Lesson 4:
The T-Shirt as a Blank Canvas
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In this lesson, we’ll explore advanced effects and techniques in Illustrator.
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1. Theory: Introduction to advanced Illustrator tools.
2. Activity: Focus on creating a T-shirt design.
3. Review: Assessment of placed and allover prints from previous lessons.
4.Homework
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Design a range of T-shirts (3–5) using the techniques learned in class.
The two exercises completed in class using Photoshop and Illustrator.
Tech Sheet for a serigrapic printed T-shirt:
T-shirt design
T-shirt as a white canvas
T-shirt design is a vital element in fashion and merchandising, acting as both a canvas for creative expression and a powerful medium for brand identity.
For brands and artists, T-shirts offer an accessible and widely popular format to convey messages, showcase artwork, or build a brand following.
Through print, a designer can develop a cohesive range that varies in style, color, and layout, making each piece distinct yet part of a unified collection.
This creative flexibility in print design keeps T-shirts fresh and relevant, whether for fashion collections, music merchandise, or streetwear lines.
Branding
Merchandise
Statement
Slim
Regular
Loose
Boxy
Oversize
Crop
Raglan
Ringer
ILLUSTRATOR
3. Vector Fur
• Draw a simple shape and use gradient fill
• Duplicate the shape and select both
• Object -> Blend
• Blend Options -> Spacing 4px or less
• Effect -> Distort and Transform + Roughen
• Adjust as desired
Example 1
Example 2
PHOTOSHOP
4. Halftone
• With halftone we obtain a quadricromia print style effect • Filter -> Pixelate -> Color Halftone
• The bigger the radius the dottier the result, the smaller the readius the cleaner the final effect will be
• Usually use 4 and multiples of 4
Example 1
