From sketch to stitch: how a Monstees tee is made

Ever wondered where a Monstees monster comes from? Not from under the bed, we promise. Every tee goes through three big steps before it reaches your door: a drawing, the right fabric and a print made to last.

Step 1: It starts with a drawing

Every design begins as a sketch. We work on the characters, the lettering and the colours, and then rework them, and rework them again, until the joke lands and the monster feels like a friend.

We ask ourselves a few questions along the way. Will a kid point at this and laugh? Will a grown-up want to wear the matching one? Does this monster have a personality you could describe in one word? If the answer is "not quite", it's back to the sketchbook.

Step 2: Fabric first

A great print on a scratchy tee is still a scratchy tee, so we choose the fabric to suit how each style is worn:

• 180 GSM, 100% cotton for everyday tees. Soft, breathable and ready for school runs, playdates and park days.
• 160 GSM Supima cotton for a luxury feel. Supima is made from extra-long cotton fibres, which makes it especially smooth.
• 240 GSM heavyweight cotton for oversized fits. It's thicker and holds that relaxed, boxy shape.

Quick explainer: GSM means grams per square metre. The higher the number, the thicker and heavier the fabric.

Step 3: Printed to last

Monsters are meant to be loud, so our prints are vibrant and made to stay bright wash after wash. You can help them along: wash inside out in cold water, and flip the tee before ironing. Our washing guide has the full routine.

Step 4: Your turn

The last step is our favourite. A tee only becomes a real Monstee when someone wears it: to the park, to a birthday party, or twinning with their favourite grown-up. That's when the monster comes to life.

Got an idea for a monster we should draw next? Tell us. Some of our best ideas come from the little ones.