T-shirt manufacturers use lots of terms to describe their goods. The terms are not constantly consistent and it helps to have a reference guide.
The following is the official Green Man T-Shirts Guide to understanding t-shirt terms:
20s, 20/1, 20s single: Unit of measurement that defines the fineness of cotton thread. A common spool of single-ply cotton thread is comprised of 840 yards of cotton thread. If it takes 20 spools to weigh one pound, then the thread on these spools is referred to as 20s cotton, or 20/1. If 30 spools weigh one particular pound, then the thread on those spools is referred to as 30s cotton thread, or 30/1. If it takes 40 spools to weigh 1 pound, then the thread on those spools is referred to as 40s cotton, or 40/1. The greater number indicates a finer thread, and thus a finer, softer fabric is produced. T-shirts made of 30s and 40s are softer, finer, and have better drape than t-shirts produced of 20s. The terms are employed many techniques, but it is the number that counts “20s,” “20/1,” and “20 singles” are the very same. Threads can be twisted collectively into thicker strands. If two 20/1 cotton threads were twisted with each other, it would be referred to as 20/2.
Bamboo Fabric: Rayon made from bamboo cellulose. Though rayon is a man-created synthetic material, most authorities agree it is readily biodegradable. Bamboo fabric is extremely soft and has superb drape.
Bamboo: Rapidly developing plant, classified as a grass, which can be readily processed into rayon to make bamboo rayon clothing.
Bleach Wash: A process that uses bleach to soften and distress the look of the fabric being washed.
Boat Neck: A pretty wide neckline that runs across the collarbone location to the shoulder points. Derives from early sailors’ shirts, where the wide neck enabled fast removal if the sailor fell overboard.
Boy Beater: Women’s fashion answer to the wife beater. A women’s tank prime, while it can be any color.
Brushed Cotton: A process to eliminate excess lint and fibers from cotton fabric. Brushed cotton usually has a extremely soft, smooth finish.
Burn-Out: A course of action that uses sulfuric acid or other robust acid to “burn-out” components of a fabric knit, normally a polyester/cotton blend. The procedure provides a see-via, really sheer effect.
cheap t shirts : Normally refers to shorter sleeves on women’s garments.
Carbon Dioxide: CO2. A chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms and one carbon atom. Known as a “greenhouse” gas because of its partnership with global warming. A couple of t-shirt companies are now measuring and recording the CO2 emissions involved in manufacturing their shirts.
Carbon Trust: Independent organization founded in 2001 in Wonderful Britain that monitors carbon emissions. The Carbon Trust functions with firms to support minimize their carbon footprint, and now certifies businesses and items as possessing a “low carbon” or “no carbon” footprint. A few t-shirt organizations now manufacture “low carbon footprint” t-shirts.
Carding: A fiber cleaning process that eliminates short fibers and removes dirt and foreign matter. Carding can be accomplished by hand or by large machines working with drum rollers. Carded-only cotton is not as desirable as combed cotton.
Cellulase Wash: Yet another name for enzyme wash. This offers fabric a soft really feel and a vintage appear, based on how the wash is performed.
Cellulose: Derived from the cell walls of specific plants. Useful in generating particular varieties of fabrics, like acetate, triacetate, and rayon. Bamboo fabric is really rayon created from bamboo cellulose.
Cheap Cotton T-Shirt: T-shirts made with carded cotton, using 18/1 thread, commonly knitted on 20 gauge machines. These t-shirts are coarse, rough, and have poor drapability. Employed frequently as low-cost promotional give-aways.
Climate Neutral: A term applied to describe a company, method, or solution that has zero effect on the Earth’s climate. A couple of t-shirt producers advertise their company as climate neutral.
CO2: Carbon dioxide. A chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms and one particular carbon atom. Known as a “greenhouse” gas for the reason that of its partnership with international warming.
Colorfastness: The potential of a garment to withstand numerous washings without having losing its color.
Combed Cotton: A system to get rid of brief fibers and to arrange longer fibers parallel to produce a smooth, fine cotton yarn. Combed cotton has high strength, exceptional uniformity, and much better hand. Combed cotton fees far more and is utilised in finer t-shirts.
Compacting: A course of action that compacts the space amongst cotton fiber pockets. Helps to minimize shrinking.
Contrasting Stitching: Stitching with a diverse color than the garment. Offers a nice design and style detail in t-shirts.
Handle Union: An international organization that presents certification solutions for a selection of applications–like quite a few organic certification programs. Certifies USDA Organic, as effectively as GOTS (International Organic Textile Normal).
Cotton Jersey: Knitted, incredibly slightly stretchy fabric with a smooth flat face and a extra textured but uniform back. Typical weight per yard is about 5.five to six ounces. Standard t-shirts are made of cotton jersey. Fine cotton jersey is generally smoother and has a lighter weight per yard.
Cotton: A all-natural fiber that is the most preferred in the world for fabrics. Cotton fibers are typically ½ to 2 inches lengthy. Longer fibers make finer cotton fabric. Varieties such as Pima and Egyptian, which function fibers exceeding 1.five inches, are extra hugely valued than ordinary varieties.
Crew Neck: A round close-fitting neckline. Most prevalent neck on t-shirts.
Crop Top: A shirt with a brief body to it produced to expose the midriff area.
Double-Needle Stitched: Applied mainly on sleeve/bottom hems and refers to a parallel row of stitching. This sort of stitching provides durability and a cleaner, extra completed look.
Drape, Drapability: Refers to how a fabric hangs. A fabric like bamboo rayon has fantastic drape, when a coarse fabric like burlap has pretty tiny. T-shirts that have excellent drape qualities feel nicer to put on.