How to Design a Grunge T-Shirt

Designing a grunge T-shirt is easy for even the newest graphic artist on the scene, as many designers now use stock vectors and photography to create their masterpieces. Some artists draw their own flourishes, skulls and wings, and layer them to make that old-school grunge look as well. Whatever method you use, making sure the design is well executed with a tool like those offered by Adobe or Corel. This is important to providing a polished product.

Step 1

Select the graphics for the shirt, such as wings, old cars, flowers, flourishes and skulls. You may draw or use free or royalty free purchased stock vectors. Download or scan all graphics into a folder for this project so that everything is in one place on your computer and easy to locate. Choose a color scheme now as well.

Step 2

Open the graphic manipulation program. Start a new file, CMYK color, 300 dpi and choose a canvas of about 15 by 15 inches for a standard T-shirt.

Step 3

Start with your main graphic. Paste onto the canvas. Layer additional flourishes, splotches and text, one on top of one another, testing different combinations until you are pleased with the design. You may decide to use a skull as the main graphic with a few roses, some flourishes, dirt splotches and some Old World text, for example.

Step 4

Save file as PDF as a proof copy for any parties that may need to give approval of the design. Save file in original format as well. Save file as EPS for the print shop.

Tips & WarningsSome print shops may require color design to be reversed for proper printing. Package fonts in ZIP file with EPS or change text to object before saving. Do not use another artist’s work unless it is made available to be reused, distributed and changed. If in doubt, contact the artist or move on.

Jeff Finley, “Designing Ultra SceneCore Apparel” GoMediaZine
Callum Chapman, “The Ultimate Round-Up Of T-Shirt Design Tutorials,” Smashing Magazine


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