Plain White Tees

No, not the band.

Wearables, aka apparel, are the largest category of promotional products...and the ubiquitous T-shirt leads the way as far as being the #1 item launched into promotional programs. It's relatively cheap, it appeals to all demographics, it has a well defined perceived value and a long shelf life, and it's a great canvas for creative graphic design and branding. When in doubt...give 'em a T-shirt.

That said, there are some things you should know about T-shirt fabric, styles, imprint techniques, etc. Gone are the days when a white XL Beefy-T would do the trick for all your needs. Now the influence is from retail (Abercrombie, Hollister, et al) showcasing slim, fashion cuts with ultra lightweight cotton fabrics and cutting-edge imprint treatments.

Today's post dishes on the basic white T-shirt only. We'll get into other styles and issues at a later date.

The basic white cotton T is as close to a true commodity item that you will see in the industry. Prices fluctuate wildly in domestic markets, but most mills provide nearly identical styles within weight categories, so my advice is to choose a weight/quality level and just pick a shirt. For the record, my top 4 mills are Gildan, Anvil, Fruit of the Loom and Hanes. All provide specific women's styles as well.

1. The entry-level fabric is 100% cotton in a 5.0 to 5.5 oz. weight. These tees work well for large quantity promotions.
2. Next up is a "6 ounce" shirt (depending on mill, 6.0 to 6.1 oz fabric)... a little more heft, less shrinkage perhaps, better for holding complex imprints, slight increase in price. My pick for most applications, it does the job without going overboard.
3. At a premium price are the "ringspun" cotton shirts; most of you are familiar with the Hanes Beefy-T which set the mark years ago, but there are other very good selections in the category. Typically offered in a 6 oz. weight, this fabric offers a much softer hand than standard tees, and is worth the extra cost if you are looking for a premium luxury fabric for your promotion.
4. Cotton/poly blends: the 50/50 tee is a good choice if you are concerned about shrinkage and durability. There are perceptions that blends hold imprints better than pure cotton fabric, but I personally haven't seen any discernable difference.
5. Fashion tees from American Apparel, Alternative Apparel and the like are very hot right now. The fabric is very lightweight (under 5 oz.), typically soft ringspun cotton, and there are many styles to choose from. Yes, they are relatively pricey, but if you are targeting a tough-to-please youth demographic, they are the way to go.

Next week...colors, imprints, and pricing issues!

Jim