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Design A Shirt Review

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Custom T-Shirt Store Reviews

Design A Shirt Review 4.5 Star Rating

Design A Shirt

4.5 Star Rating
  • Prices from $10 to $20 per shirt
  • Shirts for women, men, and kids
  • Free idea gallery for inspo
  • Buy in bulk and single purchase
  • 10-day returns
  • "A+" rating from the BBB

Design A Shirt got its start in the early 1980s when John Anton decided to print 200 t-shirts for an upcoming ASU vs. USC football game before online shopping was even a thing. As the years went on, as he witnessed a surge in online sales, he engaged a software development company to create a web-based design system, offering customers control over the design process.

Recently upgraded website

Design A Shirt was launched in 2003, printing countless custom t-shirts and apparel across the U.S.A. With a two-decade commitment to excellence, they introduced an upgraded website version in 2022. The new design allows for a faster and smoother user experience in designing personalized merchandise.

Focuses on their flagship product: shirts

Considering the name of the company, it's no surprise that Design A Shirt primarily focuses on offering a wide range of customizable shirts as their flagship product, specializing exclusively in apparel customization rather than a diverse array of products. Their specialization extends to various categories, catering to men, women, juniors, children, athletes, business professionals, cold weather needs, and even specialty items like hoodies, hats, and drinkware. The user-friendly website serves as an easy-to-navigate platform, allowing customers the creative freedom to design their shirts according to their preferences and style.

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Add your own touch or use theirs

Within the design studio, customers are guided through a step-by-step process. They begin by selecting the desired article of clothing for printing, followed by the option to incorporate clip art (provided by Design A Shirt) and/or images, and finally, adding text. The range of clip art choices is extensive, spanning categories like animals, holidays, interests, military, sports, and more. The platform offers flexibility in manipulating images - resizing, rotating, and relocating them on the shirt's front or back. Notably, for orders exceeding six items, customers can even opt for custom embroidery to achieve a more professional and polished design.

Pricing lacks transparency

One thing we didn't love about Design A Shirt, though, was their pricing. The site completely lacks transparency of pricing unless you make an account. There's no way to see the prices of the shirts until you've put together your item and hit "get quote" . According to verified third-party reviews, the shirts range from $10 to $15 per item if you buy in bulk or around $20 per shirt if you buy individually. Thankfully, most of their shirts don't require minimums, so if you only want to buy one that's easy to do at Design A Shirt.

Free idea gallery

For those seeking inspiration, the idea gallery is a neat feature at Design A Shirt. This gallery showcases the potential of their style functions, providing examples that encompass a variety of themes such as funny quotes, birthday sayings, family reunion prints, and casual wear options. This gallery acts as a helpful starting point for embarking on your t-shirt customization journey if you're not sure yet what you want to put together.

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10-day return policy

There is a return policy at Design A Shirt, but it's one of the shortest return windows in our review. According to the site, should any concerns arise after receiving the purchased item, Design A Shirt considers refunds if you initiate the return within 10 days of receiving the item.

Good ratings but few customers

In terms of reputation, Design A Shirt holds an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, a testament to its user-friendly interface, diverse t-shirt options, and comprehensive design features. Plus, according to reviewers, the company has a 4.5 out of 5 stars on average. However, it may be important to note that this is from under 20 total reviews across different verified third-party review sites. So, there isn't a lot of buzz for Design A Shirt, but what's out there is good news. So, this might just be a hidden gem that customers haven't tried yet.

Focus on tees pays off

Design A Shirt stands out as a great service because of its focus on t-shirts more than any other kind of product. With great ratings from the BBB and customers, it's clear that this t-shirt design interface is a top competitor for ease of use and variety of designs. The combination of these attributes renders Design A Shirt a highly recommended destination for custom tee creation. So, it's a no-brainer for us (even with the lack of transparency on prices) to tell you this is one of the top options for t-shirt design on our list.

Where is the Best Place to Buy Custom T-shirts Online?

