Custom T-Shirts: How to Design, Print, and Order the Perfect Shirt

There’s something that happens when a group puts on the same shirt.

The company team feels unified walking into a conference.

The new hire class feels like they belong on day one.

The family reunion feels like an event worth traveling for.

A well-designed custom t-shirt does that — and after 25 years and millions of orders, we know exactly how to help you get there.

Whether you’re an HR coordinator ordering onboarding kits for a hundred new employees, a marketing manager sourcing trade show giveaways, or a parent wrangling 60 relatives into matching shirts for a summer reunion, the fundamentals are the same: the right fabric, a sharp design, a printing method that fits your order. According to PPAI’s Product Power 2026 study, 72% of consumers associate branded merchandise with positive emotions like pride, belonging, or gratitude.

This guide covers everything: how to design a shirt you’re proud of, which printing method fits your project, how to pick the right fabric, and how to place your order with confidence. Along the way, we’ll share real customer stories and practical advice from our team of Inkers — the people who work with custom orders every day and have seen just about everything.

In This Article

• How to Design Custom T-Shirts
• Custom T-Shirt Printing Methods Compared
• Choosing the Right T-Shirt Style and Material
• How to Order Custom T-Shirts
• Custom T-Shirt Ideas for Every Occasion
• Common Custom T-Shirt Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• Frequently Asked Questions

Shop Custom T-Shirts

How to Design Custom T-Shirts

Good design starts with a clear idea — and you don’t need to be a professional artist to get there.

In our 2026 Swag Organizer Survey, 23% of organizers said they struggle to make designs look professional, and another 24% said they simply don’t have the time. That’s exactly why we built the Design Lab the way we did: thousands of templates, clipart, and fonts organized by occasion, plus the ability to upload your own logo in PNG, JPG, SVG, AI, PSD, or PDF format. A live preview shows you exactly how your finished shirt will look before a single one gets printed.

Design Principles That Make Custom T-Shirts Stand Out

We’ve found that the shirts people wear most — long after the event is over — tend to follow the same principles.

• Simplicity wins. A clean logo or a few well-chosen words gets worn again and again. Designs that try to pack in too much text or too many competing elements tend to lose their punch.
• Two fonts, maximum. Use a bold, legible typeface for your primary message and a complementary font for supporting details. The Design Lab lets you preview combinations in real time.
• High-res artwork only. If you’re uploading your own logo or image, aim for at least 300 DPI. Our Inkers will flag any quality concerns before production — no surprises on your end.
• Placement matters. A standard front-chest print works for most designs. For event details, dates, or sponsor logos, the back gives you room to breathe. Sleeve prints add a branded touch many groups love.
• Contrast is your friend. Dark text on a light shirt (or vice versa) delivers the strongest visual punch. The Design Lab lets you match Pantone shades if your logo has specific brand colors.
• Color count in check. For screen-printed shirts, each color requires its own screen. Keeping your design to 1–3 ink colors controls cost without sacrificing quality.

Pro tip: Browse our design templates gallery before you start from a blank canvas. Even if you don’t use a template directly, it’s one of the fastest ways to spark ideas for layouts, fonts, and color combinations that actually translate onto a shirt.

Getting Expert Design Help

Rather hand off the design work entirely? Our Inkers can help turn a rough sketch, a napkin drawing, or an old logo file into a polished, print-ready design — at no extra charge. Nearly half of organizers (46%) end up playing “Amateur Graphic Designer” on top of their actual job, according to our Swag Organizer Survey. That’s what we’re here for. Reach out anytime to get started.

“6 months ago, we decided to order custom T-shirts for our family trip. CustomInk got our order to us quickly. They had a great selection of fabrics and fits to choose from. Although the MN weather followed us to Florida, we were able to show off our Tees for one of our 4 days in Orlando. It was a great t-shirt ordering experience. I will definitely order from you again. Thank you CustomInk!”

