feeling, while an asymmetrical one can feel more dynamic.

Keep in mind you want to include other text besides just your team name on your merch products. Think about also having some kind of relevant illustration. As you go to place these, reference other kinds of sports hats to see how different companies compose their merchandise.

5.  Make Sure to Have High-Quality Images

Often when you submit your design files, these images may have low resolution. Also, the files are usually compressed, making it hard to see details unless you zoom in. This can lead to low-quality pictures. Keep in mind that images of the web may be too small to use. 

Instead, consider printing using a vector file. There are a few different types, including PDF, EPS and SVG. Also, if you’re adding player photographs to your merch, scan them at a high resolution.

6.  Know Your Audience

When it comes to creating the designs, you want to keep in mind your intended audience. This is most likely players’ families and sports fans. Learning information about their interests and hobbies helps you tailor your designs.

You also want to know your fan’s average body sizes for apparel, such as hats or t-shirts. If you find a good hat style that’s too large, consider shrinking it using steam or the washing machine.

7.  Choose Your Colors Carefully

Colors are an important element of your design. They can invoke certain emotions from people. For example, blues create a calming feeling, and yellows can be more energizing. You may also want to incorporate your team colors into your merch.

8.  Consider Adding Borders and Edges to Your Design

Adding a border around your focal image can make the design look more professional. You can experiment with different border shapes, such as squares or circles. Having distressed edges can bring out a more competitive vibe. For more inspiration, check out other sports merchandise to find common design themes.

9.  Hire a Designer

If you know someone who works in graphic design, this is an excellent place to start. They can help put your ideas into action and give you some of their own. The other option is to hire a professional. This can save you time having to learn new skills.

To find graphic designers search online sites, such as Dribble.com. Once you select an illustrator, make sure to clearly communicate your design vision.

10.  Understand the Different Printing Types

When creating team t-shirts, there are multiple options for printing. Consider your budget and the quantity of material when deciding which method is best.

Here are some of the different options to consider:

●      Screen printing: The printer will make original screens of your design for printing in bulk.

●      Vinyl Graphics: This method uses more durable material than traditional ink.

●      Direct-to-Garment: It uses inkjet printing but prints directly on the fabric.

Tips to Creating Your Team Merch

When it comes to designing your team’s merchandise there's a lot to think about. However, seeing the final product can be rewarding. Keep these tips in mind to create team merch that will stand out from the rest can invoke certain emotions

Author Bio:

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.