So let’s imagine that you’ve decided you want to purchase T-shirts for your clients, associates and employees. It doesn’t seem complicated, right? Well it’s not, but you might have to consider a few questions that you may never have considered before. American Promotions, however, will make the questions easy to answer with their most FATQs (Frequently Asked T-shirt Questions), which also provide the recommended answers from American Promotions’ T-shirt professionals.

FATQs
Should I select a white T-shirt or a colored one?
Is 50/50 or 100% cotton recommended?
Which method of printing do you recommend? The four color process or the spot color process?
Where should I place my logo?

Should I select white T-shirts or colored ones?
At American Promotions this is the most popular question asked and usually the first question that clients will think of. After all, they know it is the color that will provide the first impression. However, choosing the right T-shirt color isn’t just about first impressions. There are some additional practical reasons that you might consider a white T-shirt over a colored T-shirt or vice versa. For instance, if you are planning on reselling the T-shirts, your best choice would be to invest in colored T-shirts. Colored T-shirts sell better than white T-shirts and can usually complement your company’s logo more effectively. However, if you are on a limited budget, many promotional items experts recommend investing in white T-shirts and emphasizing your company’s logo by using two or more colors that will help the T-shirt and your logo stand out.

Is 50/50 or 100% cotton recommended?
When it comes to choosing between 50/50 (cotton/poly blend) or 100% cotton T-shirts, most promotional items experts agree that 50/50 T-shirts come more highly recommended. 50/50 T-shirts generally cost less than 100% T-shirts, but they are also more durable and endure more washings. 50/50 T-shirts also shrink less than 100% T-shirts and are lighter weight. The recommended 50/50 brands are Gildan, Port Authority PC55 and Jerzees.

Don’t fret, however, if you are set on the 100% cotton T-shirts. 100% cotton T-shirts provide a softer, slightly heavier fabric than 50%, which in turn provides a more luxurious gift item. The recommended 100% cotton brands are Gildan, Port Authority PC61, Jerzees or the Hanes Beefy T.

Should I use the four color process or the spot color process?
Decision #3 requires a little education. Consider the following:

The four color process has been the traditional T-shirt coloring process and is often referred to as CMYK (for the four colors used in the process: cyan, magenta, yellow and black). The process is implemented with the use of four screens, which disseminate tiny dots of color in varying degrees of strength to render a fairly large spectrum of color. This process is far from an exact science. Paper quality images are not obtainable with this type of color process.

The spot color process is the process most highly recommended by promotional items specialists because it results in colors that are opaque and vibrant. This high level of quality obtained via the spot color process is due to the implementation of the Pantone Matching System and a press that allows for a larger variety of colors and color shades. The spot color process also results in less fibrillation. Fibrillation occurs when the fibers of a shirt rise above the print surface, giving the impression of a washed out image and as its definition implies, often occurs after washings.

Where should I place my logo?
Most of our customers place a large logo on the center back of their T-shirts as well as a smaller logo on the left chest area. However, promotional items experts have no evidence that this type of logo placement is more effective than any other. Some American Promotions clients choose to place their logos on the front-center area of their T-shirts while others prefer smaller logos on the sleeve of their T-shirts. This method, of course is not as visible as other methods, but the placement of your logo is left to your personal or corporate preference.

Choose Your T-shirt Wisely
Remember that the best way to design your T-shirt is to consider the people you will be giving or selling them to. If you have questions in regards to T-shirts or additional promotional items, please feel free to contact an American Promotions representative at 877-604-5646 or submit a question or comment via the Internet.