Have you read the stories of T-shirt millionaires spreading around the web?
For example, TJ Mapes and two of his friends made millions after starting RIPT Apparel in 2009. Now, thousands of people are earning a good income selling cool T-shirt designs using print on demand.
It’s a great way to build your portfolio as a designer because you don’t need to worry about upfront costs, and you can quickly get feedback on your designs based on demand. Learn all about print on demand T-shirts in this tutorial.
What Is Print On Demand and Why Does It Matter?
Print on Demand (POD) is a process where a designer teams up with a supplier to print their designs on white-label products like T-shirts, mugs, or blankets, whenever someone buys them online.
Print on demand T-shirt designs are a growing market. A 2021 report from consulting firm Grand View Research shows that the custom T-shirt printing market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 9.9% from 2022 to 2030.
The only con is that you've got no control over packaging, and the printing customization is limited to the methods used by said party. Shopify's post on POD has more information about the pros and cons of POD.
Print on Demand, Not as Easy as It Sounds
It’s impossible to tell which design will click. A design might look artistic to you, but your customers might disagree. And just when you think you’ve found a promising design, it might be too late because many designers have seen it and are already copying the trend.
Without knowledge of your target market and proper research, you could waste a lot of time and money designing POD merchandise that doesn’t sell. To avoid that, this tutorial will cover some different ways to research profitable designs for different POD niches and show you where to find images and fonts to use to create those designs.
7 Best-Selling T-Shirt Niches and Print on Demand Product Ideas
Print on demand has several niches. Each niche has its own set of slang, reasons for buying, and popular T-shirt design ideas, so knowing your niche makes it easier for you to create items they’ll want to buy.
Below are some of the most popular T-shirt ideas, plus some print on demand products where you can use them.
1. Pets
People love their pets, which is why the pet industry is worth billions of dollars a year. For cool shirt designs, you can go for the common sub-niches like dogs, cats, or birds, but there’s also a market for uncommon pets or large animals, such as horses, lizards, wolves, and hedgehogs.
Placeit has plenty of pet T-shirt templates and cool shirt ideas available to choose from, such as the one below:
2. Jokes
Check out this T-shirt graphic design idea. Statement shirts and T-shirt quotes are great conversation-starters. Humor-related POD merchandise could have funny images, punchy one-liners, nerdy jokes, or even memes. These will make cool shirt designs.
If you want to give potential buyers a feel of what a shirt would look like when worn, use T-shirt mockups from Placeit.
3. Jobs
You might hate your job right now, but there are millions of people who wake up every morning proud of what they do.
Jobs can make cool shirt designs. Not all jobs are popular, though—some have more passionate employees than others. For instance, lawyers or accountants don’t get as much love compared to nurses or firefighters.
4. Sports, Lifestyle, and Hobbies
Another reason people buy custom-printed merchandise is to show off their hobbies, sports, or lifestyle.
Here are some best-selling T-shirt niches to consider for your T-shirt business:
1. Sports Niche Ideas
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Football
- Cycling
2. Hobby Niches
- Crocheting
- Gamers
- Fishing
- Bookworms
- Gardening
- Anime/Manga
- Cars
3. Lifestyle Niches
- Digital nomads
- Entrepreneurs
- Vegetarians
- Work-at-home moms (WAHM)
- Travelers
- Yoga
5. Family and Relationships
Have you ever seen T-shirt quotes saying “World's #1 Mom” and thought, “Who would actually wear this?” T-shirt graphic designs like this are popular, especially on Mother’s Day. You can also find custom-printed items for single dads, newly-engaged women (“bride-to-be”), sibling love, newlyweds, and grandparents. There’s even a T-shirt niche list that includes friends and co-workers.
6. Location and Travel
Almost any tourist destination will offer cool hoodie designs, cool shirt designs, and collectibles designed based on their local attractions.
Travel T-shirt quotes, architecture, local delicacies, and maps are also used in travel-related print on demand merchandise.
7. Seasonal Designs
Christmas sweaters aren’t the only POD item you can sell on holidays. Seasonal designs for cool shirt ideas also include Thanksgiving, graduation, Valentine's, Halloween, and other holidays. Religious holidays like Hanukkah or lesser-known holidays like National Pasta Day also have their place in the market, but only if you time your promotions well.
