Print Perfection: How to Make Your Design Pop on a Tee

A great design deserves to shine and when it comes to printing on T-shirts, the right choices in color, contrast, and file prep can make the difference between good and amazing. At The Rocket Apparel, we want your art to look its absolute best, so here are some pro tips to help your design pop.

1. Pick Colors That Stand Out

The color of your tee is the backdrop for your design, so think about how your artwork will sit on it.

• Light shirts make darker colors stand out.

• Dark shirts are perfect for bold, bright, or neon designs.

• Neutral tones (like white, black, or gray) give you flexibility, but consider adding a pop of contrast to avoid blending in too much.

💡 Pro Tip: If your design has a lot of detail, make sure at least one color is high-contrast with the tee for maximum visibility.

2. Master the Art of Contrast

Contrast is your best friend in creating a striking graphic.

• Dark on light, light on dark. This classic combo never fails.

• Complementary colors. Think blue vs. orange or purple vs. yellow, they create natural visual tension that stands out.

• Don’t overdo it. Too many colors competing at once can get messy. Stick with a strong palette that tells your story.

3. Prep Your File the Right Way

Crisp designs start with crisp files.

• Use high-resolution images (300 DPI or higher). Anything less may look blurry when printed.

• Vector files (like .AI or .SVG) are best, they scale without losing quality.

• Transparent backgrounds. This prevents unwanted blocks of color around your design.

• Outline your fonts. Make sure text stays consistent across different systems.

4. Test Before You Print

What looks good on screen doesn’t always translate perfectly to fabric.

• Print a small sample on paper to check sizing and colors.

• Use mockups to preview how your design looks on different shirt colors.

• Ask for a test print if possible, it’s the best way to see how your art reacts to the fabric.

5. Keep It You

At the end of the day, the best designs are the ones that reflect your style. Whether you’re going bold with neon gradients, subtle with minimal line art, or playful with bright characters, own your vision.

At The Rocket Apparel, we bring your creativity to life with top-quality prints that make every design shine. Ready to see your art pop on a tee? Send us your design today, and let’s make something unforgettable.