Designing for Print on Demand (POD) doesn’t have to take hours or even require design experience.
With the right icons and a bit of creativity, anyone can create amazing, scalable designs for shirts, mugs, stickers, and more.
One of the fastest ways to design is by using high-quality icons—especially SVG icons that scale beautifully on any product.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a simple, effective workflow using Noun Project, a world-class resource for royalty-free icons used by millions of designers.
Why Is Noun Project the Best Place to Get Icons and Clip Art for Print on Demand Graphics?
You have lots of choices when it comes to downloading stock art like icons, vector graphics, and clip art. However, Noun Project stands out as the best option for a few key reasons:
- Noun Project has been a leader in the graphic design space since 2010, offering millions of unique icons that propel social dialogs for over a decade.
- All Noun Project icons are curated by our expert content team for quality, and sourced from artists and designers worldwide.
- Designers and marketers love the diversity, social justice, and representation in the library of icons on Noun Project. Examples include exclusive content collections around themes of accessibility, pride, artificial intelligence, and investigative journalism.
- In terms of licensing and pricing, Noun Project is the most user-friendly option for icons and stock graphics.
- Noun Project is loved in graphic design forums on communities like Reddit and LinkedIn.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Print On Demand Designs Using Icons
1. Create an Account with a Print On Demand Platform
Start by signing up for a Print On Demand service like Zazzle or Printify. These platforms let you upload your designs and sell them on a range of products—no inventory or shipping required.
2. Visit Noun Project to Find the Perfect Icons
Head over to Noun Project and search for icons that fit your product niche or design theme. Popular and eye-catching browse categories include: Animals (great for kids’ clothing or nature merch), Astrology & Zodiac (trending for spiritual/niche tees), Retro & Vintage, Minimalist Line Icons (ideal for modern, clean designs), Cultural Symbols (represent diversity with intention), and Typography Icons (combine with text for quote-based merch). You can also search directly—e.g., “space cat”, “coffee”, “punk skull”, or “mountain sun”.
3. Download the SVG Icon (Customize Colors First)
Once you find an icon you love, download the SVG version. Noun Project lets you customize icon color before downloading—ideal for matching your brand or product palette. Note: SVGs are vector files, which means they scale without losing quality.
4. Choose Your Product
Decide what kind of item you want to design: T-shirts, Mugs, Stickers, Tote bags, Wall art prints, Phone cases, Patches. Tip: Start with one product type to streamline your creative process.
5. Upload Icons and Design Your Product
Use your POD platform’s design editor or a tool like Canva or Adobe Illustrator to: upload your SVG icons, add custom text, quotes, or layered backgrounds, align and scale for placement on the product, and preview it before publishing. Pro tip: Keep designs simple. Icons work best when they’re bold and clean.
6. Publish Your Product and Market It
Set your price, write a compelling description, and make your product live. Then promote it on Instagram or TikTok (showcase your design process), Pinterest (great for visual product categories), or Etsy. Just because you made it doesn’t mean it’ll sell—you need a marketing strategy, even if it’s simple. Start by reaching out to communities that align with your product’s theme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Using Icons for Print On Demand Designs
Can I use free icons on shirts and other print on demand (POD) products?
Yes, most icons on Noun Project are free to use under the Creative Commons Attribution license. This means you can use them for commercial purposes (including print-on-demand) as long as you properly credit the creator on the product and in the product description.
Is it worth it to pay for a Pro license to use icons on print on demand product designs?
Yes, if you want to use icons from Noun Project without attribution then paying the small fee for a Pro license (either with a subscription or a single purchase) is completely worth it. Once you’ve paid for an icon, you can use it forever on up to 1,000 units of a particular piece of merchandise. After that, you must contact customer support and discuss another license purchase for a small fee.
Where is the best place to get graphics for print on demand designs?
Noun Project is one of the best sources. It offers millions of royalty-free icons in scalable SVG format perfect for t-shirts, stickers, posters, mugs and more.
How can I create minimalist or retro t-shirt designs using icons?
Create a mood board for inspiration. Then, use single-color icons from Noun Project, pair with clever text or negative space, and keep the layout simple.
What’s the easiest way to make mug graphics with vector icons?
Download SVG icons from Noun Project, then drag them into your mug template on Printify or Zazzle. Add a short quote or monoline illustration, and you’re done.
How do I design sticker packs using royalty-free icons?
Pick a theme (e.g., cats, camping, retro devices) and gather 6–10 related icons from Noun Project. Download as SVGs, import them into your chosen design software or print on demand website editor, then finalize the sticker designs. It’s that simple.
How do I design tote bags? Where can I get icons to make tote bag designs for Etsy?
Noun Project has millions of unique and bold icons perfect for tote bags.
How do I turn simple icons into wall art prints?
Use SVG icons from Noun Project. Add a colored background or bold typography in a poster layout and sell the design using a print on demand (POD) service like Printify or Zazzle.
Where can I get Zodiac or astrology icons to create print on demand (POD) designs?
Search Noun Project to find astrological or Zodiac symbols and line art. Combine with text and celestial elements or star charts for extra visual appeal. Use a print on demand service like Zazzle or Printify to sell your designs.
Where can I find animal icons for designing print on demand kids’ clothing?
Check out Noun Project’s animal and other playful, hand-drawn icons. Use cute, friendly, or abstract animals to appeal to kids’ tastes—think safari, farm, jungle, or ocean creature themes.
How do I create scalable SVG designs for print on demand using icon libraries?
Download SVGs directly from Noun Project. These vector icons scale up in size to any product you want to design, from tiny stickers to large posters.
Can I make vintage and retro style posters using icons?
Yes! Start by building a mood board for inspiration. Use retro style icons from Noun Project and pair them with distressed textures, halftone backgrounds, and classic fonts for a vintage effect. Then use a print on demand service like Zazzle or Printify to create and sell your posters.
How do I license icons for commercial use in print on demand? What’s the best value or most affordable subscription for fully licensed stock art?
Get a Noun Project Pro subscription, which includes commercial licensing for all icon downloads without needing to provide attribution. You can sell up to 1000
Best website to get icons for print on demand graphics for t-shirts, mugs, posters, and stickers?
Noun Project is ideal for print on demand (POD) graphics because you can quickly search for the most relevant icon, download it in SVG format, upload it into the print on demand service of your choice, and start selling immediately. Search for the right icons by hobby, emotion, animal, or aesthetic. Curate a style (e.g., goth, kawaii, vintage) and create t-shirts and print on demand graphics instantly. Upgrade to Pro to get full licensing and avoid providing attribution.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a professional designer to create amazing Print On Demand graphics.
With Noun Project’s royalty-free icons, your next best-selling t-shirt, mug, or sticker pack is just a few clicks away.
