How to Design Custom T-Shirts for Schools, Churches & Teams

Whether you’re coordinating spirit wear for a school, outfitting your church ministry team, or getting ready for a sports tournament, a well-designed custom t-shirt can unify your group and create a lasting memory. At Aaron’s Designs in Red Oak, TX, we’ve created custom shirts for thousands of Texas schools, churches, sports teams, and events since 1990. Here’s our step-by-step guide to designing a shirt everyone will love.

Step 1: Define Your Purpose and Audience

Before you design anything, ask: Who is this shirt for, and what do you want it to say?

• Schools: Spirit wear typically features school name, mascot, and colors. Keep it bold and readable from a distance.
• Churches: Ministry shirts often include a scripture verse, event name, or logo. Consider a design that’s timeless enough to wear beyond the event.
• Sports Teams: Team name, number, and position are common. If it’s a tournament, add the year and location for a commemorative feel.

Step 2: Choose Your Colors Wisely

Your shirt color and ink color need to work together. High contrast = high readability. Here are some proven combinations:

• White shirt + dark ink (navy, black, maroon) = clean and classic
• Black shirt + white or yellow ink = bold and eye-catching
• Royal blue shirt + white ink = popular for schools and sports

At Aaron’s Designs, we’ll send you a digital mock-up of your design before we print a single shirt, so you can see exactly how the colors will look.

Step 3: Keep Your Design Simple (But Memorable)

The most effective custom t-shirt designs are easy to read at a glance. Avoid overcrowding the design with too much text or too many graphic elements. A strong focal point your logo, mascot, or event name surrounded by supporting text works best.

Recommended design layout:

• Top: Event name or team name (large, bold)
• Center: Logo or mascot graphic
• Bottom: Year, location, or motto (smaller text)

Step 4: Choose the Right Product

The type of garment matters as much as the design. Consider:

• T-Shirts The classic choice. Great for all occasions.
• Sports Shirts Moisture-wicking, ideal for athletic use.
• Sweatshirts Perfect for cooler Texas evenings at fall games or outdoor events.
• Towels Unique giveaway for swim teams, church events, or fitness groups.
• Tote Bags Great supplemental item for school or church events.

Step 5: Prepare Your Artwork

For the sharpest results, provide your design in a vector format (AI, EPS, or CDR) or a high-resolution PNG with a transparent background. If you only have a JPG or a rough sketch, our design team can help you get it print-ready.

We accept: PNG, PDF, EPS, CDR, AI, and high-resolution JPG.

Step 6: Determine Your Quantity

If you’re ordering 20+ shirts of the same design, screen printing offers the best quality and lowest cost per unit. For smaller groups or personalized items, DTF printing is the way to go with no minimum order required.

Step 7: Place Your Order and Review the Mock-Up

Once you’ve submitted your artwork and chosen your products, our team will create a digital proof for your review. We won’t start printing until you’ve approved the design so you always know exactly what you’re getting.

Standard orders are ready in 3 to 7 business days. Need it faster? Ask about our rush service.

Trusted by Texas Schools, Churches & Teams Since 1990

We’ve printed shirts for high school playoffs, VBS events, church mission trips, basketball tournaments, and family reunions all across the DFW area. Customers in Waxahachie, Ferris, Grand Prairie, and Carrollton trust Aaron’s Designs to deliver quality results, every time.