T-shirt design preview software?

[hidehi]

I've just received my first vinyl transfer t-shirt order (yippee), but the customer is asking whether its possible to see a digital preview of the t-shirt before pressing. I don't yet have such software that can show garments with a design mock-up, so I'm wondering what programs are out there that do this. Are there any cheap and cheerful starter programs or are we talking megabucks? Any recommendations? What do I search for?

Thanks for any help.

[JSR]

Although I don't do many t-shirts, I often create "mock-ups" for items like mugs. In these instances, I print the design on paper, attach it to the item, take a photograph, and email that to the customer with a note saying "the finished item will look different/colours aren't guaranteed/etc".

It gives the customer something to see, and to approve the layout, before I go ahead and print. Also, if I've printed it on paper and attached it to the item, and the customer has approved it, I know exactly how big to print/cut the item and where to stick it without worrying about the customer not liking it. Doing this via software means you don't have a 1:1 size approved so you need to map whatever sizes/dimensions the software is showing you on screen to an actual physical item. I find it less stressful to always deal with physical items/prints, but YMMV.

[hidehi]

Thanks for the quick reply! I have sometimes done the same with my embroidered items in the past, so maybe I should play safe and do the same with my vinyl items too. Good point about the 1:1 sizing...there's nothing like seeing the true size of the design against the size of the item.

[JSR]

With t-shirts it can be additionally tricky because different sizes of shirts are ... well, different sizes... :biggrin: On-screen you'd need to work out if the software t-shirt is S, M, L, or 6XL, before you layout your vinyl to match a physical t-shirt. And if the shirts you get in are a different brand, who has slightly different sizes, then the on-screen mock-up ends up pretty inaccurate compared to a physical mock-up.

If the customer is ordering a quantity of the items, I'll always send him the first one to approve through the post (I'll send multiple samples if it proves necessary). However, if it's just a one-off then the "mock-up" method is cost-effective while also having the customer approve the layout. If they really don't like the item when they finally receive it, then I'll work with them until they're happy because that's what's important to me.

[hidehi]

Yes, I'm the same. My embroidery may not be the cheapest around, but I do spend a lot of time ensuring the final item is 100% perfect, however long it takes. I'm guessing this customer has seen the type of software facilty that larger online companies offer whereby you upload your own design(s) and see it on a t-shirt shape, with the colour(s) you want etc. I've quite a way to go before I reach that level...

[mrs maggot]

i have a plug in or corel draw that gives me a t shirt, and thats how i do mock ups, if not perhaps a simple way of taking a t image and putting the design onto it in photoshop/corel would do

[Paul]

I do mocaups in photoshop. They look realistic enought

[letsgo]

I do same as Paul and customers really appreciate the effort

[hidehi]

Thanks Laura and Paul. I have Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop Elements but not Photoshop unfortunately :frown:

[hidehi]

Thanks Letsgo, I think you must have replied at the same time I did!