How Do We Come Up with Print Ideas?

At Fancy Clothes, we take pride in crafting unique, eye-catching designs, but the big question is always: How do we come up with print ideas? Let me take you through the process, because there's a lot more going on behind the scenes than you might think.

Step 1: Research, Research, Research

The first step to creating something that resonates with people is to observe what’s going on around us. We constantly keep an eye on trends – from browsing the internet to walking down the street, to casual conversations with friends and even chatting with my daughters and their circle. Trends are like waves; they come and go every day, and only a few stick around long enough to be worth our time.

But what happens when you catch a trend or even better, start to feel like you could create one yourself? That’s when the magic begins. We jump right in and start brainstorming.

Step 2: Conceptualizing the Design

Let me give you an example: We’ve got a design that reads, "Pizza is my spirit animal."

It’s funny, it’s lighthearted, and it works because everyone loves pizza, right? It's that classic, universal humor. It's cute and relatable, making it a no-brainer for a design. But we didn’t stop at pizza—why not add burgers and tacos into the mix? After all, they’re fan favorites too.

Now, some of you might be wondering: Why didn’t we use wings in the mix? Take a look at the designs, and you’ll get the answer. There’s a certain vibe we’re after, and wings just didn’t quite fit the playful, cuddly feel we were going for.

Step 3: Refining the Idea

Once we’ve nailed down the concept, we start honing in on the details. One thing we always keep in mind is simplicity—how can we convey the message with as few elements as possible? At Fancy Clothes, less is often more.

For example, do we really need to spell out "Pizza is my spirit animal," or can we just show a cute pizza slice with the phrase "... is my spirit animal"? That question is always on the table, because the goal is to make the design as visually appealing and easy to understand as possible.

This part of the process is crucial. It’s not just about throwing an idea onto a shirt; it’s about crafting something people want to wear. Something that makes them smile or laugh when they see it.

Step 4: Choosing the Right Product

Once the design is polished, we move on to the product selection stage. Since Fancy Clothes (fancy-clothes.com) primarily offers T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies, it’s important to match the design to the right product. For instance, when we’re working with casual T-shirts, we often go with the Gildan 64000 (Softstyle), which is a cotton-polyester blend.

Why this one? Well, the Gildan 64000 just feels softer compared to something like the Gildan 50000, which is 100% cotton. Don’t get me wrong, the 100% cotton shirts are comfortable too, but we find they have a firmer feel when worn, whereas the Gildan 64000 offers a bit more softness and flexibility. Plus, it’s easier on the budget, which means we can pass on the savings to our customers without compromising on comfort.

Here’s a little insider secret from me: Whenever I put on a Gildan 64000, it’s like wrapping yourself in a soft, cozy hug that’s perfect for any casual day. That’s why it’s our go-to for T-shirts.

Final Thoughts: From Idea to Finished Product

Creating print ideas is a journey—one that’s fueled by inspiration, creativity, and a lot of fine-tuning. What starts with a simple observation or conversation can quickly turn into a full-fledged design that people love to wear. And for us, there’s no better feeling than seeing someone out and about rocking one of our shirts or hoodies. It’s proof that the hard work paid off.

At the end of the day, trends may come and go, but what sticks are the designs that feel personal, make people smile, and—hopefully—stand the test of time. That's what we aim for every time we sit down to brainstorm at Fancy Clothes.

So, next time you're rocking your "Pizza is my Spirit Animal" T-shirt, just know there's a little bit of a story behind it—and a lot of love.