Shirt signing day—that special time of year when students gather to leave their mark on each other’s shirts, preserving memories of friendships and inside jokes.
It’s a beloved tradition, but sometimes you stare at a blank shirt, pen in hand, wondering what to write.
You want something clever, funny, that captures the essence of your friendship or the spirit of the moment.
Well, fear not!
We’ve got you covered with 20 hilarious ideas to make your shirt signing game strong and leave your friends laughing.
Hilarious Shirt Signing Day Ideas
Before we jump into the list, let’s talk strategy.
A great shirt-signing message should be personal, clever, and maybe even a little bit silly.
Think inside jokes, funny memories, or playful jabs at your friend’s quirks.
Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
1. “I’ll always be your partner in crime (as long as you don’t snitch)”
This playful message is perfect for that friend who’s always down for a little mischief. It’s a nod to your adventures together, with a funny disclaimer.
You could even add a little illustration, like a pair of stick figures running away from a comically small explosion. Just make sure your friend has a good sense of humor and won’t take the “crime” part too seriously!
2. “Thanks for putting up with my [insert quirky habit]”
We all have those little quirks that drive our friends crazy. Maybe you’re always losing your keys, or you have a terrible sense of direction. Whatever it is, this is your chance to acknowledge it and thank your friend for their patience.
For example, you could write “Thanks for always being my human GPS” or “I promise I’ll start carrying a spare key just for you.” It’s a funny way to show your appreciation for your friend’s understanding.
3. “Remember that time we [insert funny memory]?”
Inside jokes and shared memories are the glue that holds friendships together. Use your shirt-signing message to reminisce about a particularly hilarious moment from your past.
Maybe it was that time you got lost on a road trip and ended up in a weird small town, or when you tried to cook dinner together and set off the smoke alarm. The sillier the memory, the better!
Just make sure it’s a moment you both remember fondly—you don’t want to bring up that time you accidentally dyed your friend’s hair orange (unless, of course, you’ve both learned to laugh about it).
4. “I’ll miss you…but not your [insert annoying habit]”
Goodbyes are hard, but humor can help ease the sting. If you’re signing shirts before heading off to college or moving away, consider a funny message that acknowledges the things you won’t miss about your friend.
For instance, “I’ll miss you, but not your terrible taste in music” or “I’ll think of you every time I walk by a pile of dirty laundry.” It’s a playful way to roast your friend while still expressing your affection.
Of course, make sure your joke is something your friend will appreciate. If they’re genuinely self-conscious about their messy room, maybe stick to teasing them about their love of pineapple on pizza instead.
5. “Friends don’t let friends [insert bad decision]”
This classic phrase is the perfect setup for a funny shirt signing message. You can customize it to fit your friend’s personality or your shared experiences.
For example, “Friends don’t let friends eat gas station sushi” or “Friends don’t let friends wear socks with sandals.” It’s a way to playfully call out your friend’s questionable choices while also affirming your role as their voice of reason.
Just be careful not to get too personal or mean-spirited. The goal is to make your friend laugh, not feel attacked.
6. “You’re the [insert food item] to my [insert complementary food item]”
Food pairings make for cute and funny friendship analogies. Think “You’re the peanut butter to my jelly” or “You’re the cheese to my macaroni.”
Get creative with your comparisons—the weirder, the better. “You’re the hot sauce to my taco” or “You’re the pickle to my peanut butter sandwich” will get a laugh.
If you want to get extra silly, draw a little picture to go with your message. A cartoon taco with heart eyes next to a bottle of hot sauce? Adorable.
7. “I hope our friendship is [insert something long-lasting]”
This message is a funny twist on the classic “friends forever” sentiment. Instead of something sweet and sentimental, compare your friendship to something known for its longevity or durability.
For instance, “I hope our friendship is as long as a CVS receipt” or “I hope our friendship is as sturdy as a Nokia brick phone.” It’s a way to express your hopes for a lasting friendship while also making a clever pop culture reference.
