We all have a favorite T-shirt. It’s that special piece of clothing that makes us feel and look our best. However, while everybody wants their fave Tee to last forever, that sadly can’t happen if the fabric is low quality. Therefore, every experienced shopper should know how to check good quality T-Shirts and printed garments. 

T-Shirt materials play a huge role in the lifespan of clothing. A Tee made from low-quality, synthetic materials will tear after just a couple of washes. What’s more, low-quality materials affect the print, and determine how well it will stick onto the garment. Lastly, poorly made Tees are just plain uncomfortable. They often irritate the skin, feel coarse to the touch and make you look very cheap. 

This is why it’s important to pick a quality Tee. While sturdier fabrics are more expensive, they tend to make the best Tees. Plus, the investment is sure to pay off in the long run, as it will save you a considerable amount on having to buy new clothes. So before you go on your next Tee hunting expedition, learn how to check good quality T-shirts and printed garments. This info will not only save you money but also ensures your next fave Tee will last for a long time. 

How to Check Good Quality T-Shirts and Printed Garments 

In the sea of fast fashion, choosing a good Tee may seem like an impossible task. Labels offer a million different information which can sometimes confuse you more than it can help. But worry not. With our comprehensive guide, you’ll know exactly how to check good quality T-Shirts and printed garments. The tips we give you here will not only allow you to pick a stylish tee that will stay looking as new as the day you bought it.

1.Choose the Materials Wisely

As you’ve probably guessed, the road to quality Tees starts with T-Shirt materials. And the first contender for the title of the best one is cotton. The ‘king of the fabrics’ as many call it is the most commonly used clothing material in the fashion industry — with good reason.

As a fabric, cotton is highly versatile. It’s easy to work, resistant to heat and just feels good on the skin overall. However, not all cotton is created equal, and the kind of cotton manufacturers use to make the T-Shirts matters too. True quality cotton is dense and soft, without necessarily being heavy or thick to the touch. 

This has a lot to do with the length of the fibers as well as how tightly they’re woven. The longer and tighter, the better, as such garments make for long-lasting apparel. In this case, the Pima and Egyptian cotton varieties are the best. They’re classified as extra-long-staple cotton, meaning that they produce long, silky threads that are extremely resistant to tearing.

2.Inspects the Seams

After materials, the second marker of a quality garment is the strength of the seams. The type of material means nothing if the Tee is poorly constructed. Therefore, when shopping for T-Shirts, take time to carefully look at the seams: 

  • Take a peek on the inside: When inspecting a piece of clothing, start by turning it inside out. The first sign of a well-made Tee is even, flatly stitched seams. There should also be no loose threads or missing stitches
  • The more the better: This saying applies especially to stitches since a higher stitch count means that manufacturers spent a lot of time putting it together.
  • The collar and hem tell the story: while the inside stitching reveals most about the quality of a T-Shirt, a uniform hem and a well-made collar are also good signs of quality.

3.Be Mindful of the Print

While prints look pretty, aesthetics won’t matter much if the design peels off after a few washes. This is why you should pay attention to the quality of the print, as well as the printing technique. 

Currently, two of the best techniques are Screen Printing and Direct To Garment printing. Screen Printing seals the ink into the fibers, which lets the ink stretch with the fabric instead of cracking. Direct To Garment Printing works much in the same way, except this method uses an inkjet printer to transfer the design directly into the fabric materials. Both techniques produce durable, long-lasting designs that won’t fade after washing. 

The next step in the inspection process is to look at the design itself. 

  • Do some stretching: To see if the ink has been properly cured, simply stretch the T-Shirt. If the design stretches with the fabric, then there’s a good chance it will last. 
  • The feel of the design matters: A good quality print will feel smooth and solid to the touch. It will also be of medium thickness, just enough to make the design stick, but not as much as to make it crack.

4.Buy From Trusted Sources

If you don’t want to spend ages learning how to check good quality T-Shirts and printed garments, you can always simplify things. And the easiest way to do that is to buy from trusted sources, such as ArtistShot. Not only do we have over 15 years of experience making custom clothing and accessories, but we also take care to use only the best quality materials to create them.

Our website is teeming with beautifully crafted T-Shirt designs that our customers can’t help but love. All our Tees are 100% cotton, quarter-turned, and have double-needle stitching on the collar, hem, and sleeves — so there is absolutely no doubt they will last you a long time. A plus is that they’re pillowy soft to the touch and never go out of style, no matter the season.

However, we understand that sometimes, you just want to do things yourself to make sure your Tee is the best quality. This is why we offer you the chance to custom design your favorite Tee in our online lab. On our platform, you’ll get to choose the neck and hem style, size, color, and printing technique we’ll apply to your T-Shirt. YOu can even upload your own custom design for that extra flair to spruce up your style. 

Therefore, if quality and durability are what you want out of your favorite Tee, then look no further than ArtistShot’s custom T-Shirts. 

Final Thoughts

If you want your Tee to last, you need to know how to check good quality T-Shirts and printed garments. The fabric that makes up your Tee will be a deciding factor in how they feel on your skin. Meanwhile, the strength of the seams and the print technique determine whether the Tee will tear and if the colors will wash out. If you want to make sure your T-Shirt meets all these criteria, only buy from trusted sources, like ArtistShot. Our custom Tee collection is not only stylish but also made with care, so that your new favorite T-Shirt lasts you a lifetime.