Color is one of the most important design elements. Each shade, tint and hue conveys a message about your brand at a glance.

Turn an ordinary shirt into something cool with the around the house kids’ t-shirt decorating project. It’s easy and fun, using paint colors found around the house.

Materials

Stencils, fabric markers and puffy paint are all easy mediums for kids to use. Choose a set of basic colors to get started. Be sure to have a large piece of paper or cardboard on hand to protect your work surface from ink spills and messy fingers.

For this project, your kids will make a collage of pictures cut out from printed fabrics such as cars, horses, airplanes or stuffed animals. They will also need a selection of different colored markers and paints.

This fun art project is a great way to use t-shirts that your kids have outgrown or are sentimental about. It's a perfect summer activity and makes for a fun family gallery wall in your home. Be sure to pre-wash your shirt before beginning. The slightest amount of shrinkage can have a big impact on the finished result. Also, check the fabric label to ensure that it is 100% cotton. It's also recommended that you line your work space with a sheet of newspaper or waxed paper.

Stencils

Stencils are a great way to add a simple pattern to a t-shirt. Kids can draw their own stencil designs on paper or use stencils made from cookie cutters, cups, and rulers. Bleach is another option but it spreads and kids might have trouble with straight lines so this should be reserved for older children or adults who can handle a bit of mess and a lot of paint!

Using freezer paper to make a stencil is easy and the shiny side sticks to the fabric when ironed. It can be used a few times but might lose its adhesive power after that. You could also cut a stencil from plastic or artist's vellum for a more durable solution.

If you are using a stencil, pre-wash the shirt and insert a piece of cardboard to prevent paint seeping through to both sides. Spray the back of the stencil with re-positionable spray adhesive (check the label on the bottle for instructions) to help keep it in place during painting.

Paints

Using stencils and paint on a t-shirt is a great way to let kids express their creativity and wear the results of their work. It also promotes dexterity and hand-and-eye coordination while they stamp and paint their design. For an extra special touch, use a glitter paint for a fun pop of color.

To make regular acrylic paints fabric-safe, mix in a textile medium for each tablespoon of acrylic paint. This will transform the paint so that it stays on the shirt and does not crack when dry. The t-shirt should be washed by hand after painting to ensure the design is permanent.

White t-shirts are the best for painting as they will yield vibrant clear colors. However, colored t-shirts can be used as well. Just keep in mind that darker colors will alter some paint colors so a careful selection of shades is recommended. Bleach markers can also be used but they will spread so it is important to test them out on a scrap before applying it to your shirt.

Shirts

Children love to see their work displayed on a piece of custom clothing. The making a splash kids' T-shirt project in the final section is a great way to give them that opportunity.

When you're designing a shirt, it's important to think about the fonts you're going to use. Serif and script fonts look more classic, while sans-serif fonts look more modern. Fonts also convey personality, and choosing a style that matches your brand's image is crucial.

When painting a shirt, you should always place waxed paper between the front and back of the garment to prevent ink from leaking onto the opposite side. You should also cover the surface of the shirt with waxed paper, especially if it's made of a light-colored fabric, to avoid the paint bleeding into the material later. If you're using markers, be sure to outline the edges of the designs before coloring them in. This will keep the markers from spilling over the edges, and prevent smudging when the marker starts to dry.