Custom printing

How to edit a t-shirt for custom printing

You do not need Photoshop, a designer or a design degree to make a custom t-shirt. If you can upload a photo and drag it around, you can do this in your phone's browser in a few minutes. This guide walks through the Menlab print studio from the first click to the order, and covers the small decisions that make the difference between a print you love and one you regret.

By the Menlab Clothing team · Updated 14 September 2026 · 4 min read

Menlab Clothing editorial photograph of men's streetwear
01

Before you start: three decisions

The studio makes the mechanics easy. The decisions that matter are made before you open it.

  • Which blank. Only products marked customisable can be printed on. Decide between an oversized, drop-shoulder tee and a regular fit first, because the placement that looks right on each is different.
  • Which colour. Light artwork on a dark shirt, or dark artwork on a light shirt. Mid-tone artwork on a mid-tone shirt looks muddy in print even when it looks fine on screen.
  • Which size. Check the product's own size chart. Custom prints are final, so this is the one to get right. Our size guide helps.
02

Editing the t-shirt, step by step

  1. 01

    Open the print studio and pick a product

    Go to custom t-shirt printing, choose a customisable tee or hoodie, then pick the colour and size. The studio loads the real product photo as your canvas.

  2. 02

    Add your artwork

    Tap Upload and choose a PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG up to 10MB, or describe what you want and let the AI generator draw it. You can add more than one image.

  3. 03

    Place it

    Drag the design where you want it, pinch or use the handles to resize, and rotate if needed. A chest logo sits high and small; a full front graphic sits centred and wide.

  4. 04

    Switch angles

    Front, back, left sleeve and right sleeve are separate canvases. Use the angle switcher at the top to design each one, or leave the others blank.

  5. 05

    Preview every angle

    Open the preview. It is generated from your real file at its real size and position, so it is an honest picture of what will print. Look for cut-off edges, low contrast and spelling.

  6. 06

    Add to cart and order

    Happy? Add it to the cart. Your artwork is saved print-ready. Check out with cash on delivery like any other order.

03

Getting the image right

Most disappointing prints come from the file, not the printer. A few habits fix nearly all of them.

  • Start big. At least 1000px on the longer side. A screenshot of a logo from a website is usually too small and will print soft.
  • Remove the background. A transparent PNG prints only the design. A JPG always prints a rectangle, including its white or coloured background.
  • Use SVG for logos and text. Vector files scale to any print size with clean edges.
  • Keep text readable. Anything under about 8mm tall on the shirt is hard to read in print. Zoom the preview to check.
  • Mind the seams. Keep artwork inside the printable area shown on the canvas. A design that runs into a seam or a collar will be trimmed.
A Menlab product photoshoot in progress at the studio in Dhaka
04

Placement that looks intentional

PlacementWhere it sitsWorks best for
Left chestSmall, over the heart, a hand's width below the collarLogos, monograms, small icons
Centre frontCentred, starting roughly two fingers below the collarGraphics, statements, artwork
Full backCentred between the shoulder bladesLarge artwork, team names, numbers
Upper backJust below the collar, smallBrand marks, a second small logo
SleeveAlong the upper arm, smallFlags, dates, short words
05

Your design saves itself

Work saves automatically as you go and comes back the next time you open that product in the same browser, so you can start on the bus and finish at home. You do not need an account to design, only a name, phone number and address when you order.

06

The final check before you order

Custom-printed items are not returnable or refundable, because a piece printed with your own design cannot be resold to anyone else. The one exception is our own mistake: if it arrives damaged, faulty, or printed differently from the approved preview, send a photo within 7 days and we reprint it or refund it in full.

  • Spelling and names, letter by letter.
  • The size against the product's size chart, not a guess from another brand.
  • The colour of the shirt against the artwork in the preview.
  • Every angle you designed, not just the front.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need design software to customise a t-shirt?

No. Everything happens in the browser on your phone or laptop. Upload an image or generate one with AI, then drag it into place. No app, no Photoshop, no account to start.

What image file should I upload?

PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG up to 10MB. For the sharpest print use the largest version you have, ideally at least 1000px wide. A PNG with a transparent background looks best on coloured shirts.

Will the printed shirt look like the preview?

Yes. The preview is generated from your real artwork at its real size and position. Slight colour variation between a screen and fabric is normal with any printing, but what you approve is what we print.

Can I print on both sides?

Yes. Front, back and both sleeves are separate canvases. Design each one, or leave any of them blank.

What if I lose my design?

It saves automatically in your browser and comes back when you reopen the product. Once you add it to the cart, the print file is stored with your order.

Design your own

Print your design on a Menlab t-shirt

Upload artwork or make one with AI, place it on the front, back or sleeves, preview it on the real product and order a single piece with cash on delivery.

Open the print studio