How to Choose Best-Selling T-Shirt Niches
POD shirts, jewelry, shoes, and other custom-printed merchandise are what people call impulse buys, so the best way to sell them is to tap into people’s emotions.
People purchase these items because they want to show off their individuality, whether it’s their job, pet, hobby, sport, or a country they just visited—the design shows something about them. Keep this in mind when you're looking for T-shirt niche ideas.
Another factor to consider when choosing a niche is the market size. You could have a niche you're extremely passionate about, but if there aren't enough people there, you’ll quickly run out of customers. One way to check a niche’s audience size is to use Facebook’s Audience Insight tool or check the keyword search volume for your audience on Google.
Read the following tutorials to find out how to research T-shirt niche ideas:
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How to Define a Target Audience (For Your Marketing Plans)
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How to Define, Analyze, & Seize a Market Opportunity
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How to Do Market Research Right for Your Small Business
Selecting a huge niche also gives you room to branch out into sub-niches. If you want to sell job-related shirts, you can break it down into different categories such as nurses, firefighters, and teachers. From there, you can even break it down further into smaller niches such as pre-school teachers or ER nurses.
How to Conduct T-Shirt Market Research for Your Chosen Niche
Now that you’ve chosen a niche, it’s time to research what to put on your designs. You can use your preferred method for collecting information, be it bookmarks, Pinterest pins, or an Excel file. The important thing is that you find a way to save and organize the information you collect during this research.
Below are different ways to research T-shirt graphic designs to put on a shirt and other print on demand products, like cool hoodie designs.
1. Finding Cool T-Shirt Design Inspiration Through Amazon Merch
If you're looking for cool shirt ideas, Merch by Amazon is Amazon’s very own platform for POD T-shirts.
A free tool from Merch Titans allows you to search the cool T-shirt designs uploaded to Merch by Amazon based on keywords, the marketplace it was uploaded to (i.e. Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk), and the type of merchandise (i.e. shirts or hoodies).
The search results will show:
- Design image
- Items sold
- Price
- Brand
The results aren’t 100% accurate as they’re based on the tags and descriptions store owners use on listings. If a design is listed with multiple or related keywords, they can show up in your results.
2. Searching With Pinterest and Facebook
Facebook is a social platform, but it’s a good way to find print on demand T-shirts because this is where competitors are promoting their designs using Facebook ads.
Just type your niche’s keyword and the word “T-shirt” or whatever print on demand merchandise you’re selling into the search bar. You can also use promotional words like “on sale” or “limited time offer.” Some people search based on POD platforms, so they use search words like “Teespring” or “Redbubble” so they see all posts with that platform’s URL or name.
You can also filter the search results based on the date of the post, so you only see the latest designs promoted on Facebook.
The same method can be used to find cool hoodie designs and T-shirt design ideas on Pinterest, except in this case you’ll use the number of “pins” to gauge a design’s popularity. Pinterest will also help you narrow down your search by displaying popular keywords associated with your initial search.
This cool shirt design found on Pinterest comes up on the main search page, a good sign that cat lovers would purchase a shirt with a similar design.
Looking for cool and unique designs for shirts? You don’t even need to draw a cat from scratch to create something similar to this design. There are lots of graphic options for cat T-shirts on Placeit to add to your cool shirt designs:
3. Search Unique Mug and Shirt Design Ideas via Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace for hand-crafted products, but you’ll also find print on demand products there. To find creative T-shirt design ideas, just type your niche’s keyword in the search bar. You can also try different keyword combinations like “niche + joke” or “niche + another niche” to get unique shirt design ideas.
Take note of the designs with lots of reviews, but make sure the reviews are for the item you’re viewing and not for another design. Some items have reviews below for a different product.
4. Search for Cool T-Shirt Designs via POD Platforms
You don’t need to create a website to sell your POD designs because there are dozens of marketplaces that'll allow you to upload your designs on their site, so you can earn when someone purchases your item from them.
Not only can these sites help you sell your cool shirt designs, they can also help in your POD and T-shirt market research. Just type the keywords for your chosen niche, and then filter the search results based on hot T-shirt designs or the newest listings added. You'll get plenty of creative T-shirt design ideas.
Below are other POD marketplaces where you can find design inspiration:
You can also search for T-shirt ideas on TeeSpy, a website that consolidates designs from Teespring, Sunfrog, and Teezily.
