The Benefits Of Logo Custom T-Shirts For Your Business’ Growth

It’s amazing what personalised printed t-shirts can do for your business. More than just apparel that convey your personal style, they are excellent marketing tools that enhance brand visibility and clearly send messages across. Here we take a detailed look at printed t-shirts - what they can do for your business, their history, the different types of tees, printing methods used and what the current styles and trends are in terms of designs and materials.

Boost your brand and team spirit

The most common and popular clothing item in the world is the t-shirt; and this also holds true to its use as a promotional product. When people put on a t-shirt emblazoned with your logo, they become walking billboards for your brand. What’s even nicer is that it happens over and over. This means high and repeated brand visibility; and if a picture of a person wearing your promotional t-shirt is posted on social media, that’s even more exposure. Branded t-shirts can also be used as uniforms. When your team wears them in public, such as during events, it gives your brand a polished and professional look. In addition, wearing matching shirts boosts your employees’ morale and makes them feel proud of being in the team.

Personalised t-shirts are affordable brand promoters

If you’re working with a tight budget, printed t-shirts are a smart choice. They’re a cost-effective way to promote your brand without the hefty price tag of traditional advertising. You can get high-quality, custom t-shirts that make a big impact without overspending.

Get social and build engagement with customised t-shirts

Free T-shirts work like magic, people love it that they don’t have to fork out any money for something that is comfy, familiar, and useful, most especially if the design looks great. t-shirts are probably the most effective promotional items you can use to engage your audience on social media. Having a fun giveaway contest with a personalised shirt as the prize is a surefire way to connect with the community and increase your brand’s visibility at the same time.

How promotional printed t-shirts can help organic promotion

Effortless advertising
The fact that custom printed t-shirts are everywhere is proof of their power as a marketing toolsl. People who wear them become endorsers of your brand, unwittingly or otherwise. When they wear them in public, they boost your brand’s visibility. Additionally, the cycle of people washing, folding, and putting on their personalised t-shirts again and again increases their brand recognition, which builds trust and loyalty over time.

Show you care about the planet
The most popular t-shirt material is cotton and when your logo is green-printed on one made of organically produced, what you have is a high value promotional product. With sustainability becoming the norm and eco-friendly products being the choice of an increasing number of consumers, your brand will definitely make its mark. People will not only appreciate your custom branded t-shirts, but they will also see your business as one committed to environmental responsibility.

Bring people together
Printed t-shirts have a way of making people feel like they’re a part of something bigger - whether it be a group sharing the same cause, belonging to or cheering for the same sports team or working for the same company. Personalised t-shirts have a remarkable power to build connections and you can tap into this by using them to bolster your brand.

Promotional T-shirts are a simple, cost-efficient and effective way to promote your business, engage with your audience, and let people know what your brand stands for in a fun, practical, and professional way.

History of Printed T-Shirts

•  19th Century origins:
  The very first t-shirts were not actually shirts but union suit undergarments worn by workers during the 1800s. Eventually miners and stevedores cut them in half and used them as their main garments to stay cool in their hot work environments. After the Spanish American war, the US Navy issued t-shirts to sailors to be worn under their uniforms. It was at this time that these undershirts became widely popular. Sailors and Marines started wearing them when they had to do work which may soil their uniforms - in hot spaces such as inside submarines, and in tropical countries where many of them were assigned. Soon farmers and other agricultural workers started wearing them as well. After World War 2, they surged in popularity thanks to the soldiers who started wearing their issued T-shirts at home.
• 1950s - The birth of graphic t-Shirts:
  In the 1950’s the undergarment transitioned to being an outerwear. The plain white t-shirt became hugely fashionable when Hollywood counterculture icon Marlon Brando wore it in the film “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Another big name star who strengthened its popularity was James Dean who, in his blue jeans and white T-shirt with a stick of cigarette dangling from his lips, epitomised coolness and teenage rebellion. It was also around this time that businesses in Miami started custom printing names of resorts and local attractions on tees and selling them as souvenirs.
•  1960s - A tool for expression:
  The introduction of the multi-color garment screen printing machine in the 1960’s made it easier to reproduce graphic designs on cloth, leading to the rise of the graphic tee . Once again, the t-shirt evolved, this time becoming a powerful medium for self-expression and political advocacy. During this protest-heavy era, professors, college students, and creatives often wore graphic t-shirts to explicitly convey their convictions. By the 70’s self-expression and advocacy metamorphosed into affiliation and fandom, with young people wearing t-shirts featuring logos or album arts of their favourite bands. The Rolling Stones’ iconic hot lips “Hot Lips” logo and Pink Floyd’s prism were two of the most popular band tee designs.
• 1980s - High-end integration:
  In the 1980’s, the teenage rocker garb became high end chic with fashion designers like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Armani, and Versace coming out with t-shirts printed with their logos. British designer Katherine Hamnett took an epoch-making step in fashion history further with her oversized block letter slogan T-shirts which made its riveting debut when the designer wore it to a reception at 10 Downing Street in March 1984. When it was Hamnett’s turn to shake the hand of then UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher, the designer took advantage of the photo op and unzipped her jacket, revealing the very in-your-face protest statement “58% don’t want Pershing” printed in huge letters on her shirt directed at the leader for allowing the Pershing nuclear missiles into European territory. This gave birth to statement t-shirts that became hugely popular then and continues to be so today. From its early beginnings at the gangway almost a century earlier, the t-shirt found its way to the fashion runway and the political arena in the 1980’s. It was also during this period that band merch became a major commercial enterprise, being sold at gigs, concerts, and elsewhere. Big corporations took notice of the marketing power of t-shirts and this led to the creation of the logo tee. Name brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola and Adidas were the first to come out with this new genre of t-shirts and very quickly the others followed suit.
• 1990s - Streetwear and pop culture: In the 1990’s streetwear fashion, which is a style of casual clothing worn by young urbanites belonging to subculture groups, became a global phenomenon. Streetwear was inspired particularly by hip hop culture and skater style. With the movement’s emphasis on self-expression, the t-shirt became its logical clothing of choice, symbolising its identity, community, and culture. 
• Today - Versatility and cultural relevance:
  Printed t-shirts are blank canvases that effectively express personal style and cultural commentary. Because brands always need promoting, artists continue to create, and sociopolitical convictions constantly demand articulating, printed T-shirts will remain relevant, transcending styles and generations.

