Shirts are one of the most popular types of apparel for a cafe, but how do you get them to stand out? With the help of a few t-shirt design tips, you could turn your shirts into one of your most effective types of marketing.
Despite how common t-shirts are as a branding and marketing product, they haven’t lost their steam in terms of sales. Indeed, Statista projected that global t-shirt revenue will go up from $45 billion in 2024 to $52 billion in 2029.
That said, the flipside to such roaring popularity is oversaturation. Crafting shirts people want to buy and wear regularly takes a blend of memorable designs, consistent marketing, and long-lasting materials.
Our guide will break down the science of a must-have t-shirt, as well as similar products like crewneck sweatshirts and hoodies. You’ll learn how to promote your cafe, get the right eyes on your product, and craft shirt designs that make people’s eyes light up.
Why Are T-Shirts High In Demand?
Crafting t-shirts for your cafe is easier when you have a firm grip on why they’re such a popular form of merchandise. Not only are they incredibly flexible when it comes to design, they’re functional and easily fit into nearly any closet.
Choose A Design, Any Design!
Does your coffee shop have a minimalist approach to interior design and branding? How about the other extreme with lots of color, patterns, or graphics? T-shirts are basically a canvas you wear, able to accommodate a wide range of colors and designs.
Many Types Of Fashion Incorporate T-Shirts
Whether your customer enjoys casual outfits or carefully layered ensembles, t-shirts are a staple item in most people’s closet. They’re easy to wear, feel great, and are incredibly versatile – they can even be turned into t-shirt dresses or ‘dressed up’ for special occasions.
They Generate Natural Word-Of-Mouth (And More Money For You)
Did you know 81% of customers today will unsubscribe from brands that constantly bombard them with marketing messages? Advertising fatigue is only getting worse these days and is a problem t-shirts (and related apparel) resolve with style…literally!
When someone sees a cool shirt, they may ask about it or even wonder where they can get one. This natural interaction can result in a new purchase or a little boost in foot traffic. It’s less intrusive than a video ad and can even stay top-of-mind if someone wears the shirt on a regular basis. Basically, a t-shirt is the marketing gift that keeps on giving.
McKinsey’s State Of Fashion 2024 report also predicted that brand marketing is going to make a comeback when it comes to fashion. Forging deeper emotional connections with buyers and investing in long-term brand reputation is expected to make a big difference in sales. If you’re already working hard to encourage customer loyalty and create positive experiences for your drinkers, you’re already halfway toward making t-shirts that sell.
You can even apply your knowledge of t-shirts to similar apparel like sweatshirts and hoodies. Let’s take a look at the benefits of t-shirts and some t-shirt design tips to get you on the right path.
Tip #1: A Memorable Design Goes A Long Way
While printing your logo will immediately showcase your brand, is it a design people actually want to wear? Remember, you’re not just trying to market your cafe: you want to create products and services that put people’s needs first.
You don’t have to pick between promoting your brand and giving your customer an aesthetically pleasing design. Try these t-shirt design tips below to get the best of both worlds.
Craft A Vivid Illustration That Tells A Story
A creative illustration that tells a story or invokes a strong emotion can be just the ticket to get customers pulling out their wallet. You can even incorporate your logo with the illustration to get the best of both worlds.
For example, let’s say your coffee shop is themed around the ocean. You could create a t-shirt design that incorporates your logo with sea creatures or classic ocean imagery like anchors. The design could invoke a little whimsy, like a sea otter sipping a cup of coffee, or a punk rock approach with an anchor surrounded by fish skeletons.
When it comes to t-shirt designs, it’s best to have too much than not enough. You’re trying to stand out and get people buying, not play it safe!
Arrange Playful Patterns For An Instantly Unique Design
There are many ways to arrange logos, designs, and illustrations on a shirt. If you want a unique design that goes beyond the classic ‘single focal point’, consider a repeating pattern across the entire shirt.
You can shake things up further by having a repeating pattern on the lower half or the upper half of the shirt. A little blank space is a creative way to direct the eye and create a t-shirt that instantly draws attention.
A Design On The Front And Back Opens More Creative Doors
Do you have a creative idea that’s a little too ambitious for the front of your t-shirt? Consider putting a design on the front and the back to create a one-of-a-kind piece of merchandise.
A popular style is having a smaller design on the front – usually the middle or upper-right – and a larger, splashier illustration on the back. This approach isn’t just to look fancy, either. This design can be a way to tell a story, quite literally, from front-to-back.
For example, you could have your cafe’s logo on the front, then a larger, more detailed illustration spread out along the back. You could also do the reverse. These illustrations shouldn’t be treated as isolated elements, but complements that balance each other out.
Our t-shirts come in a variety of sizes and fits so you can accommodate all your customers – unisex, women’s, men’s, and children’s sizes.
