If you’re having trouble with product photography or using a print-on-demand service, t-shirt mockups are a great way to showcase your products. Mockups provide a realistic depiction of your shirts without the need to photograph them or even have samples on hand.
Ahead, find a list of the best t-shirt mockups and templates to save you time when marketing your clothing line.
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What is a t-shirt mockup?
A t-shirt mockup is a digital template of a blank t-shirt that can be decorated with designs, images, text, or logos. This helps you see what the final product will look like. Many t-shirt mockup tools let you choose how a t-shirt is modeled or displayed. Sellers can display t-shirt mockups in product listings if they don’t have a physical product to photograph.
There are two types of t-shirt mockup tools: online t-shirt mockup generators and downloadable t-shirt mockup files. Mockup files are typically formatted as a Photoshop (PSD) file, allowing the user to edit the mockup themselves. Mockup generators, on the other hand, are user-friendly tools that make it easy to upload assets and customize mockups.
9 top online t-shirt mockup generators
1. Printful
Printful is a print-on-demand provider offering a free resource for t-shirt mockups. There are easily customizable templates for print-on-demand t-shirts, hoodies, and more.
Shopify app: Yes.
Free tool: Yes.
Key features:
- Shirt mockup includes a model wearing the product.
- Includes a transparent background option, making it easy to add backgrounds and branded backdrops to your mockup.
2. Printify
Printify uses a simple drag-and-drop function, allowing you to instantly produce realistic mockups for your t-shirt designs. Quickly switch between color options and sizes, making it easy to see how your designs will look across all the variants you want to sell online.
Shopify app: Yes.
Free tool: Yes.
Key features:
- Easily switch between different size and color variants.
- Edit both the front and back of t-shirts.
- Wide variety of t-shirt, hoodie, and tank top options.
3. Gelato
Gelato is another print-on-demand dropshipping app that connects directly to your Shopify store. Among its suite of tools, Gelato includes a mockup generator for visualizing your t-shirts. It also includes an option that lets you upload multiple variants of the same design.
Shopify app: Yes.
Free tool: Yes.
Key features:
- Access more than 360 million vectors, stock photos, and other visual assets.
- Products ship from nine countries worldwide, allowing you to keep shipping times low.
4. Shirt-King
Shirt-King allows you to upload your ready-made t-shirt designs or create new ones with its mockup generator. You create the product designs and Shirt-King handles production and order fulfillment. It also includes automatic order synchronization and seamless Shopify integration. However, Shirt-King is only available in the EU.
Shopify app: Yes.
Free tool: No (Shopify subscription required).
Key features:
- Shirt-King caters exclusively to EU businesses.
- Automated order synchronization.
5. Custom Ink
Custom Ink’s t-shirt mockup generator is a free tool that lets you see how designs will look on a wide range of shirts, from tank tops to raglans. There’s a limited choice of shirt colors available, but when you’re done, you can order your shirts directly from Custom Ink.
Shopify app: No.
Free tool: Yes.
Key features:
- Suite of free-to-use graphics.
- Mockups can be turned into physical products using Custom Ink.
6. Smartmockups
Smartmockups is home to more than 1,500 free t-shirt mockups. All you have to do is upload your design, choose a t-shirt color, and download the mockup. You can find everything here, including v-necks, round neck, and kids’ shirts. Smartmockups even offers mockups for phone cases, mugs, and more if you want to expand your product collection.
Shopify app: No.
Free tool: Yes.
Key features:
- View mockups from all angles, including top view, front view, hanging t-shirt, and folded t-shirt.
- Get a high-quality mockup file to use in your online store.
- Design t-shirt mockups for free.
7. Styria Shirts
Another EU option, Styria Shirts lets you design your own products, while it prints, embroiders, packs, and ships the orders on your behalf. Customize colors, designs, labels, and brands using its mockup generator. In addition to t-shirts, you can design hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, mugs, and tote bags.
Shopify app: Yes.
Free tool: Yes.
Key features:
- Styria Shirts is accessible to EU-based businesses only.
- More than 200 products can be customized.
8. Placeit
Placeit is a well-known t-shirt mockup generator that lets you make video mockups. Choose from a wide range of t-shirt templates, place your design on them, and buy the ones that fit your brand, all without using an image editor. Placeit is a good mockup generator for those who lack experience with image-editing software.
Shopify app: No.
Free tool: No.