Bonus points if you can tie it back to a shared memory or inside joke. “I hope our friendship lasts longer than that time we got stuck in the elevator” is sure to get a chuckle.
8. “I can’t wait to be [insert old person activity] with you”
Looking ahead to the future is a common theme in shirt-signing messages. Put a funny spin on it by imagining you and your friend as old folks together.
“I can’t wait to be grumpy old ladies yelling at kids to get off our lawn with you” or “Save me a spot at the bingo table in 50 years” are cute and silly ways to express your hopes for a lifelong friendship.
You could even get specific with your old person’s activities. “I can’t wait to be the terror of the nursing home with you” or “Dibs on being your partner in the senior center dance-off.”
9. “Remember, if anyone asks, we were [insert cover story]”
This playful message is perfect for partners in crime. It’s a silly way to acknowledge your mischievous side while also expressing your trust in each other.
For example, “Remember, if anyone asks, we were studying at the library all night” or “If the cops come knocking, you were with me the whole time.” Just make sure your friend is in on the joke and won’t take it too seriously!
You could even come up with a silly secret handshake to go with your cover story. Because true friendship means having a foolproof alibi.
10. “In case of emergency, break glass for [insert your name]”
This funny message positions you as your friend’s ultimate lifeline. It’s a way to express your willingness to be there for them no matter what.
You could write something like “In case of emergency, break glass for a shoulder to cry on” or “In case of emergency, break glass for terrible advice and inappropriate jokes.” It’s a playful way to offer your support while also acknowledging your own flaws.
Just make sure your friend knows that jokes aside, you really will be there for them when they need you. A true friend is someone you can count on, even if their advice is sometimes questionable.
11. “Let’s be [insert characters] when we grow up”
Remember when you were kids and you’d dream about growing up to be astronauts or pirates or superheroes? Channel that childlike imagination in your shirt-signing message.
Write something like “Let’s be Bonnie and Clyde when we grow up” or “Dibs on being the mad scientist, you can be my evil assistant.” It’s a silly way to express your hopes for a future of adventure and mischief together.
You could even draw little stick-figure versions of yourselves in your chosen roles. Just don’t get too carried away—you don’t want to give your friend any actual criminal aspirations!
12. “Here’s to surviving [insert shared experience]”
High school and college are full of challenging and memorable experiences. Use your shirt-signing message to commemorate a particularly difficult or ridiculous one.
For example, “Here’s to surviving Mr. Johnson’s impossibly hard math tests” or “We made it through freshman orientation, we can make it through anything.” It’s a way to bond over shared struggles and celebrate your resilience.
Just make sure the experience you reference is one that you both went through together. You don’t want to bring up a painful memory that your friend would rather forget.
13. “Don’t forget to [insert funny reminder]”
As you head off to new adventures, give your friends a silly reminder to take with them. It could be a piece of advice, a shared memory, or an inside joke.
Write something like “Don’t forget to wear sunscreen (and by sunscreen I mean SPF 100)” or “Always remember: if you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie.” The sillier and more specific to your friendship, the better.
You could even frame it as a life lesson. “Don’t forget: if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball” is a funny (if slightly aggressive) way to encourage your friend to stay tough in the face of challenges.
14. “I solemnly swear to [insert funny promise]”
Make a humorous pledge to your friend in your shirt signing message. It could be a promise to always have their back, to keep a silly secret, or to maintain a long-running inside joke.
For example, “I solemnly swear to always laugh at your terrible puns” or “I promise to never reveal what really happened at the 2022 New Year’s Eve party.” It’s a playful way to express your loyalty and commitment to your friendship.
Just make sure your promise is something you can actually keep. Don’t swear to always let your friend cheat off your math homework unless you’re prepared to follow through!
15. “In 20 years, I’ll be [insert funny prediction]”
Make a silly prediction about where you’ll be or what you’ll be doing in the future. It could be something absurd, self-deprecating, or wildly ambitious.