5. Searching for Unique Shirt Designs via Google Images
Finally, there's the tried and tested method of searching for creative T-shirt design inspiration using Google Images. Go to https://images.google.com, and then type the niche you’re trying to research.
Try a combination of different keywords, such as:
- Niche + funny
- Niche + joke
- Niche + quotes
- Niche + slang
Google Autosuggest will also show you other phrases to use in your research.
The search results may not be limited to shirts, but some of these quotes are short and snappy enough that you can easily fit them into a mug or hoodie.
Caution: Many of the images you'll find on Google images are copyrighted. Be careful not to use an artist’s images or copyrighted items to avoid a lawsuit. Use the results of this search for inspiration only.
Combine some of the quotes here with a professionally designed running T-shirt template design on Placeit, and you’ll have some wall decal or T-shirt ideas ready for a promo test.
6. Searching T-Shirt Design Ideas via Reddit and Other Social Platforms
Your niche doesn’t have to be news or politics for this tip to be useful for you. Whatever is trending in your niche, there’s a good chance that you’ll find a clever quip about it on one of these platforms.
Platforms where you can search trending, viral, or meme items:
- 9GAG: A website and social site where you can publish and curate jokes and memes for a variety of niches.
- Reddit: The site is divided into different communities, and some communities will have sub-groups (a.k.a. “subreddit”) to further organize the conversations. The best posts get the most replies and votes (a.k.a. “upvotes”) from community members.
Not everything you find on these websites is applicable to POD, as the majority of the information you’ll find here isn't commercialized. These are just people talking about all sorts of things, so you’ll need some creativity to imagine how the information can be translated to a hoodie or POD blanket design.
The relationship category on 9Gag is full of jokes and complaints about relationships. But there are posts where the image’s concept or a text version of it might work well on an apparel design.
You can find many unique quotes on subreddit threads, and almost none of these quotes are trademarked because these are from ordinary Reddit users being their sarcastic or funny selves. Unfortunately, digging into Reddit to find puns and jokes is a chore because there are so many active conversations to track.
Simplify your research easier by searching for “pun trains,” the term used when users play off on each other’s puns. Another way is to look up Reddits dedicated to jokes. You can also find a detailed tutorial about using Reddit to search T-shirt designs on MerchPursuits.
7. Combining Niches to Create Cool T-Shirt Designs
Combining niches allows you to hone in on a more specific target customer, while giving your designs a unique and authentic feel.
One typical example of this is the “Niche + Born in (month)” combo, where you combine a positive trait or niche with a target buyer’s name. Designs like this make the buyer feel special, because they think they’ll be one of the few with an item like it.
Here’s a combined niche idea: Mermaids + month via Etsy. Use a different image or icon, combine it with a unique typeface, and you’ll get a unique design ready to sell.
You can also combine relationship and job niches, like this design for a “Firefighter Mom I Only Raise Heroes” shirt from Etsy.
A Word on Avoiding Copyright Issues and Using Mashups or Parody
Some designers and POD entrepreneurs use mashups and parody to avoid copyright problems. Since ideas are too vague to copyright, a different execution of one idea from a popular franchise or trademarked character, as happens in parodies and mashups, presents a gray area for designers.
For instance, the idea of a hilarious dad can’t be copyrighted, but the plot and character details that make up the character’s personality can be protected by copyright. That’s why Peter Griffin of Family Guy can’t be considered a copyright infringement of Homer Simpson. Whatever similarities they have, they also have differences in storylines and character traits, which makes both of them independent, and they could separately be copyrighted.
That’s why ‘fair use’ is a typical defense against copyright claims. Of course, you want to avoid getting into court in the first place. Teespy has a few pointers that can help you avoid that in this post.
Where to Find Images, Fonts, and Mockups for Your Chosen Designs
Former graphic designer and current Bootcamp Media CEO Jimi Shabir, says, “It’s always better to create unique images, especially if you’re creating something to be sold. But sometimes, using stock photos is a necessary shortcut to multiply your design output.”
Shabir has a point. If you spend days perfecting one design, you’ll find it hard to test new designs fast, and your designs may already be a saturated trend by the time they hit the market. Using stock images creatively will help you design more items faster.
