A T-shirt is an essential part of virtually every wardrobe. There are so many T-shirt brands and styles to choose from it can sometimes be overwhelming. Let’s start by breaking down a few T-shirt fabric options.

Basic cotton Tees

The basic cotton tee has been around for years and is still a popular choice for those looking for decorated T-shirts. Cotton tees are generally made of pre-shrunk cotton and will withstand many washes. Cotton is known for its affordability, breathability, and comfort.

CVC Tees

CVC, or “Chief Value Cotton”, is a fast-growing t-shirt category.

The CVC material has a soft feel, is heathered fabric, and is a more affordable option than Tri-blend tees. CVC tees are made of cotton and polyester. Polyester also doesn’t shrink, and cotton does so you will experience less shrinkage with a cotton/poly t-shirt. Cotton/poly shirts wrinkle less than 100% cotton, and they fade less in the wash over time.

Tri-Blend Tees

A tri-blend T-shirt consists of fabric made up of three different materials: cotton, polyester, and rayon. Rayon gives the tees a super soft feel and comprises cellulose fibers. Rayon is also moisture-absorbent, making it an excellent choice for athleisure wear. The added rayon, along with the polyester, gives tri-blend t-shirts a bit of stretch. Plus, they tend to be lighter, making them incredibly comfortable to wear.

Performance Tees

Performance T-shirts are designed to move moisture away from the skin as you sweat. It is a lightweight fabric, often made of polyester and will dry quickly, wicking body moisture to the surface where it will evaporate. Performance tees are ideal for sports teams, the gym, and wearing on hot and humid days.

T-shirt Trivia

What does T in T-shirt stand for?

A T-shirt or tee shirt was initially worn only by men as an undershirt. Now it is defined as a short-sleeved, collarless undershirt or any outer shirt of a similar design. It got its name because it resembles the capital letter T in shape.

Who made the T-shirt famous?

James Dean solidified the T-shirt’s reputation as the go-to garment for rebels, but he wasn’t the first start to make the T-shirt famous. He took his cue from Marlon Brando, whose signature look centered around a plain white T-shirt in A Streetcar Named Desire.

When was the first t-shirt made?

The origins of the t-shirt date back to the late 19th century, when laborers would cut their jumpsuits in half to keep cool in warmer months of the year. The first manufactured t-shirt was invented between the Spanish-American War in 1898 and 1913, when the U.S. Navy began issuing them as standard undershirts.

When you need a screen-printed t-shirt, contact Show Me Logos. We can help you choose the best t-shirt for you and assist with the design!