From Dirt to Design: How We Create Our MTB Graphic Tees

From Dirt to Design: How We Create Our MTB Graphic Tees

Ever wonder how a trail memory turns into a t-shirt design? Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how our graphics actually come together.

Where the Inspiration Comes From

Every design starts somewhere real — a specific trail feature, an inside joke from a group ride, or a piece of trail culture that doesn't have a shirt yet (looking at you, e-bike humor). Some designs lean into fantastical, dreamlike storytelling inspired by anime art — the idea that every trail is its own little world worth escaping into. Others are pure trailhead humor, built to make the person parked next to you laugh.

What Makes a Design "Ride-Worthy"

Not every cool graphic makes a good MTB shirt. We look for designs that:

  • Say something a rider would actually want to represent, not just a generic bike silhouette
  • Work at a glance — trail culture references and humor that land immediately, no explanation needed
  • Hold up over repeated washes and real wear, not just look good in a mockup photo

The Process, Roughly

  1. Concept — usually starts as a rough idea tied to a specific trail feeling, joke, or story
  2. Sketch/digital draft — refining composition, color, and any character elements
  3. Feedback pass — testing the design against "would I actually wear this at the trailhead"
  4. Final production art — prepped for print, checked against fabric and color constraints

We Want Your Trail Stories

Some of the best design ideas come from riders, not designers. If there's a piece of trail culture, an inside joke from your local group ride, or an e-bike moment that deserves a shirt — tell us. The next design might come from your trailhead, not ours.

Browse the full design lineup — and let us know which story or joke deserves the next shirt.

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