After dealing with the hassle and unreliability of print-on-demand tees for a few years, we’ve shifted gears big time. We figured it’d only be right to sell tees that reflect our values just as much as our chore coats, vests, hats and bandanas. That meant good materials and responsible domestic manufacturing.
Our new short-sleeve tees are a thick, tough 6.1-ounce jersey, tube-knit in the USA from domestically grown cotton. That’s about 50 percent heavier than your typical cheapo tee, and the tubular knit means no side seams to chafe and/or fall apart.
The tees are proudly Union-sewn in California. Our friend Mike does the printing at his farm in Oregon, and the quality of his work is exceptional – it’s a true discharge print, which means it’s flat to the fabric, rather than the plastic-y junk that sits proud (and eventually flakes off). These cost us a lot more than a conventional cheep tee, but we couldn’t be more proud of their quality and origin. We even added our own label to the neck.
Just one color and logo, for now. It’s a dark, dark navy with a very subtle charcoal logo. It seems to be damn near impossible to photograph, like all things in the black-on-black vein, but it sure looks perfect in person.
The fit is just ever-so-slightly slimmer than, say, a Hanes Beefy-T. Order your usual size, or a size up if you’re on the fence. Don’t worry, it’s not a slim hipster fit like American Apparel. Like most tees, these shrink a fair bit on the first wash. There’s a size chart on the product page that shows their measurements after a warm wash/warm dry – have a look if you’re still not sure.
— Tom Bonamici
Editor’s note: I have been wearing the living snot out of this T-shirt since we received our first samples. This shirt gets better and better with every wash. And it breathes nicely, even when I’m working hard at the bench. Kudos to Tom for finding the right shirt and the right people to make it. — Chris
Make them in a V neck next!
Crew necks bother me so much I won’t wear them.
Nice quality! If I may suggest, those logo tags are scratchy when made from synthetic tape and folded over to sew them into the neckline. Perhaps they can be printed on instead or attached to the hem at the waist?
Another vote for printed tags. I can always remove it if I need to., but it’s easier and less likely to damage the shirt if I don’t.
Next question: You specify domestic cotton. Do you know if it’s organic? From what I understand, the typical pesticides used for cotton are basically repurposed nerve gas…
Shirts look cool . Can these be shipped to Canada ? thx
I love the attention to detail on this stuff. I have the hat by Ebbetts Field and love it. The short brim especially. Union made and material from the US, awesome! Keep rolling out items like this and I’ll keep buyin’.
Awesome! Nobody seems to make a good T-shirt anymore and I go through them too quickly.
I cast a 3rd vote for printed tags. Also something in a 3XT – or at least cut so that the shirt doesn’t shrink up to my navel after the first washing. And while I’m at it, something other than black, navy or dark heather. I never did go for the goth look. The shirt does look awesome tho’.
I also would be interested in 3x. being that the shirts will shrink. other wise keep the good work.
This geek loves pockets. Recently, I have been wearing Chef shirts in the shop. The pockets are on the sleeve. My readers, pencils and 6” rule are easily accessible and don’t fall out. The buttons up the side also eliminate catching on everything (like a tee). Food for thought.
I got mine today, it’s lovely 🙂
Print looks good. I also vote for a 3XL option.