How to Host a T-Shirt Design Contest on Print on Demand Platforms

9 min readJul 8, 2024

Are you looking to tap into the creative power of the crowd and generate some awesome new t-shirt designs? Hosting a t-shirt design contest on print on demand (POD) platforms can be a fantastic way to engage your audience, discover fresh talent, and create buzz around your brand. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to run a successful t-shirt design contest on POD platforms like Printful, Printify, and Teehub.

I. Introduction to T-Shirt Design Contests on Print on Demand Platforms

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, let’s start with a quick overview of what POD is and why it’s such a great fit for t-shirt design contests.

What is Print on Demand?

Print on demand is a business model where products are only printed and shipped after an order is placed. This means no inventory, no upfront costs, and no risk of unsold stock. It’s perfect for t-shirt design contests because you can easily showcase and sell winning designs without any financial commitment.

Popular POD Platforms

There are several POD platforms out there, but some of the most popular ones include:

Each platform has its own unique features and benefits, so it’s worth exploring a few to find the best fit for your contest.

Advantages of Hosting Design Contests on POD Platforms

Running a t-shirt design contest on a POD platform offers several advantages:

Low risk and low cost
Easy to set up and manage
Wide reach to potential designers and customers
Instant production and fulfillment
Opportunity to build a community around your brand

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into the step-by-step process of hosting your own t-shirt design contest!

II. Planning Your T-Shirt Design Contest

The key to a successful contest is thorough planning. Here’s what you need to consider:

Setting Clear Goals and Objectives

Before you start, ask yourself:

What do you want to achieve with this contest?
Are you looking to increase brand awareness?
Do you want to engage with your existing community?
Are you hoping to generate new design ideas for your product line?

Having clear goals will help guide your decisions throughout the contest process.

Determining the Contest Timeline

Your contest timeline should include:

Submission period (typically 2–4 weeks)
Voting period (if applicable, usually 1–2 weeks)
Winner announcement date
Production and launch timeline for winning designs

Be sure to give yourself enough time for each phase, but don’t drag it out too long or you might lose momentum.

Establishing Contest Rules and Guidelines

Clear rules are essential for a smooth-running contest. Consider including:

Eligibility criteria (age, location, etc.)
Design specifications (dimensions, file formats, color restrictions)
Copyright and intellectual property guidelines
Submission process details
Judging criteria

Don’t forget to have your legal team review the rules to ensure you’re covered!

Deciding on Prizes and Incentives

Attractive prizes will encourage participation. Some ideas include:

Cash prizes
Royalties from sales of winning designs
Featured placement in your POD store
Free products featuring the winning design
Promotion on your social media channels

Remember, the prize should be worth the effort for designers to participate.

III. Choosing the Right POD Platform for Your Contest

Not all POD platforms are created equal. Here’s what to look for:

Evaluating Platform Features

Consider these factors:

Design upload and customization options
Product variety (different t-shirt styles, colors, etc.)
Integration with e-commerce platforms
Contest-specific features (if any)

For example, Teehub offers over 100 products including t-shirts, posters, and phone cases, giving you plenty of options for your contest.

Comparing Pricing and Profit Margins

Look at:

Base costs for products
Printing fees
Platform fees or commissions
Shipping costs

Calculate potential profit margins to ensure the contest makes financial sense.

Assessing Print Quality and Production Capabilities

High-quality printing is crucial for t-shirts. Research:

Printing technologies used (DTG, screen printing, etc.)
Color accuracy
Durability of prints

Teehub, for instance, uses advanced DTG printing equipment like Kornit Presto and has developed an advanced color management system to ensure optimal results.

Reviewing Shipping Options and Turnaround Times

Consider:

Available shipping methods
Shipping costs to different regions
Production and fulfillment times

Fast, reliable shipping can make a big difference in customer satisfaction.

