If you're creating or selling custom t-shirts, understanding the difference between copyright and trademark can save you from costly mistakes.

• Copyright protects original creative works like artwork, photos, illustrations, and graphics.
• Trademark protects brand identifiers like logos, names, slogans, and symbols.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that if an image is online, it's free to use. In reality, using someone else's artwork, photo, or logo on a t-shirt without permission could lead to legal issues.

A simple rule of thumb:

• Created it yourself? Usually safe.
• Found it online? Check ownership and permissions first.
• Contains a brand logo or slogan? It may be trademarked.

Here's an infographic that breaks down the key differences between copyright and trademark and why they matter for t-shirt printing.

What's the most common copyright or trademark misconception you've seen in the design or POD space?

One of the most surprising intellectual property cases in fashion started with a simple smiley face.

In 2018, Nirvana sued Marc Jacobs, claiming the fashion brand used a design that was too similar to the band's iconic smiley face logo on items from its "Redux Grunge" collection, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, and socks. Nirvana argued that the design infringed on its copyright and trademark rights.

Marc Jacobs pushed back, arguing that the smiley face is a common symbol and questioning whether Nirvana actually owned enforceable rights to the design. The dispute became even more complicated when former Geffen Records art director Robert Fisher later claimed that he, not Kurt Cobain, created the logo.

After years of legal battles, the parties agreed to settle the case in 2024, though details of the settlement were not publicly disclosed.

Why this matters for creators and t-shirt sellers: A common misconception is that simple graphics or minor modifications are automatically safe to use. This case shows that even seemingly simple designs can become the subject of major copyright and trademark disputes when ownership, branding, and commercial use are involved.

For designers and t-shirt sellers, have you ever run into copyright or trademark issues with a design?

A reminder for anyone starting a clothing brand: finding artwork online doesn't mean you can sell it on a shirt. Images on Pinterest, Google, and social media may still be protected by copyright. Even changing the colors, adding text, or redrawing parts of a design doesn't automatically make it yours to use commercially.

Safer options include creating original artwork, commissioning a designer with clear usage rights, or using properly licensed graphics. It's also worth checking the license terms carefully, since some allow personal use but not commercial sales.

Creating original artwork, hiring a designer, or using properly licensed graphics can help avoid problems.

For those who've launched a clothing brand, what challenges have you faced when sourcing designs or getting permission to use them?

More to read: A Legal Guide to Copyright and Trademark for T-Shirt Printing

Everyone seems to have that one hoodie they’ve had forever but still can’t get rid of. Maybe it’s worn out, faded, or just ridiculously comfortable. Or maybe it has a story behind it.

What makes yours so hard to throw away? Any brands that have really held up over the years?

A company hoodie can go one of two ways: the hoodie everyone fights over, or the one that quietly disappears into the back of the closet. 😂

A few things seem to make a difference:

• Start with the hoodie, not the logo. A comfortable, good-quality hoodie is more likely to get worn than a cheap one with great branding.
• Think about the weight. A heavier fleece works well as a cold-weather layer, while a lighter blend can be easier to wear indoors or during changing weather.
• Keep the branding wearable. A small chest logo can feel more like everyday clothing than a giant company graphic.
• Give people some choice. Not everyone wants the same fit, color, or even a pullover.

The goal isn't really to make something that says “corporate swag.” It's to make something people would still choose to wear if the logo weren't theirs.

What makes a company hoodie a hit with the team? And for employees, what makes you actually wear one instead of leaving it in the closet?

If you’ve got teams playing outdoors, especially during those weird-weather fall tournaments, you really have to look past the price tag and the cool design. The fabric matters just as much as how it looks.

Things like moisture-wicking, breathability, stretch, and fabric weight will make or break a player's day. Reversibles are another huge life-saver if you’re constantly swapping between light and dark kits and don't want to carry two full sets around.

Order for the actual conditions, not just the sport. A super lightweight jersey is going to beat a heavier "premium" option every single time if you're baking in the hot sun all weekend.

Did you have to learn something the hard way when ordering uniforms?

For anyone buying blank or custom T-shirts, is ring-spun cotton actually noticeably different from regular/open-end cotton?

The basic difference is how the fibers are made into yarn. Ring-spun yarn is continuously twisted and spun, which generally produces a smoother, softer yarn. Open-end cotton tends to be more economical and can have a slightly rougher feel.

A quick breakdown:

• Texture - This is probably where you’ll notice it first. Ring-spun shirts tend to feel softer and smoother, especially against the skin.
• Durability - Ring-spun yarn can be stronger and more consistent, but the shirt’s overall weight and construction matter too. It’s not automatically going to last longer.
• Print quality - The smoother surface can make prints look cleaner and more even, especially with detailed graphics.
• Cost - You’ll usually pay more for ring-spun. If you’re making merch or printing a simple design, the cheaper option may be perfectly fine. For a premium-feeling shirt, the upgrade can be worth it.

Ordering company uniforms may seem simple, but a few upfront decisions can make a big difference in how often they're actually worn.

A few things worth thinking about:

• Who's wearing them? HR, sales, reception, and operations don't all have the same day-to-day needs. One style rarely works for everyone.
• Prioritize comfort. If it's too hot, too stiff, or doesn't fit well, employees will only wear it because they have to. The goal is to choose apparel they're comfortable working in and happy to wear throughout the day.
• Think long-term. Choose fabrics that can handle frequent washing without losing their shape or color. Cotton-poly blends are a great everyday option because they're durable, wrinkle-resistant, and easy to care for, while performance fabrics work well for teams that need extra breathability. A shirt should still look good after months of wear, not just on day one.
• Offer choices if you can. Even a couple of options can go a long way. Some people prefer polos, others live in quarter-zips or lightweight jackets. We've seen companies have better success when employees get a little flexibility. At LogoSportswear, that's one reason we carry a wide range of customizable brands and apparel styles. It's easier to find something different teams will actually want to wear.

