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Hey there! This Instructable will show you how easy it is to design your own quality T-shirts, hoodies, shoes, skateboards, almost anything using Zazzle.com!
Before we go any further, no, I am not being paid by Zazzle to write this. I wanted to share what I have learned by using Zazzle since there is no Instructable on the topic thus far. (At least that I have been able to find)
Specifically, I will show how I turned a doodle from my history notes into a T-shirt design that I am highly contemplating buying for myself.
This is a very simple process, so this instructable will be short. I'm sure I have just scratched the surface of Zazzle, so I may consider expanding this Instructable later.
Visit my Zazzle Store!!:
www.zazzle.com/fozzy13*
Before we go any further, no, I am not being paid by Zazzle to write this. I wanted to share what I have learned by using Zazzle since there is no Instructable on the topic thus far. (At least that I have been able to find)
Specifically, I will show how I turned a doodle from my history notes into a T-shirt design that I am highly contemplating buying for myself.
This is a very simple process, so this instructable will be short. I'm sure I have just scratched the surface of Zazzle, so I may consider expanding this Instructable later.
Visit my Zazzle Store!!:
www.zazzle.com/fozzy13*
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Signing UpStep 1Editing Images from Sketches
Many people may have trouble with getting a sketched picture into the computer and into a format that makes it look not-sketched. I did at first at least.
All you will need for this is:
* The image you want to scan
* A working scanner connected to your computer
* An image editing program - you will most likely need more than MS Paint. I used GIMP, it's free, open-source, and you can download it here: http://www.gimp.org/
-First, scan in your image, and save it. I find it is easiest to use MS Paint, using the "File>From Scanner or Camera" command.
-Next, save your image, preferably not as a JPG, or it will cause distortion around the lines of your image. PNG is your best bet, but BMP is also good.
-Open your sketched image with GIMP
-It is a good idea at this point to scale up your image using the Scale Tool, as your pictures will always look too small when you upload them to Zazzle later.
-Next, use the Pencil Tool with a reasonably-sized radius to trace over your sketch. These lines that you make will become the final lines of your design, so be careful!
-Next, on your GIMP Toolbar, go to "Colors>Desaturate". This will change the image to black-and-white, which we do want.
-Then on you GIMP Toolbar again, go to "Colors>Posterize" and set the number to "2". This will limit the number of colors in the image to 2 colors total: Black and White, giving you a cleanly-cut image.
**One important note while editing is that it is best to make sure your background is transparent so that it will blend in nicely with a variety of different shirts. Save your final design as a PNG, as they support transparency.
This image-editing process can take some playing with. It takes practice!! It's best to create a few different files as you progress while editing and use multiple layers to be able to delete and edit different parts.
There are a billion GIMP and Photoshop tutorials out there, so my best editing advice other than what's here is to read tutorials, play with it a little, and have fun doing it.
All you will need for this is:
* The image you want to scan
* A working scanner connected to your computer
* An image editing program - you will most likely need more than MS Paint. I used GIMP, it's free, open-source, and you can download it here: http://www.gimp.org/
-First, scan in your image, and save it. I find it is easiest to use MS Paint, using the "File>From Scanner or Camera" command.
-Next, save your image, preferably not as a JPG, or it will cause distortion around the lines of your image. PNG is your best bet, but BMP is also good.
-Open your sketched image with GIMP
-It is a good idea at this point to scale up your image using the Scale Tool, as your pictures will always look too small when you upload them to Zazzle later.
-Next, use the Pencil Tool with a reasonably-sized radius to trace over your sketch. These lines that you make will become the final lines of your design, so be careful!
-Next, on your GIMP Toolbar, go to "Colors>Desaturate". This will change the image to black-and-white, which we do want.
-Then on you GIMP Toolbar again, go to "Colors>Posterize" and set the number to "2". This will limit the number of colors in the image to 2 colors total: Black and White, giving you a cleanly-cut image.
**One important note while editing is that it is best to make sure your background is transparent so that it will blend in nicely with a variety of different shirts. Save your final design as a PNG, as they support transparency.
This image-editing process can take some playing with. It takes practice!! It's best to create a few different files as you progress while editing and use multiple layers to be able to delete and edit different parts.
There are a billion GIMP and Photoshop tutorials out there, so my best editing advice other than what's here is to read tutorials, play with it a little, and have fun doing it.
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Apparently new designs are being added each week to keep your store fresh and up with that latest trending topics and seasons.
There are no costs whatsoever, just download the free high res artwork and add it to your Zazzle Store.
So whether you're a full time stay at home Mom or anyone that just wants to increase their online income, start downloading.
However, I have not put that much effort into making a variety of different products, organizing my store, or promoting my store, so it's possible other people can be more successful. That, and the way I see it, I have had the account less than a year and have had sales. The idea that someone out there likes what I made and is willing to buy and wear it is more valuable in the big scheme than the money.
Thanks for the comment!
I would consider doing this but because the t-shirt are quite costly in the irst place maybe people might not but them.
I will have to see how much they charge for the designed tees
That is true, but people must buy them, since the site is still operating. There is a "value" T-shirt now that is lower quality material, but the platypus shirt I designed was only about $13 in that design.
Most shirts seem to be a little over $20, but I've seen some above $30. Still feel free to check for yourself!
well i might look into it or i might just get them printed by a wholesale company and sell them on my own site.
The appeal of this is that there's no start up money involved, nothing to store, only some computer work to do.
How much do they give you?
L
Thanks for the comment!
L