We believe that combining quality shirts, technical print craft and creative designs makes for a better finished product. When you select higher quality options, your end customers will receive your products with a higher value in mind. The greater the comfort and creativity of the products you choose, the greater the likelihood that customers will wear those garments. Thus, a quality product is more eco-friendly than the low-quality alternative. As a result of their popularity, eco-friendly fabrics are becoming more abundant every year and can make for more sustainable shirt options.
Organic, recycled and sustainable fabrics are superior for our environment and require significantly less water to process. With this in mind, we work with the best fabric options we can to ensure you get the best shirts possible. Even with the amount of options available now, we are constantly looking for more environmentally-responsible brands and eco-friendly fabric options. For the most eco-conscious shirt possible, ask us about working with water-based inks.
Organic cotton fabrics are chemical-free, without pesticides, fertilizers or genetically-modified seeds, thus making for an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional cotton. Manufacturers typically weave this kind of cotton into a softer, finer, ringspun option, but it is also available in carded form. As is the case with conventional cotton, water-based inks work great when it comes to printing on eco-friendly shirts made with organic cotton as well.
Across the board, people recognize bamboo fabrics for their durability and smoothness. The plant itself is known to be the fastest growing and grows excellently without pesticides and fertilizers. Bamboo fabrics are often blended in with organic cotton or another sustainable fabric. In addition to being a great environmental option, most bamboo fabrics also print nicely with water-based inks.
RPET polyester is a recycled polyester, repurposed from old water and soda bottles. The polyethylene terephthalate in the bottles is semi-porous and, because of this, cannot be recycled back into plastic bottles. Therefore, it is commonly used in fabrics. RPET fabrics are most commonly used in blends with organic cotton or another sustainable fabric. Although water-based inks are unpredictable, they can work well with some RPET polyester.
Manufacturers use plant fibers of specific species of cannabis sativa plants to make hemp fabric. The hemp plant produces a high yield and is considered environmentally superior because of increased production, decreased water in production, and it’s pesticide-free. Due to the natural, cellulose fibers of hemp, water-based inks tend to work well in our experience.
Eco triblend fabrics are an environmentally friendly version of a standard triblend fabric. This fabric has a heather texture and is very soft and comfortable. With a blend of recycled polyester, organic or recycled cotton and rayon, an eco triblend is an eco-friendly alternative to conventional triblend fabric. Because triblends are often mostly polyester and rayon, water-based inks do not normally work “properly,” resulting in a dull or faded-looking print.
Already popular in the kitchen and paper printing industries, soy is making its way into the apparel world as the latest fabric used in eco-friendly shirts. Soybeans that are pesticide-free and non-GMO are as warm as wool, but lack the itch. Soy fabrics are also soft and absorbent, however they aren’t readily available in the wholesale apparel industry at this time.
Econscious is a leader in organic shirts. With imported production, Econscious produces a few dozen garment styles with eco-friendly fabrics.
Econscious 1000
Unisex Organic, ringspun cotton, soft cotton + fashion fit t-shirt
Econscious 3000
Women’s Organic, ringspun cotton, soft cotton + fashion fit t-shirt
Econscious 1080
Unisex Organic, ringspun cotton + polyester blend fashion fit t-shirt
Econscious 3800
Women’s Organic, ringspun cotton + polyester blend fashion fit t-shirt
Royal Apparel is an American-made brand that has developed 5 eco-friendly fabrics. They produce these fabrics in a variety of shirt styles, with options for men, women, children and infants.
Royal 5051ORG
Unisex Organic + USA-MADE ringspun cotton, soft cotton + fashion fit t-shirt
Royal 5001ORGW
Women’s Organic + USA-MADE ringspun, soft cotton + fashion fit t-shirt
Royal 95051
Unisex USA-Made + Organic cotton + Recycled poly blend t-shirt
Royal 95001W
Women’s USA-Made + Organic cotton + Recycled poly blend t-shirt
Royal 32051
Unisex USA-Made + ECO Triblend t-shirt
Royal 32112
Women’s USA-Made + ECO Triblend scoop neck t-shirt
Alternative Apparel makes beautiful fabrics and shirt styles with an expansive line of eco jersey fabrics. Their eco jersey fabrics contain 6.25% recycled PET and 6.25% organic cotton amongst the 50/38/12 polyester/cotton/rayon triblend.
US Blanks is an American-made brand with a small selection of 100% recycled shirts made from 50% cotton + 50% polyester.
Working with eco-friendly shirts is just one of the practices that helps make Offbeat Press a leader of environmental screen printing. Furthermore, our industry-leading, water-based inks separate us from many of the screen print shops active today. As a result of seeing the less-than-great standards for this industry, we remain more steadfast than ever in our commitments to social responsibility and sustainability, which have always been a focus at Offbeat Press.
