# Graphic design feedback for super-niche t-shirt **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2026, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017 "2026-06-19T11:26:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/1 "2026-06-19T11:26:06Z")
Okay, this is a super-niche question. My dad’s 80th birthday is coming up. He likes to sail, so as a gag gift I’m making a t-shirt for him. It’s based on three things: 1. An old joke 2. His love of “memojis” (Apple’s customizable emojis) 3. His love of the Tarheels As such, it’s a Carolina blue shirt with two of his memojis and the joke. I’ve got all that. What I’m not good at is layout, font, etc. If any of you have good graphic design chops and can give me feedback on making this look better, I’d be super grateful! > **[RushOrderTees Apparel Design Studio](https://www.rushordertees.com/design/?design=MTI5ODczMjQ)** > > Design your own t-shirt in our fully loaded online design studio. Upload your own art, choose images & fonts from the gallery, or work with a design expert! ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/2 "2026-06-19T11:48:11Z")
Looks all right. Here’s my two cents. Feel free to ignore it completely because what you have is fine. The graphic of the man is too low. It will be scrunched up on the belly most of the time. I’d raise it higher by making the text a bit smaller, and having it above the “80th Birthday”. Then I’d play with the font sizes so that each of the first two lines are the same width. Then it would be more like: WHAT DOES (bigger) A SAILOR SAY (smaller to fit same width) 🧙‍♂️ ON HIS 80th BIRTHDAY? (all a bit smaller) You could play with font choices for hours and never find the perfect one. What you have is good enough. Colours are good too. It’s never going to be a dynamic work of art, so don’t stress yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/3 "2026-06-19T11:56:06Z")
I’m a lifelong sailor and now I really hope I make it another 23 years, because I want that shirt! Great job! I don’t have any suggestions, because I think you nailed it. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/4 "2026-06-19T12:02:11Z")
I agree. I think it looks fine as it is. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/5 "2026-06-19T12:09:10Z")
I played around with it, but didn’t save anything. [![](https://i.ibb.co/MDwtyrfJ/Screenshot-2026-06-19-220608.png) ](https://i.ibb.co/MDwtyrfJ/Screenshot-2026-06-19-220608.png) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/6 "2026-06-19T12:57:04Z")
Thanks, y’all! Guanolad, I appreciate the detailed feedback. But the image link is a thumbnail saying “upgrade to pro account to embed images in emails,” and even when I click through, that’s what I get. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/7 "2026-06-19T16:09:51Z")
We’ve seen that in other threads, and my best guess for why that happens is imgbb decided after your upload that it needed to censor the image. The specific error message is deliberately misleading. Use another image host, I recommend [gyazo.com](http://gyazo.com). ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/8 "2026-06-19T17:00:23Z")
I agree with Guano Lad, you could make the font smaller so the image can be higher. Otherwise, the old man’s head and hand would be sticking out from your dad’s waist if the shirt is tucked in, but that would look just as intentionally silly. I think it’s a great gift and sure to get some laughs. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/9 "2026-06-19T17:15:16Z")
I think your lettering looks fine. Like everyone says, shrink the front pix. I might put it front chest pocket position.. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/10 "2026-06-19T21:18:49Z")
All right, here’s an update. Better? > **[RushOrderTees Apparel Design Studio](https://www.rushordertees.com/design/?design=MTMwNTU2OTQ=&utm_medium=share_link&utm_source=share_link&utm_campaign=share_link)** > > Design your own t-shirt in our fully loaded online design studio. Upload your own art, choose images & fonts from the gallery, or work with a design expert! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/11 "2026-06-19T21:27:58Z")
Very nicely done. He’s gonna be a dapper dude. 😉 ETA: well need to see the final result. Plz. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/12 "2026-06-19T21:33:25Z")
Sorry about the link not working. I’m not sure what went wrong, I followed [these instructions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imgbb-on-an-iphone-steps-to-display-images-for-the-sdmb/1024594/3), which I thought had been vetted to be foolproof. I’ve stuck it on my dropbox, so I hope you can see it now, but to be honest your adjustments for this new version are great. Don’t mind me. You’re on top of it. [![](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/hhckpwp3sxvpqkdtszg7k/Shirt_Design.png?rlkey=p38dngo5yihuqeifjiar4fjoe&dl=0&raw=1) ](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/hhckpwp3sxvpqkdtszg7k/Shirt_Design.png?rlkey=p38dngo5yihuqeifjiar4fjoe&dl=0&raw=1) ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/13 "2026-06-19T21:43:49Z")
thumbs up emoji 👍 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/14 "2026-06-20T00:34:44Z")
I think it’s quite cute. :3 I liked the original having the 80th part be bigger. It made it feel more like I’d see on, say, a birthday card. Which is what this seems to be: A birthday card in t-shirt form, which is pretty cool! ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/15 "2026-06-20T00:48:50Z")
I like this version a lot. Except I wouldn’t do the yellow, because that’s not a Tarheels color. Maybe silver. And the font should be darker. [![](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/ncaa-athletic-teams/images/7/71/North_Carolina_Tar_Heels.jpg) ](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/ncaa-athletic-teams/images/7/71/North_Carolina_Tar_Heels.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/16 "2026-06-20T00:54:11Z")
Okay. I don’t know what Tarheels are, so I just picked something random. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/17 "2026-06-20T09:11:51Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Better? IMHO, the th in 80th could be a bit smaller - maybe lower case like in your original version - so it’s more obviously 80th… it looks a bit like BOTH. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-design-feedback-for-super-niche-t-shirt/1031017/18 "2026-06-20T09:36:44Z")
Definitely meant to keep the “th” smaller, just forgot–I’d noticed the “both” resemblance as well! Updated again: > **[RushOrderTees Apparel Design Studio](https://www.rushordertees.com/design/?design=MTMwNTk3NDU=&utm_medium=share_link&utm_source=share_link&utm_campaign=share_link)** > > Design your own t-shirt in our fully loaded online design studio. Upload your own art, choose images & fonts from the gallery, or work with a design expert!