4 designs that prove custom merch should never be boring
4 Designs That Prove Custom Merch Should Never Be Boring
When you think of custom screen printing, it's easy to picture the same old thing: a stiff t-shirt with a standard logo slapped across the chest. But if you're a Denver brand, brewery, or band, that's not going to cut it. Your community wants wearable art—stuff that feels retail-ready from the second they put it on.
At IndyInk, we believe in pushing the limits of what custom apparel can look like. Whether it's a retro throwback or a detailed multi-color illustration, the blank garment is just the canvas. To show you what we mean, we pulled four of our favorite recent in-house designs that highlight exactly what's possible when you treat merch like a real clothing line.
1. The Vintage Tee
This one is all about the retro vibe. Printed on a super-soft heather brown blank, this design features a psychedelic eyeball breaking apart planets in space. The warm orange, yellow, and teal inks give it a distinct 70s sci-fi feel.
Why it works: The distressed, slightly faded print style makes it look like a vintage thrift store find right off the press. It's proof that you don't need bright, solid blocks of color to make an impact; sometimes, a worn-in aesthetic is exactly what the design calls for.
2. The Streetwear tee
We went full color on this one. The "Beyond Imagination" tee features a skater riding a rainbow through the clouds, complete with UFOs and bold pink and yellow typography. Printed on a muted purple blank, the bright inks absolutely pop off the shirt.
Why it works: Multi-color prints can be tricky, but when the registration is dialed in perfectly, the result is stunning. This shirt shows how you can combine intricate character illustration with bold, streetwear-style typography without the design feeling cluttered.
3. The Eco Tee
A darker, grittier take on eco-friendly messaging. This black tee features a green-cloaked grim reaper tending to a small plant, surrounded by distressed, hand-drawn typography.
Why it works: Contrast is everything. The bright, earthy green ink stands out sharply against the dark garment, and the heavy distressing on the text gives it an authentic, punk-rock edge. It's a great example of how a two-color print (green and white) can feel just as dynamic as a full-color piece.
4. The Brewhouse Tee
Denver is a brewery town, so we had to make a design that pays homage to the craft beer scene. This blue-grey washed tee features two cartoon characters—a beer bottle and a frothy mug—walking together under the banner "Crafted Prints, Brewed to Perfection."
Why it works: Mascot logos and character-driven designs are huge in streetwear right now. The vintage cartoon style paired with the faded blue garment gives it a classic, approachable feel. It's the exact kind of merch you'd expect to see a local taproom selling out of on a Friday night.
Ready to Upgrade Your Merch?
These four shirts are just a small sample of what we do at our Denver shop every day. We aren't just printers; we're partners in helping you build a brand people actually want to wear.
If you're tired of generic corporate gear and want to create something your community will love, reach out to us at IndyInk. Let's make something beyond imagination.
