How to Write Enticing Product Descriptions for Your Graphic Tees

Did you know that the success of your online graphic tee business hinges on more than just great designs? It's time to harness the power of compelling product descriptions to capture your customers' attention and drive sales. According to Salsify, 87% of shoppers rate product descriptions as “extremely or very important” when they’re deciding to buy, and 50% returned an item they bought online because it didn’t match the written product description.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to elevate your graphic tee business with persuasive and irresistible product descriptions.

When you take the time to write compelling product descriptions with the information buyers need to make a purchase, you’ll increase brand reach, customer satisfaction and overall sales.

Who’s landing on your site to buy apparel or accessories? The most successful product descriptions focus on specific buyers, rather than “everyone.” Write notes about how you’d talk to this buyer in real life. What do they care most about considering the apparel you’re selling? Affordability? Eco-friendly? Made in the USA? Fabrication? Uniqueness? Trend-setting? Sizing? Colors? Inventory? Easy care? Versatility? The story behind the t-shirt graphic? How is it decorated? How would you answer their questions around these concerns? What words would you use or not use? How about humor? 

You may be a lot more excited than your buyer about a t-shirt features list, like “moisture wicking,” “comfort waistband,” “four-way stretch” or “combed and ringspun cotton.” That’s why, when you mention features, you also need to tell them exactly how these features benefit them.

For example:

Fabric Quality

Feature: Made from premium 100% cotton fabric.

Benefit: Provides exceptional comfort and breathability, keeping you cool and relaxed all day.

Fit

Feature: Tailored fit with a modern silhouette.

Benefit: Flattering shape that accentuates your physique, giving you a confident and stylish look.

Breathability

Feature: Moisture-wicking fabric.

Benefit: Draws sweat away from the body, keeping you dry and comfortable even during intense physical activities.

UV Protection

Feature: UPF 30+ sun protection.

Benefit: Shields your skin from harmful UV rays, reducing the risk of sunburn and offering added protection during outdoor adventures.

Range of Sizes

Feature: Available in a wide range of sizes (XS to XXL)B

Benefit: Ensures a perfect fit for customers of different body types, accommodating diverse preferences and needs.

Your product descriptions are a great place to use a few words that describe your brand vibe. 

For example, if you’re a luxury brand that sells more expensive, premium apparel and decoration, use words such as:

• Sophisticated: Implies refinement, style, and a high-end aesthetic.
• Couture: Implies custom-made, high-fashion, and unique designs.
• Impeccable: Suggests flawless quality, precision, and impeccable craftsmanship.
• Refined: Implies sophistication, elegance, and a discerning taste.

For an environmentally focused t-shirt brand, you could use these words:  

• Sustainable: Conveys a commitment to environmental responsibility and eco-conscious practices.
• Organic: Suggests natural, non-toxic materials, and environmentally friendly production methods.
• Eco-conscious: Implies a brand's dedication to reducing its ecological footprint and promoting sustainability.
• Renewable: Implies the use of materials that can be replenished or recycled, reducing environmental impact.

Finally, if your clothing brand has bohemian vibe, use words like these to convey that flower child vibe:  

• Boho-inspired: Capture the essence of the bohemian style.
• Free-spirited: Embrace freedom, individuality, and creativity.
• Flowy: Offer t-shirts with loose, relaxed fits for a carefree vibe.
• Vintage-inspired: Draw inspiration from retro fashion for a nostalgic touch.
• Festival-ready: Cater to the bohemian festival-goers with vibrant and lively designs.
• Handcrafted: Highlight the artisanal quality of your t-shirts, showcasing craftsmanship.

The biggest challenge with an online apparel store vs. brick and mortar is that your shoppers can’t touch or try on the clothing. That’s why your product page needs to help a shopper experience wearing the piece. Posting a video or lifestyle photos of a model wearing the t-shirt helps bring the garment alive. You can also use part of your description real estate to help your customers imagine wearing the shirt, simply by starting a sentence with the words, “Imagine” or “Picture this.” Complete the sentence by showing how your reader will feel when they’re wearing your t-shirt or other garment

For example:

• “Imagine slipping on this incredibly soft graphic t-shirt before heading out to that free styling music festival where you’ll get noticed for your unique look.”
• “Picture this: You’ve just arrived at your tropical beach vacation. This lightweight white t-shirt is the ultimate resort wear piece, effortlessly paired with easy breezy linen culottes.”

We’re not talking about writing a novel within your product description. However, we recommend making a list of questions a prospect might ask you. Then, you can include one or two sentences illuminating the answer — and get the client more invested in the garment and your brand.

