The mock-up of a design is one of the (dare I say it) most important tools used to sell designs on t-shirts. It can be difficult to imagine how something will look on a shirt without the image. While sticking a flat design on a 3D image of the shirt model you copied and pasted off of the Sanmar website works enough, Adobe Illustrator has come out with a new tool that enhances your mock-up and is a total game changer when it comes to showing off your artwork.
RELATED: 3 PRODUCTIVITY HACKS TO SAVE SCREEN PRINTERS TIME AND MONEY
ADOBE ILUSTRATOR MOCKUP TOOL (BETA)
Enter: the new mock-up tool (beta). When you go to put your artwork on a 3D image of a t-shirt, this tool automatically detects the curves and shadows in the t-shirt image and applies it to your design. Your design now looks like it was always on that t-shirt model. Adobe Illustrator takes your image and naturally fits it around the curve of the model’s t-shirt. It adds in shadows to add depth and realism. You can now see exactly how your shirt will look when it’s printed. What’s even better is that the customer can see exactly what the shirt is going to look like. It’s an easier way to sell your product.
RELATED: SCREEN PRITNING ART TERMS EVERY PRINTER SHOULD KNOW
While some Adobe Illustrator pros can form-fit their design on a shirt image, this tool is going to save time. The more time screenprinters can save during the design process, the more time there is for everything else. As screenprinters, heatprinters, and everything-else-printers, we know that time is the most valuable asset we have, especially those running in a one- or two-man team. All it takes is a couple clicks to showcase our work.
HOW TO USE THE MOCK-UP TOOL
Installing the new mock-up tool (beta) is just as easy as using it. Simply open up one of your vector artwork images, insert the mock-up image you want to use, select both, and navigate to Objects<Mock-Up<Make”. From there, Adobe Illustrator will prompt you to install. Once installed, the artwork will automatically conform to the mock-up image. You’ll be able to move it around to the desired placement. You can also use Adobe Illustrator’s uploaded stock images for more mock-up options.
Not only can you make mock-ups on t-shirts, but the mock-up tool works on a variety of objects. Think hats, mugs, bags, packaging - like the packaging that Rogue Lab owner, Lee Stuart makes. Now we’re talking add-on’s and upsells - all possible with the mock-up tool (beta).
If you aren’t terribly handy in Adobe Illustrator - don’t worry. Ryonet has an online video class that goes through the basics. Taught by Golden Press Studio’s Art Director, Cory Romeiser, this class will help you design art in no time.
RELATED: 5-STEP GUIDE TO SEPARATING SPOT COLORS IN ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
The Adobe Illustrator mock-up tool (beta) is another way technology is using artificial intelligence (AI) to help business owners. The AI in the mock-up tool is programmed to convert a 2D image to lay correctly on top of a 3D image to look realistic. Saving time and money, helping customers visualize exactly what they’re getting, and creating a professional looking mock-up - chalks it up to a win for print shops everywhere.
