How to Make T-Shirt Designs and Other Merch with Canva
With Canva, it's easy for non-designers to create print-ready merch designs. Use their extensive library of assets to make and sell merch.
When making merch, quality design is essential. But what if you don’t have the budget for a professional designer? Or the right skills or experience? Canva is your one-stop shop for making original, fresh designs!
Canva is a FREE online design platform that allows you to create stunning designs for all your visual needs. And it's super easy for beginners to navigate.
Create designs for t-shirts and other merch products, like hoodies, totes, stickers. You can customize 250+ products with print-on-demand merch provider, Spreadshop.
Learn more about how easy it is to make merch designs in minutes with Canva.
Make Print-Ready Designs in Minutes
Having a great logo and design for your merch is essential to finding success. This is how your followers will come to identify you, and hopefully it will turn them into paying customers if done right. But creating professional-looking designs can become time consuming and costly.
With Canva, you can easily create print-ready designs that are perfect for t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and more. Plus, you can save your designs in any file size you need, including transparent PNGs.
This is a great option go make your designs look cleaner and more integrated with your products. You can upload your own logos and graphics. You can also choose from Canva’s library of over 1 million images, icons and illustrations.
Creating a design with Canva is simple and fast. You can even select a template you want to use and edit it to suit your needs. You can change the colors, fonts, and different graphic elements. Canva encourages personalization!
Pro-Design Tips for Your Merch
Here are some tips for using Canva to make great merch designs. These tips will help your designs look professional and ready for printing!
1. Start with the Right File Size
Set your design dimensions to 4000 x 4000 pixels for the best print quality.
Make sure you download as a transparent background (and PNG) to avoid unwanted white edges.
2. Use High-Resolution Elements
Avoid blurry graphics—use vector illustrations, high-res images, and bold typography.
Stick to 300 DPI equivalent designs to ensure crisp prints.
3. Keep It Simple & Bold
Merch designs should be eye-catching from a distance—avoid tiny details that won’t print well.
Use bold fonts, strong contrasts, and minimal but impactful designs.
4. Work with Layers & Effects
Canva’s shadow and glow effects can make text and graphics pop.
Use layering to create depth but avoid overcrowding the design.
5. Stick to Print-Friendly Colors
Bright, high-contrast colors stand out best on apparel.
Avoid light pastels on white backgrounds. They might not print as clearly.
6. Save & Download Correctly
Always download as PNG with a transparent background for clean printing.
Double-check your 4000 x 4000 px resolution before saving!
By following these tips, you’ll create professional, high-quality designs that look amazing on your merch.
Customize 250+ Products With Your Designs
Once you have your designs, it's time to customize your merch products.
With Spreadshop, you can make and sell over 250 products. Showcase your designs on classic t-shirts, hoodie and trendy streetwear. Whether your style is bold and graphic or minimal and clean, there’s something for every aesthetic.
Spreadshop gives you the flexibility to offer a diverse range of merch that speaks to your audience and helps you stand out. Want to go timeless? Offer wardrobe staples like unisex tees and zip-up hoodies.
Want to keep up with trends? Customize cropped cropped, bucket hats and eco-friendly apparel.
No inventory. No upfront costs. Just upload your high-res Canva designs (4000 x 4000 px with a transparent background), choose your products and start selling.
Spreadshop perks:
Easy upload process
Massive product selection
Classic + trending styles
Built-in online store
No fees, ever
Ready to wear your art? Start turning your Canva designs into merch that makes you money.
Social Branding Made Easier
If you’re looking to build a strong brand image, don’t stop with merch designs. Use Canva to build out all aspects of your brand on socials so you can create a cohesive presence on the internet. Many different ways exist to use Canva for all the social channels you have.
Instagram:
– Take your merch photos to the next level with templates, graphics and bold text
– Design interactive Instagram Stories that stand out and engage your audience
– Create icons/designs to use for your Instagram Highlight covers
Facebook & Twitter:
– Make graphics to promote sales or new merch
– Design a header that emphasizes the best parts of your brand
– Create a graphic for a Facebook event
– Build images you can use to promote as Ads
Youtube:
– Make art to use on your profile page
– Design thumbnails that will best highlight your content
TikTok:
– Create a cute, niche-driven profile picture
– Build TikTok videos with Canva’s video template options
– Design an end frame card that will make your videos more memorable
Canva makes it easy to come up with t-shirt designs and build your brand. No need to be overwhelmed in a space like this – it generates inspiration naturally. We’ve already proved you don’t need to be a professional designer, so there’s nothing stopping you now!
Canva is the ultimate branding tool for your merch and beyond. Personalizing products allows you to monetize your passion and connect with your audience.
Open your free smerch shop AND you make a profit from every item you sell!