The Best Is Yet to Come - Class of 2020 Crafts
As an experienced crafter and handmade product designer, I’m always on the lookout for graphic design assets that feel both fresh and reliable. When I came across The Best is Yet to Come - Class of 2020, I was immediately drawn to its nostalgic yet optimistic tone. This design feels like a warm hug with a splash of modern flair — perfect for creating products that resonate with graduates, educators, and anyone celebrating the journey from high school to the next big adventure.
Aesthetic and Mood: What It Brings to Your Projects
This illustration carries a clean, uplifting vibe. The phrase “The best is yet to come” paired with the year 2020 gives it a timeless quality while still feeling current and relevant. The overall style leans towards minimal but decorative, making it suitable for both elegant and casual handmade items. It’s not overly detailed or busy, which means it can be adapted easily without losing clarity or charm.
I found myself imagining this design on a range of products: custom mugs for graduation gifts, planner stickers for students, t-shirt designs for class reunions, and even packaging for a small business selling school-related accessories. Its tone suggests hope, resilience, and a sense of moving forward — emotions many people are still processing from the past few years.
Real-World Crafting Applications
The Best is Yet to Come - Class of 2020 is a versatile asset that works well in multiple crafting formats. Here are some practical ways I’ve used it in my own projects:
- Cricut Project: The SVG file cuts beautifully on vinyl for banners, wall art, and gift tags. I especially love how the text and elements align neatly when using a Cricut machine, making assembly quick and precise.
- Silhouette Project: Silhouette users will appreciate the crisp lines and transparent PNG preview. I tested it on several materials including glitter vinyl and heat transfer paper, and the results were consistent and professional-looking.
- Sticker Design: For digital stickers, the PNG format provides excellent transparency. I layered it with a simple background and used it as part of a thank-you card set for a recent Etsy order — customers loved the clean finish.
- T-Shirt Design: This design pairs well with light-colored shirts. I recommend using a bold sans-serif font alongside it for contrast, especially if you're aiming for a more modern look. On dark fabrics, a white outline or underbase may be necessary to ensure visibility.
- Mug Design / Tumbler Wrap: Whether printed directly or applied via heat transfer, the layout adapts well to curved surfaces. Just make sure to adjust the size and test placement on a mockup before sending off your first batch.
- Printable Design: As a printable, it looks great as a standalone quote poster or when combined with other illustrations in a seasonal design bundle. The EPS and DXF files also offer flexibility for print-on-demand platforms.
- Greeting Cards & Gift Tags: The design’s hopeful message makes it ideal for cards sent to graduates, teachers, or mentors. Adding a handwritten-style font beneath the main text elevates the sentiment and gives it a personal touch.
- Handmade Business Branding: If you’re running a School Amp-themed shop or planning a new collection around graduation, this clipart could serve as your signature element. I’ve seen similar styles work wonders on packaging, social media headers, and even storefront displays at local craft fairs.
Where This Asset Shines Brightest
Here are the areas where I believe The Best is Yet to Come - Class of 2020 truly excels:
- Large Cut Files: The design maintains its integrity when scaled up. I’ve used it for large wall decals and found that the lines remain sharp and easy to cut.
- Clean Printable Layouts: Perfect for minimalist aesthetics, the illustration doesn’t require much extra embellishment. It’s great for planners, calendars, and greeting cards.
- Seasonal Craft Bundles: With its graduation theme, this graphic fits well into end-of-year or back-to-school collections. Pair it with related SVGs for a cohesive product lineup.
- Gift Products: From tote bags to keychains, this design adds a meaningful message that customers will cherish. It’s particularly popular among handmade sellers looking to create emotional connections through their products.
- Decorative Accents: Use it as a border element or focal point on scrapbooking pages, journal inserts, and handmade notebooks.
- Personalized Items: Add names or dates beneath the main text to turn it into a customizable design. Great for client orders and Etsy listings.
- Product Mockups: The transparent PNG allows you to place the design accurately on mockups for your creative marketplace listings. It helps potential buyers visualize how it will look on their chosen item.
- Print-on-Demand Services: Since it’s scalable and clear, it works well with online printing services. Just verify the resolution of the PNG and SVG before submitting final files.
When to Proceed with Caution
While this graphic design asset is highly adaptable, there are a few scenarios where you might want to use it carefully:
- Very Small Cutting Details: The fine lines in the illustration may become difficult to cut cleanly if reduced too much. Always check the SVG layers for any intricate paths.
- Thin Lines and Crowded Compositions: If you plan to layer it with other graphics, simplify the design or reduce the number of overlapping elements to avoid clutter.
- Low-Contrast Colors: The design relies on strong visual contrast to stand out. Avoid placing it on light pastel backgrounds unless you enhance the colors or add a subtle drop shadow.
- Layered Vinyl Projects: If you’re planning to build a multi-layered project, such as a 3D vinyl decal, the flat nature of this illustration may need additional tweaking for depth.
- Small Sticker Sizes: While the PNG format is good for prints, the text and details might get lost if shrunk down for tiny stickers. Test different sizes before finalizing production.
Practical Crafter Notes Before You Go Live
Before incorporating The Best is Yet to Come - Class of 2020 into customer orders or a larger handmade business collection, here are some steps I always take:
- Test the File: Load the SVG into your Cricut or Silhouette software and run a test cut on spare material. This ensures the file is properly structured and the lines are clean.
- Preview PNG Transparency: Use the transparent PNG to see how it overlays on different product mockups. I often drag it onto a white mug or tote bag image to confirm placement and color.
- Confirm Resolution for Sublimation: If you’re printing on sublimation blanks, double-check the PNG resolution. Low-res images can result in pixelated text and shapes, which ruins the premium look.
- Test Colors Before Printing: Print a sample on both white and dark materials to see how the colors behave. Some SVG files may have hidden color settings that affect the final output.
- Resize for Different Products: The design scales well, but resizing too much can distort proportions. Keep the aspect ratio intact and adjust accordingly for each product type.
- Simplify the Layout if Needed: Remove any unnecessary elements if you’re adapting it for smaller items or combining it with other designs. Less is often more when it comes to readability and appeal.
- Pair with Fonts Strategically: Depending on your brand aesthetic, pair it with a serif font for elegance, a script font for whimsy, or a display font for bold impact. Handwritten fonts tend to complement the design well.
- Check Commercial Licensing: Make sure the commercial license covers all intended uses, especially if you're planning to sell finished products on Etsy or in a craft fair setting. Some assets restrict use for certain quantities or types of sales.
Final Thoughts for Creative Entrepreneurs
In my experience, the success of a graphic design asset lies in how well it translates across materials and resonates with your target audience. The Best is Yet to Come - Class of 2020 does both admirably. Its hopeful message and clean layout make it a valuable addition to any School Amp-inspired collection or DIY project aimed at graduates and educators.
For those of us juggling multiple product lines, this design offers a reliable foundation that can be repurposed in various formats. It's the kind of asset you can trust to elevate your crafts without overcomplicating your workflow. That said, always take time to test it out on your preferred materials and platforms before launching it into your Etsy shop or handing it over to a print-on-demand service.
If you're building a handmade business centered around meaningful, motivational designs, consider adding this illustration to your next design bundle. It’s not just another clipart — it’s a statement piece that speaks to the heart of what we do as crafters: create something beautiful and lasting, even in challenging times.
