Must Have Software For Shirt Designers

If you are a shirt designer you will want to have access to the best software. In this roundup we have gathered together a bunch of must have platforms for both novice and professional designers. The common factor behind these recommendations is ease-of-use. However, simplicity doesn’t take away the software’s ability to create incredible print-on-demand graphics.   

1. YupTees

YupTees was created by print-on-demand sellers so the platform is designed for fast generation of exceptional images that are ready to print onto your shirt. 

The parallel generation and image reference features gives you the ability to make a multitude of unique designs at the click of a button. You can then select the design(s) that reflect your brand. 

Each image is commercially licensed and created in high-resolution (4500x5400px) that are optimized for printing. The interface is intuitive with comprehensive AI tools that enable you to refine your design with ease.

YupTees is a must have for shirt designers due to its efficiency and ability to quickly generate high quality images at scale. You get 1.5 credits upon signing up so that you can try out YupTees and see if it matches your needs. Once you have used up your free credit you can carry on using the service for $US10/month. 

2. Printify

Printify offers designers an all-in-one platform that takes you from design through to selling. For novice creators the AI image creation only is prompt based. You have an option to apply styling to your image with choices such as anime, photogenic, line art and more. If you want to add that special touch, Printify has a “Personalize” function in which you can add individualized text and images. 

Sales through to shipping is automatically taken care of so there is no need for creators to manage inventory or logistics. Integration with e-commerce sites (e.g. Etsy and Shopify) gives sellers the chance to expand across a range of channels. 

As there are no up-front costs (you only are charged when someone buys your product), Printify is an attractive solution for shirt designers on a budget. If you want to expand your merchandise range, scalability is possible by simply adding your design onto other products like hoodies or sweatshirts. 

3. Adobe Photoshop

For shirt designers that want a more hands-on approach to image creation and editing, then Adobe Photoshop is the software of choice. The vast array of tools allow you to control color, contrast, layering, and composition of your final design.

Each element in the design is contained on a separate layer, making it easy to experiment, rearrange and independently edit each part without affecting the entire image. As Photoshop uses rasterized images you can enlarge the file without pixelation. For direct-to-garment graphic design, Photoshop is the software of choice due to its ability to produce print-ready files.

4. CorelDRAW

If you are looking at having your shirt screenprinted, then consider using CorelDRAW as it allows for scalability of an image without loss in design quality. The software supports CMYK color modes and color libraries that align with print-on-demand industry standards. Therefore the image that is printed on your shirts will look exactly like the photo. 

CorelDRAW exports .pdf, ,eps, and .ai files which are formats that most commercial printers require. The PowerTRACE feature of CorelDRAW converts bitmap graphics into scalable vectors that maintain the integrity of the image. 

The software’s extensive typography tools let designers manipulate text and add effects such as block shadows, while keeping everything editable.

If your design focus is mainly on apparel, then CorelDRAW offers you a powerful, complete package that connects creativity and production needs.

5. Printful Design Maker

The drag-and-drop interface of Printful Design Maker allows anyone to create custom shirt designs. An integrated workflow that takes you from image generation through to printing and order fulfillment saves users time and effort. 

Printful Design Maker gives you access to 20,000+ clipart images, over 790 fonts which allows you to rapidly create a design without needing to access external assets. The customizable “Quick Design” feature speeds up the process even further. 

During creation the software automatically checks to ensure your image matches specific guidelines. Potential issues are highlighted so that you can make the appropriate adjustments and have a design that is print-ready. 

6. VistaCreate

WIthin VistaCreate is a substantial number of customizable shirt templates that allow designers to create merchandise without having to start from scratch. The image editor allows you to drag items onto the canvas, resize images and recolor elements within the design. 

The background removal tool can aid in isolating logos or images. If you are wanting to maintain consistency across your designs, VistaCreate’s BrandKit lets you apply logos, colors and fonts across all projects. 

All designs can be downloaded and exported to print-on-demand services. For shirt designers that are already using Vistaprint’s services, you get seamless integration into your e-commerce site. 

7. Mystic POD

Mystic POD is unique in that it uses AI trained to understand print-on-demand trends, so users can quickly create stylish graphics that appeal to their niche. All editing tools are contained within a single platform eliminating the need for you to use multiple apps in the creation process.

You can create designs using the prompt box (which lets you choose a style, ratio, and market niche) or by selecting one of the editable templates. Images can be remixed so that you have something original. Mystic POD’s AI upscaling (you need to subscribe for $US7/month to unlock this feature) assures that your creation is print quality.  

You can have Mystic POD generate product titles and descriptions which can save time when listing your merchandise. 

For shirt designers that want a platform that is clean and simple to use yet allows for creativity, then try Mystic POD. 

8. Kittl

Kittl balances professional design with an intuitive suite of tools. One of this software’s standout features is its ability to render typography. Therefore if you are a shirt designer that is focused more on text-heavy creations, then Kittl is a must have. 

The platform simplifies the editing of vector graphics as it is easy to add anchor points that allow for image manipulation. Kittl also offers an efficient workflow via tools such as “Flows” that supports multiple image variations, color schemes and mockups within a project. 

For creators struggling for ideas, you get access to an extensive set of templates that focus on aesthetics.  When you have created your image, Kittl can export it in a number of print-ready formats such as png, jpg, and svg. 

Kittl is a comprehensive platform that is indispensable for shirt designers.