Apparel is the promotional products industry’s top-selling category, and T-shirts are a big reason why. They’re inexpensive, they’re stylish and they’re versatile. Businesses of all sizes buy them (from big liquor brands to local microbreweries, arena-packing rock acts to corner-bar Poison tribute-bands) and everybody wears them (from big liquor brand sales reps to craft brewers, rock stars to guys who willingly imitate Bret Michaels).
Want to make the sale? Not sure what’s available? Here are some ideas to give you a spandex-clad leg up on the competition.
Crews Control
Newton’s first law of motion states that if you eat a whole box of Fig Newtons in one sitting, you’re going to need Augusta Sportswear’s Motion Crew to help work off all those calories. (We’re paraphrasing.) The 100 percent polyester smooth-knit T-shirt is odor resistant and moisture-wicking, so it’s great for physical activity. It also has a heat-sealed label and topstitched shoulder-seams. 16 color combinations are available. For more information, visit www.augustasportswear.com.
Take a Piqué
Ash City USA’s PACE CORE365 Men’s Performance Piqué Crew Neck is moisture-wicking, antimicrobial and UV-protective, making it great for strenuous outdoor activities, like eating ribs at a barbecue. (Don’t underestimate the meat-sweats.) The T-shirt is made from 100 percent polyester piqué and comes in 10 colors. Sizes S to 5XL are available. For more information, visit www.ashcity.com.
Level Up
The Next Level Premium Fitted Short-Sleeve Cotton Crew from Bodek and Rhodes is made from 32-singles, 100 percent combed-cotton jersey for maximum softness. (It’s even softer than our cat, Mr. Fluffsburg, but don’t tell him that. He’s sensitive.) The T-shirt has a 1x1 baby rib-knit set-in collar and a tear-away label, and comes in sizes S to 3XL. The 22 available colors include banana cream, indigo and purple rush. For more information, visit www.bodekandrhodes.com.
A Major Wicking Point
The Men’s Piqué Wicking Tee from Charles River Apparel is made from lightweight, fast-drying polyester piqué knit fabric. It also features moisture-management technology and an odor-inhibiting anti-microbial treatment, so you can wear it for weeks without washing it and no one will notice. (You know, theoretically.) The T-shirt comes in black, white, red, royal or dark navy. For more information, visit www.charlesriverapparel.com.
Small Business
Nanotechnology: It’s finally here, in the form of the Hanes Ladies’ Nano-T from Heritage Sportswear Inc. The T-shirt is made from 4.5 oz., 100 percent fine-jersey cotton and features a tag-free neck label and a contoured, feminine fit. It is available in ash, maroon, purple or deep forest, and in women’s sizes S to 2XL. For more information, visit www.heritagesportswear.com.
Relax, Don’t Do It
The Juniors V Neck Short Sleeve from Kavio! is made from 60/40 cotton/polyester slub jersey and features a V neckline. It’s so comfortable we almost prefer it to our Harry Potter all-over-print wizard-cloak Snuggie for relaxing in. Almost. The T-shirt comes in nine colors in sizes S to XL. For more information, visit www.kavio.com.
A Good Grade
The Ladies’ AVERY Gradient Tee from J. America Wholesale Blanks shows the chic tie-dye look we always tried to go for at day camp. The 3.5 oz., 100 percent ring-spun combed cotton jersey shirt has a 1x1 rib collar and a contoured cut. Three colors and sizes S through 2XL are available. For more information, visit www.jamericablanks.com.
Technically Speaking
Landway International’s Tech Tee features Active Dry moisture-management technology, a cling-free rib-knit collar and sleeve hem, and ... hey, is that James Franco in the picture? It looks just like him, right? Anyway, the 100 percent double-mesh polyester T-shirt has a tagless label, double-needle stitching and a loose, athletic fit. (Maybe it’s his long-lost twin brother? Sorry, we’re stuck on this Franco thing.) For more information, visit www.landway.com.
Jersey Fresh
The Adult Fine Jersey T-shirt from LAT Sportswear is made from 4.5 oz., 100 percent combed ring-spun cotton and has a taped shoulder-to-shoulder with an EasyTear label. The T-shirt comes in 23 colors, including key lime, apple, butter and ... mmm—key lime apple butter. That’d probably be great on French toast. (This is why we shouldn’t write these things right before lunch.) For more information, visit www.latsportswear.com.
Comfort Zone
The OTTO Collection Comfy Tee from Otto International Inc. features shoulder-to-shoulder taping, classic side seams and a ribbed collar with a double-stitched hem and sleeves. Is it as comfy as the fancy couches in the Ikea showroom? Who knows. We just go there for the Swedish meatballs. The 80/20 cotton/polyester T-shirt comes in 41 colors, in sizes S to 6XL. For more information, visit www.ottocap.com.
Playing Favorites
The Bella + Canvas Favorite Tee from Thinc Actionwear: It’s actually our second favorite tee (after the Bella + Edward Twilight tee we wear under our work clothes every day), but itʼs still awesome. The 100 percent, 30 single-combed ring-spun cotton T-shirt is made from soft baby-jersey knit and has contoured side seams. It comes in 14 colors and in sizes S to 2XL. For more information, visit www.thincactionwear.com.
If I Only Had the Nerve
OK, maybe we don’t “play” sports, per se, but fetching towels and cheering our teammates from the bench is hard work. That’s why we like the Courage from Tonix Corporation: It features moisture-wicking SoftCool performance fabric that keeps us cool and dry. The 5 oz., 100 percent polyester T-shirt has stylish piping on the side-body and sleeves and comes in sizes S to 4XL. 14 color combinations are available. For more information, visit www.tonixteams.com.
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- Sean Norris