The t-shirt might be second only to the business card as the world top printed promotional item. Affordable, practical, versatile, and capable of making a statement, the custom printed t-shirt is a tried and true way to market a company brand.
Before WWII, the t-shirt was strictly worn as a men’s undergarment. As soldiers shed their uniforms for work in the heat, the t-shirt became accepted into the fashion of American culture.
It didn’t take long for ingenuitive business people to begin customizing t-shirts to promote their businesses. Screen printing was developed in the 1950s, and customers quickly became “walking billboards.”
Today, t-shirts come in a variety of styles, colors, sizes, and fabrics for men, women, and children. So many options are available, picking out the perfect promotional t-shirt can be a bit daunting, especially when buying in bulk.
Fabrics
Cotton
Cotton is the most commonly used natural clothing fiber. 100% cotton is a breathable fabric that works incredibly well for printing. It takes and holds most any kind of ink and any kind of printing method. Its benefits include:
- Soft feel
- Hypoallergenic
- Stays cool in warm temperatures
- Easy to care for
Without proper care, cotton can be prone to wrinkles and shrinking.
Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic fabric engineered to offer some of the qualities which cotton does not. It can be more difficult for printing, if not done properly. Its benefits include:
- Durable
- Less expensive
- Flexible and tear resistant
- Less prone to fading, shrinking, and wrinkling
Polyester is less breathable than cotton, making it less cool on the skin in warmer temperatures.
50/50 Polyester Cotton Blend
The 50/50 polyester-cotton blend is exactly what it sounds like: an attempt to bring together the best of both worlds. The cotton blend offers:
- Durability
- Soft, light feel
- More breathable than polyster
- Moisture wicking like cotton
- Wrinkle and shrink resistant
50/50 cotton blended fabrics are ideal for an athletic look and heavy usage. They can endure heavy wearing and heavy washing.
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