Whether you plan to start selling regular t-shirts or looking for ways to measure your existing print-on-demand business, being one step ahead of current card design trends is essential.

But there are many more things to consider:

What are the best T-shirt designs for 2021? What t-shirt colors should you choose? How do you create designs for best t-shirts?

To help you get out, we have summarized some of the 2021 hottest t-shirt designs with short examples of how to use them. So, read on and check out our 10 new T-shirt design styles below to get the look of your next t-shirt.

1. 3D typography

A perfect example of a t-shirt design trend growing out of modern “can-do” possibilities. This trend is far from being new, but it’s the one that has certainly come with the development of modern technology and new graphic software capabilities. 

2. City Style

This t-shirt design trend was born from a need to stand for something important without having to say a word, because we live in a time when limiting in-person contact has become a new reality.

Buy City Tees from Teesage

3. Geometrical shapes

Using geometrical shapes in contemporary designs is definitely a trend to look out for in 2021. There’s just something surprisingly memorable about creating complex designs out of using simple flat shapes.

4. Optical illusion

When you see an unusual or weird image, do you immediately forget about it or spend some time looking at it?

Exactly!

So, apart from just being a revitalized 70s design trend, an optical illusion design can hold the attention of anyone who looks at it. And this is what you’re going for when designing a t-shirt.

5. Retrofuturism

To get inspired for this t-shirt design think futuristic cities, robotized environments, space travels, and floating cars. This t-shirt print theme has evolved from last year’s trend for 80s vintage fashion and futurism. In other words, it’s all about looking back at how people thought about the future in the past. 

6. Support a cause t-shirt designs

A lot of people around the world have faced challenges and injustice over the past few years. This has created a trend for standing up against inequality and demanding justice. While placing protest messages on a t-shirt isn’t a trend per se, there are so many people, including influencers and creators, who want to stand together against injustice and support Black Lives Matter movements, the Me Too movement, the LGBTQ+ community, etc.

7. Spiritual aesthetics

A well-documented side effect of the present pandemic situation is a longing for nature. That’s why nature, the environment, and spirituality are trending themes now, and you can see their influence on designs everywhere.

8. Pet t-shirts

Animal-inspired t-shirts are huge in 2021. Nature and the environment is a hot topic right now, and you can see its influence on fashion trends in unexpected ways.

For example, printing pet portraits on custom t-shirts has become a popular trend among celebrities and influencers on social media. Maybe you should go for it too?  

9. Cartoons

This t-shirt design trend is hardly a surprise. In 2021, custom illustrations have become an excellent way to make any design stand out among the generic blur of heavy graphic elements, a clean look, and minimalistic sleekness. 

10. Repeated words

Sometimes you have to repeat something to make your message really sink in. With this trend, you are not only making a point but also creating a well-designed t-shirt. So, if you’re not a very experienced designer, but looking for creative ideas for your t-shirt collection—this design is for you.