A graphic tee is a t-shirt with a printed design on it, such as artwork, typography, a logo or an illustration, as opposed to a plain blank shirt. The term covers everything from a small chest print to a full front-and-back design.
A short history
Printed t-shirts moved from promotional item to clothing in their own right in the 1960s and 70s, carried by band merchandise, political slogans and surf and skate brands. The format has barely changed since, which is part of why it works: a graphic tee communicates something about the wearer at a glance, in a garment that is cheap to make and comfortable to wear.
The main styles
- Vintage: engraving-style artwork, faded lettering and retro type.
- Funny: slogan and joke tees, mostly text-led.
- Cute: florals, animals and soft lettering.
- Y2K and retro: artwork referencing a specific era, from 70s lettering to the early 2000s.
- Western and country: cowboy, highland cow and rural imagery.
- Faith-based: scripture and religious typography.
- Streetwear: heavyweight boxy bodies with large front and back placements. Not something we make, but a big part of the category.
The main fits
Standard unisex is the straight, classic cut, and it is the one we use for every adult tee. Elsewhere you will also find oversized cuts, which are wider through the body with a dropped shoulder, and cropped cuts, which are shorter in the body. Our size guide explains how our cut measures up and how to size up or down for the fit you want.
How graphic tees are printed
Screen printing pushes ink through a stencil, one screen per colour. Excellent durability and colour saturation, best suited to simpler designs with few colours.
Direct-to-garment sprays ink into the fabric like an inkjet printer. It handles photographic and multi-colour artwork far better than screen printing, and because the ink bonds with the cotton rather than sitting on it, the design stays soft and flexible.
Heat transfer vinyl presses a cut layer of vinyl onto the shirt. Cheapest, but the print sits on top of the fabric as a plastic panel and is the method most prone to cracking and peeling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a graphic tee and a regular t-shirt?
A regular t-shirt is blank or has only a small brand mark. A graphic tee carries a design as its main feature.
What is the best fabric for a graphic tee?
100% cotton for softness and print quality, or a cotton-poly blend for a heather look and less shrinkage. Weight matters more than composition: 4.2-5.3 oz is standard, 6 oz and up is heavyweight.
Are graphic tees still in style?
They have been continuously worn for sixty years. What changes is the fit and the artwork, not whether printed t-shirts are worn.
How long should a graphic tee last?
Several years with cold washing and low-heat drying. See how to wash graphic tees.