Campaign t-shirts are more than just cotton—they’re a mobile billboard, a team uniform, and a walking endorsement all in one. When done right, they get attention, start conversations, and even go viral (looking at you, “I’m With Her”).
Whether you're designing shirts for volunteers, donors, or die-hard fans, here's how to make campaign tees that people will actually want to wear *outside* of canvassing shifts.
1. Keep It Bold and Readable
Think: bumper sticker on a torso. If someone can’t read it from across a parking lot, it’s not doing its job. Big, bold fonts and high-contrast colors are your best friends.
2. Slogans Matter (So Make ’Em Smart or Snarky)
Let your shirt do the talking. “Vote Blue” is fine. But “Tax the Rich, Feed the People” gets remembered. People want to wear shirts that make a statement—or at least get a smirk at Trader Joe’s.
3. Candidate Names = Classic for a Reason
Don't overthink it. Sometimes all you need is a strong name lockup across the chest. Extra points if you use a retro font or cool color palette to make it pop.
4. Don’t Forget the Back
The back of the shirt is prime real estate. Add a website, hashtag, or campaign logo. Think of it like your campaign’s call to action: where should people go next?
5. Design for Real People (and Real Sizes)
Not everyone is a size medium or wants a slim-cut tee. Offer unisex, fitted, and extended sizing so supporters can actually wear the shirt comfortably. Bonus: it shows your campaign walks the walk on inclusion. Our Bayside Classic shirts are a favorite among campaigns and come in sizes Small through 4XL—because showing up should fit everyone.
6. Use USA-Made and Union-Printed Tees. Period.
If you're fighting for workers’ rights, make sure your merch reflects your values. We offer USA-made, union-printed shirts—including union-made options. That union bug matters. And no, it’s not actually a bug—it’s that tiny stamp of credibility.
7. Go Beyond Events: Think Merch Table, Fundraisers, & Online Shops
Your shirts aren’t just for rallies. Sell them online, include them as donor thank-you gifts, or raffle them off at campaign events. Political merch is the new band merch—and you’re the headliner. You never know—your campaign tee might just become the next iconic shirt people wear long after Election Day.
👊 Final Thoughts: Make Your Shirt Do the Shouting (So You Don’t Have To)
The best political shirts don’t just tell people who to vote for—they tell people who you are. Whether you're running for office or just running to the printer (hi, that’s us), your shirt should say something worth saying.
And when you're ready to print? We’ve got your back (and front). All union-printed. All USA-made. All good-looking.
🛒 Ready to Design Your Own Campaign Tee?
Contact us for a quote or check out our custom t-shirt collection to get started.
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