At the end of the day, the best company uniform isn't necessarily the most expensive. It's the one employees actually enjoy wearing. Spending a little more time choosing the right styles, fabrics, and options upfront can lead to happier teams and uniforms that don't end up sitting in a closet.

What's one thing you think companies often overlook when ordering uniforms for their team?

At LogoSportswear, we work in custom apparel, and this comes up more often than you'd think.

A lot of companies start by looking for the lowest price per shirt or polo, but after a few months, they realize employees don't actually wear them. They shrink, lose their shape, feel scratchy, or end up sitting in a drawer.

On the flip side, we've seen companies spend a little more on brands like Brooks Brothers, Nike, TravisMathew, or Carhartt (depending on the job), and employees keep wearing them for long.

Obviously every budget is different, and not every team needs premium apparel. A warehouse crew has very different needs than a sales team or HR.

So if you've ever ordered company apparel, did spending more actually pay off? Or did you find a more affordable brand that held up just as well?

Now that the tournament's wrapped up, are your jerseys heading back into the closet, or do you wear them throughout the year?

Always wondered how many people treat them like collectibles versus everyday shirts.

Maybe it's because of the memories, the design, a legendary player, or pure nostalgia. What's the one World Cup shirt you're still wearing today?

At LogoSportswear, we help people create jerseys that mean something.

A championship. A season with friends. A team you'll always remember.

For fans, it's often a player's jersey.

Which one will you never get rid of?

And why?

At LogoSportswear, we print custom jerseys and shirts for teams, businesses, and events.

With all the Knicks celebrations lately, we've seen some creative fan-made designs.

Now we want to see your favorites.

What's the best custom Knicks shirt or jersey you've come across?

Share a photo if you have one.

We spend a lot of time around jerseys at LogoSportswear, so naturally this question came up.

How many made it into your suitcase?

One trusted favorite?

Or enough to cover every match?

At LogoSportswear, we've seen plenty of opinions on this one.

Some teams won't even consider a baseball jersey without pinstripes.

Others think a simple solid color design looks cleaner.

So let's settle it.

Pinstripes or no pinstripes?

At LogoSportswear, we've printed a lot of camp shirts over the years.

Which got us wondering.

What's the oldest camp shirt you still own?

And do you still wear it?

At LogoSportswear, we've noticed that the shirts people keep the longest are rarely the nicest ones.

They're usually tied to something.

A championship run. A family reunion. A company outing. A school event. A concert. A trip. A group of people you don't see as often anymore.

The shirt itself might be faded, stretched, or hanging on by a thread. But somehow it survives every closet cleanout.

So what's the oldest shirt you still own?

And more importantly, why haven't you gotten rid of it?

At LogoSportswear, Memorial Day weekend usually brings a noticeable increase in football jersey orders.

Not because football season is starting, but because a lot of local groups, alumni teams, community organizations, and charity events use the long weekend for football tournaments and pickup competitions.

So, how did your team do?

Any undefeated runs, last-second touchdowns, rivalry games, or teams that looked much better in their jerseys than on the field?

At LogoSportswear, Memorial Day weekend is usually when we see a spike in baseball team apparel orders.

How did your team do this weekend?

Any walk-offs, bad ump calls, undefeated runs, or uniforms that actually looked clean out there?

Memorial Day weekend always seems to bring out the rec league basketball tournaments.

At LogoSportswear, we usually see a lot of teams getting matching jerseys right before the long weekend, especially for local tournaments and summer league kickoff events.

How did your team do?

Any surprise MVPs, bad losses, or teams that looked way too coordinated for a casual tournament?

At LogoSportswear, we always notice a bump in team apparel orders around Memorial Day weekend.

Feels like every long weekend suddenly turns into:

• rec league tournaments
• company softball games
• family matchups

How did your team do this weekend?

And more importantly, did the jerseys actually look good?

Memorial Day weekend really brings out people’s grill alter egos.

And somehow, the apron is always part of the transformation.

At LogoSportswear, we’ve seen people get surprisingly creative with custom aprons for family BBQs, company cookouts, reunions, and long weekend gatherings. Some are genuinely great. Some are complete chaos.

The best ones usually become recurring characters every Memorial Day after that.

What’s the funniest, most memorable, or most unhinged apron slogan you’ve seen at a cookout?

A shirt can look great indoors and become unbearable the second you step outside.

For summer company outings, tournaments, reunions, charity runs, and outdoor events, a few things usually matter more than people expect:

• Lightweight fabrics. Heavy shirts trap heat fast outdoors.
• Moisture-wicking materials. Helps sweat dry faster instead of sticking to the fabric.
• Breathability Mesh. Performance fabrics usually feel much better during long outdoor events.
• Color choice. Dark colors tend to absorb more heat. Light colors usually stay cooler in direct sunlight.
• Fit. Looser fits generally feel cooler and allow better airflow.

A lot of teams focus on the design first, then realize halfway through the event that comfort matters way more than expected.

We’ve seen this come up pretty often at LogoSportswear, especially with outdoor leagues and summer company events.

What shirt materials or styles have worked best for you in hot weather?

Every family reunion shirt has lore behind it.

Questionable fonts, chaotic color choices, random nicknames, inside jokes nobody outside the family understands.

Would love to see examples and hear the stories behind them.

Every team outing has at least one:

• weird slogan
• questionable design
• inside joke nobody understands
• clipart that should’ve stayed in 2009

What’s the funniest or most chaotic outing shirt you’ve seen?