Where to get images for graphic tees

By Ross Bielema

If you're dreaming up a fresh T-shirt design, your first question might be, “Where do I find the right image?” Whether you’re launching branded merch, ordering group shirts or creating giveaways, knowing where to get images for graphic tees can make or break your final look.

The good news? Today’s creative resources are more accessible than ever before. From royalty-free artwork to professional custom designs, you’ve got plenty of options. You just need to know where to look—and what rules to follow to keep things legal and original.

Let’s break down how to source standout art for your custom T-shirts, turn photos into wearable graphics and avoid common design pitfalls along the way.

Where to get images for graphic tees?

Whether you’re creating cute graphic tees for a fundraiser or designing polished gear for your team, here are your top sources for print-ready art:

1. Royalty-free image libraries

Websites like Pexels^® opens in new window, Unsplash^® opens in new window, and Pixabay^® opens in new window offer free-to-use photos, illustrations and vector art. These platforms are ideal for background images, abstract art, scenic photos or design elements.

Always read the licensing terms. While most images are free for commercial use without attribution, some may have restrictions on modification or resale.

For higher-end vector art or niche graphics, sites like Shutterstock^® opens in new window or Adobe^® Stock opens in new window offer paid, licensed content with commercial rights built in.

2. Hire a freelance designer

If you want something original, hiring an artist is a great option. Freelance marketplaces like Fiverr^® opens in new window, Upwork^® opens in new window and 99designs^® opens in new window can help you find graphic designers with experience in T-shirt design.

When commissioning work, be sure to:

• Define whether you want a flat fee or hourly rate
• Ask for vector artwork (AI, EPS, or high-res PNG)
• Clarify who owns the rights to the final image.

At 4imprint, you can also submit your artwork for free formatting help. Our team provides a free e-proof with every order to ensure your art is correctly sized and optimized for print.

3. Use your own images

You don’t need to be a professional photographer to turn personal content into graphic tees. Photos of your team, artwork you created or even snapshots from a recent event can work—so long as they’re high resolution (300 dpi is ideal) and you own the image rights.

If you're unsure about file quality or printability, our in-house art services team can review and clean up your submission at no cost.

To see examples of designs that work well, browse our artwork tips section.

What laws do T-shirt printers need to follow?

One of the most important parts of T-shirt design is knowing what you can and cannot use legally.

Key copyright rules:

• If you didn’t create it, you likely need permission to use it.
• That includes brand logos, pop culture images, celebrity likenesses and fan art.
• Even if something is widely shared online, that doesn’t make it public domain.

According to the U.S. Copyright Office opens in new window, a work is copyrighted the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form—even if it’s not registered. This includes artwork, graphics and photography.

• Legal image options include:
• Your original art or photography
• Public domain works opens in new window
• Images with a commercial license
• Commissioned art with clear transfer of rights
• Avoid using without permission:
• Professional sports logos
• Movie quotes or characters
• Memes, screenshots or viral content
• AI-generated content from platforms that don’t allow commercial resale (check each platform’s terms of use)

4imprint has strict policies to ensure we do not print copyrighted or trademarked content without authorization. If your image is flagged, we’ll work with you to revise or replace it before production.

This applies even to lighthearted styles, including graphic printed T-shirts for women or team gear with visual references.

How much should I pay an artist for a T-shirt design?

There’s no universal rate, but most professional designers offer two common pricing models: flat fee or hourly.

Typical price ranges:

• Simple text or logo layout: $25–$75
• Moderate complexity (custom icons or stylized text): $100–$250
• Full illustration or character-based design: $250–$750+

Tip: Ask for a quote that includes rights to the final design as well as the deliverables (file types, mockups, print files).

Pro tip: 4imprint does NOT charge fees for design work! We can give you a high-quality design, logo refresh, etc. for no charge!

Sites like 99designs even let you run design contests, where multiple artists submit concepts and you pick your favorite. For small businesses, that can be a cost-effective way to get a range of styles to choose from.

High-quality art leads to unique graphic T-shirts buyers actually want to wear—and often makes the difference between a one-time promo item and a favorite go-to shirt.

Ready to bring your idea to life?

The right image tells your story instantly—and custom shirts are the perfect canvas. Start designing your own custom T-shirts or browse graphic printed T-shirts at 4imprint.com to find creative, ready-to-print options backed by expert support and our 360° Guarantee_®.

We carry top brands, like Gildan^® and Hanes^®, and also super soft tri-blends, like the Bella+Canvas offers. Looking to make graphic printed tank tops? 4imprint has you covered there too!