T-shirt Heaven

What really makes some t-shirts better than others?

There are two main things to consider regarding T-shirt quality; the quality of the garment itself, and the quality of the print.

The print
Many internet T-shirt stores (and regular stores) use transfer type prints - they're fine if you just want a T-shirt to wear once for a protest or party, but if you want something that is still going to look good after it's been washed over and over, you need screen-printed designs. Blue Baldur only carries T-shirts with screen-printed designs. Screen printing means that each color is separately printed steadfastly and permanently onto the shirt, ensuring a long-lasting best quality print.

The Fabric
Fabric determines many factors about a t-shirt, such as how well a t-shirt will hold its shape after wearing and washing.
T-shirts can be made from 1x1 baby rib, jersey material, cotton spandex, among many others. If you want a t-shirt that is soft and flexible you may want to try fine jersey.
If you seek a durable heavy fabric, interlock is a good option for you.

The Color
Different brands offer different color options.
Shiroi Neko offers some unique blends of colors like the two colors blending in to each other or the acid wash. The colors will not fade in the wash.

Stone washed T-shirts
Shiroi Neko T-shirts are stone washed with pumice stone using enzymes, just like jeans are treated on a regular basis.
The unique Enzyme Wash treatment will typically induce both pattern differences as well as shade differences between every t-shirt making every one as unique as a persons fingerprint. The fabric is degraded in the acid wash process, and to see a few small holes in the garment is normal , and they may develop more quickly after wash and wear. This is an intentional part of the look and feel of this "aged" style making the fabric soft and very comfortable to wear, just like your oldest favorite T-shirt that you have washed a million times.
If you want to avoid the small holes to develop in size you can wash them by hand or use one of those bags for the laundry machine that are used when washing bras.

Burn-out technique
Fabric with a burn-out pattern is also called "devore" or "fabric etching" because of the technique used to create them. It's made by applying a chemical paste, containing an acid (usually sulfuric acid) to the fabric in a desired pattern. The vertical fiber will be eaten away by the acid leaving the the rest of the fabric that shapes the pattern in a semitransparent form. The fabric is then carefully washed and rinsed  to completely remove the acid.

Garment distortion
Often a brand new t-shirt leaves the washer and dryer in a disappointing condition. Shrinking and color fading are the two most popular problems. 
All t-shirts will shrink to some extent when they are first washed and thats why Shiroi Neko offers pre-washed T-shirts that will not shrink when you wash them.
Cotton polyester blend t-shirts will shrink less than 100% cotton t-shirts and heavyweight t-shirts shrink less than lightweight t-shirts. Keep in mind that shrinkage is measured both horizontally and vertically because t-shirts often shrink more in one direction than another.
To minimize fading, turn garments inside out while washing and drying.

Pilling
Pilling is the appearance of little bumps of fibers on the surface of the garment. Pilling only occurs on shirts knitted with a cotton polyester yarn. It is not as common as it once was and occurs most often on fleece material. To minimize this problem purchase no-pill or low-pill products.

Size Differences
Sizing differs dramatically from brand to brand. Not only does the general size change significantly, but the length and width proportions vary as well. Your figure and style will determine what brand will give you the best fit.

Sizing guide for Shiroi Neko T-shirts:

* from where the seams meet




Sizing guide for Shiroi Neko long sleeve T-shirts:

Sizing guide for Kustome Kulture T-shirts

Sizing guide for 2-Play T-shirts

Sizing guide for  HOLY COW T-shirts

Sizing guide for Pheromone T-shirts for Girls

* from where the seams meet

 

Washing your T-shirt
If your T-shirt have foil attached to it you have to be extra careful when washing it. The foil will over time gradually wear away but there are some things you can do to slow this process down so that it will stay much longer, up to several years. If the foil gets wrinkly after wash you can turn it inside out and iron it using the very lowest temprature available.

• Turning the shirt inside out before washing is a must!
• Don't use hot water of course!
• Don't tumble dry!
• Don't iron on the print, foil, or rhinestones!
• Don't use any bleach!
• Washing by hand is the best way of making any apparel last for as long as possible.

Summary
There are dozens of technical reasons that make one t-shirt better than another. Yet, the most important reason is a matter of your personal style. You could purchase the highest quality t-shirt but if it doesn’t fit you right, isn’t the right fabric, the right color, and hangs in the back of your closet, then you did not get a good deal. The above tips should help you to find that perfect t-shirt to go with those oh-so-perfect jeans.