My First 5 T-Shirt Design Ideas (and How I Made Them Without Being a Designer)
When I decided to start a print-on-demand T-shirt business at 45, I had one big problem: I’m not a designer.
I don’t have an art degree. I don’t know Photoshop inside and out. I’ve never created logos or illustrations.
But I refused to let that stop me.
So, I rolled up my sleeves, opened a few beginner-friendly tools, and started experimenting.
Here’s how I came up with my first five T-shirt design ideas — and the tools I used to make them real.
1. The “Motivational Quote” Shirt
When in doubt, start simple.
I took a short, punchy phrase that resonated with me — something I say to myself when life gets tough — and turned it into a bold text design.
Tool I used: Canva
Why it works: You don’t need to be a designer to pick a good font and place it on a shirt. Simple sells.
2. The “Inside Joke” Shirt
Everyone has little jokes or phrases that only certain groups of people get. For me, it was a phrase I used with coworkers that always got a laugh.
I typed it out, added a small graphic element (an icon from Canva’s library), and suddenly I had a design that felt personal and funny.
Tool I used: Kittl (for its cool vintage-style fonts)
Why it works: Inside jokes create a sense of community. People love wearing something that says, “If you know, you know.”
3. The “Minimal Graphic” Shirt
Since I’m not an illustrator, I leaned on Canva’s free icons. I grabbed a simple line art graphic, combined it with a short word underneath, and boom — a minimal, modern-looking shirt.
Tool I used: Canva
Why it works: Minimal designs are trendy right now, and POD makes it easy to test if people like them without spending money on bulk inventory.
4. The “Nostalgia Throwback” Shirt
I thought about the stuff I grew up with — music, TV, sayings — and came up with a design inspired by that era.
I used retro fonts, some faded color effects, and leaned into that “worn vintage tee” vibe.
Tool I used: Kittl (great for retro templates)
Why it works: Nostalgia is powerful. People buy shirts that remind them of their younger days.
5. The “Lifestyle Statement” Shirt
Finally, I made one that speaks to a lifestyle I care about. Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, I designed it for myself.
If I’d wear it proudly, there’s a good chance someone else out there would too.
Tool I used: Canva + mockups in Placeit
Why it works: Niche audiences are loyal. A shirt that speaks directly to one lifestyle or identity can build a strong following.
What I Learned Making These Designs
You don’t need to be an artist. Fonts + simple graphics go a long way.
Tools like Canva, Kittl, and Placeit make the process beginner-friendly.
Start with designs you’d actually wear — it keeps things authentic.
Don’t overthink it. Sometimes the simplest idea is the one that connects.
What’s Next
Now that I’ve got my first five designs, the next step is to upload them to my store and start testing. Will people actually buy them? I have no idea yet — but that’s the fun part.
Next week, I’ll share the mistake that cost me $150 before I even made my first sale (yep, it hurt).
👉 Have you ever made a T-shirt design without being a “real” designer? Drop your story in the comments — I’d love to hear how you approached it.