Key features:
- Tons of apparel styles to pick from.
- Create video mockups to show how your product moves and drapes in a real world context.
9. Shirtee.Cloud
Shirtee.Cloud has more than 50 different products and 4,000 product variations. It includes white label shipping, warehousing, and returns management. You can customize your designs or upload your own.
Shopify app: Yes.
Free tool: No.
Key features:
- Specializes in catering to EU-based businesses only.
- List products on the Shirtee.Cloud marketplace.
8 sources for downloadable t-shirt mockup and template files
If you want more control over your t-shirt mockups and possess basic image editing skills, you can create mockups with the help of a template file. Here are eight places to find versatile t-shirt mockup templates.
1. Creative Market
Creative Market is a great source for PSD templates for all kinds of products, including mockup templates for popular shirt brands, like this Bella Canvas t-shirt template. While not free, you get a license for the template to use over and over—and some cost as little as $2.
2. Go Media
There are multiple t-shirt and hoodie templates available for sale from Go Media. One of the most compelling features is the option to buy t-shirt templates that also have a side view of your design. If you have design elements best viewed from the left or the right, this might be the place to make your t-shirt mockups.
3. Graphic Burger
Graphic Burger has a few free t-shirt templates, including a free template featuring front and back views, and a v-neck tee template. You can find files that are free to download, but you’ll need Photoshop to open and edit them.
4. Behance
Behance is the world’s largest online platform for showcasing and discovering creative work. It’s home to hundreds of t-shirt design templates and t-shirt outlines. Toggle by price (free or premium) and file type.
5. Freepik
Another place to get free t-shirt mockup PSD files is Freepik. You can browse through more than 5,000 mockup sets, including tri-blend crew tops, sports shirts, and t-shirts with cool typography. You can also choose from vector t-shirt and clipart graphics if you don’t want to show your designs on models.
6. Pixelbuddha
Pixelbuddha offers a few options for t-shirt mockups, including downloadable photorealistic templates outside of the typical flat-lay or hanger options. Edit the t-shirt color, add your design, and have it follow the folds and wrinkles of the shirt for realistic images.
7. Pixeden
Pixeden is home to graphic design resources of all kinds, including free mockups for products like books, shoeboxes, and apparel. You can find unique t-shirt mockups, like a folded t-shirt template. This tank-top mockup includes a hanger, wall-textured background, and a tag you can customize.
8. Cotton Bureau
Cotton Bureau has a reputation as a source for high-quality, beautifully designed t-shirts, so it’s no surprise it also sells great t-shirt templates for entrepreneurs. Cotton Bureau sells t-shirt mockups in a range of colors, fits, and styles. Having fit and brand information available can really help your t-shirt designs show a true-to-life image of what your customers can expect from your product.
How to choose the right t-shirt mockup for your design
Picking the perfect t-shirt mockup is like choosing the right frame for a masterpiece. It makes your design go from good to captivating.
Here are the criteria to consider for a quality t-shirt mockup:
- Style: Match mockups to your target audience. If you’re designing for fitness enthusiasts, use a model in a workout pose or add a gym backdrop. For a casual look, show your tees on a hanger or draped over a chair. If you’re selling t-shirts wholesale to other retailers, consider including a variety of styles for them to choose from.
- Color: Choose a mockup color that complements your design. Light designs pop on dark shirts, and dark designs stand out on light backgrounds.
- Fit: Think about how the shirt should look on a body. Slim-fit mockups work well for trendy designs, while regular fits suit a wider range of body types.
- Angle: Front views are great for chest designs. Back views highlight full-back prints. Side or angled views can show off sleeve prints or wrap-around designs.
- Quality: Use high-resolution mockups for crisp, clear images. Low-quality mockups can make even great designs look unprofessional.
- Realism: Choose mockups with natural-looking wrinkles and folds. Overly perfect mockups can look fake and turn off potential buyers.
Keeping these points in mind, you’ll choose mockups that make your designs shine and appeal to your target market.
Why use t-shirt mockups in your store?
T-shirt mockups give you a clear idea of how a design will look on an actual t-shirt before it’s made.
For designers, mockups help check things like the size of the artwork, its position on the shirt, and how the colors work together. Using a t-shirt mockup gives you a chance to make adjustments early in the design process and avoid pricey mistakes down the line.
