Meet the Winners of the 2026 OTTO T-Shirt Design Contest

The results are in — and we’re excited to introduce the winners of the 2026 OTTO T-Shirt Design Contest.

This year’s contest brought together an incredible collection of original artwork inspired by OTTO, pizza and our community. After reviewing 67 submissions — and inviting the public to help select a Fan Favorite — we’re proud to recognize two standout artists and designs.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
MATT F. OF GORHAM, MAINE

Selected by OTTO, Matt’s striking black-and-white design features a Maine fisherman carrying freshly caught slices of pizza as seagulls circle overhead.

The illustration combines detailed linework, a strong sense of place and a wonderfully unexpected connection between pizza and Maine’s working waterfront. It feels imaginative, memorable and unmistakably Maine.

Matt Frattura is a Gorham-based graphic designer and illustrator who returned to drawing while working as an EMT. What began as a hobby grew into freelance work for local businesses, including T-shirts, beer labels, stickers and promotional artwork. In 2024, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Media Arts, bringing together the traditional and digital techniques he had spent years developing.

“Getting the opportunity to create artwork for a Portland staple that I have known and enjoyed for years was pretty special,” Matt said. “I cannot wait to see the finished design out in the wild.”

As Grand Prize Winner, Matt will receive $500 cash, a $250 OTTO Gift Card and five complimentary shirts featuring his design. His artwork will now be produced as an official OTTO shirt. The finished shirt will be worn by OTTO team members and available for purchase in the OTTO Shop later this fall.

FAN FAVORITE
TOM B. OF DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Chosen through public voting, Tom’s playful design brings together an octopus, a slice of pizza and a classic Maine coastal setting.

Its offbeat humor, detailed linework and distinctly Maine character made it a standout among the finalists — and ultimately the public’s top choice.

Tom lives with his wife and son in the seacoast NH area, where he teaches middle and high school art at Williams Bridge Academy. He also teaches after-school children’s cartooning and illustration courses at the Portsmouth Music & Arts Center, and the Seacoast Artspot.

As Fan Favorite, Tom will receive a $250 OTTO Gift Card, a complimentary shirt from the OTTO Shop and an artist spotlight across OTTO marketing channels.

A CELEBRATION OF CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY

Sixty-seven designs took OTTO in directions we never could have imagined — we were truly floored by the talent, humor, and heart on display throughout the contest.

To everyone who brought an idea to life, shared a favorite or cast a vote: thank you. You helped to add another chapter to a long OTTO tradition of celebrating local creativity — on our boxes, on our walls and, soon, on the shirts we wear.

Congratulations to Matt and Tom!

We’ll share another announcement when Matt’s Grand Prize design has been prepared for printing and the finished shirt is available later this fall.

Click here to view the gallery of Finalists.

Design the Next OTTO T-Shirt

Calling all artists, illustrators, designers, pizza fans, and creative minds: the 2026 OTTO T-Shirt Design Contest is officially open.

We’re inviting our community to help create the next official OTTO T-shirt — a design that will be worn by OTTO team members across New England and offered for sale in limited quantities through the OTTO online shop.

You don’t need to be a professional artist to enter. Whether you’re an experienced illustrator or simply have a great idea that captures the spirit of OTTO, Portland, and Maine, we want to see what you create.

How the Contest Works

The contest will unfold in several phases:

Submissions: July 29–August 30

Beginning July 29, participants may submit one original design through the official contest page. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 30.

Designs should reflect the OTTO brand, community, and personality, and must include the words OTTO, Portland, and Maine or ME.

Because the winning design will be reproduced as a screen-printed shirt, artwork must be created as a single-color design—black artwork on a white background—using bold, solid lines. Gradients, blending, and shading are not permitted.

All artwork must be original. Artwork generated in whole or in part using artificial-intelligence image-generation tools is not eligible.

Submit Your Design

Finalist Selection: August 31–September 4

After submissions close, OTTO will review all eligible entries and select up to 10 finalists.

Finalists will be chosen based on creativity, originality, alignment with the OTTO brand, wearability, and the design’s suitability for apparel production.

Fan Favorite Voting: September 7–13

The 10 finalist designs will be revealed on September 7, when public voting opens.

Fans will be invited to view the finalists and vote for their favorites through September 13. Public voting will determine the Fan Favorite Award.

The Grand Prize Winner will be selected separately by OTTO. Public voting does not determine the Grand Prize.

Winners Announced: September 16

The Grand Prize Winner and Fan Favorite will be announced on September 16.

The winning shirt is expected to make its debut in late September or early October.

Prizes

Grand Prize Winner

The Grand Prize Winner will receive:

  • $500 cash
  • A $250 OTTO Gift Card
  • Production of the winning design as an official OTTO T-shirt
  • An artist spotlight across OTTO marketing channels
  • Five complimentary shirts featuring the winning design

Fan Favorite

The Fan Favorite will receive:

  • A $250 OTTO Gift Card
  • An artist spotlight
  • One complimentary OTTO T-shirt

Top 10 Finalists

Each finalist will receive:

  • Public recognition in finalist and contest content
  • One complimentary OTTO T-shirt

If the Grand Prize Winner also receives the highest number of verified public votes, that artist will receive both awards and all associated prizes.

Ready to Create?

The submission period runs from July 29 through August 30. Before entering, please review the complete design requirements, eligibility information, prize details, and Official Terms & Conditions.

Then show us what OTTO looks like through your eyes.

Enter the 2026 OTTO T-Shirt Design Contest

The Winning OTTO T-Shirt Design is Here – Get Yours Before It’s Gone!

We are thrilled to announce that the winning design from our T-Shirt Design Contest is now available for purchase at the OTTO Shop! A huge congratulations to Sophia Soule of Gorham, ME, whose nautical-inspired design was selected by OTTO customers from a pool of 83 amazing designs. We couldn’t be more excited to showcase this winning design as part of our official merch lineup.

This limited edition shirt is available in two color combinations.

Celebrating All the Amazing Entries
While Sophia’s design was chosen as the winner, we want to take a moment to recognize all the incredible designs that were submitted. We received 83 amazing entries from artists as far-flung as Germany. We loved seeing all of the creativity from our community.

Don’t Miss Our Spring Merch Sale!
As a bonus, we’re offering 20% off select T-shirts as part of a limited-time sale! Please note, some items may have limited sizes available, so be sure to act quickly before they’re gone!