Whether you’re a designer, marketer or simply love expressing yourself through custom clothing, this guide will help you provide some inspiration for custom tshirt design ideas in 2024. We believe that 2024 will be a year filled with nostalgia mixed with some future-forward design ideas. This means that t-shirt designer will need to think outside of the box to create something truly unique. From pastel themes to abstract designs, there are a million ways for you to design and wear the ultimate custom t-shirt. Jump right in to see what it takes for a great t-shirt design and see what elements you may want to incorporate and maybe get inspired to create your own custom t-shirt!

2024 Custom Tshirt Design Ideas

Minimalistic Design

For many, 2024 means a decluttered and more organized life. Minimalism is a trend that has gained momentum over the years and has recently been brought front and center by influencers such as Marie Kondo. Minimalism is essentially the idea that ‘less is more’. Applying this philosophy to t-shirt designs will help you craft a message that is clear and concise. Minimalistic designs appeal to those who prefer understated and classic designs over busy and complex ones.

Modern Typography

Typography is more than just about choosing fonts. Its also about creating a visual look and mood that complements your message. In 2024, keep a look out for t-shirt designs that uses modern typography with creative layouts and imaginative use of letter spacing and alignment. With modern typography, you will be able to convey a message without sacrificing on style and personality.

Eco-Friendly Themes

Climate change is one of the biggest existential threats to humanity and younger generations are becoming increasingly more vocal about it.  As the awareness of climate change and the demand for eco-friendly tshirt design ideas grow, it will be more common to come across tshirts that make you think about sustainability, wildlife conservation, and nature in general. Not only can you use materials for tshirts that are a bit more sustainable but you can also use designs tailored towards ecofriendly-minded people to boost your brand’s reputation environmentally conscious people.

Abstract Designs

Abstract designs can vary from a fairly simple design  to a complex geometric pattern. Geometric designs involves using shapes, lines and forms to create

Futuristic Minimalist Designs

Combine the simplicity of minimalism with elements that feel futuristic. Things like metallic colors, holographic effects and digital- inspired graphics. When you do this, you get a design vibe that is sleek and forward thinking.

Y2K Aesthetics

Do you remember the end of the 90s and early 2000s? y2k colours mean vibrant colours, metallic effects, tech inspired or bubble-gum pop culture references! This nostalgia filled theme appeals both to those who got to live though that era and the younger generations who are seeking a fun, retro yet, futuristic vibe.

90s Inspired Designs

The 90s is more than just Y2K. Grunge, classic bands, cartoon classics, movies and Tv references. These designs often feature designs that look distressed, feature classic typefaces and spark nostalgia.

Pastel Colour Schemes

Pastel colours offer visually soothing shades that can make your tshirt designs stand out without being too bold. Shades like pastel lavender, mint green and baby blue can give your shirts a soft and fresh look perfect for spring and summer.

How to Design Your Own T-Shirt

Designing Your Shirt Using Canva

Who said that you can’t design your own t-shirt? Accessible to both seasoned designers and beginners, Canva is a great tool to start designing your own shirt right away! With a huge library of templates, fonts, graphics and more, Canva simplifies designing anything you want. Using their drag and drop editor, experimenting on the layout, colours and typography, you will be sure to find the perfect balance for your next shirt idea!

Designing Your Tshirt Using Adobe Illustrator

If you are more experienced, Adobe Illustrator would be a much more sophisticated tool for you to bring your ideas to life. Using vector-based designs, you can ensure that your designs a sharp and clear no matter what size it gets scaled to. With Illustrator, you will be able to have more control over every component of your design, from typography to graphic creation.

Where To Get Your Tshirts Printed

Once your designs are ready, choosing the right partner will be critical. When choosing your printshop, ensure  that they have a variety of print quality, material options, cost-effectiveness and shipping options so that your project is successful. Printwell offers everything you need to complete your custom t-shirts!