Udemy

Basic Graphic Design for Print On Demand (POD) and Merch

Learn the fundamentals of good t-shirt design which apply to any POD design you may create
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Length Under 3 weeks
Effort 2.5 hours per week
Price $ 28
Subject Design, Art
Level Beginner
Languages English
Video Transcripts None

This course teaches basic graphic design principles and examples specifically as they apply to print-on-demand design. It is geared toward beginners and those who may have been designing for a while but feel they're just winging it and would like some real training. This is not abstract theory; rather, you'll see real-life examples of good and bad design and how to make a "meh" design better.

Sellers are entering the print-on-demand field in record numbers. Most have no graphic design training whatsoever. This course gives you a foundation for creating sellable designs, which will put you ahead of 95% of the competition. This can make or break you in the POD field; I want to help you make it!

I use Photoshop and Illustrator to teach this course. However, the principles you'll learn are not software-dependent, which makes it super flexible and applicable to anyone in print on demand, even if you're designing primarily on mobile.

Who this course is for:
  • Print-on-demand designers who are new to graphic design and want a foundation for creating sellable designs

What you'll learn

  • Four basic graphic design principles and examples specifically as they apply to print-on-demand design
  • How to take a boring, mediocre design and make it pop
  • Skills that will help you confidently create designs that stand up against the competition
  • How to choose and pair fonts together
  • Various composition methods that will bring variety to your designs
  • Real-world examples - what works and what doesn't

Course syllabus

Resources for Print on Demand Basic Principles of Design How to choose fonts Techy stuff Basics of Composition/Layout Design Inspiration Tips Design Critique and Design Makeover Bonus Lecture

Meet the instructors

Laura Burke

Graphic Designer

My name is Laura Burke, and I live with my husband in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

I’ve been a graphic designer since 1983 when I got a job at the local weekly newspaper. Back then the tools were different but the goal was the same: Take a certain amount of information, text and photos, and make it look good — make people want it!

I started teaching the basics of graphic design using Photoshop in the early 2000s to a few small groups and individuals. It was so enjoyable to see their excitement at being able to create effects they’d seen in magazines and online. And I was hooked on teaching.

Over the years, and particularly from about 1997 to 2016, I was a freelance graphic designer on the side in addition to doing graphic design at my 9-to-5.

Then came print on demand. I’ve been doing it since 2014 and I LOVE it! I started with Teespring but now focus on Merch by Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify, using various fulfillment partners.

My experience in both fields - POD and design - has led to my creating this course, and I love to help those newer to design with personal support and advice.