Tip #3: Higher-Quality Materials Create A Longer-Lasting Product
Who says you have to choose between sustainability and longevity? Another feature you can promote with your cafe’s t-shirts is how lovingly they’re crafted and how long they last.
A 2018 study found consumers increasingly interested in purchasing goods that are more durable. In a world of fast fashion and increasing awareness around the benefits of sustainability, long-lasting t-shirts just make sense. Let’s get a little more specific and look into what, exactly, makes a t-shirt last a long time.
We offer garment-dyed t-shirts that provide a rich pop of color that lasts much longer than pigment-dyed t-shirts. Since the dye penetrates the fabric on a deeper level, these shirts won’t fade as fast and will look brand new for years. They also don’t experience shrinkage when washed!
Tip #4: People Can’t Buy What They Don’t Know About
It’s not enough to have a merchandise page on your website or social media account. Coffee drinkers need to know about it through consistent (and clever) advertising.
Need some ideas on how to get your t-shirts top-of-mind? Try these on for size (pun intended):
Consider Tying Merchandise Into Your Loyalty Program
Loyal customers are already more likely to purchase from you in the future. Why not add a little extra incentive by discounting some of your merchandise when they come back for more coffee?
You can go a step further and combine discounts with limited-edition merchandise – or first dibs on upcoming merchandise – to add some extra incentive.
Show Off Your T-Shirts Throughout Your Marketing Campaign
Do you have any advertisements on social media showcasing people enjoying your coffee or eating your baked goods? Slip in a few photoshoots where people are wearing one of your t-shirts.
While you shouldn’t overdo it on this front, showcasing how good your shirts look in casual settings can help people see themselves in their next purchase.
Get A Little Creative With How You Style Your T-Shirts
T-shirt fashion is a fascinating subgenre for all the unique ways people fold, layer, and coordinate their shirts. While there’s nothing wrong with a simple mid-rise t-shirt over some jeans, consider taking things a step further in your marketing.
Check out fashion blogs, magazines, or fashion videos to get some inspiration for how people like to style their t-shirts. Slouchy t-shirt dresses, soft-cropped t-shirts with high-waisted jeans, and t-shirts with French tucks are just a few places you can start with in your marketing campaign.
This abundant creativity will resonate hard with people with different fashion senses and make them more likely to see themselves in your product.
Tip #5: Design Fundamentals Translate Well To Sweatshirts And Hoodies, Too
As touched on before, you can apply a lot of t-shirt design fundamentals to similar merchandise like crew neck sweatshirts and hoodies. In fact, you may find certain items sell better than others, depending on your coffee shop’s location and the preferences of your customers.
For starters, if you live in a chillier and rainier area, you may have an easier time selling hoodies that keep people nice and dry. Snowy areas also do well with crew neck sweatshirts or long-sleeved t-shirts that are easy to layer. On the other hand, hot and sunny areas will have an easier time selling classic short-sleeved t-shirts.
We offer a variety of hoodies and crew necks so you can easily match the tastes of your customer base. Dye them different colors and print your best designs to create items customers are eager to add to their closet.
Tip #6: Seasonal Marketing Can Help Certain Shirts Sell More
Do you live in an area with multiple seasons? Consider shaking up your merchandise line and adding certain items during certain times of month – the limited-edition appeal can get people more likely to buy.
Ongoing studies suggest customers are more likely to purchase an item when they’re notified of its limited-edition nature. The novelty of a rarer item is a common reason behind this phenomenon and a detail you can tap into when strategically timing and marketing your merchandise line.
You can market based on different seasons, such as t-shirts during the summer and hoodies during the winter. You can also market based on different holidays or regional events (indeed, promoting local events and local culture is a winning strategy for increased community engagement).
We’ll Help You Craft Shirts That Fly Off The Shelves
Crafting t-shirts that are distinctive enough to stick your business in the minds of buyers, but stylish enough to work as a standalone fashion item, is easier said than done. At Your Brand Cafe, we regularly work with business owners to provide both materials and artistic expertise to make your merchandise bestsellers.
Our apparel includes a diverse line-up of unisex, women, men’s, and children’s t-shirts, right alongside similar clothes like hoodies and crewneck sweatshirts. We’re not only committed to comfortable clothes, we make sure they last a long time with details like garment dying and ringspun cotton.
With some timely marketing campaigns and a flair for design, you’ll have no trouble crafting unique t-shirts coffee drinkers are eager to buy.
If you’re curious to try our products, but aren’t ready to commit, check out our sampler pack. We offer a pack with a t-shirt – as well as a few of our printed cups and sleeves – so you can narrow down the best supplies for your brand.
Ashe Samuels
Ashley (Ashe) Samuels is a business writer and marketing strategist in the food and beverage industry with a focus in coffee, tea, and alcohol. She has nearly a decade of experience helping brands launch products, build awareness, and craft marketing strategies. She's passionate about sustainability, wellness, and leaving the coffee industry a better place.