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Featured Products from This Story

Sport-Tek Competitor Performance Shirt

• 3.8 oz., 100% polyester interlock with PosiCharge technology
• Removable tag for comfort; set-in sleeves
• Sizes S–4XL (tall sizes also available)

Sport-Tek Women’s Competitor Performance Shirt

• 3.8 oz., 100% polyester interlock with PosiCharge technology
• Feminine fit with set-in sleeves; tag-free label
• Moisture-wicking; sizes XS–4XL

Design Inspiration Templates

Custom T-Shirt Printing Methods Compared

“What’s the best way to print a custom t-shirt?” It’s one of the most common questions we get — and the honest answer is that it depends on your design, your order size, and your budget. We offer several printing methods, and each has real advantages. Getting this right matters: PPAI research found that 85% of people remember the brand on a promotional shirt they received. A quality print is what makes that memory stick.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is the classic method — the one most people picture when they think custom shirts. Ink is pushed through a mesh screen directly onto the fabric, one color at a time. The result is bold, vibrant, and built to last through years of washing. It’s our most popular method for good reason.

• Best for: Orders of 12+ shirts with 1–8 ink colors. Team shirts, company apparel, event giveaways, fundraisers.
• Advantages: Vibrant, opaque colors on any shirt. Extremely durable. Cost per shirt drops significantly as order size increases.
• Keep in mind: Each color requires its own screen, so complex multi-color designs add to setup cost. Works best with solid-color artwork rather than photographs.

Digital Printing (DTG)

Digital printing — also called direct-to-garment, or DTG — works like an inkjet printer for fabric. It sprays ink directly onto the shirt, so it can reproduce full-color photographs, gradients, and complex artwork without any extra cost per color. The result has a soft hand feel, almost like the design is part of the fabric itself.

• Best for: Smaller orders (1–11 shirts), photo-realistic designs, and personalized items where each shirt carries a unique design.
• Advantages: Unlimited color count at no extra charge. Very soft hand feel. No minimum order on most products.
• Keep in mind: Colors can be slightly less vibrant on dark fabrics. Best results come on 100% cotton or high-cotton blends.

Embroidery

Embroidery stitches your design directly into the fabric using thread, creating a textured, three-dimensional look that reads as quality from across a room. If you’ve ever noticed a sharp logo on a polo or a clean monogram on a quarter-zip pullover, that’s embroidery at work.

• Best for: Corporate apparel, employee uniforms, custom hats, and any project where a professional, elevated look matters.
• Advantages: Extremely durable. Works on virtually any fabric. Instantly communicates quality.
• Keep in mind: Better suited for logos and simple designs than detailed artwork or photos. Stitch count affects pricing, so very large embroidery areas cost more.

Quick Comparison: Which Printing Method Should You Choose?

Still deciding? Use this table as your guide — or open the Design Lab and let it recommend a method based on your design and order size automatically.

One thing worth noting: not every printing company offers all three methods in-house, which means some providers steer you toward whatever they have rather than what actually fits your project. We offer screen printing, digital printing, and embroidery across our different products in our catalog.

Pro tip: Not sure which method fits your project? Our Inkers can look at your design and give you a recommendation before you commit to anything. Reach out anytime.

“We all work at Walt Disney World and participate in the Canoe Race Of the World every year and we finally got team shirts! We love the bright color and the soft material. Our experience with CustomInk was amazing! Everyone we worked with was very helpful and friendly! We will definitely be ordering from CustomInk again!”

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Featured Products from This Story

Sport-Tek Women’s Competitor V-Neck Performance Shirt

• 3.8 oz., 100% polyester interlock with PosiCharge technology
• V-neck with set-in sleeves; tag-free label
• Moisture-wicking; sizes XS–4XL

Sport-Tek Raglan T-Shirt

• 5.2 oz., 100% ring spun combed cotton
• Tag-free label; rib knit neck; curved hem
• Two-tone colorblock raglan sleeves; sizes XS–4XL

Printing-Ready Design Templates

Choosing the Right T-Shirt Style and Material

The design is only half the equation. The shirt itself — the fabric weight, the cut, the material blend — determines whether people actually reach for it or forget it exists. We carry hundreds of styles because different occasions call for different products.

Our 2026 Swag Trends Survey found that 25% of buyers feel “standard unisex cotton t-shirts” are becoming overdone — yet when forced to pick one swag category, 31% still chose t-shirts over everything else. People love a great tee. They just want a better one. And it pays off: PPAI’s 2026 consumer study found that 65% of consumers are very likely to keep a branded product for six months or longer, with durability, design, and material as the top reasons why.

