10 Best Canva Fonts For T-Shirts
Discover the perfect Canva fonts for your t-shirt designs, from timeless elegance to playful charm.
Typography is a pivotal element in t-shirt design, influencing how your message is conveyed and the overall aesthetic appeal of your apparel. With Canva's extensive font library, crafting captivating t-shirt designs has never been more accessible.
Choosing a font for a t-shirt isn’t just about what looks good on your screen, it’s about how that design translates to fabric, ink, and real-world wear. The right font can elevate a shirt from “just okay” to something people love wearing over and over.
Canva makes font selection approachable, but not every font is production-friendly. Below, we’re highlighting Canva fonts that hold up well when printed on t-shirts, plus tips on when to use each style and how to make sure your final design looks just as good in real life as it does in the mockup.
How to Choose the Right Canva Font for Your Shirt Design
Prioritize legibility from a distance
Shirts are read from 6–10 feet away. Fonts with clean shapes and open counters tend to perform best.
Avoid ultra-thin strokes
Very thin lines can break up or fade when printed, especially on textured garments.
Think about the vibe first
Is your shirt playful, professional, retro, or bold? Let the font do some of that storytelling.
Less is more
One strong font almost always beats mixing too many styles on apparel.
Fonts Options
Montserrat
Montserrat is a contemporary and versatile sans-serif option boasting geometric shapes and clean lines. This font delivers clarity and professionalism across various print sizes, perfect for modern and minimalist designs.
It is also ideal for tech startups, fashion-forward streetwear brands, and beyond.
Playfair Display
Playfair Display epitomizes timeless sophistication with its elegant serifs and refined letterforms.
Ideal for premium and high-end t-shirt designs, this serif font adds an air of luxury to your apparel, whether creating a logo for a luxury brand or designing typography for a formal event.
Pacifico
Inject personality and whimsy into your t-shirt designs with Pacifico, a charming script font known for its fluid strokes and casual vibe.
Whether you're designing for a beach vacation or a summer music festival, Pacifico adds warmth and creativity to your apparel, capturing the spirit of fun and adventure.
Oswald
Oswald commands attention with its bold and assertive sans-serif letterforms, making it perfect for designs that require a strong visual impact.
Whether you're designing for a sports team or a fitness brand, Oswald exudes confidence and strength, ensuring your message stands out from the crowd.
Raleway
Raleway offers a sleek and modern sans-serif option characterized by its thin letterforms and generous spacing. Perfect for minimalist and contemporary designs,
Raleway adds a touch of refinement to your apparel, making it suitable for various applications, from corporate events to fashion-forward streetwear brands.
Lobster
Lobster's distinctive script letterforms and stylish flourishes bring a sense of elegance and flair to your t-shirt designs.
Perfect for designs that demand a touch of sophistication, Lobster adds a sense of luxury and exclusivity to your apparel, making it ideal for special occasions and fashion-forward audiences.
Abril Fatface
Abril Fatface commands attention with its bold and elegant serif letterforms, offering a touch of sophistication and refinement to your t-shirt designs.
Whether you're designing for a formal event or a high-end fashion brand, its high-contrast letterforms and graceful curves make a statement.
Amatic SC
Amatic SC adds personality and warmth to your t-shirt designs with its charming handwritten letterforms and playful demeanor.
Whether designing for an arts and crafts fair or a creative workshop, Amatic SC adds a handmade touch to your apparel, making it perfect for designs that embrace creativity and individuality.
Bebas Neue
Bebas Neue makes a bold statement with its modern and assertive sans-serif letterforms, offering a touch of urban cool to your t-shirt designs. Whether you're designing for a streetwear brand or a music festival, Bebas Neue demands attention and adds a sense of energy and excitement to your apparel.
Open Sans
With its clean lines and friendly demeanor, Open Sans strikes the perfect balance between professionalism and approachability.
Ideal for designs that require excellent readability and clarity, It adds a touch of sophistication to your t-shirts while ensuring your message is communicated effectively.
This makes it suitable for various applications, from corporate events to community fundraisers.
Practical Design Tips for Design with Canva Fonts
Convert text to outlines before exporting
This prevents font substitution issues and ensures what you design is what gets printed.
Watch your letter spacing
Tight tracking can cause letters to blur together once ink hits fabric.
Test at actual size
Zoom out or print a paper proof at full size — if it’s hard to read there, it’ll be harder on a shirt.
Keep distressed effects intentional
If you’re going for a worn look, make sure it’s designed that way — not the result of thin strokes.
Ready to Design?
Fonts play a huge role in how a t-shirt feels, from first impression to long-term wear. And while Canva makes designing easy, translating that design to a high-quality print is where expertise really matters.
Every Real Thread order includes a free design review and high-resolution mockups, so you can feel confident your font choices will look just as good printed as they do on screen.
or browse our product catalog to get your order rolling and bring your design to life!
(*Originally published in 2023. Revised in December 2025)
