It is a safe assumption that most people know what a t-shirt is, but there are several types of t-shirt within the general category. Graphic tees, for example, are more stylized and can be quite fashionable depending on the design. So, what are graphic tees, and why does the distinction matter?
What is a Graphic Tee?
What is a Graphic Tee?
T-shirts tend to be inexpensive and comfortable. They have several easily recognizable features, such as a stretchy and comfortable neck, tightly hemmed sleeves, soft material, and a reinforced bottom hem with pulling and adjusting in mind. Graphic t-shirts have even more appeal because they can be purchased already styled or can be customized depending on resources available. But what are graphic tees? They are t-shirts that have some sort of image or other graphic design on them.
Graphic tees can be decorated in many ways, including painting, screen printing, and embroidery. Some images and other designs that may be included on graphic tees are sports graphics and band logos. Graphic tees are popular souvenirs as they are relatively inexpensive and typically easy to pack and store. Novelty designs, such as animals or works of art, are popular varieties, as are graphic tees that advertise a specific experience or brand. Casual work uniforms can feature graphic tees, as they are comfortable while still providing a unified and professional appearance.
While materials and design quality can vary, graphic tees are a fun and inexpensive addition to any wardrobe. Whether someone prefers fun designs covering the whole tee shirt, logos expressing brand preference, or collects graphic tees with many ideas in mind ranging from enthusiasm for a brand or media production to specific categories, graphic tees are equal parts simple and infinitely versatile. They look excellent as tops with jeans or other stylish bottoms, and they also can be added to more planned outfits as a pop of color or even to showcase an eye-catching design.
Categories and several levels of subcategories are easily applicable to graphic tees. There are many possibilities for these garments, as their versatility of both use and design allows for many levels of self-expression. Read on to learn more about the fun and free world of graphic tees!
Graphic Tees from Flybird Apparel
Fashionable Graphic Tees, Functional Graphic Tees, and Graphic Tees for Everyone
To garner a full understanding of the variety that exists within graphic tees, we will now go more in-depth about several different categories of the garment. While embroidery and painting are viable decoration options for graphic tees, screen printing is typically easier and faster to mass-produce. As a result, screen printing is the most common design material for graphic tees. The following are different types and purposes for graphic tees:
Art Tees
Artists may use a tee-shirt directly as a canvas and produce their work on the fabric, or they may have their designs screen printed on tee-shirts and sold. Some artists look for a way to make their work available to a wider variety of consumers, and tee shirts are an excellent alternative to wall hangings and posters. Not only does the consumer have a wider variety of items to choose from, an inexpensive wearable piece of art is sure to appeal to more than just devoted art consumers.
Tourism and Travel
A fun and easy way to get souvenirs from most places someone travels is to collect tee shirts. Not only are souvenir tee shirts easy to transport, the graphics they feature are often durable as manufacturers are aware the garments will get a fair amount of time being worn. Sometimes a graphic tee will represent a specific place or event, such as a festival or a city, country, culture, or region. As with most graphic tees, those commemorating a trip or experience are usually screen printed and come in a wide variety of sizes. Sometimes entire sets are available for families and groups to purchase together. With the ease of screen printing and tee shirt production, it is an easy photo op.
Military Courses
When a soldier completes a training course, they may want some sort of item to commemorate their success. For some a tattoo is a perfect way to not only remember what they accomplished, it is a source of comfort and courage in trials ahead. For other soldiers, a simple article of clothing such as a commemorative tee shirt is the preferred choice. A unit's insignia, the title of the course, and even the date completed may be printed on the tee and groups who complete courses may get tees together as a bonding experience.
Concert Tees
Musicians and singers like to offer souvenir options for both the fans who attend their performances and those who may not be able to make it. Tee shirts are a common item to have at merchandise tables and souvenir sections on websites. Rock and metal bands are the most likely to have commemorative screen-printed tees with the merchandise available at their performances. Popular designs for these tees usually involve the band's logo and even the members on the front side, with the logo or another design printed on the back above the completed and upcoming dates from a particular tour. Usually, screen printed graphic music tees are dark colors such as black or navy blue, but sometimes they may be tie-dye or even mesh depending on the band and merchandise designer. However, like other graphic tees, they will almost always be screen printed regardless of the base color or pattern.
Merchandising and Advertising
While graphic tee shirts are a popular product, they can also be used to advertise products, services, stores, and more. Trademarks may use graphic tees to distinguish themselves; this includes brands but can also apply to products and services. Some businesses produce graphic tees for special events such as competitions and booth fairs and others may have their employees wear graphic tees advertising products or services offered. Still, other businesses may simply have their name and logo printed on a tee or purchase advertising space on the graphic tees associated with a specific event.
More Info on Graphic Tees
A consumer might wonder what makes graphic tees so special that they deserve all this explanation. Well, the truth is that graphic tees allow for more variety and expression of individuality than do plain tees. Not only are there designs where plain tees have none, those designs can range anywhere from a commemorative tee from a military course completion to an artist's chosen medium for creating or even selling their artwork. Plain tees can be turned into graphic tees, but it is difficult to remove a design from a t-shirt and turn it back into a blank canvas. If someone wants to make their own graphic tees, inexpensive plain t-shirts may be purchased from many craft stores and multi-department retail chains.
Related Questions
How much do graphic tees cost?
While it depends on where someone buys their clothing to answer how much money someone would have to spend, graphic tees to tend to run a bit more expensive than their plain counterparts. Concert tees and other varieties that may be connected to artist royalties could be even more expensive, as the art is often custom or connected to a significant experience.
Where do I find graphic tees?
Many stores carry graphic tees, as do gas stations and even schools with sports teams. Online retailers offer a sweeping variety of colors, cuts, designs, prices, and nearly every other category related to graphic tees there is. Graphic tees can also be homemade with plain tees and craft supplies such as acrylic paint pens or permanent fabric markers. All of these supplies are available at major retailers and craft stores.
Are there different styles of graphic tees?
As with plain shirts, graphic tees come in a wide variety of cuts, styles, and colors. Not only are there varying sleeve lengths and as many sizes as there are sizes of plain tees, some varieties are "men's" and some are "women's" or children's, juniors', etcetera. Some tank tops are silkscreened or embroidered, and while they are not the traditional "tee" shape, the same rules and options apply to them as apply to the garments with sleeves.