For example:

• Who’s behind your apparel brand? Who’s designing the graphics or decorating the garment? (“I’m a former-barista-turned-apparel designer creating t-shirts around everyone’s favorite cups of joe.”)
• What inspired this design? (“We rescue Greyhounds, so this t-shirt design is an image of Chelsea, our first foster dog.”)
• Anything unique about the garment manufacturer or their practices? (“We have an eco-minded mission, so we choose tees from like-minded companies. BELLA+CANVAS’s cutting facilities in Los Angeles run on partial solar power with comprehensive recycling programs for paper waste and fabric scraps.”)
• Do a portion of the proceeds go to a particular charity or cause, and why? (“Part of the proceeds of each t-shirt you buy on our site support the American Heart Foundation in honor of our Aunt Judy Smith, who passed away in her 40s of a heart attack.”)

Clothing is a tactile product, so it makes sense to use words in your product descriptions that convey how the fabric feels and what it’s like to wear your garments. Choose words like “soft,” “smooth,” “cozy,” “lightweight,” “textured,” “durable,” “silky” or “stretchy.” However, remember to build out the experience to captivate your audience. For example, let’s say you include a detail like, “enzyme-washed for a luxurious, soft feel.” Follow that by saying something like, “This tee offers a gentle touch against even the most sensitive skin, providing maximum comfort wherever life takes you.” Or, if you say that a hoodie is “made from warm, super-soft sponge fleece,” support that with a detail like, “Wrap yourself in lightweight coziness, whether it’s a cool summer evening on the beach or a snowy evening in the woods.”

If you receive reviews for different styles or graphic designs, don’t be shy about posting those on the product page. A new shopper will often choose a style with a lot of positive reviews, so don’t be hesitant about using reviews and testimonials.

Search engine optimization keywords are the search terms people type into Google or Bing to find “flowy t-shirts,” “resort wear white tee,” “organic cotton kids’ t-shirt” and so on. If you have an idea of the terms people use to look for your products, include those words in your product descriptions where they fit to help improve your SEO ranking. The other piece of this is writing unique, original content that search engines also pick up.

Before you jump into writing those amazing product descriptions, check out a few more questions we often hear about making the most out of your product real estate.

Q. How can I make my product pages easy to navigate and read?

A. Great question! We always suggest working with a designer who’s skilled in ecommerce. However, if you’re starting out or a designer isn’t in your budget, here are five quick tips to help you:

• Write a short focused headline to get your reader’s attention.
• Set the product description up in scannable bullet points. 
• Include white space.
• Use an easy-to-read font and a large point size.
• Load up high-quality product images or videos.

Q. Is duplicate product content an issue for my SEO ranking?
A. Here’s a general rule of thumb: If you use the same product content on multiple product pages, you create competition within pages and that can reduce their chances of ranking on search results. That’s why it’s a better idea to take a little more time to write shorter, high-quality, targeted product descriptions that will rank and also motivate browsers to buy.

Q. How important are product images? 
A. Really (really) important. Just like a shopper in a brick-and-mortar store wants to see aesthetically pleasing product displays, online shoppers make an immediate judgment about your brand and products based on your images. Unfortunately, since online shoppers make an assessment of your graphic tees based on your images, a poor-quality photo can make an amazing product look low quality. If new buyers aren’t impressed with your product images, they’re likely to make a snap judgment about your brand and products – and choose not to purchase.  

Here are basic tips for the best product photos:

• Show your product on a white or solid-colored background.
• Steam out any wrinkles and iron any creases.
• Show your product on a model and a hanger to help a shopper see how it looks worn and by itself.
• You can also show close-ups of the graphic design, stitching, fabric, care label and more.
• Natural lighting or consistent lighting is a must for your product photos. At some point you may want to invest in a studio lighting kit, which comes with two strobe lights, a transmitter to set the lights off and two white umbrellas. Using this setup eliminates shadows and represents your t-shirt color and graphics in the truest way possible.

By now, you know that persuasive and compelling product descriptions are critical for your shop to succeed in the online retail environment. When you understand and address your target audience’s needs, highlight product benefits, use sensory words and SEO, incorporate mini-stories, leverage social proof and so on, you’ll elevate your graphic tee business and increase your sales. When you add in high-quality photos and videos, you’ll make a great first impression on your potential buyers. Get ready to create a seamless and engaging shopping experience that drives customer satisfaction and brand growth.

With our affordable collection of stylish t-shirts in different colors, fabrics and fits, you can add a lot of personality to your wardrobe or the pieces you’re decorating to sell. Shop Threadsy’s t-shirt styles for men, women and youth, they’re great for decorating with graphic or text-based designs and wearing everywhere. After all, your new garment is your blank canvas for your creativity and self-expression.