Fabric Types and When to Use Them

Our best-selling cotton option is the Gildan Softstyle Jersey T-Shirt (4.5 oz. ring spun cotton) — our top-selling tee in 2025.

For active groups, our 2026 Swag Trends Survey found that 65% of respondents rated “Smart Fabric” technology — moisture-wicking, wrinkle-free blends — as “Very” or “Extremely” important for employee uniforms.

Popular T-Shirt Styles

• Classic crew neck. The reliable standard. Works for virtually every event, group, and audience.
• V-neck. A polished look that’s popular for women’s styles and co-ed groups who want a bit of variety.
• Long sleeve. A natural fit for fall and winter events, outdoor teams, or anyone who wants extra coverage.
• Tank tops. The go-to for summer events, gym crews, and outdoor festivals.
• Heavyweight and boxy fit. The 2026 trend. Thicker fabric, relaxed drop-shoulder silhouette, streetwear feel. Our survey found 62% of buyers plan to try heavyweight tees this year, and 50% want that vintage-wash aesthetic.

Budget tip: Cotton-poly blends offer the best balance of comfort and price for most groups. For premium corporate gifts, upgrading to a tri-blend or a recognized retail brand like Nike or Comfort Colors makes a real difference. Our survey data backs it up: 91% of respondents believe their team feels more valued receiving a retail brand over a generic tee (2026 Swag Trends Survey).

“Celebrating Marty’s 50th birthday at Lake Keowee in Seneca, South Carolina with 40 of our closest family members and friends. These t-shirts were a HUGE hit with everyone! The high-quality, lightweight material was perfect for a hot day at the lake. We were comfortable all day and will wear our shirts again and again.”

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Featured Products from This Story

Gildan Ultra Cotton T-Shirt

• 6.0 oz., 100% preshrunk US cotton
• Taped neck and shoulders; rib collar; tear-away label
• Classic fit, seamless body; 60+ colors; sizes S–5XL

Gildan Ultra Cotton Women’s T-Shirt

• 6.0 oz., 100% preshrunk US cotton
• Feminine-inspired styling with side seam
• Taped neck and shoulders; tear-away label; sizes XS–3XL

Team 365 Zone Long Sleeve Performance Shirt

• 3.8 oz., 100% polyester interlock; moisture-wicking with UV 40+ protection
• Cationic dyes for superior brightness and color fastness
• Team fit; heat-sealed label; sizes XS–4XL

Popular Style Templates

How to Order Custom T-Shirts

Most organizers tell us the ordering process was easier than they expected — and that’s by design. We’ve spent years streamlining every step so you spend less time coordinating and more time on whatever you’re actually supposed to be doing. Here’s how it works from start to finish.

Step-by-Step Ordering Guide

1. Choose your product. Start at our custom t-shirts page and browse by style, fabric, brand, or price. Filters for things like “no minimum” help you get to the right product fast — no scrolling through styles that don’t fit your project.
2. Design your shirt. Open the Design Lab and build your design using templates, clipart, uploaded artwork, or a combination. A real-time preview shows exactly how it’ll look on the actual shirt — what you see is what you get.
3. Select sizes and quantity. Enter your numbers in each size. Pricing updates automatically as you adjust, so you can find the quantity that hits your budget without doing any math yourself.
4. Review and approve. Before checkout, you’ll see a full preview of your complete order. Our team reviews every design for print quality — if anything looks off, we’ll flag it and work with you to fix it before production starts. No unpleasant surprises when the box arrives.
5. Place your order. Free standard shipping is included on every order. Need them faster? Rush and Super Rush options are available. View all delivery options here.

Group Orders: Let Everyone Pick Their Own Size

Collecting sizes from a group is one of the most dreaded parts of organizing — and it doesn’t have to be. Our Group Order form takes the coordination off your plate completely. Share a link, each person selects their own size and pays individually, and everything gets produced and shipped together. You set the design and the deadline. We handle the rest. It’s free to use.

Our Swag Organizer Survey found that 29% of organizers feel “very” or “extremely” anxious about orders arriving late or wrong. Group Orders are how we take that worry off the table.

