When designing your next T-shirt, choosing the right color combination can make all the difference. Whether you want your T-shirt to stand out or match the tone of your brand, understanding how colors work together will help you create an eye-catching and memorable design. This article will explore the best T-shirt color combinations to inspire your next T-shirt design for your business apparel, brand merchandise or a custom gift.
Understanding T-shirt color combinations
Choosing a T-shirt color combination for your design isn’t just about personal preference or brand colors. Color plays a big role in how a design is perceived, influencing emotions, aesthetics and even brand perception. Whether you’re going for a bold statement or something subtle, the right color combination will help your design stand out in the best way.
Color theory
Color theory is all about understanding how colors work together. By using the principles of color theory, you can create eye-catching designs that look professional and polished. You’ve probably seen the color wheel before—it shows the relationship between different colors and can guide your choices when designing T-shirt color combinations that pop.
Colors opposite each other on the color wheel, like red and green or blue and orange, are complementary colors. These contrasting color combinations make designs stand out. Colors next to each other, like blue and green or red and orange, are analogous colors, which blend more naturally and create a harmonious look.
When designing a T-shirt, think about whether you want your design to stand out or blend subtly, and use complementary and analogous colors accordingly, taking your design to the next level.
Source: T-shirt designs by -swo0osh- via 99designs by Vista
29 eye-catching T-shirt color combinations
The right color combination for your T-shirt depends on your brand, audience and the message you want to convey. Here are 29 T-shirt color combinations that work well for a variety of designs, whether you want something classic, bold or modern.
1. White designs on light blue T-shirts
White ink on light blue fabric creates a fresh look that’s perfect for casual, summery designs. This T-shirt color combination works well for brands that want to appear approachable, relaxed and modern.
Source: White ink on blue custom T-shirts via VistaPrint
Source: T-shirt design by noodlemie via 99designs by Vista
2. Green designs on dark T-shirts
Green ink on dark fabric like black or charcoal offers a subtle yet eye-catching look. This T-shirt color combination is perfect for brands that want to communicate effortless cool.
3. Orange and yellow designs on light-colored T-shirts
Orange or yellow ink on light-colored fabric like white or beige is bright and inviting. This T-shirt color combination is perfect for cool, fashionable brands that want to convey a lively and energetic vibe.
Source: T-shirt design by Jans… via 99designs by Vista
Source: T-shirt design by anonymfamous via 99designs by Vista
4. Red and yellow T-shirt designs
Red and yellow bring energy and warmth to any T-shirt design. This color combination is perfect for retro designs or brands that want to make a bold statement with a vintage feel.
Source: T-shirt design by Angonmangsa via 99designs by Vista
Source: T-shirt design by Ristar via 99designs by Vista
5. Red designs on white T-shirts
Red ink on white fabric is a classic T-shirt color combination that grabs attention, great for creating eye-catching brand merchandise. Combine red with navy or black ink for a sophisticated design that grabs attention for all the right reasons.
Source: T-shirt design by Anastasia S. via 99designs by Vista
Source: Red, white and black custom T-shirt via VistaPrint
6. Black designs on white T-shirts
Black ink on white fabric offers a clean, minimalist aesthetic. It’s simple, yet makes a strong impact — ideal for those wanting a timeless and versatile T-shirt design.
Source: Monochrome custom T-shirt via VistaPrint
7. Brown and yellow T-shirt designs
Brown and yellow provide a warm, earthy feel that’s grounded yet lively. This is a great choice for retro designs and brands with a vintage look.
8. Black designs on bright blue T-shirts
Black ink looks sophisticated against softer tones like blue, gray or pink. It’s a simple, understated look that feels modern and bold. This eye-catching color combination works especially well for minimalist designs.
Source: T-shirt design by noodlemie via 99designs by Vista
9. White designs on red T-shirts
White ink and red fabric is a classic T-shirt color combination that brings energy to any design and is great for bold watermark logos, team uniforms and event merchandise.
Source: Red and white custom T-shirt via VistaPrint
10. Yellow or gold designs on black T-shirts
Paired with black T-shirts, yellow and gold shades pop, creating an energetic, retro look that’s perfect for music brands.
11. Orange designs on black T-shirts
Similarly, orange inks create a warm look that stands out against dark fabrics. Bold sunset shades on black T-shirts can make your brand appear down-to-earth and inviting.
Source: T-shirt design by zkree via 99designs by Vista
Source: T-shirt design by Andreask84 via 99designs by Vista
12. White designs on navy T-shirts
White ink on navy fabric is a sophisticated color combination that balances elegance with readability. It’s great for more refined designs or brands that want to convey professionalism without coming across as formal.
Source: Martial arts T-shirt design by Pinch Studio via 99designs by Vista
Source: T-shirt design by Pinch Studio via 99designs by Vista
Source: NGO T-shirt design by noodlemie via 99designs by Vista
13. Red designs on black T-shirts
If you want something a bit more dramatic, pairing red ink with black or charcoal fabrics is a bold choice that creates a strong impression. For brand merch or uniforms, add white ink to make the design more readable.
Source: Red and white ink on a black T-shirt via VistaPrint
14. White designs on black T-shirts
A classic T-shirt color combination that never goes out of style, white ink on black fabric is sleek, professional and easy to read. Perfect for bold logos or intricate designs, this is a pairing that works for almost any brand or occasion.
Source: Monochrome custom T-shirt via VistaPrint
Source: White logo on a black custom T-shirt via VistaPrint
15. Lime green designs on navy T-shirts
Bold without being overwhelming, Lime green ink on navy fabric creates a striking contrast that adds vibrancy to any T-shirt design.