IV. Setting Up Your Contest on the Chosen POD Platform

Once you’ve chosen your platform, it’s time to set up your contest:

Creating a Dedicated Contest Page or Section

Design a visually appealing contest page that includes:

Contest details and rules
Submission guidelines
Prizes and judging criteria
Timeline and important dates

Make sure the page is easy to find on your website or store.

Implementing a User-Friendly Submission Process

The easier it is to submit designs, the more entries you’ll receive. Consider:

Clear instructions for uploading designs
A simple form for collecting designer information
Preview functionality so designers can see how their design looks on a t-shirt

Setting Up Voting Mechanisms (if applicable)

If you’re including public voting, make sure your system is:

Easy to use
Secure against fraud or manipulation
Integrated with your contest page

Integrating Social Media Sharing Options

Encourage participants to share their entries by:

Adding social share buttons to entry pages
Creating contest-specific hashtags
Offering bonus points or entries for social shares

V. Promoting Your T-Shirt Design Contest

A great contest needs great promotion. Here’s how to spread the word:

Leveraging Social Media Platforms

Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to:

Create engaging posts about the contest
Share teasers of submitted designs
Use relevant hashtags to increase reach
Collaborate with influencers or brand ambassadors

Utilizing Email Marketing

Don’t forget your existing audience:

Send announcement emails to your subscriber list
Provide regular updates throughout the contest
Offer exclusive perks to email subscribers (early voting access, bonus entries, etc.)

Partnering with Design Communities and Forums

Reach out to where designers hang out:

Post about your contest on design forums
Partner with design schools or organizations
Sponsor design-related events or podcasts

Considering Paid Advertising Options

If your budget allows, consider:

Social media ads targeting designers and t-shirt enthusiasts
Google Ads for relevant search terms
Display advertising on design-related websites

VI. Managing the Contest

Once your contest is live, the real work begins:

Monitoring Submissions and Enforcing Guidelines

Regularly check submissions to ensure they meet your guidelines. Be prepared to:

Remove entries that violate rules
Communicate with designers about any issues
Update guidelines if necessary

Addressing Participant Questions and Concerns

Provide excellent customer service by:

Responding promptly to inquiries
Creating an FAQ section on your contest page
Being transparent about the contest process

Encouraging Community Engagement and Voting

Keep the excitement going throughout the contest:

Highlight standout entries on social media
Create polls or discussions about design trends
Offer voting incentives (e.g., a chance to win a free t-shirt for voters)

Providing Regular Updates and Reminders

Keep participants and voters engaged with:

Weekly email updates
Countdown posts as deadlines approach
Sneak peeks of top contenders

VII. Judging and Selecting Winners

The moment of truth! Here’s how to choose your winners fairly:

Establishing a Fair and Transparent Judging Process

Consider using a combination of:

Internal judging panel
Community voting
Expert judges (e.g., professional designers or industry experts)

Be clear about how much weight each component carries in the final decision.

Evaluating Designs Based on Predetermined Criteria

Judge entries based on factors like:

Creativity and originality
Adherence to contest theme (if applicable)
Technical execution and printability
Commercial potential

Use a scoring system to make the process more objective.

Handling Potential Disputes or Conflicts

Be prepared for challenges by:

Documenting your judging process thoroughly
Having a clear dispute resolution policy
Being willing to explain decisions (within reason)

VIII. Announcing and Celebrating Winners

Make a big deal out of your winners!

Notifying Winners Privately Before Public Announcement

Give winners a heads-up:

Contact them via email or phone
Confirm their acceptance of the prize
Get any additional information needed for the announcement

Creating an Engaging Winner Announcement

Announce your winners with fanfare:

Create visually appealing social media posts
Write a detailed blog post or press release
Consider a live video announcement

Showcasing Winning Designs on Your POD Store

Give winners prime real estate:

Feature winning designs prominently in your store
Create a special “contest winners” collection
Offer limited-time promotions on winning designs

Providing Feedback to Non-Winning Participants

Show appreciation for all participants:

Send personalized thank-you emails
Offer constructive feedback if possible
Consider offering consolation prizes or discounts

IX. Production and Fulfillment of Winning Designs

Now it’s time to bring those winning designs to life!

