In college, your team tee isn’t just a garment—it’s a feeling. A symbol of shared memories, laughter in the corridor, the rush before a fest, the pride of representing your clan. If you're designing your own team t-shirt, you’re not just printing fabric—you’re imprinting your story.

Let’s look at what’s trending in 2025 for custom t-shirts for college teams, and how you can blend in your team spirit with Gen Z’s design aesthetic.

Also Read :  How to Plan the Perfect Farewell Outfit for Your Batch

• Minimal Design, Maximum Impact

Gen Z prefers clean, thoughtful design over loud graphics. Think one-word power statements, hand-drawn minimal logos, and subtle embroidery on the sleeve. A recent Business of Fashion study (2024) showed that 68% of Gen Z consumers are more likely to purchase apparel with “subtle, meaningful branding” than “big, loud logos.”

Top Tip: A tiny chest emblem + oversized back print = balance between style and statement. 

• Oversized Fits are In

Gone are the days of tight tees. The current trend is all about comfort and fluidity. Oversized, drop-shoulder tees have taken over college campuses, inspired by streetwear and K-pop culture. According to WGSN insights, oversized fits are expected to see a 35% YoY increase in demand among college apparel through 2025.

Pro Tip: Choose 240-260 GSM cotton for a weighty, premium oversized feel that doesn’t sag.

• Muted, Earthy Color Palettes

Move over neons. Muted tones like sage green, washed lavender, warm beige, rust, and charcoal are trending in 2025. They’re versatile, photograph beautifully, and are in sync with Gen Z’s love for neutral aesthetics and sustainability.

Top Color Picks: Dusty blue, terracotta, off-white, forest green, and ash grey.

• Custom Typography and Handwritten Fonts

Personalisation is power. Custom team slogans in handwritten-style fonts are dominating design boards. Whether it’s “The OGs of Batch ‘25” or “We Came. We Saw. We Graduated.” – the quirkier, the better. Canva’s 2025 design report highlights a 42% rise in use of “signature-style” fonts for custom apparel.

Idea: Get each team member’s name printed under the logo in small handwriting font – looks curated, feels personal.

• Sustainability is Not Optional

Gen Z deeply cares about sustainability. 73% of students said they would prefer to wear custom apparel made from organic or recycled cotton, according to a recent survey by McKinsey & Company. Brands that offer eco-conscious options are seen as cooler and more “real.”

Suggestion: Opt for recycled yarn tees or organic cotton from verified sources—bonus points if your team tee comes with a story about where the fabric came from.

• QR Codes & Augmented Reality Prints

Yes, we’ve entered the future. Some college teams are now experimenting with QR codes printed on tees that lead to a shared Google Drive, a Spotify playlist, or even a team reel! While niche, this trend is catching on in tech and design colleges and has viral potential.

Stat Alert: TikTok saw over 22M views for “interactive t-shirts” between January–April 2025.

• Photo Collage Prints & Back Panels

Want to create goosebumps? Use real photos—team snapshots, moments from trips, fests, and birthdays—to design the back of your tee. With high-res DTF printing tech now more accessible, these photo-based tees are sentimental, standout, and social-media gold.

• Batch Name Logos & Varsity Fonts

Think Harvard-style logos with your batch name in bold varsity font. It taps into the nostalgia of American Custom college wear while still being very Indian in spirit. These styles also have high resale and keepsake value—perfect for farewell gifts.

What Makes a Team Tee Truly Special?

• Custom-designed by students

• Printed in small batches (not mass-produced)

• Reflective of your batch's inside jokes, slogans, or shared identity

At Alma Mater Store, we believe your story deserves more than a stock design.

With over 1,00,000+ custom garments produced and clients across 500+ colleges in India, we understand what makes a team tee iconic.

Whether you want a soft cotton oversized fit, street-style custom hoodie, or a classic crew-neck tee in varsity font—we help you bring it to life.