Source: Branded T-shirt via VistaPrint
16. Green and yellow T-shirt designs
Combining green and yellow shades on a T-shirt feels vibrant and energetic. This color combination is ideal for nature-inspired designs and environmentally-conscious vegan brands.
Source: Plant-based brand T-shirt design by Anastasia S. via 99designs by Vista
Source: T-shirt design by Pinch Studio via 99designs by Vista
Source: Vegan brand T-shirt design by noodlemie via 99designs by Vista
17. Pink and white T-shirt designs
Pink and white is a fun and playful color combination that’s great for creating an upbeat feel while keeping the design fresh and modern.
Source: T-shirt design by Bow’n’Pencil via 99designs by Vista
Source: T-shirt design by zkree via 99designs by Vista
Source: T-shirt design by Ti4 via 99designs by Vista
18. Light blue designs on black T-shirts
Light blue inks create a fresh contrast against deeper shades like black and gray. This color combination gives your T-shirt a fashionable edge that works for creative designs and trending fonts, perfect for attention-grabbing merchandise.
Source: Electronic music label T-shirt design by Tebesaya* via 99designs by Vista
19. Vibrant designs on white T-shirts
Bright, colorful inks on white T-shirts make your artwork pop. White is the perfect backdrop for showcasing intricate designs and multi-color logos.
Source: Dragon T-shirt design by Andreask84 via 99designs by Vista
Source: Parrot T-shirt design by merci dsgn via 99designs by Vista
Source: Colorful T-shirt design by reza ernanda via 99designs by Vista
Source: Custom T-shirt with a colorful logo via VistaPrint
20. Colorful designs on black T-shirts
Black T-shirts are also the perfect canvas for vibrant, multi-colored designs. The dark fabric makes bright colors pop, giving your artwork the eye-catching look you’re after.
Source: Branded T-shirt with a colorful design via VistaPrint
Source: Branded T-shirt with a colorful logo via VistaPrint
Source: Vegan T-shirt design by InQueen via 99designs by Vista
21. Purple designs on white T-shirts
Purple ink on white fabric creates a bold, yet understated look. It’s a fun color combination that feels both fresh and sophisticated, great for brands that want to stand out in a stylish way.
Source: Long-sleeved T-shirt design by MrMooostard via 99designs by Vista
22. Gray designs on dark T-shirts
Grey ink on dark fabrics like black or navy conveys a muted, minimalist vibe. It’s perfect for subtle, sleek designs that don’t need a lot of color to make an impact — ideal for understated, forward-thinking brands.
23. Blue designs on yellow T-shirts
Blue ink on yellow fabric creates a playful, high-energy design that grabs attention. This bold T-shirt color combination is great for brands looking to stand out and make a memorable impression.
Source: Blue and yellow T-shirt design by reza ernanda via 99designs by Vista
24. White designs on dark green T-shirts
White ink on dark green fabric is a T-shirt color combination that feels clean and down-to-earth, giving your design a crisp, fresh feel.
25. Red, green and gold designs on white or gray T-shirts
This vibrant trio of colors pops against neutral backgrounds like white or gray. It’s an eye-catching choice that’s perfect for cultural, energetic or celebratory designs.
Source: T-shirt design by ANDREAS STUDIO via 99designs by Vista
Source: T-shirt design by ANDREAS STUDIO via 99designs by Vista
26. Shades of blue T-shirt designs
Teal and bright blue are energetic shades that pair well with both bold and neutral colors. On navy or baby blue fabrics, these bright blue shades provide a laid-back yet vibrant aesthetic, perfect for nature-inspired designs or creative brands.
Source: T-shirt by noodlemie via 99designs by Vista
Source: Branded T-shirt via VistaPrint
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27. Black designs on yellow T-shirts
Black ink on yellow fabric creates a bold, contrasting design that’s impossible to miss. This T-shirt color combination is great for brand merchandise where readability and visibility are key.
Source: Snow removal company T-shirt design by Odius via 99designs by Vista
28. Blue designs on white T-shirts
Electric or navy blue ink on light-colored T-shirts conveys a cool, modern feel. This color combination is a perfect choice for versatile apparel or merchandise that can fit into a wide range of contexts, like food, tech, real estate or wellness.
Source: T-shirt design by AbX-Art via 99designs by Vista
Source: Mushroom jerky T-shirt design by Anastasia S. via 99designs by Vista
29. Neon designs on black T-shirts
Neon inks on black fabrics create an electric, modern feel that’s perfect for nightlife or streetwear brands. The high contrast between the bright neon and dark T-shirt makes your design pop, guaranteeing that it grabs attention.
Source: T-shirt design by saka.aleksandar via 99designs by Vista
Source: T-shirt design by Tebesaya* via 99designs by Vista
How to choose the right T-shirt color combination
When choosing the perfect color combination for your T-shirt, it’s important to think about your brand, audience and design purpose. Here are some tips to help you make the best choice.
Consider your brand identity and audience
Think about your brand colors and the message you want to communicate with your T-shirt design. Are you looking for something bold and energetic or more subtle and elegant? Choose colors that align with your brand identity and resonate with your audience.
Match T-shirt colors to ink
Not all ink colors will work well with every color fabric. Light-colored inks generally work best on dark-colored T-shirts, while darker inks pair well with lighter shades of shirts. VistaPrint offers a variety of custom T-shirt color combinations to choose from, so take some time to explore options that work best for your design.
Source: T-shirt design by Digital Man via 99designs by Vista
Design a T-shirt color combination that stands out!
Color is key when creating a standout T-shirt design, and with so many to choose from, there’s a color combination for every brand, audience and style. Whether you go bold with red and yellow or keep it classic with navy and white, experimenting with different color combinations will help you create a T-shirt design that fits you or your brand.
Once you’ve decided on your T-shirt color combination, learn how to design a T-shirt and bring your design to life.
