In the world of print on demand, creating a viral design that generates substantial profits can seem like a daunting task. However, with the right approach, it’s entirely possible. In this article, I’ll share the three-step system I used to create a t-shirt design that brought in over $86,000. Follow each step closely, as skipping any part can undermine your success.

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Introduction

My name is Chris Heckman, and I’ve spent years mastering the art of selling t-shirts online. Today, I'll take you through a proven method to consistently produce high-quality, viral designs that can generate tens of thousands of dollars in profit. Let's dive into the three-step system.

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Step 1: The Bumper Sticker Test

In our digital age, it’s easy to get lost in online metrics. However, tangible real-world examples can provide valuable insights. This is where the bumper sticker test comes in.

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Look at the back of people's cars. Bumper stickers are an expression of their personality and interests. If someone is willing to put a sticker on their car, it’s likely they’d also wear a t-shirt, hat, or hoodie with a similar design. This is a clear indication that there’s a market for such designs.

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For example, when I started my yoga apparel company, Yoga Stay, I noticed many yoga-related bumper stickers. This gave me confidence that there was a market for yoga-themed apparel. Observing real-world interests can provide a strong foundation for your design ideas.

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Step 2: Market Research

The second step is to go into the market and see what’s already selling. This doesn’t mean copying designs; it means understanding what types of designs resonate with your target audience. Visit platforms like Amazon, Etsy, Pinterest, and Redbubble to see top-selling designs.

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Take detailed notes on:

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• Art Style: Is it line art, watercolor, detailed, etc.?
• Topics: Are the designs funny, serious, motivational, etc.?
• Range: Is there a wide variety of successful designs or a specific type that dominates?

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For Yoga Stay, I noticed that designs featuring elements of yoga, mysticism, nature, and minimalist art were popular. This informed my design strategy and helped me create a range of appealing products.

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Step 3: Build a Full Catalog Around Your Best Seller

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You won’t know which designs will be best sellers until you launch. Therefore, start with a broad range of designs. Once you identify a top performer, iterate on it quickly to create similar designs.

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For instance, our top-selling design was a line art drawing combining a yoga pose with nature elements like trees. I didn’t expect it to be the bestseller, but once I saw its success, we expanded on this concept. We created multiple designs featuring different yoga poses and natural elements, which boosted our sales significantly.

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Additionally, to make a design go viral, support it with a small ad budget. Use catalog ads on Facebook to test multiple designs. Once you find those with high engagement, increase the ad spend. Ensure your store has a variety of designs so customers can find multiple items they like, increasing your average order value.

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Conclusion

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By following this three-step system, you can create viral, high-quality designs that generate significant profits. This approach helped Yoga Stay achieve over $86,000 in sales from a single design.

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For more detailed guidance on starting and scaling a print on demand business, join our free school community. We provide step-by-step tutorials and support to help you succeed in e-commerce.

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