How to Make PixelLab T-Shirt Design for Print (Step-by-Step)
Look, you don’t need a $2k laptop or Photoshop to slap a fire design on a tee. PixelLab—especially the mod version—lets you cook pro-level graphics on a $150 Android in under 20 minutes. We’re talking crisp 300 DPI PNGs ready for print-on-demand or your local screen-printer. No fluff, no ads, no watermark.
This guide? Straight from my phone to your screen. Follow it once and you’ll be pumping merch like it’s 2016 again.
What You’ll Need Before Starting
Grab these quick:
- PixelLab (mod if you want everything unlocked—fonts, stickers, zero ads).
- Transparent PNG or plain background (start clean).
- Fonts – download free ones from Google Fonts or Dafont, drop ’em in PixelLab.
- Images/icons – PNGs with no background (search “free PNG logo” on Google).
- T-shirt mockup (optional, but looks dope for IG previews).
Pro move: Keep a “Tee Kit” folder in your gallery. One tap, everything’s there.
Step 1: Open PixelLab and Set Canvas Size
Fire up PixelLab → hit “+” → Image Size.
Set it to 4500 x 5400 pixels (that’s standard 15×18 inch print at 300 DPI). Background? Transparent. Printers love this—no white box sneaking in.
Quick math: 300 DPI = print sharp. Anything under 150 DPI? Looks like a 2005 MySpace banner.
Step 2: Add and Customize Text
Tap the “A” icon. Type your slogan.
Example: “TOXIC BUT LOYAL”
Now tweak:
- Font: Bold sans-serif (Bebas Neue) or handwritten (Pacifico).
- Color: Black on white tee? White on black? Test both.
- Outline: Add a 2–3px stroke in contrasting color (white text → black stroke).
- Shadow: Soft drop shadow, 30% opacity. Makes it pop off fabric.
- 3D? Only if it’s simple. Overdo it and it prints muddy.
Center it. Kern tight. Done.
Step 3: Add Graphics or Elements
Need a skull? Lightning bolt? Tiny pizza slice?
Import PNG → drag it under/above text. Resize with two fingers. Rotate if you’re feeling chaotic. Use Blend Mode → Multiply if overlapping colors.
Keep it under 4 elements total. More = cluttered tee = no sales.
Step 4: Apply Effects and Finishing Touches
Want vintage?
- Add grunge texture (search “distress overlay PNG”).
- Set layer to Overlay, drop opacity to 40%.
Want clean? Skip effects. Bold text + one icon = timeless.
Color tip: Avoid neon on cotton. Printers cry. Stick to CMYK-friendly vibes (test export in PNG-24).
Step 5: Export Your Design
Top-right → Save as Image → PNG. Crank quality to 100%.
Check your gallery:
- File size ~5–15 MB? Good.
- Transparent background? Zoom in—no white halo.
Name it smart: toxic-loyal-4500×5400.png
Step 6: Test on a T-Shirt Mockup (Optional but Sexy)
Open a free T-shirt mockup PSD in PixelLab (yes, it handles PSDs in mod). Drop your PNG on the smart layer.
Zoom out. Does it still slap on black? Navy? Heather gray? Tweak scale. Save preview for IG Stories.
Step 7: Send for Printing
Upload to:
- Printful / Teespring (print-on-demand)
- Local screen printer (cheaper for 20+ units)
Specs to tell them:
- 15×18 inch print area
- 300 DPI PNG
- Center chest placement
Pick cotton tees. Poly blends bleed color.
Tips for Professional T-Shirt Designs
- Simple wins – 90% of best-sellers are 1–2 colors.
- Vector vibes – Use shapes + bold fonts. Scalable forever.
- Test dark/light – White ink on black? Dope. But needs outline.
- Mock it up – Customers buy the vision, not the file.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Low-res trash → 72 DPI = pixel soup.
- JPG export → White background ruins dark tees.
- Too many fonts → Looks like a ransom note.
- Tiny text → “Live Laugh Love” in 8pt? Unreadable.
Conclusion
That’s it. 7 steps. One phone. Zero excuses.
PixelLab mod turns your cracked-screen Android into a merch factory. Start with a dumb inside joke. End with a tee your crew fights over.
Now go make something someone screenshots in the wild. Tag me when it drops—link in bio for the mod if you’re still stuck with ads.
