T-Shirt Day Is Turning 15!

June 21^st marks the 15th anniversary of International T-Shirt Day. It’s time to celebrate! Here are our top tips to get you inspired to make the most of T-Shirt Day in your shops.

In 2008, we launched T-Shirt Day to help Shop Owners promote their products by celebrating the start of T-Shirt weather.

The T-shirt – from underwear to must-have

What a meteoric rise our beloved T-shirt has had in the past 150 years. Originally intended as an undergarment, the T-shirt gained popularity as workwear during the First World War.

In the 1950s, Hollywood icons like Marlon Brando and James Dean wore the shirt to make a rebellious fashion statement. It went on to become an icon of youth culture and the rise of DIY printing made it a cornerstone of political protests.

As a versatile garment for all occasions, from leisure to more formal occasions, the T-shirt finally conquered the fashion world. Today, the T-shirt is a timeless classic and a staple of any closet.

More than just fabric – what makes T-shirts so special?

Fine feathers make fine birds, and clothes make people. But beauty’s only shirt-deep, right?

Well, the T-shirt offers us a canvas for self-expression. With color choice, cut and not least the design we present an image of ourselves and give the people around us a window onto our beliefs and interests.

We’ve all had that one favorite shirt that’s seen everything. That cool, washed out tee that brings back so many memories. A piece of fabric that may fade, but oh-no-God-forbid shall never pass away.

With a T-shirt we show that we belong to something bigger: a certain group, association, team, fandom and much more. T-shirts are a great way to express this loyalty. This one piece of clothing makes it all possible.

How is your favorite T-shirt created?

There are a few steps you’ll need to take before you can slip on your stylish T-shirt.

Don’t lose the thread

T-shirts are mainly made of cotton. This makes them breathable and gives you a comfortable and soft feel. For example, our Stanley/Stella Unisex Organic T-Shirt is made of 100% organically grown cotton.

After being harvested, cleaned and seeded, the cotton is spun into yarn. Looms are used to weave or knit the yarn into fabric. The fabric is then cut and sewn into T-shirt pieces.

The pieces are then sewn together to take on the shape of the final T-shirt. For better stretch or moisture-wicking qualities, T-shirts can also be made of materials such as polyester or blended fabrics, like our 100% polyester Functional T-Shirt.

The finishing touch

Of course, a plain white T-shirt is the ultimate classic. Giving it a customized spin is where Spreadshop comes into play. With our finishing techniques, we turn a classic into anyone’s next favorite piece – with your unique designs.

The Digital Direct (DD) printing process makes sure we can print the digital image files of your design directly onto the T-shirt using a special inkjet printer. Learn more about DD technology and its advantages here.

In the direct-to-film (DTF) printing process, image files are first printed onto a carrier film. This is then pressed onto the shirt using heat. The result is impressive: brilliant prints that reproduce the finest lines. Learn more about DTF from our friends at Spreadshirt.

On T-shirts, your designs have to withstand a lot. Flex printing is a real champion for this. Here, stretchable foils are printed with your design, cut out and then transferred to the shirt. And then the crafting fun begins, as the design has to be dexterously weeded out. The effort is worth it, because the finished product is hyper-durable and feels great.

Designs in the flex printing process get a smooth, glossy finish. Flock printing provides a pleasant 3D feel with velvety-soft and fluffy print results that can still take a beating.

What goes on a T-shirt?

You have already learned a lot about the “how”. But what makes a good T-shirt design?

Quality always wins. That’s why you should always make sure that your designs are well-crafted. Your customers will reward you for it.

As for the content, there is no secret recipe. Knowing your audience and what they like will go a long way. Capitalizing on what has worked well for you in the past also helps.

Check out analog and digital designs whenever you lay eyes on them and ask yourself, “What new TV series are being hyped on social media right now? What are the hot topics in your target group? Climate change? Sports events? Beauty trends?”

Color trends also have an influence on the buying behavior of your customers. Want to know which colors and color combinations are trending right now? Take a look at the Pantone Color Institute website, for example. Here, you’ll find inspiration with the company’s color of the year.

Once you’ve identified a trend, niche or theme, think about what designs could make the T-shirts in your Shop a top seller. Unleash your creativity, have fun with it and try out what works and what doesn’t. You can easily find out in your store statistics in the Partner Area.

One T-shirt is not enough – our assortment

Our huge T-shirt selection is as diverse as the designs of our Shop owners.

You can choose from 36 different T-shirts in Europe and 38 in NA, in almost 30 colors. All sizes are beautiful, so our classics are available in sizes XS to 5XL in Europe and S to 6XL in America, so there’s something for everyone.

This also applies to the smallest T-shirt fans: 10 different children’s T-shirts in 5 different sizes in North America, with one extra T-shirt option in Europe, and up to 20 colors make sure you can pass down the T-shirt tradition.

Our love for the environment means our eco range keeps growing: we currently have 7 organic T-shirts for adults, 3 for children and 2 for babies in Europe, and 4 sustainable tees for adults, 2 for kids, and 1 for babies in North America.

Spread your tees like a fever

Everyone should have a T-shirt. The beginning of summer is the perfect time to get it out there with your designs.

Spread the feeling on your social media channels, let everyone know that International T-Shirt Day is on July 21^st and that checking out your Shop will get the ready for the celebration of summer. Say it loud and say it clear: I love T-shirts!

Spreadshop offers T-shirts in different colors, materials, and sizes. Find the right one for you and your customers. Which is your favorite T-shirt and why? Tell us in the comments!