What is a Graphic Tee? The Basics of Graphic Tees

What is a graphic tee, and why is it such an enduring wardrobe staple?

The t-shirt is by far one of the most popular clothing items in existence, suitable casual outfits, relaxation, sports, and even formal occasions. However, there are many different types of t-shirts, defined not just by their fit and style, but also their design elements.

The graphic tee is a globally recognized piece of clothing, perfect for showing support for cultural movements, highlighting your favorite bands and brands, or simply showing off your personality.

Graphic shirts are also one of the most popular items chosen by print on demand companies, launching their own creative ecommerce business.

Here's everything you need to know about this iconic garment.

What is a Graphic Tee?

A graphic tee, or graphic t-shirt is a simple shirt that prominently features a specific graphical design element, such as a logo, or print. They've appeared in fashion trends throughout the decades, and come in many different forms, from the famous band tees sold by artists at gigs, to shirts that feature funny images, or artistic patterns.

Like all kinds of tees, graphic tee shirts can be produced in a variety of materials, from eco-friendly recycled polyester, to cotton shirts and more. You can even create print on demand activewear graphic tees, using breathable materials to delight athletes and gym-goers.

Additionally, graphic tees can feature various shapes and fits. Although the standard fit shirt is usually the most common, there are plenty of graphic crop-tops, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, and more available from fashion companies today.

The History of the Graphic Tee and Evolution Of The T-Shirt

To comprehensively answer the question "what is a graphic tee?" We need to look back at the history of t-shirt design. T-shirts might seem like they've been around forever, but the "t-shaped shirt" really only began to break into the fashion landscape in the Middle Ages.

Even then, these weren't the shirts we know today. They usually featured linen or woven cotton, and hand longer "shirt tails" before simpler fits became more popular.

Throughout the 19th century, new textiles were introduced to the fashion community, from wool and jersey to calico shirts. Sailors began wearing flannel t-shirts under their uniforms, and working class men chose t-shirts as convenient, comfortable garments for recreation.

By the 20th century, the personal tastes of fashion consumers were beginning to change. The Cooper Underwear Company introduced a "bachelor undershirt" for comfort purposes, and more professional groups, like the Navy, began using cotton shirts for their practicality and quick drying properties.

In the late 1930s, the retailer that would become "Sears" started selling white cotton shirts in their store, and even began offering customization options to customers. Eventually, the t-shirt became one of the most enduring pieces of clothing in the world, appearing in wardrobes as a standalone piece of clothing, for every gender.

The Birth of Graphic T-Shirts

So, where did the graphic t-shirt come from? Naturally, this form of t-shirt hasn't been around for quite as long as the classic tee. Graphic tees were introduced as consumers started choosing clothing specifically to showcase their personal style.

Some of the first examples of graphic tees appeared in the movie industry, with the film "The Wizard of Oz" featuring minions wearing embellished green shirts. In the late 40s, Thomas Dewey printed a slogan on a t-shirt to promote his campaign, which said "Dew it with Dewey".

Later, in the 1950s, a company named Tropix Togs started printing Disney characters on t-shirts, to help promote the growing brand and unlock new revenue opportunities. Soon, more innovators followed suit, printing their own "intellectual property" onto shirts.

In the 60s, Andy Warhol introduced new ways to print images onto material with silk screen printing. This helped to pave the way to the mass production of pieces of clothing featuring unique images and designs. T-shirts became a passive messaging platform, starting with the rise of band t-shirts in the 70s, to help consumers showcase their taste in music.

Eventually, high-end fashion brands even joined the movement, with well-known companies all creating their own graphic tee collection for an evolving consumer base. Now, the graphic tee is a common component for everyday wear. It's not just used for functional purposes, but to offer customers a form of self-expression, and help brands advertise themselves to their target audience.

H2 What Kinds Of Graphic Tee Are Popular?

Now you know the answer to "what is a graphic tee?" and even "where did it come from?" you might be wondering which types of graphic t-shirts have earned the most popularity over the years.

As part of the "custom printed t-shirt" market, graphic tees have become universally popular, and profitable for clothing brands. By 2032, the market for custom tees is even expected to reach a value of around $14.81 billion!

If you're creating your own graphic t-shirt collection, the right options for you will depend largely on your target audience. However, some of the most common styles include:

H3 Logo or Branded Graphic Tees

Logo t-shirts are one of the most common types of graphic tees, used by major companies, institutions, bands, and sports teams alike. Initially, sportswear brands helped to elevate the popularity of these tees, giving teams a way to identify players, and share merchandise with fans.

