Graphic tees are more than just a wardrobe must-have. They are a way to express one’s interests, showcase personality, and celebrate various occasions. Plus, they provide you with an eye-catching fit.
Whether you own a graphic tee with a print featuring your favorite band, sports team, or a message you live by, these tees make great fashion statements and forms of self-expression. But how did they come to be? Were they always a way to show off your persona? Why are they so popular? Here is the history of the graphic tee and T-shirt printing.
Screen Printing
Screen printing planted the first seed for graphic tees. It created the technology and process used to transfer art onto different surfaces. Early printing techniques date all the way back to around 200 AD in China, where artists carved wooden blocks, covered them in ink, and transferred the ink onto paper.
Screen printing then came to fruition around the 900s, and instead of using paper, printers used textiles. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), screen printing entered the fashion scene, and people began to wear printed clothing. From there, screen printing became more well-known in different places around the world.
First Recorded Printed Tee
It’s unclear when printed tees officially came into play, but the first recorded instance of graphic tees making an appearance occurred in the 1900s. Workers on the set of the original Wizard of Oz, with Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, and other classic movie stars, sported graphic tees while setting up the scarecrow. Their shirts sported a simple “Oz” print.
Although it was a simple print, words on T-shirts were still a rare sight, making this basic printed shirt a notable fashion occurrence. Plus, it became one of the first instances of an advertorial and propaganda use of fashion.
Military Use and Army Shirts
The military quickly picked up on the practicality of printed T-shirts. They used them—and still use them—to display a lieutenant’s military branch, training program, and position. So printed tees became a military uniform and a veteran’s souvenir.
Modern Uses—Tourism
One of the most popular modern purposes of graphic tees is tourism. Many tourist hot spots use graphic tees as tourist keepsakes. They are a travel momentum, showing off where one has been and their time there.
Marlon Brando Trendsetting
Fashion trends come and go in sudden rushes. No matter the duration of fame, many trends arise from stars. Graphic tees gained a boost of fame in the 1950s as T-shirts took the trend charts with a Marlon Brando debut. There are many things to dislike about A Streetcar Named Desire’s Stanley Kowalski, but one good thing he offers is charming looks, especially when played by a young Marlon Brando.
Brando’s character sports a classic white T-shirt throughout the film, adding to his character’s visual appeal and bad-boy persona. The T-shirt and male heartthrob combo became a popular attraction, giving T-shirts of all kinds—graphic tees including—a huge boost in the fashion scene.
Upgraded Printing Tech
As technology advanced and new inventions came to fruition, printing became more accessible and allowed for more creative freedom. The creation of plastisol ink, the dual rotary printing press, and heat transfers (sublimation printing) enhanced the printing process, increasing the demand and production of graphic tees.
With better printing technology, graphic tee designs became more diversified. It allowed artists and printers to create and transfer more complicated, intricate designs. T-shirts could now feature detailed designs, colorful patterns, and more.
The Rise of Cultural Influence
Toward the end of the 1900s, graphic T-shirts became a form of cultural influence. It became a means of self-expression, especially for political, societal, and cultural movements. Graphic tees were a form of activism. They sported a cause and spread the word. Like in the military, they also became a uniform for a specific movement.
Graphic T-shirts also influenced culture as a means of supporting bands. They became a way to express your love and support for a certain musician or band and connect with others also in that fan community. Band graphic T-shirts allowed people to show off the music they listened to and express a piece of themselves with clothes.
The 2000S and eCommerce
Graphic T-shirts peaked in the 2000s. They entered the corporate community and blew up as a merchandise product. Many major companies used graphic tees to promote themselves, creating brand logos, exclusive designs, and branded fashion. Graphic tees with certain logos and designs became signature fashion must-haves, like Calvin Klein, Pink, and Juicy Couture. Graphic tees also became more commercially used with the production and increased demand for football tee shirts. Like band tees, sports teams used graphic tees as merchandise to bring together their fan club, increase advertisement and hype, and improve income.
The 2000s brought to life many fashion staples—some questionable—as people began to explore different forms of expression. Quoted T-shirts rose to popularity, like the “live, laugh, love” and “keep calm” series. Certain trends of the era, such as the girl boss attitude and pop star lifestyle, also appeared on graphic tees, increasing their popularity.
Y2K Fashion and the Present Age
Now, printed tees come in all shapes and forms, sporting a range of designs. Plus, with the latest trends resurging the hits of Y2K fashion, graphic T-shirts are back in the spotlight. People wear them to support communities, spread cheer, express a part of their personality, celebrate an occasion, and create a stylistic outfit. From their beginning to the present, graphic tees played and continue to play an influential factor in society and the fashion world.
The history of the graphic tee and T-shirt printing comes with many monumental eras. It involves new artistic capabilities, technological advancements, cultural impacts, and more. These shirts are more than just a wardrobe must-have. They are a cultural staple that continues to enhance many aspects of society.
Whether you want to support your favorite sports team, advertise a movement, or rock a signature look, you can find the perfect graphic tee. Explore our selection at Tees2UrDoor and be a part of the current era of graphic T-shirts.
