Tiered typography
A tiered design stacks a phrase on several lines, each in its own size, weight or font, so the words lock together into one shape. We create custom tiered and stacked typography designs for shirts, hoodies, tumblers and signs — print-ready as transparent PNG and editable SVG.
A tiered design stacks words in rows of different sizes and styles to make one bold graphic. We create tiered designs and stacked typography for shirts, signs and cups, ready for DTF, sublimation, screen printing or Cricut.
| Price | Quoted per design — send your wording for a price |
| What you get | A balanced multi-line typography design, ready to print or cut |
| File formats | SVG, transparent PNG (300 DPI), AI, EPS and PDF |
| Proof | You approve a proof first |
| Delivery | By email — nothing to ship |
What makes a tiered design work
Good tiered typography reads in the right order at a glance. The most important word is biggest; small connecting words like “the”, “of” and “and” shrink and tuck in; and every line is sized so the whole block forms a tidy rectangle, arch or badge. Getting that balance right is what separates a designed layout from text typed on three lines.
Styles we design
| Style | Look | Popular for |
|---|---|---|
| Stacked block | Lines fitted to the same width | Quotes, sayings, team shirts |
| Arched / curved text | Top or bottom line on a curve | Varsity, collegiate, badges |
| Varsity stacked | Collegiate slab fonts in tiers | School, sports, retro |
| Mixed script and serif | A script word set over bold capitals | Boutique, coquette, wedding |
| Distressed tiered | Worn textures over stacked type | Vintage tees, streetwear |
| Retro tiered | 70s and 90s display fonts | Retro shirts and merch |
Where tiered designs are used
- T-shirts and hoodies for DTF, screen print, sublimation and HTV
- Tumblers and mugs
- Wood signs and laser-cut lettering
- Team, family reunion and event shirts
- Small business merch and slogans
- Teacher, nurse and occupation shirts
Print-ready for any method
We deliver tiered designs as editable SVG and transparent PNG, prepared for your method: halftoned for DTF, separated for screen printing, welded and weedable for Cricut, or connected for laser cutting. See T-shirt design service for more.
Tiered T-shirt design and stacked text design
A tiered T-shirt design works when each line has a clear job: a big keyword, a supporting phrase, a small date or place. We balance the line widths so the stack forms a tidy block, and we choose type that stays readable at chest size. Stacked text designs, stacked lettering designs and multi line typography are built the same way.
Arched, curved and varsity lettering
Arched text designs and curved text designs give a stacked layout a classic athletic or vintage feel. Stacked varsity lettering and collegiate stacked typography suit teams, schools, reunions and family events. Tiered retro typography and distressed tiered typography add texture for a worn-in look.
- Tiered SVG designs for Cricut and vinyl
- Tiered PNG designs for DTF and sublimation
- Tiered screen print designs separated by colour
- Layered quote graphics and multi line quote SVGs
- Editable typography templates with replaceable words
Layered typography for any print method
Layered typography designs often combine two or three fonts with outlines and shadows. For Cricut and HTV we merge overlapping shapes so each colour cuts as one layer. For screen printing we keep the colour count low. For DTF and sublimation we export a clean transparent PNG. A tiered design bundle or layered typography bundle on one theme can be designed to order.
Common questions
Can I change the words later?
Yes. We can supply an editable template where you swap the text and keep the layout.
Which fonts do you use?
Commercially licensed fonts, or any font you hold a licence for.
Can it be embroidered?
Yes, if the smallest letters are big enough to stitch. We can adapt it and digitize it — see embroidery digitizing.
Can I change the words in a tiered design later?
Yes. We can supply an editable typography template with live text, as long as you have the fonts installed.
Which fonts do you use for tiered designs?
Commercially licensed fonts, or any font you already hold a licence for.
Get a free quote
Send us the wording, the item and the style you like. Choose “Vector art” as the product and mention “tiered design”, and we will come back with a price. If you cannot attach artwork here, email it to hello@sewwhatembroiderydesigns.com.