Custom Memorial Shirts: A Complete Guide to Photos, Wording, and Ordering

A custom memorial shirt usually has four parts: a clear photo of your loved one, their name, their dates or years, and a short phrase such as "In Loving Memory," "Forever in Our Hearts," or a line they often said. Pick one photo, keep the wording short, choose a shirt color the family feels good about, and collect everyone's sizes in one list. A caring print team can handle the design, clean up the photo, and send you a proof to approve before anything is printed.

We know these orders come at one of the hardest times in a family's life. This guide is meant to make the decisions simpler. It brings together everything we have learned helping San Antonio families, with links to deeper guides on each topic. You can also start directly on our custom memorial shirts page or the memorial shirt order page, where shirts start at $19.99.

Step 1: Choose the photo

The photo is the heart of most memorial shirts. A few things make a big difference:

• Choose a clear, well-lit photo where the face is in focus. A smile and natural expression usually feels most like them.
• Send the original file instead of a screenshot when possible. Photos sent through some messaging apps are compressed.
• Older printed photos are fine. Scan or photograph them in good light. See how to scan an old printed photo.
• Group photos can work. We can often crop to one person, though the result depends on how close and sharp they are.

If you are unsure, send a few options. Our team will tell you honestly which one will print best.

Step 2: Decide the wording

Common phrases

• In Loving Memory
• Forever in Our Hearts
• Gone but Never Forgotten
• Until We Meet Again
• Celebrating the Life of ...
• En Memoria de / Siempre en Nuestros Corazones

For Spanish wording ideas, see what memorial shirts say in Spanish. For phrases written for a specific person, such as a mom or dad, grandparent, sibling, or child, our guides on memorial shirts for a mom or dad and memorial shirts for a grandma or grandpa are a good place to start.

Bible verses and prayers

A short verse or a line of a prayer can fit on the back. Keep it to a sentence or two so it stays readable. See how long a memorial verse should be.

Dates or years

Full dates feel formal; years alone feel clean and simple. Either is right. See full dates or just the years.

Step 3: Choose a design layout

Front photo layout

The photo centered on the chest with the name and dates beneath. This is the most popular layout.

Front and back layout

A small chest design with the name, and the full photo and message on the back. Good for families who want a quieter front.

Theme layouts

Many families add something the person loved: fishing, barbecue, motorcycles, gardening, music, their favorite color. We have guides for gone fishing memorial shirts, motorcycle memorial rides, and many more.

If you would rather not design anything, our team can create the layout for you and send a proof. Our post on using a memorial shirt template shows how that works.

Step 4: Pick a shirt color

There is no wrong color. Black, white, and gray are traditional. Many families choose the person's favorite color, a color that matches a sports team they loved (without the team logo), or a soft color like light blue, lavender, or pink. Photos print clearly on both light and dark shirts because DTF prints a white layer under the image. See what color memorial shirts should be.

Step 5: Collect sizes for the family

Memorial orders often include grandparents, grandkids, cousins, and friends. To keep it simple:

1. Choose one person to collect sizes.
2. Use one list with each person's name, size, and shirt style (adult, women's, youth, toddler).
3. Order a few extra shirts in common sizes for relatives who ask later.

If more family members want shirts after the service, that is common. See ordering more memorial shirts after the service. For very large groups, see ordering memorial shirts for a large group.

Step 6: Review your proof with care

Before printing, you will see a proof. Check the spelling of every name, the dates, and the wording, and make sure the photo looks the way you want. It can help to have a second family member look as well. Our proof checklist lists what to look for.

Step 7: Plan around the service

Let us know the date of the funeral, rosary, celebration of life, or memorial gathering when you request a quote, and ask for the current timeline. We will be honest with you about what is realistic. LuxPort Print Co ships orders, and local delivery may be available in the San Antonio area for eligible orders.

Memorial shirts for other occasions

Memorial shirts are not only for the service. Families also wear them for:

• Heavenly birthdays and death anniversaries (ideas here)
• The first holidays without them
• Memorial rides, benefit games, and vigils
• Rosaries and novenas (ideas here)
• Pet memorials (ideas here)

How LuxPort Print Co helps families

We are a caring, full-service San Antonio print team. You can send a photo and a few words, and we will handle the layout, photo cleanup, and proof. If you are not sure what to say, we can share wording ideas other families have chosen. You never have to have it all figured out before you reach out. Shop the full memorial and celebration of life shirts collection, or request a quote and we will walk you through it.

A short checklist

• One clear photo (or a few to choose from)
• Name as the family wants it shown, including nicknames
• Dates or years
• A short phrase, verse, or saying
• Shirt color and styles
• One list of names and sizes
• The date of the service or gathering

Frequently asked questions

What should a memorial shirt say?

Most memorial shirts include the person's name, their dates or years, and a short phrase such as In Loving Memory, Forever in Our Hearts, or a saying they loved. A short verse or prayer can go on the back.

What kind of photo works best for a memorial shirt?

A clear, well-lit photo where the face is in focus. Send the original file when you can. Older printed photos can be scanned or photographed in good light.

How much are custom memorial shirts?

Custom memorial shirts on our site start at $19.99, depending on the style, size, and whether you print the front only or the front and back.

Can you design the memorial shirt for us?

Yes. Send a photo and the words you would like, and our team will create the layout and send a proof for you to approve.

What color should memorial shirts be?

Any color the family feels good about. Black, white, and gray are traditional, and many families choose the person's favorite color.

Can more family members order shirts after the service?

Yes. Families often order more shirts later for relatives who could not order in time, and the same design can be printed again.

LuxPort Print Co, 10730 Potranco Rd Suite 122-507, San Antonio, TX 78251.