The many types of printed t-shirts

The classic crew neck shirt inspired other versions - some using other materials, others  featuring different designs, and others still  incorporating some changes in style. Some of the  popular printed t-shirts include the following:

• Custom t-shirts:
  These t-shirts are the most versatile of the lot, allowing your creativity to run wild. You can have your own design, logo or text printed on these shirts and use them for various purposes. Custom t-shirts can be used to promote a business, support a cause, create relationships with customers and employees or simply express your unique style. 
• Graphic t-shirts:
  These t-shirts feature artwork, illustrations, graphics or photographs. They are often sold as merchandise for bands. People also purchase them for their aesthetic appeal or because the design features elements of pop culture they find interesting.
• Organic eco-friendly t-shirts:
  These shirts are  made of recycled or organic cotton that has been grown using only natural methods. It is as breathable and comfortable as regular cotton but with a considerably lesser impact on the planet, which is a key factor for environmentally conscious consumers. 
• V-neck t-shirts:
  The v-shaped neckline gives these t-shirts a stylish and modern look. They are versatile fashion items which can be used casually and, if styled properly, even formally.
• V-neck t-shirts:
  These are cold weather versions of the classic round neck t-shirt, offering the same comfort and style but more warmth and coverage. They also have a more formal look and can be worn alone or layered with other garments.

T-shirt printing methods

There are two main methods used in t-shirt printing. Knowing the pros and cons of each will help you decide which one best suits your needs:.

• Screen printed t-shirts:
  Screen printing involves the use of a rotatable multi-coloured garment screen machine in which ink is applied on a shirt through a screen stencilled with the design to be printed. Cost effective and efficient, this is often used for large quantity printing jobs. This “old school” method produces high-quality, long lasting prints with vibrant colours and sharp details. However, it is not  ideal for complicated designs with many colours or for small quantity print runs.
• Full colour digial, dye-sublimation t-shirts:
  Also called direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, digital printing involves using a digital printer to transfer the design directly onto the t-shirt. This method produces high-quality prints with a wide range of colours and is ideal for printing intricate designs and photographs. In addition, printing jobs are done faster and the volume can be customised. However, in contrast to screen printing which offers more permanency, digitally printed designs have limited washability with a lifespan that only lasts from 30 to 50 washes.

T-Shirt trends and styles

There is always something new going on when it comes to printed t-shirts with trends and styles continuously evolving. Below are the some of the more current ones:

• Current trends:
  With more and more consumers now avoiding fast fashion brands and products, sustainably manufactured t-shirts are gaining in popularity. These include t-shirts made from organic cotton, recycled materials or produced using eco-friendly manufacturing methods. Not only do these garments have a low environmental impact, they also appeal to consumers who support sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices.
• Minimalist designs:
  Understated, simple, and clean designs are what the minimalist aesthetic is all about. Logos and messages are still important design elements, this time however, they are presented in a more subtle and toned-down way.
• Customisation:
  Social media has given rise to personal branding with businesses and even individuals promoting their authentic selves online. Custom t-shirts are the perfect medium for this, allowing people to use  their own designs, logo or text resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces.
• Athleisure wear:
  As the name suggests, this style combines athletic functionality and the comfort of casual wear. These personalised t-shirts use moisture-wicking  fabrics, breathable cotton, and stylish designs that work well during exercise and look great as everyday wear.
  

Curated by Gareth Parkin   |   Product Marketing Director

As the founder of GoPromotional, Gareth has developed an enviable reputation as an expert in the promotional products industry with over 25 years experience. As an active member of the BPMA, ASI and Forbes Business Council, he regularly shares his wealth of industry knowledge and perspective in order to drive the branded merchandise sector forwards. With an entrepreneurial mind, Gareth has his finger on the pulse of our UK and international operations. Responsible for marketing and technical operations, he continually motivates the team with his vision, enthusiasm and desire to be the very best.

Connect with Gareth Parkin on LinkedIn

Connect with Gareth Parkin on Twitter

Connect with Gareth Parkin on Facebook