Do I need to mark the shirt area before placing the design?
No. Just describe the placement: 'place this design centered on the front chest, following the fabric wrinkles.' The AI understands shirt anatomy and common zones like 'left chest,' 'full front,' 'back center,' and 'sleeve.' Only use markers if the design keeps landing in the wrong spot after two attempts.
How do I use two images — my shirt photo and my design file?
Upload your blank shirt photo as the main image (drag it into the editor). Then click '+ Add reference image' below the prompt input and upload your design file. Once both thumbnails appear, type your placement instruction and submit. The AI composites the design from the reference image onto the shirt in your main photo.
How do I create a t-shirt mockup from a photo for free?
EditThisPic lets you create one t-shirt mockup per week completely free with no account required. Upload your blank shirt photo, add your design as a reference image, describe the placement, and download the result without any watermark. For more than one mockup per week, credit packs start at $1.99.
Is there a free t-shirt mockup tool that doesn't require login or signup?
Yes. EditThisPic requires no account, no signup, and no email to generate your first mockup. Just open the page, upload both images, describe the placement, and download. No login gate, no watermark on the result.
What types of shirt photos work best?
On-person, mannequin, and flat-lay shirt photos all work. The AI handles any angle as long as the shirt's front panel (or back panel, or sleeve) is clearly visible. Well-lit shirts with a plain or simple background produce the cleanest results. Shots with heavy shadows across the placement area may need 2-3 refinements.
What format should my design file be?
JPG, PNG, and WebP are all supported. PNG with a transparent background works best for logos and graphics — it lets the AI cleanly isolate your artwork without including background colors. Flat artwork on a white or black background also works well. The file must be under 7MB.
What is the best free AI tool for creating merch mockups?
EditThisPic is purpose-built for this two-image workflow: one upload for the shirt, one for the design. It handles fabric wrinkle distortion automatically, works on on-person, mannequin, and flat-lay photos, and produces results in about 30 seconds. No Photoshop skills or manual masking required.
Can I use this for print-on-demand listings on Etsy or Amazon?
Yes. POD sellers commonly use this to create listing photos that look more authentic than generic platform mockups. Shoot a blank shirt in the color and style you sell, upload your design, and generate a realistic mockup you can use for your Etsy, Redbubble, Merch by Amazon, or Printful listings.
Can I place a design on a dark or colored shirt?
Yes. Describe the contrast explicitly in your prompt: 'keep the design colors vibrant and high-contrast against the dark fabric.' For best results on dark shirts, upload your design on a transparent or dark-matching background so the AI can read the artwork cleanly without background bleed.
How do I place a design on the back or sleeve instead of the front?
Upload a photo of the back or sleeve of the shirt as your main image, then describe the placement zone: 'place this design as a full back print, centered vertically' or 'place this logo on the left sleeve, matching the sleeve curvature.' The AI works on any visible shirt surface you photograph.
Will the design follow the fabric wrinkles and folds?
Yes, when you specify it. Include 'following the fabric wrinkles and surface contour' in your prompt. This tells the AI to warp the design to the 3D surface rather than placing it as a flat overlay. Flat-lay shirts with minimal wrinkles will show less distortion naturally.
Can I use this for corporate or event shirt approvals?
Yes. Event coordinators, HR teams, and brand managers use this to create approval mockups before placing bulk orders with a printer. Upload a blank shirt in your target color, add the logo or event artwork as the reference image, and generate a presentation-ready preview in seconds — no back-and-forth with the print shop.