In marketing, mockups let you present products to potential customers. They make your designs look professional and help people imagine what the shirt will look like when worn. Good mockups can make your apparel look more real and drive sales, whether you’re using them in ads, on social media, or on your product pages.
Once you've set up your product pages with great mockups and enticing descriptions, you’re ready to start selling. With Shopify, it’s easy to post your listings directly to social media and popular marketplaces, right from your Shopify dashboard.
Comparing free vs. paid t-shirt mockup tools
When it comes to t-shirt mockup tools, you’ve got two options: paid and free.
If you’re just starting out or working on a small project, free tools can be a great way to get your feet wet. They let you create basic mockups without spending a dime.
But if you’re serious about your t-shirt business or need top-notch visuals, paid tools are worth considering. They offer better quality and more options, and can make your designs stand out.
Here are some pros and cons of using a free t-shirt mockup tools:
Pros
- Free is perfect if you’re on a tight budget. Just sign up and start creating.
- Many free tools are simple and fast to use. Learn the basics without spending money.
- Avoid the subscriptions or long-term plans required by some tools.
Cons
- You may need additional software to make all the necessary edits to your t-shirt mockups.
- Images and templates may not look professional.
- There’s less variety in styles, colors, and mockup scenes.
- Some free tools add a watermark.
Think about your goals, how often you’ll use the tool, and what features you genuinely need. If you’re planning to use mockups regularly, investing in a paid tool could save you time and energy.
Best practices for editing t-shirt mockups
Whether you’re using an online tool or a template you purchased, there are a few best practices for ensuring your t-shirt design translates properly to a printed garment.
Use the right file size and type
Vector files are preferred for t-shirt printing because they can be scaled without quality loss. Adobe Illustrator (AI) and EPS files are the most common vector file types. You can also use PNG or TIFF files, provided they are high resolution. Lower quality formats like JPEG are not recommended.
Give your design a transparent background
When you prepare your design, be sure it is isolated from its background. Using a transparent background means the shirt color can appear through the cutaways of the design. Vector files and PNG files can be saved with transparent backgrounds.
Choose the right color profile for printing
For printing, CMYK is the best color format. Be sure you create your t-shirt design with a CMYK color profile before importing it into the mockup template. Color profiles can be converted later but you may not get the color results you want in the final print.
Order a sample
Print-on-demand companies will ship your t-shirts directly to customers without passing through your hands. Therefore, it’s important to order a sample to check the quality of the print against the mockup you created, so you feel confident in what your customers will receive.
Your t-shirt mockup design starter kit
There are endless t-shirt templates and mockups to help you start a business online. Use these free and paid generators to find the right look and feel for your apparel and start building your brand.
Feature illustration by Rachel Tunstall
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T-shirt templates and mockups FAQ
Can I make a t-shirt mockup on Canva?
Canva offers t-shirt mockup templates for showcasing your designs. You can easily upload your artwork, adjust its placement, and customize the mockup to fit your needs.
How can I make my t-shirt mockup look realistic?
To make your t-shirt mockup look realistic, use high-quality templates with natural wrinkles and shadows. Adjust your design layer’s opacity and blend mode to make it look like it’s actually printed on the fabric.
Can I use t-shirt mockups for commercial purposes?
Using t-shirt mockups commercially depends on the license of the specific mockup you’re using. Many mockups are available for commercial use, but always check the license terms and consider purchasing premium mockups for unrestricted commercial rights.
How do you make a t-shirt mockup?
Once you’ve downloaded the t-shirt mockup file, you’ll use image-editing software like Photoshop to manipulate the color of the shirt. This is also where you can add design elements. Many templates include options to manipulate the tag, labels, buttons, and other unique pieces of the t-shirt. Some mockups also offer options for long-sleeved shirts, tank tops, jackets, and other pieces of apparel.
Where can I find free mockups?
Printful, Printify, Gelato, Custom Ink, Smartmockups, Behance, and Freepik are all great free tools for t-shirt mockups.
How can I make t-shirts for free?
Many of the t-shirt mockup generators listed above are free. You can upload your own designs for free, or you can start with a premade template and tweak it for your unique style. If you use a mockup generator offered by a print-on-demand company, you’ll be able to list and sell your t-shirts without spending any money.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating t-shirt mockups?
Common mistakes to avoid include: using the wrong color profile, creating your design in an incompatible file format, using too much detail that doesn’t read well once printed, and creating mockups without enough contrast between t-shirt color and design for the design to be legible.
