How to Design a Skate Shirt

If skateboarding is your thing you probably wouldn't be caught dead wearing anything other than a skate shirt. Skate apparel is a big part of what makes skateboarding so much fun. Even if you don't skate, skate shirts make for comfortable and hip clothes. Following these simple steps you can design your own skate shirt and express how you feel about skating.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil and drawing pad Markers Cloth markers Generic cotton shirts Stencils
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Instructions

  1. Design a Skate Shirt

    • 1

      Select a shirt style for your custom skate shirt. Most skate shirts are simple cotton t-shirts, but you can include a collar or v-neck if desired. Draw an outline of the front and back of your shirt on a drawing pad. Copy these outlines so that you have multiple templates with which to experiment.

    • 2

      Choose basic color and design themes. A great skate shirt is made by combining a color scheme with a distinct logo. Most skate shirts represent a particular brand and incorporate the brand's logo into the design. Take a look at some popular professional skate shirts before you begin, like those at tactics.com.

    • 3

      Begin to sketch designs and logos onto your shirt. Most skate shirts work their logo into part of an image or design. Don't feel like you need to make your design or logo clear---skating is an insider's sort of thing and those who know the brand will recognize it. Experiment with colors by drawing on your design with markers. Often skate shirts use only two or three dark colors (avoid extremely bright colors).

    • 4

      Try designs that would normally seem strange or awkward. Skate shirts are rebellious; they use imagery and composition that catches the eye through disruption. For example, try wrapping part of a design or image around the side of the shirt. Sometimes the really cool skate shirts are the ones with nothing but a distinct logo against a dark background.

    • 5

      Purchase several cotton t-shirts in whatever style you desire. Use cloth markers to color your shirt and to apply any writing or logos (always be aware of copyright laws). For writing in special fonts create a stencil. Most local t-shirt shops can print images onto t-shirts. Using all of these resources you can create a distinct and expressive skate shirt.