What can I print on my custom T-shirts?
By Laurie Frees
Read Time: 4 minutes
Posted: June 18, 2025
Custom T-shirts are everywhere—at family reunions, charity walks, corporate events and inside retail shops. But when it is time to design your own, you need to know what you can and can’t print: specifically, other artists’ or corporate designs. In general, you can’t legally use anyone else’s designs, unless they either grant you legal permission or the design falls under the public domain. Corporate logos, sports team logos and other trademarked and copyrighted designs can’t be used unless the shirt producer has written licensing authority to do so.
Let’s walk through what’s allowed, what to avoid, and how to confidently create custom T-shirts that express your vision and keep your design uniquely yours.
Are your custom T-shirt designs allowed?
Creating a custom T-shirt is fine when you’re using original artwork or content that you have permission to reproduce. That includes logos, slogans, images and even fonts. But the moment you use protected elements—like a company’s logo, celebrity’s face or viral movie quote—you could be violating someone else’s rights.
That’s why reputable providers, including 4imprint, take copyright and trademark law seriously. Trust 4imprint and our creative team when you want to create a custom T-shirt. We’ll review your designs and do our best to ensure they are not infringing on protected materials.
Can I print any image or quote on a shirt?
There are many images online that are legally protected under copyright and trademark laws, so unless you have written permission to use it, assume you can’t. Google Lens® and TinEye® can help find the licensing information and creator of an image.
Avoid printing:
- Brand names or logos, like Nike®, Disney®, NFL®, etc.
- Movie lines, book quotes or song lyrics.
- Photos of celebrities or public figures.
- Team names or school mascots (without a license). Instead, use original images, take your own photos or browse royalty-free design platforms.
Not certain whether a design is safe? Just ask! The 4imprint art team is here to help review your design and guide you. Our artists can also create a logo or special event design for you at no additional cost!
Is creating your own customized T-shirts worth it?
Absolutely. Whether you're designing for your business, your team or just for fun, there’s something uniquely satisfying about custom apparel.
It’s personal. It fits your purpose. And it stands out in a way that off-the-rack fashion never will.
When you work with a professional organization like 4imprint, you get all the perks in one package:
- Creative freedom with comprehensive support from real people
- Access to top brands and hundreds of styles
- Peace of mind, knowing your design is clear and print-ready
Whether you’re creating T-shirts for an event or launching a brand, the value goes far beyond the fabric. It’s about crafting something that represents you—and doing it legally, safely and professionally.
What is the price of printing T-shirts?
Custom shirts can range in cost based on a few key variables:
- Shirt type: basic cotton vs. performance fabrics
- Decoration method: Screen print, digital full color or embroidery
- Design complexity: Number of ink colors and print locations
- Order quantity: Small run or bulk order
If you're ordering custom T-shirts in bulk, your per-piece price drops significantly. Larger orders come with volume pricing, which makes high-quality branded apparel surprisingly budget-friendly.
Want to get a feel for cost? Browse options like men’s custom T-shirts, which include style filters, decoration options and all-in-one pricing.
How to design legal and safe custom shirts
The good news? Staying on the right side of the law doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity. You just need to follow a few smart practices:
- Use original artwork—either created by you or with a designer
- License third-party when needed
- Avoid known brands, quotes and likenesses
- Ask for help if you’re unsure—4imprint’s art team is happy to review and advise
Best of all? You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Our job is to make certain your custom T-shirts with photo not only look great, but also play by the rules. Visit our creative department page and our artwork tips page to get started today!
Here are a few more tips opens in new window on ensuring your designs comply with trademark and copyright law.
Ready to create something uniquely yours?
Custom apparel is a powerful way to increase your brand awareness, rally your team or celebrate a big moment. With 4imprint, you can create custom T-shirts that reflect your vision—and follow all the right legal guidelines.
Whether you’re printing for fun, business or bulk distribution, our team is here to help you do it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are legal restrictions regarding copyrighted images and trademarked phrases. At 4imprint, we recommend using original artwork or securing permissions for any copyrighted materials. Our complimentary art assistance can help you design unique graphics that are safe to use.
- We offer free e-proofs to ensure your design meets your expectations.
- Our expert team can guide you on the best practices for custom designs.
Popular quotes can sometimes be protected by copyright, so it’s crucial to check before printing. At 4imprint, we advise using quotes that are in the public domain or obtaining permission when necessary.
- Our art team can help you create original quotes or taglines that resonate with your brand.
- We often provide free samples, so you can see how your T-shirt design looks before placing a larger order.
Using a logo requires permission from the trademark owner. If you're using your own logo, 4imprint’s complimentary art assistance ensures that your logo is properly formatted for printing.
- We offer free e-proofs to confirm your logo's placement and quality.
- Our 360° Guarantee® ensures that you’ll be satisfied with the final product or receive a refund.
Yes, using images requires consideration of copyright laws. At 4imprint, we recommend using images that you own or have permission to use.
- Our art team can assist with custom illustrations or modifications to fit your vision.
- We also provide free samples to help you visualize your design before making a commitment.
Absolutely! Custom T-shirts are a fantastic way to promote charity events. At 4imprint, we support charitable initiatives through our one by one® program, which provides grants to nonprofits.
- We can help you design T-shirts that highlight your cause, using our complimentary art assistance.
- Consider ordering free samples to make sure you showcase your design on the perfect material and fit for your business needs.
To create a unique custom T-shirt, consider original designs or personalized quotes. At 4imprint, our art team can collaborate with you to craft a distinctive look.
- We provide free e-proofs to ensure your design aligns with your vision.
- With our Better Choices® products, you can also make a positive impact while promoting your brand.
Laurie Frees
Laurie Frees is a merchandising category manager at 4imprint who specializes in apparel. With over 25 years of experience in merchandising and product development—plus four years in the promotional products industry—she brings deep expertise in fabric construction and logo application. Laurie manages the product assortment across all apparel categories, including T-shirts, polos, outerwear, dress shirts, sweatshirts and more. Her role includes tracking trends, building supplier partnerships and analyzing data to guide decisions. With a strong focus on products made from sustainable materials, Laurie helps drive innovation in core apparel offerings that customers rely on to showcase their brands.
All marks are the property of 4imprint or their respective owners.