The back of your custom t-shirt is prime real estate for creativity, personality, and impact. Whether you're designing team apparel, promotional merchandise, or personal statement pieces, the back print can make or break your design. At The Tee, we've seen thousands of back designs come to life on premium AS Colour blanks - here are 25 creative ideas to inspire your next project.
Why the Back of Your T-Shirt Matters
The back of a t-shirt offers more space than the front, making it perfect for detailed designs, lengthy text, or bold statements. It's the canvas people see when you're walking away, working, or when the shirt is hung up. A well-designed back can turn a simple tee into a conversation starter.
Benefits of back prints:
• Larger canvas for creative expression
• Additional branding opportunities
• Perfect for detailed artwork or lengthy text
• Creates visual interest from all angles
• Allows for front and back storytelling
25 Creative Ideas for Custom Tee Backs
Personal and Motivational (Ideas 1-5)
1. Personal Motto or Life Philosophy
Your favourite quote, personal mantra, or life philosophy. Examples: "Progress over perfection" or "Adventure awaits"
2. Goals and Dreams List
A stylised list of your aspirations, bucket list items, or life goals formatted in attractive typography.
3. Inspirational Quote with Attribution
Meaningful quotes from favourite authors, leaders, or historical figures with proper attribution.
4. Personal Timeline or Milestones
Important dates, achievements, or life events laid out as a visual timeline down the back.
5. Coordinates of Meaningful Places
GPS coordinates of your hometown, where you met your partner, or dream destinations in minimalist typography.
Team and Group Ideas (Ideas 6-10)
6. Team Member Names and Numbers
List all team members with their numbers, positions, or roles - perfect for sports teams or work groups.
7. Team Achievements and Records
Championship years, records broken, or major accomplishments displayed prominently.
8. Inside Jokes and Team Sayings
Those phrases only your team understands, formatted creatively with fun typography.
9. Team Formation Story
The story of how your team came together, key milestones, or founding principles.
10. Contact Information Grid
Professional contact details for business teams, formatted attractively with logos and social media handles.
Business and Professional (Ideas 11-15)
11. Company Values or Mission Statement
Your organisation's core values, mission, or vision statement in engaging visual format.
12. Services or Product List
What you offer, formatted as an attractive menu or checklist rather than boring text.
13. Customer Testimonials
Positive reviews or testimonials from happy customers, with star ratings and attribution.
14. QR Code with Information
Link to your website, portfolio, menu, or special offer - make it part of an attractive design.
15. Business Journey Timeline
Key milestones in your business growth, from startup to current success.
Event and Occasion Specific (Ideas 16-20)
16. Event Schedule or Program
Festival lineup, conference agenda, or event timeline designed attractively.
17. Map of Event Location
Stylised map showing event location, key landmarks, or activity areas.
18. Participant List or Roll Call
Everyone attending, participating, or celebrating - great for graduations or reunions.
19. Event Rules or Instructions
Tournament rules, safety guidelines, or event instructions presented creatively.
20. Photo Collage Placeholder
Design space for photos to be added later, or a collage of event memories.
Fun and Creative (Ideas 21-25)
21. Fake Nutritional Label
Humorous nutritional information about personality traits: "100% awesome, 0% drama, contains traces of sarcasm"
22. Loading Bar or Progress Meter
"Adulting skills loading... 23% complete" or "Coffee dependency level: Maximum"
23. Terms and Conditions
Funny personal terms and conditions: "Warning: May contain excessive dad jokes" or "Side effects may include spontaneous dancing"
24. Barcode with Humorous Description
A realistic-looking barcode with funny product description underneath.
25. Interactive Elements
"If you can read this, you're too close" or "This shirt looks better from the front" with arrows or visual guides.
Design Considerations for Back Prints
Size and Placement Guidelines
Standard back print area: 30-35cm wide maximum
Vertical placement: Centre between shoulder seams and hem
Top margin: At least 5cm from collar seam
Bottom margin: Leave space above the hem
Size variations by garment:
• Small shirts: Scale designs proportionally
• Large shirts: Can accommodate bigger designs
• Consider how design looks across all sizes
Typography and Readability
Font size minimum: Ensure text is readable from 2-3 metres away
Contrast importance: Dark text on light shirts, light text on dark shirts
Font selection: Choose fonts that match your front design style
Line spacing: Adequate spacing prevents cramped appearance
Print Method Considerations
The Tee's printing options work differently for back designs:
Screen printing: Excellent for simple, bold back designs with solid colours
DTG printing: Perfect for complex, detailed back artwork with multiple colours
Heat transfer vinyl: Great for text-heavy backs and individual personalisation
Large format printing: Ideal for full-back coverage designs
Coordinating Front and Back Designs
Complementary Approaches
Storytelling method: Front introduces, back explains or expands
Question and answer: Front poses question, back provides answer
Before and after: Show transformation or progression
Teaser and reveal: Front hints, back delivers the punchline
Design Consistency
Colour coordination: Use the same colour palette on front and back
Font families: Maintain typography consistency throughout
Style matching: Ensure both sides reflect the same personality
Brand elements: Include consistent logos or branding elements
Technical Tips for Back Design Success
File Preparation
Resolution requirements: 300 DPI minimum for crisp printing
File formats: Vector files (AI, EPS) preferred for text and logos
Colour modes: CMYK for printing, RGB for screen viewing
Bleed areas: Include bleed if design extends to edges
Using The Customiser
The Tee's design platform makes back design simple:
• Preview front and back together
• Automatic sizing for different garment sizes
• Real-time colour adjustments
• Easy text editing and positioning
• Print method recommendations based on design
Common Back Design Mistakes
Text too small: Remember people view backs from various distances
Poor contrast: Ensure readability on chosen garment colour
Overcrowding: Leave white space for visual breathing room
Misalignment: Centre designs properly between seams
Inconsistent style: Match the front design's personality
Budget Considerations
Cost factors for back prints:
• Design complexity affects printing method choice
• Multiple colours increase screen printing costs
• Large coverage areas may require special pricing
• Personalisation adds individual customisation costs
Cost-saving tips:
• Use single-colour designs for screen printing
• Stick to standard print areas
• Avoid gradients if using screen printing
• Consider heat transfer vinyl for text-heavy designs
Popular Australian Themes
For local relevance, consider these Australian-inspired back design ideas:
Location-based: Australian city skylines, landmarks, or coordinates
Cultural references: Aussie slang, local sayings, or cultural icons
Sports themes: AFL, NRL, cricket, or Olympic references
Nature elements: Australian wildlife, landscapes, or native plants
Ready to Design Your Custom Back Print?
The back of your custom t-shirt is an opportunity to make a statement, tell a story, or share your personality. With The Tee's expertise and AS Colour's premium blanks, your back design will look professional and last through countless wears.
Start creating your back design today:
1. Choose your favourite idea from our 25 suggestions
2. Use The Customiser to experiment with layouts and fonts
3. Consider how it coordinates with your front design
4. Preview on your chosen AS Colour garment
5. Order with confidence knowing it's professionally produced
Need design inspiration or technical help? The Tee's design experts are available to help you create the perfect back print that complements your vision and engages your audience. Contact us today to bring your creative ideas to life.