Vladimir Gendelman, founder and CEO of Company Folders, Inc., also works with customers who use stock images on the items they want to print for their business. Because of this, he always advises clients to get their stock image from a reputable provider. He adds:
“Most stock image services label their images so you know which ones you can and cannot use commercially, or if additional protection or ‘rights’ should be purchased. Using a service will not only protect you from breaking the law, but you’ll also get high-quality images that will print nicely on your products.”
5 Must-Have T-Shirt Designs From Envato Elements
You've got loads of resources and inspiration to create cool T-shirt designs. But before we go, I'd like to show you a selection of amazing T-shirt designs available on Envato Elements. You'll find loads of unique T-shirt designs to impress your friends and clients.
1. Typographic T-Shirt Design (AI, JPG)
Are you a typography fan? This shirt design is for you. The best T-shirt designs are usually simple and bold. With this download, you'll get the fonts used so that you can change the quote, and you can also experiment with colors. Using a cool phrase about strength and confidence, and this is one of those T-shirt designs that sell.
2. Japanese Samurai Mask for T-Shirt Design (AI, EPS, JPG, PNG, SVG)
This is one of those great designs to put on shirts. Working with unique T-shirt designs will make your brand look special. A Japanese Samurai Mask is an original illustration to add to your creative T-shirt design. Adjust the size and proportions in Adobe Illustrator.
3. Turtle Mandala T-Shirt Design Vector Illustration (AI, EPS)
Looking for cool designs to put on shirts? Try out this vector mandala illustration for your next creative T-shirt design. This could also be a good reference for custom shirt ideas. This vector design can also be used for posters, notebooks, or any kind of home decoration.
4. Road Trip Vector Patch: Mountain Camp Retro Logo (AI, EPS, JPG, PDF, PNG, PSD, SVG)
This is definitely one of those T-shirt designs that sell. This could even work as a cool logo shirt. Celebrate your love of the outdoors with unique T-shirt designs. You can also use this vector design for a patch, mug, or poster. Instead of going for generic images, find inspiration in custom shirt ideas like this one.
5. Red Oni Vintage Japan Tattoo (AI, EPS, PNG, SVG)
Looking for cool and unique T-shirt designs? This is right up your alley. Get some amazing graphic tee ideas with this cool tattoo style drawing. The illustration works as a cool shirt design and is ready to print on any other media.
Explore More Apparel and T-Shirt Design Ideas
Now you're an expert on T-shirt graphic design and how to choose the best-selling T-shirt niches. Looking for designs to put on shirts or graphic tee ideas? We've got cool hoodie designs, cool logo shirts, cool shirt ideas, and tutorials on how to use our online mockup tool, Placeit. Check them out:
How to Create a T-Shirt Mockup Using a T-Shirt Mockup Generator
How to Make a Mockup Without Photoshop
21 Awesome Funny T-Shirt Designs (And How to Make Your Own)
25 Best T-Shirt Mockup Videos (+Free Downloads!) Using a Mockup Generator
35+ Best T-Shirt, Clothing, and Face Mask Mockup (Generator) Model Templates (Online)
How to Create a Hoodie Mockup (Using an Online Hoodie Template)
41 Best Hoodie Mockups (PSD, Video & Hoodie Mockup Generators!)
22 Best Hoodie Mockup Templates (Pullover and Zip-Up)
How to Create a Typographic T-Shirt Design
25 Best Christmas T-Shirt Designs (Using a T-Shirt Design Maker)
16 Best Family Reunion T-Shirt Design Ideas (Using a T-Shirt Design Maker)
How to Make Your Own T-Shirt Design in 5 Easy Steps
Top Tips on Picking the Best Fonts for T-Shirt Designs (With Examples)
44 Best Typography T-Shirt Designs (Cool Customizable Text Designs)
20+ Cool T-Shirt Mockup (Maker) Template Designs for 2024
Why Wait? Get Started Now
Remember what the famous writer Austin Kleon wrote: “steal like an artist”. Don’t copy other people’s designs; use them as inspiration to create something better. I hope you've gotten plenty of inspiration from this tutorial.
In the case of designers, this means trying a different font, angle, icon, color, or image. With proper research, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to come up with a unique and profitable design. Try the research methods mentioned here, and don’t forget to use images that are safe for commercial use, such as those found on Placeit.
Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Janila Castañeda. Janila is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.
