Buyer guide · Verified 2026-08-05
Custom Pet Memorial Shirts: How To Order One
Losing a pet is losing family. A memorial shirt is one of the simplest ways to keep them close — their name, their face, a paw print, a date. This guide covers what to put on a memorial shirt, what it should cost, and how to order one without design skills.
What goes on a pet memorial shirt
- Name and dates — the classic format: "Max · 2012–2026 · Forever in our hearts"
- Photo print — a clear, well-lit photo works best; avoid busy backgrounds
- Paw print graphic — with or without angel wings or a halo
- A short line — "Until we meet again", "My best friend", "Once by my side, forever in my heart"
- Silhouette designs — breed silhouettes read cleanly at shirt scale and age well
Ordering options compared
| Option | Typical price | Turnaround | Design effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print-on-demand store (Printify-backed) | $26–$38 | 3–7 days | None — send your text/photo | One-off memorial shirts, family sets |
| Etsy custom listing | $25–$45 | 5–10 days | None — seller designs | Ornate or illustrated styles |
| Local print shop | $30–$60 | 2–5 days | You supply print-ready art | Same-week needs, bulk family orders |
| DIY (Canva + POD) | $22–$30 | 3–7 days | You design it yourself | Full creative control |
How to order in 3 steps
- Pick the design elements — name, dates, one short line, and either a photo or a paw/silhouette graphic. Less is more; one or two elements print cleaner than five.
- Choose the shirt — standard soft cotton (Gildan/Bella+Canvas) in a dark color makes white text and photos stand out. Order one size up if it's a keepsake you'll sleep in.
- Send it to a store that handles the design for you — a good print-on-demand shop will place your text and photo, send a proof, and ship direct.
What a fair price looks like
A single custom memorial tee should land between $25 and $40 shipped. Below $20 usually means low-quality transfer printing that cracks after a few washes. Above $45 you're paying for illustration work — worth it only if you want custom art of your pet.
Want one made for you? Our GadgiTech custom apparel store does memorial shirts — send the name, dates, and photo, and we handle layout and proofing. Ships in under a week.