How can you make a t-shirt design?

How do i create a design directly on a tshirt by hand?

• hey, im making a tshirt for my best friend and i want it to look really nice so i need a little help since ive never done this before. im planning on writing 'shots' in a graffiti style font and on the back of the black tshirt i plan to write 'LMFAO'. i want to use neon colors. what products should i buy? how can i make the design perfect since im doing it by hand? what EXACTLY do i do first? after that? thanks so much! -dannie :)

• Answer:

  Hi Dannie, I have done my own T-shirts as well. I used acrylic paints because they are tuff and last a few washes, of course I wear them very little so they last longer. Liquitex is the brand name I used and you should be able to find it in most art supply or craft stores. You will need to search a bit for the neon colors which will cost a bit more. Buy some brushes for acrylics, small 1/8 inch for tight and detailed areas as well as a medium 1/4 inch and larger 1/2 - 3/4 inch brush. Block the T-shirt with something flat like a piece of cardboard you cut that fits inside the shirt and can pull the shirt tight over it. This makes the material tight so you can paint on it without it moving. It also prevents the paint from going through the material to the other side. First: It is a good idea to make an sample of your design by doing a sketch that shows you where to arrange your words on the shirt. This way you can make changes or adjustments until you have it just like you want it to look. This sample should look exactly as the shirt will. Second: Use a black ink ball point pen to carefully sketch out your final design on the shirt. Third: Use a paper plate to squeeze your tube of acrylic paint on, start out using a small amount at first, once you get used to how the paint is going on you can squeeze out more. Fourth: Follow the outline off the letters staying inside the lines, then come back and fill in the letters once they are outlined. Fifth: Acrylic paints dry pretty fast so be careful, trying remove mistakes will mess the project up. Clean the brushes with water when you see them collecting excess paint or or ready to stop painting. Acrylic paint can be thinned with water but keep in mind thinning reduces the color strength as well and will not cover the surface as well. Sixth: Always be patient when doing art especially this type because you want to be happy with the results and taking your time will help assure the best results. Well Dannie, This is a lot to take in but should give you a direction to get you started and through your project. Again, take your time and be patient and I wish you the best results possible.