Names and Numbers

Want each shirt to feel personal? Our Names and Numbers feature lets you add individual names, numbers, titles, or personalized text to each shirt in your order. It’s popular for sports teams, corporate departments, and family events where everyone wants their name on the back.

Don’t miss: If you’re ordering for an event with a hard date, check our delivery timeline before you start designing. Standard orders arrive within two weeks. Rush options are available. Planning ahead gives you the widest selection and the best pricing.

“SI Group hosted its first ever Pickleball tournament in The Woodlands, TX. At the last minute, my boss requested we order custom shirts for everyone to wear to the event. I had less than a week to source, design, print and ship these to our corporate HQ. CustomInk was able to deliver. Not only did I design a custom Pickleball shirt using the CustomInk library of graphics, but I was able to get the order produced and delivered in time for the event, even with a one day weather delay in shipping. I will definitely use CustomInk again for a custom shirt order and recommend to others as well.”

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Featured Products from This Story

Sport-Tek RacerMesh Performance Shirt

• 3.8 oz., 100% polyester flat back mesh with PosiCharge
• Ultra-fine RacerMesh for superior breathability
• Tag-free label; set-in sleeves; moisture-wicking

Sport-Tek Women’s RacerMesh V-Neck Performance Shirt

• Flattering V-neck with feminine fit
• 3.8 oz., 100% polyester flat back mesh with PosiCharge
• Self-fabric V-neck; tag-free label

District V.I.T. Pullover Hoodie

• 8.3 oz. (280 GSM), 65/35 ring spun cotton/polyester fleece
• Jersey-lined hood with dyed-to-match drawcords
• 1×1 rib knit cuffs and hem; tear-away label; sizes XS–6XL

Group Event Templates

Custom T-Shirt Ideas for Every Occasion

Sometimes the hardest part is deciding what to put on the shirt. The return on a well-executed tee is real: PPAI data shows a single custom t-shirt generates an average of 5,053 impressions over its lifetime, making it one of the highest-impact items you can invest in. Here are the most popular use cases and the design approaches that work best for each.

Company and Corporate Events

For team-building days, company picnics, or trade show giveaways, the designs that work keep it clean: your logo, a memorable tagline, and the event name or date. Our 2026 Swag Trends Survey found that 54% of buyers purchase custom products for employee initiatives like onboarding and work anniversaries, and 74% want their gear to drive team unity and belonging.

The goal is making corporate shirts feel like a reward, not a uniform. According to our 2025 Holiday Gift Survey, 81% of employees value a gift more when it’s personalized, and 76% value it more when it comes from a trusted retail brand. Upgrading the shirt quality — or pairing custom t-shirts with branded hoodies or hats — is the difference between a shirt that sits in a drawer and one that gets worn on the weekend.

Family Reunions and Celebrations

Family reunion shirts are one of our most popular order types, and the best ones usually include the family name, the year, and the location. Many families add each attendee’s name on the back, turning the shirt into a keepsake as much as a wearable. We know ordering for a once-in-a-lifetime event feels high-stakes — our Swag Organizer Survey found that people planning family reunions, weddings, and milestone celebrations report higher anxiety (41%) than corporate buyers (27%), exactly because moments like these deserve to go right.

Our Names and Numbers feature lets you personalize each shirt individually. For large family orders spanning multiple generations, our Group Order form lets everyone choose their own size and style — crew neck, V-neck, tank top — while keeping the same design across the group.

Fundraisers, 5Ks, and Charity Events

For races and charity walks, performance fabric is the right call. Moisture-wicking shirts in bright, eye-catching colors help your team stand out and stay comfortable during the event. Include your team name, event name, and cause — and start early. Our Swag Organizer Survey found that fundraising organizers are the only segment where late arrival (33%) tops quality as the primary fear. Race day doesn’t move. Check our delivery timeline before you start designing.

If you’re raising money, consider using our Group Order tool to sell shirts directly to participants — each person pays for their own, which takes the financial coordination entirely off your plate.

