How to Put Pictures On T Shirts (It's Easy!)
When people ask me how to put pictures on tshirts, they usually expect a long, technical answer. The truth is, it is much easier than most people think. With today’s printing technology and the right design support, you can turn a photo, illustration, or graphic into a great looking shirt without stress or guesswork.
At The Awesome Company, we help people do this often. Whether you want a photo shirt for a special event, a custom design for your business, or a one of a kind gift, we make the process simple from start to finish. Our team handles the design details, the printing, and the quality checks so you can focus on creating something fun and meaningful.
In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how to put pictures on tshirts, what to look out for, and how to get the best results. By the end, you will see just how easy it really is.
What Kind of Pictures Work Best on T-Shirts?
One of the first things people wonder when learning how to put pictures on tshirts is whether their image will actually work. The good news is that many different types of pictures can look great on a shirt. The key is starting with the best possible image and knowing how it will translate onto fabric.
Photos
Photos are one of the most popular choices for picture t shirts. Family photos, team photos, pet pictures, and event photos can all print beautifully. Clear lighting and sharp focus help a lot. If a photo looks crisp on your screen, it usually prints well too.
Illustrations and Artwork
Drawings, digital illustrations, and graphic designs also work really well. These images often have clean lines and bold colors, which makes them easy to print and visually striking on a shirt.
Logos and Graphics
Logos, icons, and branded graphics are great options, especially for businesses or events. High resolution files work best, but even simple logo images can often be improved with a little design help.
Image Quality Matters
Resolution is important, but you do not need to be an expert. As a general rule, larger images print better than tiny ones. If your picture looks blurry or pixelated when you zoom in, it may not work.
This is where our design team comes in. If you are not sure whether your picture will work, we can review it, clean it up, adjust colors, and make sure it is ready to print.
Here’s an example of a design we created after being sent an image of this wrestling team’s coach, turned it into a stylized graphic, and printed it on a tshirt.
Best Ways to Put Pictures on T-Shirts
When it comes to how to put pictures on tshirts, the printing method matters a lot. Some methods work better for photos and detailed images than others. At The Awesome Company, we focus on the options that give the best results and the least frustration.
DTF Printing (Best for Photos and Full Color Images)
DTF printing is our go to method for picture t shirts. DTF stands for Direct to Film. We print your image onto a special film and then heat press it onto the shirt.
This method is ideal for photos, illustrations, and designs with lots of color or detail. The colors come out bright and sharp, and small details stay clear. DTF works on almost any fabric, including cotton, blends, and polyester.
DTF prints are also durable. When applied correctly, they hold up well through regular washing and everyday wear. The finished design feels smooth and flexible.
Screen Printing (When It Can Work)
Screen printing can work for picture style designs if the image is simplified into fewer colors. It is a great option for bold graphics, but it is not ideal for true photos.
If your picture has been turned into a stylized graphic, screen printing may still be a good choice. Our design team can help you decide which method will look best.
Here’s an example of a customer taking their drawing, scanning it to their computer at high resolution to send to us (left photo). We cleaned it up, removed the background and printed a DTF transfer that was then heat pressed onto a sport grey colored garment (right photo).
Step by Step: How to Put Pictures on T-Shirts
Once you understand the basics, learning how to put pictures on tshirts is very straightforward. Here is how it works when you create picture shirts with us.
Step 1: Choose Your Picture
Pick the image you want to use. It can be a photo from your phone, artwork, or a logo.
Step 2: Decide on Placement
Think about where you want the picture to go. Front, back, or chest placement all work well.
Step 3: Pick a Shirt Style and Color
The shirt color and fabric affect how your picture looks. We help you choose the best option.
Step 4: Prepare the Artwork
Our design team checks clarity, adjusts colors, removes backgrounds if needed, and makes everything print ready.
Step 5: Print and Press
We print your design using DTF and heat press it onto the shirt. Every shirt is checked for quality before it ships.
That is it. Simple and stress free.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Printing Pictures on T-Shirts
Even though learning how to put pictures on tshirts is easy, a few mistakes can affect the final result.
Using low resolution images
Choosing a shirt color that shows imperfections
Overcrowding the design
Using DIY methods that crack or peel
Skipping a design mockup
We help you avoid these issues by reviewing your design before printing.
When all you’ve got is a low quality image of someone, we can take it and turn it into a stylized high resolution graphic to print on a t-shirt.
How Our Design Team Makes Picture T-Shirts Easy
You do not need to be a designer to create great picture t shirts. Our design team helps every step of the way.
Image cleanup and enhancement
Size and placement guidance
Color adjustment for fabric
Clear mockups before printing
Honest feedback and suggestions
Our goal is to make sure you love the final result.
Do you have a neat drawing your kid has made? Let us help you turn it into wearable art!
Why Order Picture T-Shirts from The Awesome Company
At The Awesome Company, we focus on quality, simplicity, and purpose.
In house DTF printing
No minimum orders
Soft, high quality shirts
Full design support
Meaningful employment for autistic adults
Friendly, real human service
Your picture shirts are printed with care by a neurodivergent team that takes pride in every detail.
And that’s it, easy peasy!
If you have ever wondered how to put pictures on tshirts, I hope this guide showed you just how easy it can be. With the right printing method and a supportive design team, turning your favorite images into wearable memories is simple and fun.
At The Awesome Company, we handle the technical stuff so you do not have to. From artwork prep to final press, we make sure your picture shirts look amazing and feel great to wear. Every order also supports meaningful employment for autistic adults, which makes your shirts even more special.
When you are ready to create your own picture t shirts, we would love to help bring your ideas to life.
-
Professional shops use methods like DTF printing, which allows full color images to be transferred cleanly and durably onto fabric.
-
Yes. Many phone photos print beautifully as long as they are clear and well lit. Our design team can help optimize them.
-
DTF printing is one of the best options for photos because it handles color, detail, and durability very well.
-
Higher resolution is better, but you do not need to worry. We review your image and help improve it if possible.
-
Yes. We offer no minimum orders, so you can create one shirt or many.