Working with Winners to Finalize Designs for Production

Collaborate with winners to:

Make any necessary tweaks for printing
Choose product options (t-shirt styles, colors, etc.)
Finalize any licensing or rights agreements

Setting Up Winning Designs on Your POD Platform

Get those designs ready for sale:

Create product listings with high-quality mockups
Write compelling product descriptions
Set pricing and determine profit splits with winners

Determining Pricing and Profit-Sharing Arrangements

Be fair and transparent about financials:

Clearly communicate royalty rates or profit-sharing terms
Consider offering tiered rates based on sales volume
Provide regular sales reports to winners

Launching a Marketing Campaign for the Winning Designs

Promote those new designs:

Create a launch plan for each winning design
Use email marketing to notify your subscribers
Run social media campaigns featuring the winners and their designs

X. Post-Contest Follow-Up and Analysis

After the excitement dies down, it’s time to reflect:

Gathering Feedback from Participants and Customers

Ask for input:

Send surveys to contest participants
Collect customer reviews on winning designs
Hold a post-contest Q&A session

Analyzing Contest Metrics and Results

Crunch the numbers:

Total number of submissions
Engagement levels (votes, comments, shares)
Sales figures for winning designs
ROI on contest expenses

Identifying Areas for Improvement in Future Contests

Use your analysis to plan for next time:

What worked well? What didn’t?
Were there any unexpected challenges?
How can you streamline the process?

Maintaining Relationships with Talented Designers

Don’t let those connections go to waste:

Keep in touch with top participants
Consider offering future collaboration opportunities
Create a designer community around your brand

XI. Legal Considerations and Best Practices

Don’t forget the fine print!

Drafting Clear Contest Terms and Conditions

Work with legal experts to create:

Comprehensive contest rules
Clear eligibility requirements
Explicit terms for rights and ownership of designs

Addressing Copyright and Intellectual Property Issues

Protect yourself and your designers:

Require participants to confirm originality of their work
Outline how winning designs can be used
Consider trademark searches for winning designs

Ensuring Compliance with Local Laws and Regulations

Be aware of:

Sweepstakes and contest laws in your jurisdiction
Tax implications for prize winners
International restrictions if your contest is global

Implementing Measures to Prevent Fraud or Cheating

Safeguard your contest with:

Secure voting systems
Identity verification for participants
Clear policies on disqualification

XII. Leveraging Contest Results for Long-Term Success

Your contest can have lasting benefits:

Building a Community of Designers Around Your Brand

Foster ongoing relationships:

Create a designer portal on your website
Offer exclusive perks to contest participants
Host regular design challenges or meetups

Creating an Ongoing Design Submission Program

Keep the creativity flowing:

Set up a permanent design submission process
Offer royalties or licensing fees for accepted designs
Provide regular feedback to encourage improvement

Using Contest Insights to Inform Future Product Development

Learn from your audience:

Analyze popular design themes or styles
Use voting data to gauge customer preferences
Incorporate feedback into your product planning

Establishing Your Brand as a Supporter of Creative Talent

Position yourself as an industry leader:

Highlight designer success stories in your marketing
Sponsor design-related events or education programs
Collaborate with design schools or organizations

Conclusion

Hosting a t-shirt design contest on print on demand platforms can be an exciting and rewarding experience for both your brand and the creative community. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to plan, execute, and leverage a successful contest that generates stunning designs, engages your audience, and boosts your brand’s visibility.

Remember, the key to a great contest lies in thorough planning, clear communication, and genuine appreciation for the creative talents of your participants. Whether you’re using Printful, Printify, Teehub, or another POD platform, make sure to tailor these strategies to fit your specific brand, audience, and goals.

So why wait? Start planning your t-shirt design contest today and watch as the creativity unfolds! Who knows, you might just discover the next big trend in t-shirt design. Good luck, and may the best designs win!