In today's fashion world, some major brands like Gucci have gained recognition by printing their own logos and monograms on shirts. Gucci even introduced us to a "Cruise collection" back in 2017.

Sportswear graphic tees are still popular, however. If you're wondering how to start a clothing line, creating graphic tees similar to those of Nike and Adidas may be a good choice.

H3 Pop-Culture T-Shirts

Pop-culture t-shirts, or shirts that draw attention to specific popular phenomena like bands, movies, and television shows, are pretty common.

Band shirts are everywhere in today's fashion landscape. These t-shirts usually include the logo of a specific band, but they can also showcase a range of designs, highlighting the type of music the group produces.

Pop-culture shirts can also feature characters or scenes from famous movies or television series, cartoons, and more. One excellent example of t-shirts with pop culture references are the ones you see sold by companies like Disney and Pixar.

H3 Artistic Graphic Tees

Artistic graphic tees are a little more abstract than the two options already mentioned. They take full advantage of the ability to make a fashion statement with bold colors and unique designs. With an artistic tee, you can showcase everything from unique prints to versions of well-known art pieces.

Artistic graphic tees are often particularly common in the print on demand landscape, as it's easy for creators to experiment with a range of patterns and designs that can appeal to all kinds of consumers.

At NovaTomato, we even offer creators access to AI-powered design tools, so they can see how different shapes and components work together to create powerful, vibrant prints.

H3 Slogan Tees

Slogan tees are often overlooked in the graphic t-shirt landscape, because they don't always feature bold images or "pictures". Instead, they focus mostly on text, and carefully chosen fonts.

You might create a graphic t-shirt that uses a phrase from a video game, or movie, or enhance your custom shirts with political statements or quotes relevant to the interests of your audience. These types of tees are particularly common for cultural movements.

They give customers a great way to show their support for everything from environmental sustainability to animal protection.

What Is The Best Printing Method For a Graphic Tee?

So, how do you create a graphic tee? Thanks to the technological advancements of recent years, designers have a range of options. You can even create your own activewear, luxury, or eco-friendly graphic tees with the help of a print-on-demand partner.

While there are various ways to apply a design to a t-shirt, some of the most appealing include "direct-to-garment printing", or DTG, screen printing, and all-over print.

H3 Direct to Garment vs All-Over Printing

Direct-To-Garment printing is one of the most cost-effective ways to create a graphic tee. With DTG technology, companies use inkjet printers to transfer designs directly onto the garment. Fabrics are treated to "activate" the dye, and ensure the design remains durable.

Usually, DTG works best for cotton garments, as this material contributes to vibrant, long-lasting designs. However, there are still limitations on how much of a garment you can cover with DTG methods. That's why all-over-printing has become so popular.

All-over printing allows companies to apply designs to the entire shirt, with no limitations on how much space you can cover. It's great for creating a flawless design across a piece of clothing, with no gaps or unnecessary "white spots".

Plus, all-over printing is fantastic if you want to create repetitive designs for your tees, or cover the front and back of a shirt at once.

Design Amazing Graphic Tees with NovaTomato

Graphic tees are some of the most popular garments in the world. They've evolved from practical origins, to become fashion statements for virtually every group of consumers. That's one of the reasons why it makes so much sense for creators and would-be entrepreneurs to design their own graphic tee collection.

The only problem? Designing, printing, and even shipping graphic tees to your customers can be complex and expensive without the right support. That's where NovaTomato comes in. We make it easy to create amazing graphic t-shirts, with AI design tools, and a range of materials to choose from. We can even create eco-friendly shirts for sustainable customers.

Our high-quality materials, combined with unique techniques like all-over printing will help you gain an edge in the ever-growing graphic tee market. Reach out today to learn more about how you can start your t-shirt line with NovaTomato.

FAQs

What is considered a graphic tee?

A graphic tee is essentially a t-shirt featuring a prominent design element, such as an image, a wordmark, or a logo. They can come in a range of shapes and sizes, and can be created with various different types of materials.

Why are graphic tees popular?

Graphic tees are comfortable, convenient, flexible, and ideal for a range of occasions. They're attractive and eye-catching, and can be an excellent way to showcase your personal style. Plus, they're fantastic for mixing up your wardrobe.

Can you make money selling graphic tees?

Absolutely. In fact, now it's easier than ever. You can use print on demand partners to create graphic tees and ship them to customers all over the world. Plus, the best print on demand vendors can even offer unique ways to differentiate your business, with things like eco-friendly materials.