Write something like “In 20 years, I’ll be living in a van down by the river” or “In 20 years, I’ll be the first person to colonize Mars (and I’ll save you a seat on the rocket).” It’s a way to make light of the uncertainty of the future while also expressing your hopes and dreams.
You could even make a prediction about your friend. “In 20 years, you’ll be the crazy cat lady of the neighborhood” or “In 20 years, you’ll be the next Bill Gates (but with better dance moves).”
16. “I’ll always remember [insert funny memory] (even if I try to forget)”
High school and college are full of embarrassing and hilarious moments. Use your shirt signing message to immortalize one of those cringey but unforgettable memories.
For example, “I’ll always remember that time you fell asleep in class and snored so loud you woke yourself up” or “I’ll never forget the Great Food Fight of 2023 (even though I’m still finding spaghetti in my hair).” It’s a way to bond over shared humiliation and laugh at yourselves.
Just make sure the memory you choose is one that you can both look back on and laugh about. Don’t bring up that time your friend got dumped in front of the whole school unless you’re 100% sure they’ve gotten over it.
17. “You’re the [insert TV/movie duo] to my [insert other half of duo]”
Compare your friendship to a famous TV or movie duo. It could be a classic pairing like Peanut Butter and Jelly, a dynamic duo like Batman and Robin, or a quirky couple like Shrek and Donkey.
Write something like “You’re the Spongebob to my Patrick” or “You’re the Thelma to my Louise (but without the criminal record).” It’s a cute and clever way to express the unique dynamic of your friendship.
You could even get creative with your comparisons. “You’re the Voldemort to my Nose” or “You’re the Jabba to my Sarlacc Pit” are sure to get a laugh from your friend (or at least a very confused look).
18. “I’ll be there for you, even when [insert annoying scenario]”
This message is a funny twist on the classic “I’ll always be there for you” sentiment. Instead of something sweet and sappy, mention a specific scenario in which you’ll still have your friend’s back, no matter how annoying.
For example, “I’ll be there for you, even when you’re going through your 5th breakup of the month” or “I’ll be there for you, even when you’re dragging me to another one of your weird experimental theatre productions.” It’s a way to express your unconditional support while also gently poking fun at your friend’s quirks.
Just make sure the scenario you mention is something your friend can laugh about. “I’ll be there for you, even when you’re being a total drama queen” might not go over so well if your friend is genuinely going through a tough time.
19. “Together we’ll [insert world domination plan]”
Imagine you and your friend as a pair of supervillains (or superheroes, if you’re feeling more benevolent). Use your shirt-signing message to outline your plan for world domination (or world salvation).
Write something like “Together we’ll conquer the world, one taco truck at a time” or “With your brains and my brawn, we’ll overthrow the corrupt system and install a puppet government of golden retrievers.” The sillier and more specific your plan, the better.
You could even assign each other roles in your evil (or good) scheme. “I’ll be the mastermind, you be the muscle” or “You handle the death ray, I’ll take care of the maniacal laughter.”
20. “Thank you for being my [insert silly nickname]”
Finally, use your shirt-signing message to express your gratitude for your friend’s role in your life. But instead of something generic like “best friend,” give them a silly, personalized nickname.
For example, “Thank you for being my partner in crime” or “Thank you for being my human garbage disposal (and eating all my unwanted cafeteria food).” It’s a way to show your appreciation while also highlighting the unique qualities that make your friend special to you.
You could even use a nickname that only the two of you understand. “Thank you for being my Fluffernutter” or “Thank you for being my Squiggly Doo.” As long as it brings a smile to your friend’s face, it’s the perfect way to end your shirt-signing message.
Concluding Text: Shirt Signing Day Success
And there you have it—20 funny, clever, and downright silly ideas for what to write on your friends’ shirts on signing day.
Whether you go for an inside joke, a playful roast, or a funny prediction for the future, the most important thing is to write from the heart (and the funny bone).
So grab a pen, find an empty spot on your friend’s shirt, and let your creativity run wild.
And who knows?
Maybe 20 years from now, you’ll be looking back at these shirts and laughing all over again.
Happy signing!