Learn how to draw a realistic t-shirt 100% in Photoshop! This detailed step by step tutorial will show you techniques on creating shapes, shading, embossing, and more.

Preview of Final Results

Draw a T-Shirt in Photoshop

Step 1

Start by making a new document 600 x 600 pixels document.

Step 2

Using Polygonal Lasso Tool (L key) to create a selection like the image below. I feathered the selection (Select > Modify > Feather) by 0.3px for smoother results.

Step 3

In the toolbar, click on the foreground color then set the color to #CFCDD0.

Step 4

Create a new layer (Ctrl+Shift+N or Layer > New > Layer)

Step 5

Fill the selected area with the foreground color you just selected. To fill, press Alt+Backspace or choose Edit > Fill.

Step 6

Select Burn Tool (O Key).

Step 7

Use the burn tool on the indicated area shown in the image below.

Step 8

Choose Filter > Nose > Add Noise. Use the settings shown below.

Step 9

Using Polygonal Lasso Tool , create a selection like the image below. For smoother edges, feather the selection (Select > Modify > Feather) by 0.3px.

Step 10

Select the burn tool then burn the edges of the selection like the image below.

Step 11

Create a selection like the image below.

Step 12

Use the burn tool on the selected area. Repeat this for the other side of the shirt.

Step 13

Now we’ll add some shadows and highlights to the shirt. In the blue dots indicated below, use Dodge tool. For the orange dots, use the Burn Tool.

Step 14

Create a new layer (Ctrl+Shift+N or Layer > New > Layer)

Step 15

Using the Pen tool, create a path like shown below.

Step 16

Select the Brush tool then set the size of the brush to 2px. In the Paths palette (Window > Paths), right click on the path then select Stroke Path.

Step 17

Set the opacity to 20%.

Step 18

On the current layer, choose Layer > Layer Style > Stroke. Set the Stroke settings as shown in the image below. Don’t close the window yet!

Step 19

Enable the Drop Shadow style with the settings shown below.

Step 20

Repeat the above technique (Step 14-19) for the two sleeves.

Step 21

Create a new layer (Ctrl+Shift+N or Layer > New > Layer)

Step 22

Select the Rectangle tool (U) to make a label.

Step 23

Choose Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow and apply the settings shown below.

Step 24

Add the logo/text to your label.

Step 25

Make a selection on the left sleeve like the image below. For better selection, feather the selection (Select > Modify > Feather) by 0.3px.

Step 26

In the Layers palette, select the t-shirt layer.

Step 27

Choose Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast and reduce the brightness by 10.

Step 28

Create a new layer (Ctrl+Shift+N or Layer > New > Layer)

Step 29

Using the Pen tool, create a path like shown below.

Step 30

Set your foreground color to white. Then, in the Paths palette (Window > Paths), right click on the path then choose Stroke Path.

Step 31

Here’s what the t-shirt looks like so far!

Step 32

Repeat steps 29 and 30 for the right sleeve.

Step 33

I added an abstract paint image on the t-shirt. You can add any image you like.

Step 34

Create a selection like shown below. Feather the radius (Select > Modify > Feather) by 5 pixels. Now choose Select > modify > Inverse.

Step 35

Create a new layer (Ctrl+Shift+N or Layer > New > Layer)

Step 36

Fill the selected area with white.

Step 37

Select the layer with the t-shirt artwork.

Step 38

Use the Eraser tool to erase the excess white areas.

Step 39

Change the opacity of the white fill layer to 30%.

Step 40

Choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Apply the settings shown below then click OK.

Step 41

Here’s what the t-shirt looks like so far.

Step 42

Select the Rounded Rectangle tool.

Step 43

Create a rectangle then choose Edit > Transform > Rotate to rotate the rectangle.

Step 44

Right click on the layer >Blending Options >Drop Shadow and make next settings :

Step 45

Create a circle selection using the Elliptical Marquee tool like shown below.

Step 46

Press delete to remove the contents in the selected area.

Step 47

Create a new layer (Ctrl+Shift+N or Layer > New > Layer)

Step 48

Using the Pen tool, create a path like shown below.

Step 49

Select the Brush tool the set the options in the option bar as shown below. The option bar is located under the menu bar.

Step 50

In the Paths window, right click on the path then choose Stroke Path.

Step 51

Use the Eraser tool to erase the tag as shown below so that it looks like it is looped around the fabric of the t-shirt.

Step 52

Choose Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow and apply the settings shown below.

Step 53

Select the layer with the t-shirt.

Step 54

Use the Elliptical Marquee tool to create a circle selection like shown below.

Step 55

Press the delete key to create a hole on the shirt.

Step 56

Here’s what the t-shirt looks like so far!

Step 57

You can add some text to the label if you like using the Text tool.

Step 58

Add a texture to the background. You can use any photo you like. I used a wood texture.

Step 59

Select the t-shirt layer then choose Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow then apply the settings shown below.

Final Results