Every decorator will tell you that their main shirt that they print is a basic white cotton tee shirt. However, that doesn’t mean that some customers may want a specialty shirt. An example of a trendy alternative may be the relaxed-fit T. Laid-back styles are in high demand for both men and ladies. In particular, there is an upswing in the sales of relaxed-fit ladies styles. Women are now wearing more of the over-sized styles that can be paired with skinny jeans, leggings, or shorts.

Our customers are not only concerned about price, but they want a good looking, comfortable shirt also. Comfort is a huge part of the equation. A typical shirt that our customers may use for custom screen printing is a 6 oz. 100% pre-shrunk cotton. A trend now in the wholesale and retail markets is going towards a lighter shirt, such as a 5.0 ounce. It truly depends on the application and what the customer likes. Because of this trend, there are more styles, brands, and colors available in a lighter shirt

Another trend in the wholesale and retail markets is the use of triblend materials. A triblend is exactly that – using three materials to give you added comfort and softness. The three materials used are polyester, cotton, and rayon. Many customers will upgrade the T-shirt to a triblend because of the feel. It definitely is a softer material than just a 100% cotton tshirt.

Eco-friendly tees are also on the upswing in the market. These shirts are made from organic and/or recycled materials that use low-impact dyes and biodegradable fabric softeners which are less harmful to the environment. Those that are concerned about environmental issues will usually inquire about these types of shirts. However, if appropriate, you may try to upsell to this shirt to your customers. Some may not be aware that this type of shirt is available.

For whatever your needs in the custom embroidery and custom silk screening markets, please give us a call if you are in the Columbia, MO area. We have been in business for over 20 years and have the expertise to point you in the right decoration and offer expert advise. Look forward to hearing from you.