Top Custom T-Shirt Design Trends for 2025

By ShirtSpace | Jan 16, 2025 |  Updated Jan 17, 2025

T-shirts never go out of style, but customization methods and design trends do come and go. Which trends for 2025 t-shirts will rise to the top? Read on to learn which trending t-shirt designs and decorating choices we see being big in the coming year.

Hero image credit: Chris Benson

2025 Custom T-Shirt Design Trend Forecast

Trends can be hard to predict, but since we here at ShirtSpace eat, live and breathe t-shirts and blank apparel decoration, we feel qualified to share that we have a hunch that we will see these t-shirt design trends blow up in the 2025 year. Be an early adopter and stay ahead of the curve with your apparel decorating plans by adopting these trends into your own projects.

Why T-Shirt Design Trends Matter

Yes, t-shirts are the most popular clothing on the planet, but styles, colors and decorating methods are not the same as they were since their invention. If you are a decorator, then it is important to stay “in the know” on current trends to sell products and remain profitable. If you can capitalize on a trend, or even better yet, get ahead of the curve and predict a larger trend, the results could be very lucrative for you.

On a personal note, staying up-to-date on fashion trends might help you with your personal outfit choices. Dressing your best can aid in self-confidence and a healthy self-esteem. Plus, it allows you to practice self-expression and flex your creativity. 

Key Custom T-Shirt Design Trends for 2025

For t-shirt trends, 2025 will show us innovation and imagination! With particular decoration methods gaining popularity, and new and exciting blank clothing products on the market, you can take your decorating from 2024 into the new year with confidence and inspiration. Let’s dive into our predicted trends for 2025 t-shirts.


Image credit: Andre Styles

DTF is Taking Over the World!

As of right now, direct-to-garment (DTF) offers many benefits to decorators, which explains its growing popularity for t-shirt printing. Here are some of the reasons DTF printing is so popular right now and is expected to grow even further in 2025:

• Benefit of DTF over DTG printing: Printers who cannot access expensive DTG printers can achieve similar results with just a heat press and DTF transfers. DTF transfers are printed by a trusted supplier on a DTG printer and can be purchased inexpensively online from supplier sites or digital marketplaces like Etsy. 
• Benefit of DTF over screen printing: DTF requires fewer supplies and materials than screen printing. Eliminate the need for screens, squeegees, ink, emulsion, etc. More beginner-friendly since it does not require the technical knowledge that is needed to carry out classic or discharge screen printing.
• Benefit of DTF over sublimation printing: Sublimation requires polyester-heavy garments, but you can DTF print on any fabric. You also must sublimation print on light-colored fabrics, but DTF prints can go on any color material.
• Benefit of DTF over heat transfer vinyl (HTV): Enjoy greater detail with more colors than you would with HTV. Skip the tedious weeding of vinyl and achieve a smoother print.

Mixed Media Decorating

Glitter HTV and embroidery by Blue Rose Co.

What’s better than one t-shirt decorating method!? Two! But why limit yourself there? Mixing decoration techniques for one piece of clothing not only allows you to charge more for your work, but also makes it stand apart from the rest! Here are some ideas of how you can incorporate mixed-media decorating into your own design process:

IDEAS FOR MIXED MEDIA APPAREL DECORATING:

• Embroidered edge framing printed lettering (pictured above)
• Detailed graphics over bleached or tie-dyed shirts
• Printed or embroidered primary design with small patch insignia or logo
• Rhinestones (or other type of bling) on an already printed or painted designs
• Printing and embellishment
   

The Distressed Look

Sweatshirt pictured: Independent Trading Co. PRM4500MW Unisex Midweight Mineral Wash Hooded Sweatshirt in “Black”.

