These days, a company T-shirt does way more than just fill out the casual Friday wardrobe. It is a walking advertisement for your brand. Whether your team wears them at events, you hand them out to customers, or sell them as merch, a great T-shirt can build brand recognition, create a sense of team spirit, and get your message out there.
However, designing a shirt people actually want to wear takes more than just slapping your logo on the front. It has to look good, feel good, and reflect your brand in the right way. Here are five tips to help you design company T-shirts that people will proudly wear.
Before choosing colors and graphics, consider your brand, audience, and customers. A company T-shirt should feel like a natural extension of your brand, whether you’re a modern, edgy tech startup or a cozy bakery. The design, tone, and style should match your overall vibe.
Just as important: who’s actually going to wear the shirt? Is it for your team at a company event, volunteers at a community fundraiser, or customers who love what you do? A younger, creative crowd might go for bold designs and trendier fits, while a more traditional audience might prefer something clean, simple, and timeless. When your T-shirt fits both your brand and your audience, it’s more likely to be worn and loved.
When it comes to a company T-shirt design, less really is more. You’ve only got so much space to work with, and trying to cram in too much text, graphics, or colors can make things look busy and hard to read. Instead, focus on one idea: your logo, a short phrase, or a cool visual that speaks to your brand.
Simple designs are more memorable, easier to process at a glance, and more versatile. Whether someone’s at an event or just wearing your shirt out and about, a clean design is more likely to catch someone's attention. While a young audience may prefer more design, older audiences might not. Either way, a minimal approach keeps things wearable and appealing across age groups. Play with font choices, spacing, and layout to make it pop. And if you’re adding text, make sure it’s big enough to read at a glance.
Color plays a significant role in how your company's T-shirt design looks and feels. It sets the tone, affects visibility, and influences whether someone wears it. Start with your brand’s color palette, but remember that colors can look different on fabric than on a screen. What looks vibrant in a digital mockup might come out more muted on cotton, so it’s worth testing if you’re unsure.
Contrast is key. Light graphics stand out on dark shirts, and dark text pops on lighter colors. Avoid combos that are hard to read. For example, if your brand uses a soft blue, it’ll probably look better on a white or light gray shirt than a navy one.
If you're not sure where to start, go with the classics: black, white, gray, and navy, which are consistently among the most popular T-shirt colors. They’re easy to match, widely liked, and make a solid base for most designs. One color to be cautious with is yellow. It can be tricky to print on, fade quickly, and may not flatter all skin tones. And when it comes to production, sticking to two or three primary design colors helps keep printing costs down and your look clean and focused.
Even the coolest design won’t matter if the shirt is uncomfortable. If it doesn’t feel good, the shirt will not be worn. No one wants a cheap, scratchy T-shirt that gets tossed after one wear. Choosing quality materials—like soft cotton blends, tri-blends, or organic fabrics—can make all the difference. A comfortable shirt not only feels better but also gives people a more positive impression of your brand.
Fit matters too. While a basic unisex cut works for some, offering different fit options (like men's, women's, slim, or relaxed) shows you care about comfort and inclusivity. Order a few samples from different brands to test for softness, shrinkage, and how well they hold up after a few washes.
Your company T-shirt is part of your brand image. A soft, well-fitting shirt says you value quality, while a stiff or poorly made one says the opposite.
Choosing materials made in the USA supports local jobs, produces higher manufacturing standards, and often means better quality and durability. It also makes the production process quicker and more efficient. Materials are easier to source, and you won’t be stuck waiting on long overseas shipping times or unexpected delays. Domestic manufacturing also follows stricter labor and environmental regulations, so you can feel good about how your shirts are made. It’s smart to align your brand with ethical practices, reliable turnaround, and local pride.
Designing a T-shirt that balances branding with style takes more than just a good logo. It’s about knowing your audience, choosing the right materials, and creating something people actually want to wear. When you get it right, your shirts become more than just apparel—they become walking, talking brand ambassadors. Ready to bring your vision to life? Let Hatteras help you create custom company T-shirts that look great, feel even better, and make a lasting impression. Contact us @ 4hatteras.com to get started!