Your Custom T-Shirt Guide: Choosing the Right Fabric and Cut

Promotional t-shirts are among the most effective ways to market your brand, according to the Advertising Specialty Institute. 

No less than 80 percent of consumers in the United States own promotional t-shirts, and they tend to keep these custom t-shirts for an average of 14 months. During that time, these promotional t-shirts generate 3,400 impressions. 

Only outerwear outperforms t-shirts when it comes to brand impressions, but t-shirts are a more budget-friendly choice.

However, it’s not enough to slap your logo on any old t-shirt. Consumers expect comfort, quality, and the latest t-shirt styles. So, choosing the right types of fabric and t-shirt style is essential for a successful t-shirt marketing campaign.

T-Shirt Style for Men and Women

A good quality unisex t-shirt is a popular choice for marketing campaigns, and there’s nothing wrong with going that route. Unisex styles allow you to outfit men and women without having to order a different t-shirt style for each.

If you want to go the extra mile, however, your promotional t-shirts should reflect the differences in the male and female physique. Certainly, your female customers, clients, and team members will appreciate your offering a shirt designed for their shape. 

Men's t-shirts are generally straight up and down with a sloping effect from the collar and sleeves. As the average man’s torso lacks definition (sorry guys, but it’s true), the waist isn’t tailored. 

A woman’s t-shirt, on the other hand, has a narrower waist to provide definition and fit the woman’s body shape. A narrower waist prevents the fabric from looking baggy — a common problem for women wearing men’s t-shirts. The hip area is also slightly flared in a woman’s t-shirt, and there is additional space in the chest area.

Types of Fabrics

There was a time when you only had to choose from two or three types of fabrics for custom t-shirts. Those days are long gone. 

Today, you can choose from multiple types of fabric, allowing you to select a fabric that best matches the needs of your demographic audience.

• Cotton: All natural, soft, and breathable, cotton tees like Gildan’s Ladies SoftStyle Ring Spun Cotton T-Shirt are ideal when you want a durable, comfortable t-shirt. Cotton can shrink a bit when washed and absorbs water rather than allowing it to evaporate. 

• Polyester: An artificial fabric made from petroleum products. A polyester shirt like the Performance Tee by Port and Company will wick away moisture and dry faster than cotton, making it suitable for physical activity.
• Polyblend: Polyblend describes any type of fabric that blends together two or more fabrics. Cotton/polyester blends such as the Heavyweight 50/50 Blend T-Shirt by Jerzees are very popular as they combine the softness of cotton with the moisture-wicking properties of polyester.

• Tri Blend: Triblend is a specific type of polyblend, combining cotton and polyester with rayon for soft, light shirts that drape well like the Bella + Canvas Unisex Triblend Tee.
• Jersey: Jersey is a soft, stretchy fabric made from cotton or cotton blends. One side of the fabric is usually flat while the other side is piled. The Ladies' Flowy Raglan T-Shirt by Bella + Canvas is a typical example of a Jersey t-shirt.

• Piqué: Piqué is a special weave of cotton or cotton/poly fabric that provides a shirt with extra ventilation like the Ladies Agility CORE365 Performancé Pique Crew Neck.
• Rayon: A silky, artificial fibre, rayon drapes easily and offers good recirculation. Less durable than polyester and cotton, rayon is not a good fabric choice for t-shirts, so it is more often used to make triblend shirts.
• Ribbed Cotton: Ribbed cotton has a raised vertical or horizontal lines or ribs. Printing on ribbed cotton shirts such as the Women’s Flowy 2x1 Ribbed Long Sleeve Tee by Bella + Canvas is more difficult than on flatter fabrics, but is possible.

• Athleisure Fabrics: Most often made from polyester or polyblends, athleisure fabrics aren’t exactly fabrics. Instead, they’re a wide range of antimicrobial, anti-odor, and sweat wicking technologies applied to t-shirts such as the Men's Locker T-Shirt 2.0 by Under Armour. Such shirts make excellent athletic team uniforms or gifts to physically active people.

Custom T-Shirt Cuts

In addition to the types of fabric available, you have to consider which of the many t-shirt styles, or cuts, best fit your target audience. T-shirt style choices include:

• Crewneck: The classic t-shirt style, crewnecks such as Tri-Mountain’s Momentum have round neckline and the “T” shape that gives the t-shirt its name. The original T-shirt and a popular choice for promotional campaigns. 

•  V-neck: The v-neck tee replaces the crewneck’s round neckline with a V-shaped neckline that gives the shirt a more open look, as can be seen in Hanes’ Ladies V-Neck T-Shirt. 
•  Classic Long-Sleeve Tee: Crewneck t-shirts with full-length sleeves, shirts such as the Mens Perfect Weight Long Sleeve Tee by District Made offer extra warmth in the fall, winter, and spring. Long sleeves also offer extra room for logos, making them versatile promotional t-shirts. 
• Baseball Tee: Baseball t-shirts have ¾ sleeves, usually in a different color than the body of the shirt. Designed to mimic sports uniforms, baseball tees such as the Curvy Collection Women's Baseball Tee by L.A.T. also make great casual wear choices.

• Classic Tank Top: A great giveway idea for gyms and athletic centers, tank tops like the Unisex Fine Jersey Tank Top are much-appreciated gifts for employee wellness programs, or just as cool summertime promotional items.
• Scoop Neck: A t-shirt designed for women, scoop necks have a neckline that is significantly lower than a crewneck, sometimes low enough to show cleavage. Scoop necks like District’s Juniors Scoop Neck Very Important Tee are popular casual wear choices, especially in the summer.
• Pocket Tee: Pocket Tees like Port and Company’s Pigment-Dyed Long Sleeve Pocket Tee are simply t-shirts with pockets, usually on the left breast. 

2020 T-shirt Trends

When choosing promotional t-shirts, it’s important to consider current fashion trends. 2020 t-shirt trends, like the larger world of 2020 promotional trends, harken back to earlier eras. Expect to see a return of the bright neon colors of the 1980s side-by-side with the subdued, laid-back baseball tees of the 1970s.

Popular 2020 t-shirt trends include:

• Cropped Tees: Also known as half shirts or belly shirts, these women's t-shirts are increasingly popular at music festivals and tourist attractions. While not a good choice for a business known for formality, cropped tops like the Ladies Sheer Cropped Racer Tank make sought-after promotional gifts for brands aimed at young, hip adults.

• Slouchy Tees: Defined by wide scooped necks, a curved bottom hem, and longer body length, slouchy tees like the Sheer Featherweight Scoop Neck Tee by Anvil are popular women’s shirts for days off and casual work environments. 
• Long-Sleeve Hoodie Tees: A lightweight alternative to the hoodie sweatsuit, long-sleeve hoodie tees offer warmth and comfort while giving off a distinct street vibe. The Tri-Blend Performance Pullover Hoodie Tee by New Era is a good example of this t-shirt style.

• Henley Tees: With long cuffed sleeves and a crew neck with a button placket, Henley tees like the Bella + Canvas Men's Long-Sleeve Jersey Henley add a splash of elegance to the traditional jeans and t-shirt combo.

Not sure what t-shirt style fits your promotional needs? Contact Triple Crown Products and we’ll help you pick custom t-shirts that match your brand and show off your logo.