How to design t shirts without photoshop
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I remember when I first started selling print on demand, I thought I was going to have to do use Photoshop for all my print-on-demand projects.
Years ago, I purchased the monthly plan for Photoshop and self-taught on how to use it. I thought it was the only software I could use to create my designs and I spent so much time learning instead of creating.
While I’m glad I learned a lot about Photoshop and still use it to this day, I found a program with a much easier learning curve called Canva.
I recommend Canva.com as a great alternative to using photoshop for design creation. Canva has both a free version and a paid version, Canva Pro, which is $9.99 per month.
In Canva, you can import graphics and fonts or if you don’t already have design elements you wish to use, Canva has tons of design elements and fonts available within the software.
Please note that in order to use the designs and fonts within the software commercially, you need to either have a Canva pro subscription or you have the option to pay for each element/font as you go.
If you plan on creating many designs for your shop, I recommend getting the Canva Pro version.
What you will learn in this tutorial
By the end of this tutorial you will:
- know how to determine the correct file size for your design
- know how to properly size your design file in Canva
- Learn a brief instruction on using elements and fonts in Canva
- Learn how to import files into Cava
- Discover how to download your design and with the best setting
- Learn how to upload your design into Printify
As I said before, if you’re looking where to design t-shirts for your print-on demand shop without using Photoshop, I highly recommend Canva. Canva is my go-to software when I don’t feel like using Photoshop.
step 1-determine your canvas size
Before you start creating your design, you need to know what canvas size you need to start working with. This is because you want to make sure your finished design will be at a high enough resolution for your print quality to be okay.
To determine the correct canvas size for your design, I am going to refer to the specifications from my favorite print-on-demand provider Printify.
Because I’m creating this post in December, I’m going to do this tutorial on designing for a crewneck sweatshirt. Please note that the process will work the same with t-shirts or hoodies.
Select a print provider from the printing companies listed and click on “start designing”
From there you will see the recommended file size for the design for this sweatshirt on the right side of the screen. I always go with the recommended size. In this case the side is 4200 x 4800 pixels.
STEP 2- head over to canva.com
Now that you know the correct canvas size for your design, you are going to create your canvas according to the recommended resolution that Printify mentioned. Go to canva and select “Create a design”
From there select “custom-size”
Now type in the correct sizing. and click on “Create new design” button.
You are now taken to a blank page that shows a canvas the exact size you indicated.
You are now ready to create your design. There are two ways you can go with this. You can import designs or fonts or you can choose from the library of elements and fonts within Canva (please be sure if you’re using the elements and fonts from Canva you check the licensing first).
Importing files into Canva
- Step 1: Click on “Uploads”
- Step 2: Click on “Upload media”
- Step 3: Choose the file you would like to upload from your computer
You will then see your design placed on the canvas.
Using canva's elements
Select “elements” from the left side. From there type in a keyword for the kind of element you are looking for. In this case I will type in magic mushroom since those have been on trend for a while.
From there it will bring up several elements. Be sure to click on graphics so you only get those and not photos, video, or audio.
You can select from any of the elements. If you click on an element, it will be added to your canvas.
You can play around with different elements on the canvas, resize them, and some even allow color changes. I recommend when selecting elements to always incorporate either text or additional trending elements to make the design unique.
You don’t want to for example just select this mushroom design as is and be done with it. For one thing, other people may choose the same design as is and slap it on a sweatshirt or crewneck. And then your design will be nothing special. That would be baaaad news.
Think of how you can make the design unique by combining different trends, fonts, etc.
Working with Fonts in Canva
There are many text design templates that you can choose from. You can also add a heading text, subheading, or paragraph text by clicking on each of the buttons.
If you click on let’s say “add a heading” it will add a heading size text to your canvas.
At the top of the screen you will see a drop down box that says “open sans extra”, click on that and it will bring up many fonts you can scroll through.
The fonts that are for Canva Pro use only have a crown next to them.
Canva has many options to make changes to elements as well as text. I recommend playing around with it a bit to see what different options do.
This is a design I ended up coming up with. In this design I trend combined like crazy.
When I created this design, I kept what is trending at the front of my mind.
- I layered some stars and a moon over the mushroom
- I also changed the color of the top of the mushroom to a bright blue color which is trending as of this post
- I added some words of positivity which is trending
- I also added repeating words which is another trend.
Step 3-Downloading your completed design
This is one of my favorite parts, when your design is ready to be placed onto your garmet. Plus I love the feeling of completing something. 🙂
Once you are happy with your design, it’s time to download it so you can upload it to Printify.
- Click on download at the right top of the screen.
- Keep the PNG option selected.
- Check the box next to transparent background.
- Click on download below.
- Wait for the file to download. Then find the file where it downloaded.
- Go back to printify.com
Step 4-Uploading your design file to Printify
Once you arelogged into your printify account.
- Select the garmet you want to place your design on.
- Choose the print provider you want to work with
- Select “Add your design”
4. Select “From my device”
5. Select the design file you downloaded.
From here you can arrange your file how you would like it within the design area boundaries.
A. Select from the apparel color options
B. Resize image if desired
c. Save your project
Final Project
Here’s what I created. I seriously have so much fun with this entire process. Making something out of nothing is so rewarding. And I lovvv seeing my creations come to life.
I hope this post has shown you it’s totally possible to design t-shirts without photoshop. You can create all kinds of designs to go on crewnecks, hoodies, mugs, bags, and so many other items that Printify and other print providers offer.
So what are you waiting for, head over to Canva and start making some magic! The world is waiting for the creative ideas inside you to come to life.
P.S. I’d love to know what you are creating. Let me know in the comments below.