How to Design a Custom T Shirt Online in Kenya That Feels Personal

Everyone wants to wear something that feels like them.
Not a random brand. Not a mass-produced tee. Something real.

Custom t shirts let you do that. Whether it’s a design you made at 2 a.m. or a slogan that makes your friends laugh out loud, your shirt should feel like yours.

And if you’re in Nairobi? You can design it online and get it printed in just a few clicks.

This isn’t just a guide. It’s a walkthrough from someone who’s been there — from choosing the right shirt to making sure your design actually looks good on fabric.

Let’s get into it.

Why Design Your Own T Shirt?

Because sometimes, the clothes in stores just don’t cut it.

Maybe you have a message.
Maybe you’re starting a brand.
Maybe you just want to wear something no one else owns.

Designing your own shirt puts you in control. It’s personal, fun, and surprisingly easy once you know what you’re doing.

Want to see examples?
Browse our custom t shirt collection to get inspired by what others have created.

Step 1: Choose the Right T Shirt

Not all t shirts are the same. Some feel light and soft. Others are heavier, built to last. Here’s what to think about before you even start designing:

• Fit – Classic, slim, oversized? What do you feel most comfortable in?

• Fabric – In Nairobi’s heat, 100% cotton works well. Blends are great if you want something with a bit more structure.

• Color – If your design is bright, go with a neutral shirt. If it’s dark or bold, try lighter backgrounds for contrast.

Check out our product quality guide to see what materials we use and why it matters.

Step 2: Create Your Design

Here’s where people freeze up.
What do I put on it? Will it look weird? Should I hire someone?

Relax. This doesn’t have to be complicated.

Start simple:

• Upload your own photo or drawing

• Add text — a quote, a punchline, something you say all the time

• Combine graphics and words if it helps tell the story

And here’s what matters most: Use a high-resolution image. If it’s blurry on your screen, it’ll be even worse on a shirt. Aim for 300 DPI. That’s print quality.

Think about placement too. Do you want your design front and center? Off to the side? On the back?

Visualize the final look before you hit “upload.” If it doesn’t feel right, tweak it. Or try something completely different. You’re in charge.

Need ideas or tools? Try using Canva or Photopea to create your designs. Both are beginner-friendly and free.

Step 3: Use the Online Designer

You don’t need to download anything. No fancy software.

Our online t shirt design tool is simple and clear. Just open it, and you’ll see:

• A shirt mockup

• Space to drag and drop your design

• Options to resize, reposition, and adjust

• A preview to show how it’ll actually look when printed

You can play around with it as much as you want. Nothing is final until you say so.

No need to be a pro. If you can click, you can design.

Step 4: Order and Wait for Delivery

Once you’re happy with the design:

• Pick your size

• Select how many you want (yes, you can just get one)

• Enter your delivery details

• Pay

• Done

We deliver all over Nairobi. Most of the time, your shirt arrives in 1–3 days. Sometimes faster.

Want to learn more about our shipping and delivery options? We’ve got you covered.

Tips for Better Designs

Here’s some advice I wish I had when I started:

• Keep text short. One line is stronger than a paragraph.

• Use bold fonts that are easy to read from a few meters away.

• Stick to one or two elements. Too much going on ruins the message.

• Check how the design looks against different shirt colors.

• Don’t overthink it. If you love it, that’s enough.

Some of the best t shirts are the simplest ones.

Looking for font inspiration? Browse Google Fonts — they’re free and widely used in graphic design.

What’s Trending in Nairobi Right Now?

You don’t have to follow trends. But if you want some inspiration:

• Clean typography with sharp lines

• Local phrases in Sheng — people love the humor and relatability

• Afro-urban patterns

• Short punchy statements about identity, politics, or everyday life

• Photo prints — especially candid or nostalgic ones

Look around the streets, matatus, campuses. Style in Nairobi is loud, clever, and personal. Your design should feel like you belong in that crowd.

Want to stay ahead of local fashion trends? Check out Nairobi Fashion Hub.