Every StandUp Tee begins long before the first print hits the fabric.
It starts with an idea - a moment in history, a story of resistance, or a phrase that captures courage in a few powerful words. Then, that idea becomes art, and that art becomes action.
At StandUp Tees, we don’t just design clothes. We design conversation pieces - wearable stories that reflect defiance, dignity, and change. Here’s how we turn a sketch into a statement.
Step 1: Finding the Spark
Every design begins with why.
We ask ourselves:
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What story needs to be told right now?
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Who deserves to be remembered, celebrated, or amplified?
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How can we translate a complex idea into something simple, visual, and human?
Sometimes the spark comes from current events - protests for justice, global humanitarian crises, or moments of hope that cut through the noise. Other times, it’s historical: Rosa Parks’ bus seat, the Salt March, or the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
We collect these ideas, research deeply, and sit with them. A tee has to earn its message - it has to be meaningful enough to wear proudly.
Step 2: Translating Words into Imagery
Once we know what we want to say, the next question is how to say it visually.
This is where design becomes storytelling. Each StandUp Tee combines typography, illustration, and symbolism to express emotion and meaning in a single glance.
For example:
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Our “All Wars Are Wars on Children” tee pairs a heavy truth with a child astronaut doing the dab - a juxtaposition of innocence and resilience.
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Our “Future Without Fear” design uses minimal type and soft gradients to convey calm, hope, and defiance.
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The “No Justice, No Peace” tee leans on bold lettering - a reminder that justice is built by human hands.
Designing for activism means balancing emotion and clarity. The message must be powerful enough to provoke thought, yet simple enough to read from across a street.
Step 3: Honouring Meaning Through Research
Before anything is finalised, we fact-check, contextualise, and - most importantly - reflect on cultural sensitivity.
If we reference movements, people, or communities, we ensure our representation is accurate and respectful.
This part of the process often involves reading first-hand accounts, watching documentaries, or reaching out to advocacy groups to understand lived experiences.
We believe that creative freedom comes with ethical responsibility. Every design must uplift, not exploit. It must honour the people and causes behind the message.
Step 4: The Sketching & Concept Phase
Once the story is set, our design process moves to paper (and then to screen).
Rough sketches capture the energy and tone: a raised fist, a symbolic flower, a protest crowd, or a single bold word. From there, typography and illustration begin to take shape.
We explore multiple directions - minimalist, graphic, abstract - until we find the visual language that feels right.
This stage is full of trial and error. Some designs start strong and fall flat. Others evolve unexpectedly, transforming into something even more powerful. The goal is to capture the essence of the message - no more, no less.
Step 5: Choosing the Canvas
A message is only as strong as the material it’s printed on.
We print exclusively on AS Colour garments, chosen for their quality, comfort, and ethical manufacturing. The cotton feels soft but sturdy, designed to last for years - because statements like these should never fade away.
Choosing an ethical supplier means our activism begins at the first stitch. Every tee supports fair wages, sustainable materials, and transparent production.
Step 6: Printing Locally, Responsibly
Each StandUp Tee is printed locally in Australia using eco-friendly inks and processes.
Local printing keeps our carbon footprint low, supports small businesses, and gives us full oversight of quality and production.
The printing process itself is tactile - a screen lowered, ink pulled, the design slowly emerging on cotton. It’s hands-on, grounded, and deeply satisfying.
When we hold a finished tee for the first time, it’s more than a product - it’s a manifestation of purpose.
Step 7: Quality, Transparency, and Accountability
Before any tee reaches the shelf or online store, we test print quality, ink durability, and fabric feel. If it doesn’t meet our standards, it doesn’t get printed.
We don’t mass-produce. We print in small batches to avoid waste. Every drop of ink and every tee counts.
And when we say $5 from each sale goes to charity, we mean it. We publish donation updates on our website so you can track the impact of your purchase - because wearing your stand should come with trust.
Step 8: The Launch — From Screen to Story
When a design is ready to launch, we build its story. The words you see on our product pages - the descriptions, the taglines, the campaign photos - all connect back to the design’s message.
We never release a tee without a narrative. The “why” is just as important as the “what.”
Because you’re not just buying apparel - you’re joining a movement.
Each launch is paired with a cause or campaign. Sometimes we collaborate with grassroots organisations or charities, other times we align with global awareness days. The goal is always the same: to create conversation and contribute to change.
Step 9: The Ripple Effect
Once a StandUp Tee is out in the world, its journey is just beginning.
We’ve seen our shirts in protests, classrooms, workplaces, and art studios. We’ve seen customers share stories about strangers stopping them on the street to talk about their tee.
That’s the ripple effect we hope for - small moments of connection that spread awareness organically.
The impact doesn’t end with the sale. It lives on every time you wear your stand.
Behind Every Shirt Is a Stand
From spark to sketch, from print to purpose, every StandUp Tee is a labour of love and conviction.
We design them for thinkers, doers, and dreamers - for the ones who care enough to question, to act, and to wear their beliefs proudly.
When you slip on a StandUp Tee, you’re wearing a story that was researched, drawn, printed, and shared with care. You’re wearing empathy, defiance, and a little piece of history.
Because Statements Shouldn’t Stay Silent
Fashion has power. It can exclude, or it can empower. We choose the latter - creating apparel that speaks even when you don’t.
So the next time you pull on your favourite StandUp Tee, remember:
That sketch started with a story.
That story started with a stand.
And now, you’re part of it.
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