If you’re shopping for your favorite designer this holiday season (or for a treat for yourself), there are some great gifts out there that you should know about. Tees, books, and accessories that reference the design world let designers show off a bit, and they’re always fun.

The Pantone Matching System is a well-known and much-loved design tool, especially among graphic designers. A number of small bags, backpacks, notebooks, business card holders, and other things are currently being produced in a range of Pantone colors. Anyone carrying one of these items would quickly be recognized as a member of print design community.

This Pantone backpack comes in several popular PMS shades.

There are also tons of t-shirts that signify a certain design sense. If your in the market for one, check out chopshopstore.com, a division of favorite design firm, The Chopping Block. The “Sir Freelancealot,” “Girls Want My Fonts,” and “Boys Want My Fonts” tees are especially quirky and bold.

The Ampersand Clothing Company, featured at buyolympia.com, take a more subtle approach. Their CMYK and font tees are very cool, and I wear my Helvetica proudly.

Finally, Veer has some especially witty items, including “Creatives Care,” “One PPI,” and “Lorem Ipsum” t-shirts.

Veer’s “baseline” tee is perfect for the typographer in your life.

Even skateboard companies are getting in on the act. If you know any designers who skate, consider a CMYK skate deck from JamFactory.

JamFactory’s CMYK decks are available in cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, of course.

Taschen has a huge selection of incredible design books. They make great gifts for avid readers or for those who just like to turn pages. Avoid the how-to titles, and opt instead for something full of cool design samples or retro inspiration. The Advertising Now! series is a favorite of mine.

You may think that the best gift for a professional print designer would be something practical: new software, a how-to book, even a design association membership. These are definitely great ideas, but usually such things come with an in-house design job. Even freelance designers often buy these things and write them off on their taxes.

It’s the holidays, so keep things fun and light. It’s good to reference the recipient’s career, but don’t make your friends and loved ones feel like they should be getting back to work.

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