Schools, Clubs, and Organizations

Spirit wear, field day shirts, club identifiers, graduation tees — school and organization orders are some of our favorites to help with. The designs that work best use bold, school-appropriate colors and keep things upbeat and inclusive. School organizers care deeply about quality: our Swag Organizer Survey found that 47% of K-12 school organizers name “looks cheap” as their biggest fear — the highest of any segment we surveyed. We take that personally.

“We have been having annual family reunions in my dad’s home town since 1948. This is the second time we have ordered shirts from Custom Ink for our week-long event. The shirts certainly help cement the bonds we share. Thanks for great customer service and this boomer loves the help from the chat features on the website. So helpful!”

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Featured Products from This Story

Gildan Softstyle Jersey T-Shirt

• 4.5 oz., 100% ring spun US cotton; modern classic fit
• Taped neck and shoulders; double-needle sleeves and hem
• Tear-away label; seamless body; sizes S–5XL

Gildan Ultra Cotton Tank

• 6.0 oz., 100% preshrunk US cotton
• Banded neck and armholes; double-needle hem
• 14 colors available; sizes S–2XL

Sport-Tek Youth Raglan T-Shirt

• 5.2 oz., 100% ring spun combed cotton
• Tag-free label; rib knit neck; raglan sleeves
• Youth sizes YXS–YXL in colorblock options

Templates for Every Occasion

Common Custom T-Shirt Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

We’ve processed millions of orders. The same mistakes show up often enough that we can spot them before they happen — and usually we do, because our Inkers review every design before production. But the ones that create the most friction happen earlier in the process, before the order is even placed. These are the five worth knowing about upfront.

Mistake #1: Ordering the Wrong Fabric for the Occasion

A heavy cotton shirt is great for a backyard barbecue and miserable for a summer 5K. The fix is simple: picture your group wearing the shirts. Hot summer day outdoors? Go performance fabric. Evening event at a venue? Cotton-poly feels polished. Representing your company at a conference? A tri-blend or retail brand says you put thought into it.

Mistake #2: Using Low-Resolution Artwork

A logo that looks sharp on your website may not be high enough resolution for print. Vector files (AI, SVG, EPS) give you the best results. If all you have is a raster image (PNG, JPG), make sure it’s at least 300 DPI at your intended print size. Our Inkers review every file before production and will flag anything that needs fixing — no unpleasant surprises when your order arrives.

Mistake #3: Waiting Too Long to Lock Sizes

This one causes more last-minute stress than any other. Waiting to collect sizes from your group usually means a long thread of follow-up messages, stragglers who never respond, and a final order with an awkward size distribution that doesn’t match your actual group. Start the process early — ideally the same week you finalize the design — using our Group Order form. It gives everyone a visible deadline, lets them select their own size, and closes automatically so you can place the order without chasing anyone down.

Mistake #4: Skipping the Size Range

Ordering a single unisex style works fine for some groups. For others — especially mixed-age, mixed-gender groups, or any team where people have different preferences about fit — it means a portion of your group gets a shirt they’ll never wear. Our survey data shows 24% of buyers worry about sizes not fitting right (2026 Swag Trends Survey), and the fix is straightforward. Our Group Order feature lets you offer multiple styles — crew neck, V-neck, tank top, long sleeve — all with the same artwork, so each person chooses what works for them. You get one cohesive look; they get a shirt they’ll actually wear.

Mistake #5: Not Building in Enough Lead Time

Standard orders arrive within two weeks with free shipping, and most of the time that’s plenty. Where organizers get into trouble is underestimating how long the design approval process takes, especially when multiple stakeholders need to sign off on a logo or brand color. Our Swag Organizer Survey found that 29% of organizers feel “very” or “extremely” anxious about late arrivals — and that anxiety almost always comes from starting too close to the deadline. Build in an extra week for design revisions. If you’re cutting it close, Rush and Super Rush delivery options are available. Check the full delivery timeline here before you start, not after.

“After 5 years with my running group, we finally got shirts made for the Red Rose Run in Lancaster last year. They got a lot of attention and have been great as a walking advertisement for our group. It was so helpful to visit the Custom Ink shop in person to work on the design and pick out nice quality shirts.”

