Whether you want to upload your own artwork, add custom text, use our AI design tools, or place a bulk order for your team, this guide explains how to use the customizer and place your order from start to finish.
1. Choosing Your Product
Before opening the design studio, select the item you want to personalize:
- Browse categories such as T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, accessories, or home & living items.
- Click "Create" or select a product base to open the interactive Customize Tool.
2. Using the Customizer
Inside the design tool, you have multiple ways to personalize your item. Designs can be added on the left side of the creatomat.
- Add Designs & Marketplace Art: Choose from thousands of graphics and motifs in our marketplace, or upload your own image files.
- Add Text: Insert text boxes, select from a wide variety of fonts, adjust sizes, and pick your print colors.
- Edit and Position: Click and drag elements across the product canvas. Use the sidebar controls to scale, rotate, center, or move designs between the front, back, or sleeves.
- Switch Products & Colors: Change garment colors, alternative fits, or swap product types at any time while keeping your artwork intact.
3. AI-Powered Design Customization
In addition to standard artwork and text, you can use our integrated AI tools to tailor graphics on the fly:
- Prompt-Based Adjustments: When selecting eligible marketplace designs or working in the self-design area, use the AI feature to modify artwork style or content.
- How to Use: Enter a descriptive text prompt detailing the specific changes or visual elements you want to introduce.
- Live Preview: Generated or modified elements appear immediately on your live product preview so you can test variations instantly.
4. Custom Embroidery Options
For a durable, premium finish, you can choose custom embroidery on selected apparel and accessories (such as polo shirts, hoodies, aprons, caps, and beanies):
- Embroidery-Compatible Designs: Select designs marked for embroidery or create clean text layouts directly in the tool.
- Color Limitations: Custom embroidery uses physical thread colors (up to 8 colors per design). The customizer will guide you to map your design to standard thread colors.
- Digitizing: When you place an embroidery order, our production team converts your design into a stitch file to ensure high-density, precise stitching on the garment.
5. Sharing your Designs
If you want to save your work to finish later or share the design, you can click on the share option at the top right of the preview, next to the product name.
6. Bulk Orders & Volume Discounts
Ordering for a club, company, event, or team? Spreadshirt offers automatic price reductions and dedicated support:
- Volume Discounts: Quantity discounts apply automatically starting at just 6 items. The larger your order quantity, the higher your percentage savings.
- Mixed Sizes & Colors: Volume discounts apply even if you order different sizes, fits, or garment colors with the same design.
- Corporate & Workwear Support: For complex orders or custom workwear quotes, you can reach out via our B2B and custom service pages.
7. Reviewing Your Design & Placing Your Order
When your design is complete:
- Check the Product View (front, back, and sleeves) to ensure all elements are placed correctly.
- Select your Sizes and Quantities. The live price calculator updates automatically based on your selections and any volume discounts.
- Click "Add to Cart" to review your summary, enter your delivery details, choose a shipping method, and complete your purchase securely.
Troubleshooting: Image Uploads & Resolution Requirements
If you encounter issues while uploading your own artwork, keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Supported Formats: PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, or vector formats (SVG, AI, EPS, PDF). PNG files with transparent backgrounds are recommended for graphics without square borders.
- Resolution (DPI): For optimal print quality, upload images with a resolution of at least 150 to 300 DPI at the actual print size. Low-resolution images may appear pixelated or blurry.
- "File is too large" error: Compress your image file or reduce its dimensions using an image editor before uploading.
- "Image quality is too low" warning: The customizer flags low pixel density. Replace the file with a higher-resolution version or reduce the print size on the canvas.
- Unwanted background box: If a JPG or PNG has a solid white or colored background, remove the background using an image editing tool and re-upload it as a transparent PNG.