
T-Shirt Fabrics Available For Printing
100% Cotton Tees are a classic and favorite to this day. This textile is perfect for screen print and direct to garment printing. We can embroider 100% cotton t-shirts as well. While generic unisex tees are very economical and perfect for giveaways, race tees, volunteer shirts, and so much more, T-shirt manufacturers and designers have refined the basic tee for a number of fashion and specialized styles. These include tees for men, women, and even kids, toddler and babies. We can screen print, embroider, or digitally print any cotton tee on the market.
Cotton/Poly Blends are sometimes preferable, as they tend to wrinkle and shrink less than cotton tees. They are comparable in price and also offered in a number of styles, colors and fabric weights. There are some decoration processes that don’t work well when polyester is added to the blend. Contacts us to learn more about some of the drawbacks.
100% Polyester t-shirts are specialized for moisture wicking properties and wrinkle resistance. Hydrophilic polyester garments are high performance apparel for sports and fast paced occupations such as restaurant wait staff. They feel great when worn and are pretty snazzy for leisurewear as well.
Lastly, Eco-friendly t-shirts have exploded as an apparel medium for decoration. Everything from organic cotton, bamboo, soy, and hemp, to t-shirts made from recycled plastic bottles or even other t-shirts! If environmental consciousness is part of your decorated apparel decision-making process, we can help find the perfect tee for the job, including eco-friendly apparel and American manufacturing. Get in touch for more information.
Considerations For Your Decorated Apparel Order
There are quite a number of variables when it comes to selecting the best option for decorating a t-shirt. While screen print, formerly known as silkscreen, is an option most people think of right away, there may be better options available. A starter list of common considerations influencing best decoration method are:
Time
Cost
Art
Garment
Function
Audience
We also offer services that may make your life easier like folding, poly-bagging and heat pressing inside tags.
Get in touch and let us know what your needs are and we can help devise the best solution.
Custom Polo Shirts
"Knits" or "knitwear" typically refers to polos or sport shirts. They’re the collared shirts with button up plackets that you may have seen on the golf course with something like little gators embroidered on them. They come in long sleeves, short sleeves and a wide variety of colors. It's worth noting that "knits" can also include apparel items like cardigans and turtlenecks. Think casual Friday - dressier than t-shirts but more casual than a true dress shirt.
Polos and knits are most often embroidered, as Embroidery has a higher perceived value and therefor is generally the choice for higher end garments. Polos can be screen printed as well, in most cases. Certain knit fabrics can be printed digitally using techniques like DTF.
The vast majority of this apparel category comes in solid colors, but there are a lot of varied styles as well that can add contrast and flair. Everything from piping accents and stripes to unique panels and specialty fabric. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options:
100% Cotton - Natural. Breathes well but does not dry quickly. Resists pilling but tends to wrinkle and/or shrink if washed/dried at high temperature.
Ring Spun and Combed Cotton - Cotton fiber that has been processed or spun, creating a much softer feel with extended durability.
Polyester - Synthetic. Wrinkle and stain resistant. Holds shape and color. Durable. Garment feel is less popular than cotton.
Spun Polyester - Same concept as ring spun cotton; synthetic fiber with a much softer feel.
Jersey - Knitted instead of woven, these items are soft and breathable with a slight stretch. Softens with washing.
Pique - Knit fabric characterized by raised cords or ribs in an all over waffle, honeycomb, or diamond pattern. Very popular for adding contrast to polo or golf shirts.
Spandex - Incredibly stretchy and can be form-fitting, this synthetic material retains shape and is resistant to washing and perspiration. Spandex is usually blended with another fabric for polos.
Moisture Wicking - Typically consisting chiefly of polyester, these unique synthetic blends draw moisture away from the skin to be quickly evaporated.
Anti-Microbial - whether treated artificially or benefiting from natural properties of the material (such as bamboo), these garments reduce odor causing bacteria.
Performance - Many of today’s performance fabrics combine both moisture wicking and anti-microbial features. Again, these will often be found with high polyester content and usually intended for working out and athletes, or others who may be working in higher temperatures but with a desire for comfort in mind.
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A Beginner's Guide To Company Apparel
Custom company apparel can benefit your business in a variety of ways. Branding your uniforms, t-shirts, or promotional apparel with personality can help develop a strong company image that people will remember.
This guide is a primer for the main points to consider when ordering custom company clothing and how to start the process.