Bright and vivid prints really POP on an acid or mineral-wash t-shirt or sweatshirt. Think about when you design something digitally and increase the transparency of the background. With a lighter and more “washed out” look, the text or graphic element on top can really shine! An added plus is that these garments provide the vintage, lived-in look that everyone wants, and takes years to achieve naturally. We recommend searching for products with these labels for this aesthetic:

• Mineral Wash
• Acid Wash
• Beach Wash
• Garment Dyed
• Pigment Dyed

Monochromatic Color Palettes

Image credit: Markus Spiske

Neutrals are more popular than ever! Not only that, we are also seeing printers and embroiderers intentionally printing matching text on a t-shirt of the same color. You may ask why anyone would do that, due to poor legibility. But, surprisingly, it looks really great if you select the correct finish – subtle yet sophisticated. Screen-printed and embroidered designs typically look great, and there are many options when it comes to heat transfer vinyl (HTV). For example, glitter, puff, flock, metallic or a very matte vinyl are all fantastic options to make the design or text stand out a little, but still give that monochromatic feel. Try this on black, white, or any variation of beige, such as Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025, Mocha Mousse, for an ultra-trendy look that screams 2025!
 

Distorted Text

Shirt pictured: American Apparel

What is the best font for custom apparel designs? There are so many fonts available for apparel decoration, so it’s impossible to choose just one. Still, we do see an uptick in warped, one-of-a-kind lettering that blends typography with surrealism. Not finding the ideal font you had in mind? Create your own with digital design programs like Creative Fabrica, Adobe Illustrator or MAKE IT.
 

Unconventional Print Placement

Image credit: Selvin Esteban from Pexels

The rules are out the window with print placement in 2025! Classic design placements like center check, pocket and center back will always remain popular, but we expect to see t-shirt decorators stray away from this as well, aiming for more organic and flowing placement all over the tee. Custom-decorated t-shirts were always a work of art, but treating the entire garment as your blank canvas opens up a world of possibilities. We fully expect decorators to expand their imagination in 2025. Think of “thinking outside the box” or “coloring outside the lines,” but then apply this attitude to t-shirt design! 

Partial Dye

Image credit: Patterson Patterson

Why dye the entire shirt, when you can be very intentional and place the dye in strategic areas. Dye just the sleeves, the right or left side, or the top or bottom. Or dip dye for a beautiful gradient! Leaving a portion blank adds visual interest and saves on supplies – win-win!
 

Pop Culture Crossovers

Blending two recognizable TV shows or fantasy worlds is a clever way to delight fans by paying homage to the crossover in supporters. Pop culture crossovers can apply to popular film and literary characters, trending themes, recognizable logos, or even holidays. Take, for instance, the increase in “Summerween” and “Hauntmas” shirts we have seen pop up between Halloween and Christmas. Just be careful to avoid trademarked and copyrighted content for items that are not for personal use, and that you intend to sell.

Eco-Inspired

Image credit: Thirdman from Pexels

Sustainability-focused apparel brands and eco-friendly decorating techniques are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason! Investing in materials that are not harmful to the environment is not only morally sound, but also adds to the perceived value of a product. Brands like econscious and Allmade are perfect examples of blanks that check all of the boxes when it comes to innovative sustainable business practices and products. For printing, using water-based or natural dyes and inks is a great way to make decorating a bit more green.
 

AI & Digital Themes

Image credit: Tim Sakharchuk from Pexels

With the large leaps and bounds we have taken in recent years when it comes to AI and the digital world, it is no surprise that futuristic and computer-generated art will be more prevalent in the coming years. Whether artists create their own designs with this aesthetic or lean on AI to help, we expect to see this fad everywhere in 2025 and beyond!
 

The Future of T-Shirt Design: 2025 and Beyond

Image credit: Disruptivo

Thanks for reading our predictions for trends for 2025 t-shirts. Which of these trending t-shirt designs do you think will be big in 2025? We want to hear your forecast and which ones you want to try yourself in the comments. Also, be sure to let us know if we forgot any emerging trends that you think we will be seeing everywhere in the coming year.

Other Blogs We Think You’ll Love:

• T-Shirt Design & Logo Placement Guide
• How to Place a Logo on a Shirt
• The Best Fonts for T-Shirt Designs
• Best Long Sleeve T-Shirt Design Placement Ideas
• Designing T-Shirts With Cricut: The Ultimate Guide
• What is DTF Printing? Your New Favorite Way To Decorate T-Shirts!
• Meet Mocha Mousse: Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year
• How Complementary Colors and Their Meanings Will Compliment Your Apparel Designs
• Exciting Partnership Alert: ShirtSpace and Creative Fabrica!