Question about Garment Choices for Truckers

100% cotton tees tend to do that on the pocket....50/50% cotton/poly dont bcs the poly is a synthetic fiber and tend to bounce back after washing but thanks for the input.

 

WOW ALL! Thank you ever so much for this input. What a great group of people you all are to take the time to share this info.

First, Tank tops have yet to come with a pocket. Reason being is the space between the cut space for the arm/pit area and where the pocket is to properly sit (over the heart area) would be too minimal. When we screen-print a design, say an Over the Heart (left chest)...we have to be extremely careful that the design coming off the screens does not nic the finished edge when loading the tank. We print for one antique motorcycle festival that uses tanks all the time, their logo is rather huge for the front over the heart and careful is a strict word when doing so.

If it was a sleevelss tee cut of tank...a pocket could be possible..but I have yet to see that available when we purchase blank apparel.

But ya never know....what will hit the market and I do have resources to American sewing companies that could do something like that custom. That is a thought!

 

As a Screen-printer, yes...you all are absolutely right about sizing. The majority of tees manufacturered are to the "NORM" of the population. Most manufacturers are still in denial that most of the Western areas no longer just move in the Small - XLarge realm. So much so that when it comes to Plus sizings..ie 2XL, 3XL - 6XL...they start to restrict the colors available to the standard...white, black, navy, red and some sort of grey..ash/athletic grey. Some even stop at 3XL and don't even go beyond that. Even with Ladies tees..they stop at 2XL and then the larger ladies have to move to a Men's tee which is very very uncomfortable.

The banding at the arm I think your referring to is similiar to a polo? Tees have to have a finished edge of some sort otherwise you would have fraying. The tees we purchase to print are normally cut tastefully and are none restrictive. Ladies - I look for a cap sleeve as not being very big myself, I find it awkward when the sleeve droops down almost to my elbow..especially if I wear a Men's or Uni-sex tee. We try now to sell both rather than to stay with just the Men's.

The reason we are asking this info is because we have the artwork (it is in process of being copyrighted) but we were having trouble identifying the tees you all like. So we thought best to come to those who have to wear it and get their opinions before we go any further. And if the tee doesn't exist, then perhaps we have to create that too.

The information you have all given is valuable in the sense that it makes it "personal" to your industry.

We rarily ever have to do a transfer/heat stamp design...everything we do is screen-printed in our biz. We even have thought about embroidered designs as we do that too.

Many of you mentioned the tees are too short and do not cover your butt area. The solution to that is not a bigger size..ie moving from a L to an XL...but rather moving to what is called a T cut. Ie...XLT....basically that is an XLarge Tall. So it is a longer Tee. Most truck stops..or similiar..would not carry that or perhaps printers/suppliers would not think to create designs on that tee....as they would think it would not be sold as many don't even know it exists unless your in our industry.

That in itself, is great information for us. As when we proceed to the next step...we will ensure that the art is printed on a Tall version to keep you all covered, warm in winter and your dignity in check at our end.

Safe driving today guys. Thank you.
- On my way to the biz.
/TL