The fashion landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, with personal expression and individuality taking center stage. Among the myriad forms of self-expression, custom T-shirts have emerged as a canvas for showcasing creativity, passions, and affiliations. From witty slogans that spark laughter to designs that resonate deeply with personal interests, custom T-shirts have become more than just clothing; they are a means of sharing one's identity with the world.

In a digital era characterized by limitless possibilities, the popularity of personalized T-shirts has surged. According to market trends, online retailers specializing in custom apparel have witnessed substantial growth, offering a wide array of options to cater to diverse tastes and preferences. The convenience of digital platforms not only allows for effortless browsing and selection but also enables users to bring their unique designs to life.

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Custom T-Shirt Store FAQ

As they say at Disney World, "If you can dream it, you can do it" ! Whether you want matchy-matchy shirts for your next family reunion, a funny over-the-hill quote and image for someone's 50th birthday, or literally any other theme and idea, you should have no problem finding a t-shirt printing company that can get it done.
Most custom t-shirt retailers have options for one-off orders, with no minimum required. However, you'll usually get a discount when you order more, and some shirt designs might have a minimum order amount. Just shop it around until you find the store that can meet your needs.
No! You can find retailers offering shirts starting at just $9. You can add extras like a name on the front or a jersey number on the back that might come with additional fees. Shipping costs vary by retailer as well: a few stores offer free shipping on all orders, while others have a minimum purchase amount to qualify for no-cost delivery.
Most of the time, yes. You should be able to spot that option quickly as you choose the t-shirt style that interests you.
Of course: isn't that usually the point of a custom t-shirt? From team logos to silly candid photos, you can add whatever you like. The only limitation is if you're trying to use an image that's copyrighted (e.g. your favorite anime character or an album cover): some print shops will reject your t-shirt design if you're using a legally-protected image.
It takes time to produce a custom t-shirt. If you go with the free shipping option, the average turnaround time is 7-10 days from order to delivery. If you're willing to pay to expedite your order, you could get your shirt(s) in just a few days.
Some print shops offer embroidery as an add-on service. Expect the price of each shirt to go up, and for your order's production time to be significantly longer than a simple screen print job.
That depends on the store you select. Most have a satisfaction guarantee within the first 10-30 days of receiving your order, but some retailers will only give you a reprint or a store credit instead of a refund.
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Continued from above...

With a few clicks, one can choose fabric, colors, graphics, and text to craft a T-shirt that is truly one-of-a-kind. Furthermore, the ability to personalize T-shirts for special events, promotional campaigns, or group activities has made online customization services a go-to choice for those seeking a tangible representation of their vision.

With sites out there that cater to artists trying to make it big with original designs or amateur creatives just looking to make something more personal, there are unlimited possibilities for making prints. Whether you want something steamed onto the fabric, printed in ink, or embroidered onto your new tee, there's a style out there for everyone and marketplaces for every creative purpose. In a world where self-expression knows no bounds, the best online retailers for custom T-shirts understand the power of wearing your uniqueness on your sleeve - literally.

Since there are so many places to create custom t-shirts, it can be a little overwhelming to try and pick just one. To get you started on crafting the best wearable art out there, we've put together a list of things you can consider to help you decide where to start shopping:

  • Cost. There are lots of ways to buy custom tees. Knowing whether you want one custom shirt or a bulk order of tees can completely change your costs. So, knowing how much you want to spend on one (or 12) is a great way to start narrowing down your options.
  • Styles. Not all t-shirts are the same. Maybe you're looking for a casual vacay tee or perhaps you'd prefer a custom golf shirt for your buddies at the office. Either way, you'll want to make sure that your chosen retailer has the styles that you need. From hoodies to sleeveless tees, there's plenty to choose from, but some companies have more options than others.
  • Design interface. Some of you might be pro artists and designers, but others might just want to create a fun gift for a family member or friend. Finding a site with a user-friendly design editor could make or break your custom t-shirt experience. Keep an eye out for the services that don't have a huge learning curve to get your dream tee put together.

To make sure your next custom tee is a huge success, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best custom t-shirt companies on the market today. This way you can focus on the fun creative side without the stress of sifting through tons of online print shops. Hopefully, this helps you get one step closer to wearing your dream design!

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