Frequently Asked Questions
21 answers covering everything from designing your first custom t-shirt to getting paid as a Kenyan creator. Can't find what you need? Our team is one message away.
Getting Started
What is Design Yangu?
Design Yangu is Kenya's first premium print-on-demand design studio and creator marketplace. You can design custom products — t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, tote bags, phone cases, posters — using our in-browser canvas editor, then order them printed and delivered to your door. Designers can also sell their artwork on our marketplace and earn commissions. No inventory, no minimum orders, no printing equipment needed.
Do I need to know how to design to use the platform?
Not at all. Our design studio is built for everyone — from first-timers to professional graphic designers. We have ready-made templates, a large library of clipart and graphics, and a simple drag-and-drop interface. If you can pick fonts and move things around, you can create something great. We also have a getting-started guide in our Help Center.
Is Design Yangu free to join?
Yes. Creating an account, browsing the marketplace, and using the design studio are completely free. You only pay when you place an order. Designers can list their artwork on the marketplace for free — there are no subscription fees or listing charges.
What products can I customise?
Currently we offer: t-shirts (unisex, available in S–3XL), hoodies, crew-neck sweatshirts, mugs (11oz ceramic), tote bags, phone cases (major models), and A3/A4 posters. We add new products regularly — follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know.
The Design Studio
How do I create a design?
Click 'Start Designing' from the homepage or any product page. This opens our canvas editor. From there you can: add text in any font and colour, upload your own image or logo (PNG, JPG, SVG — max 10MB), browse our clipart library, draw freehand, or combine multiple elements. When you are happy with your design, click 'Add to Cart'. That is it.
What file formats can I upload?
We accept PNG, JPG/JPEG, and SVG files up to 10MB per upload. For the best print quality, we recommend PNG files with a transparent background and a resolution of at least 150 DPI at the intended print size. The higher the resolution, the sharper your print will be.
Can I save my designs and come back to them later?
Yes. When you are logged in, your designs are automatically saved to your account. You can access them anytime from your dashboard under 'My Designs'. You can edit a saved design, duplicate it for a new product, or reorder it without starting from scratch.
Can I sell designs I created in other tools like Canva, Figma, or Illustrator?
Absolutely. You can upload artwork from any design tool as long as you export it as a PNG or SVG. Just make sure you hold the rights to everything in your design — including any fonts, stock images, or elements used. We take intellectual property seriously and will remove any designs that infringe on third-party rights.
Payments & M-Pesa
How does M-Pesa payment work?
At checkout, select 'Pay with M-Pesa'. Enter your Safaricom number (the one linked to your M-Pesa). You will receive an STK push notification on your phone prompting you to enter your M-Pesa PIN to confirm payment. Once confirmed, your order is placed immediately. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.
What payment methods do you accept?
We currently accept M-Pesa (Safaricom) — the fastest, most popular option for Kenyan customers. All prices are in Kenyan Shillings (KES). Visa/Mastercard card payments and bank transfers are coming soon.
Are there any transaction fees?
No. We do not charge any additional transaction fees on top of the product price. The price you see at checkout is what you pay. Standard Safaricom M-Pesa transfer charges may apply from your end depending on your tariff.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes. We use HTTPS encryption on all pages. M-Pesa payments are processed directly through Safaricom's Daraja API — your PIN never passes through our servers. We do not store any sensitive payment credentials.
Orders & Delivery
How long does delivery take?
Within Nairobi: 3–5 business days. Other towns in Kenya (Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, etc.): 5–7 business days. Orders are dispatched from our Nairobi facility within 24 hours of printing being completed. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays.
How much does delivery cost?
Delivery fees depend on your location. Standard Nairobi delivery is KES 350. Rest of Kenya (Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, and all other counties) is KES 550. Same-day Nairobi delivery is available for KES 700 on orders placed before 10 AM. The exact cost is shown at checkout before you confirm payment.
How do I track my order?
Once your order ships, you will receive an SMS and email with your tracking number and a link to track delivery. You can also check your order status at any time from your dashboard under 'My Orders'. If you have any concerns about your delivery, WhatsApp us with your order number and we will investigate immediately.
Can I change or cancel my order after placing it?
You have a 1-hour window after placing an order to request a cancellation or change. After that, production begins and we cannot cancel. To request a change, contact us immediately at info@designyangu.com or via our Contact page with your order number — include your name and what you need changed.
Designers & Earnings
How do I become a designer and sell my work?
Create a free account and go to your dashboard. Click 'Apply to Become a Designer' and fill in your profile — a bio, your design style, and a few sample works. Our team reviews applications within 2 business days. Once approved, you can start uploading designs and listing them on the marketplace.
How much do I earn per sale?
Designers earn 70% of the markup they set above the base product cost. For example, if a t-shirt base cost is KES 850 and you set a selling price of KES 1,500, your markup is KES 650 and you earn KES 455 (70% of KES 650). Yami Designs retains 30% as a platform fee to cover infrastructure, payments, and support.
How and when do I get paid?
Designer earnings are paid out every week on Fridays, directly to your registered M-Pesa number or bank account. The minimum payout threshold is KES 500. You can track your earnings, pending payouts, and full transaction history in your designer dashboard.
Returns & Quality
What if my order arrives damaged or with a print error?
We stand behind every product we ship. If your order arrives with a manufacturing defect, a misaligned print, the wrong item, or damage from shipping, contact us within 7 days of delivery at info@designyangu.com with your order number and clear photos of the issue. We will arrange a reprint or full refund at no cost to you.
Can I return an order if I simply change my mind?
Because every product is custom-printed for you, we cannot accept change-of-mind returns. This is standard practice for all print-on-demand businesses. We strongly encourage you to use the design preview tool and double-check your design, size, and product choice before confirming payment.
Still have a question?
Our Nairobi-based support team is ready to help. We respond within 24 hours on business days — faster on WhatsApp.