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Featured Products from This Story

Hanes Sport Cool Dri Performance Shirt

• 4.0 oz., 100% polyester interlock; rapid-dry Cool Dri fabric
• 40+ UPF rating; double-needle coverseamed neck
• Tear-away label; narrow ribbed collar; sizes S–3XL

Sport-Tek Competitor Long Sleeve Performance Shirt

• 3.8 oz., 100% polyester with PosiCharge technology
• Removable tag; set-in sleeves; moisture-wicking
• Long sleeve coverage; sizes XS–4XL (tall sizes available)

Easy-to-Customize Templates

We’ve been doing this since 1999. In that time we’ve helped first-time organizers pull off flawless company kickoffs, running clubs get their first team shirts, and families show up to reunions looking like they planned it for years. The process gets easier every time — and if it’s your first order, our Inkers will make sure it feels that way. Start with our custom t-shirts, build your design in the Design Lab, or talk to our team and we’ll get you started right.

Start Designing Custom T-Shirts

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How far in advance should I order custom t-shirts?

Orders arrive at your door within 2 weeks with free standard shipping. Rush and Super Rush options are available if you’re working with a tighter timeline. For the widest product selection and best pricing, ordering at least 2–3 weeks before your event gives you the most flexibility. We’ve shipped on-time for conferences, charity races, employee kickoffs, and family reunions across every timeline you can imagine — and we’ll tell you upfront if yours is cutting it close. View all delivery options here.

Q: Can I order just one custom t-shirt?

Yes. Many products have low or no minimums — just filter by “no minimum” when browsing to see all eligible options. Pricing per shirt decreases as your order size increases.

Q: Are bulk discounts available for custom t-shirts?

Yes. Volume-based pricing is built into every product. The more you order, the lower your per-shirt cost — and you can see exactly how pricing changes by adjusting the quantity on any product page. For very large orders, contact our team for a custom quote.

Q: Can members of my group pay for their own custom t-shirts?

Absolutely. Our Group Order form lets each person choose their own size, enter their shipping address, and pay individually. You set the design and the deadline. Everyone else handles the rest. It’s free to set up and our most popular feature for team organizers.

Q: Can I get help designing my custom t-shirts?

Yes — and it costs you nothing. Our Inkers can help you build a design from scratch, refine an existing concept, or clean up artwork you’ve already started. You can also use the Design Lab‘s library of templates and clipart to build something on your own. Either way, every design gets reviewed by our team before production. Reach out to our team anytime — we’ve helped groups work through everything from a rough napkin sketch to a full brand refresh.

Q: What’s the difference between screen printing and digital printing for custom t-shirts?

Screen printing pushes ink through mesh screens one color at a time, producing bold, durable prints that hold up through years of washing. It’s the most cost-effective choice for larger orders with 1–8 colors. Digital printing (DTG) sprays ink directly onto fabric, allowing unlimited colors and photo-quality detail — ideal for smaller orders or designs with lots of color variation. Our Design Lab will recommend the best method for your design and order size automatically.

Q: What file types can I upload for my custom t-shirt design?

We accept PNG, JPG, SVG, AI, PSD, and PDF files. For the sharpest results, vector files (AI, SVG, EPS) are ideal. Raster images should be at least 300 DPI at your intended print size. If your file doesn’t meet our quality standards, our team will flag it and help you find a solution before anything goes to production.

Q: Can I add individual names or numbers to each shirt in my order?

Yes. Our Names and Numbers feature lets you personalize each shirt with unique text — player names, employee titles, family member names, whatever fits your group. Set up the layout once and enter the specific details for each shirt from there.

Q: What if I’m not happy with how my custom t-shirts turn out?

We stand behind every order. If your shirts don’t meet your expectations, reach out to our team and we’ll make it right. Our design review process catches most issues before production — but if anything slips through, we’re committed to a solution you’re happy with. No unhappy surprises, ever.

Q: How do I choose the right t-shirt material for my custom order?

Match the fabric to how the shirts will actually be used. For casual events and everyday wear, 100% cotton is a time-tested choice. For active use like races and outdoor events, moisture-wicking performance fabric keeps everyone comfortable. For a premium feel, tri-blend fabrics offer that retail-quality softness people notice immediately. Cotton-poly blends are a solid all-around option that balances comfort, durability, and price. Browse our full t-shirt selection to compare options side by side.