FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about printed t-shirts

Here you will find the answers to everything you need to know before ordering your new favorite t-shirt from Shirty.se – from the durability of the print to size, delivery and the environment.

Size, fit, material, print, durability, washing, gifts & style

Buying a printed t-shirt should be easy. Yet people Google the same things every day: Which t-shirt is the best? Do t-shirts shrink? Does the print last? Which t-shirt is the most comfortable? Where to buy t-shirts online?

What does t-shirt actually mean?

The word t-shirt (or t shirt ) comes from the shape of the garment. When held up, the shirt resembles the letter T : the body is the vertical part, the sleeves the horizontal. The name is thus literal.

The T-shirt evolved from simple undergarments and became popular when American soldiers used it as cool workwear in the early 20th century. Today, it is the world's most widely worn garment – ​​in everything from white T-shirts to funny T-shirts with prints, political T-shirts, retro T-shirts and T-shirts with Swedish text.

Which t-shirt is best?

The best t-shirt depends on three things:

  1. Material

  2. Fit

  3. Print quality

A really good cotton t-shirt , preferably ring-spun, holds its shape longer, feels softer and is better for printing. Cheap t-shirts quickly lose their fit, pill and fade – regardless of whether they are black or white.

If you want the best quality t-shirts , look for:

  • Tightly woven cotton

  • Pre-shrunk fabric

  • High grammage (not paper thin)

Which t-shirt keeps its shape the best?

T-shirts that keep their shape are:

  • Shrunken

  • Made of ring-spun cotton

  • Washed in production

Cheap garments often become:

  • skew

  • twisted at the side seams

  • shorter after washing

Therefore, the questions “why do t-shirts lose their shape?” and “why do t-shirts become crooked?” arise – the answer is almost always quality + washing .

Do t-shirts shrink in the wash?

Yes – some t-shirts shrink . Most notably:

  • low-quality cotton

  • high heat

  • dryer

Here's how you avoid it:

  • Wash at 30°C

  • Air dry

  • Avoid tumbling

If you want to know which t-shirts don't shrink , the answer is: pre-shrunk quality garments.

How should a t-shirt fit?

This is extremely common to google.

How does a men's t-shirt fit?

  • The shoulder seam should be at the shoulder.

  • Sleeve ends mid-upper arm

  • Not tight across the chest

How should a t-shirt fit in general?

  • Not sausage skins

  • Not a tent

  • Fall straight

Unisex t-shirt fit

A unisex t-shirt is straight in the model. Works for both men and women. Do you want:

  • Tighter → slim fit

  • Street → oversized

Slim fit vs regular t-shirt – what's the difference?

  • Slim fit : figure-hugging, fitted

  • Regular : straight classic fit

  • Oversized : wide, longer, trendy

What material is best for t-shirts?

Cotton vs. polyester t-shirt

  • Cotton : soft, breathable, best for printing

  • Polyester : sports, less breathable, cheaper feel

Is organic cotton better?

Yes – organic cotton t-shirts are grown without pesticides and often feel softer.

Is ring-spun cotton better?

Yes. It is:

  • stronger

  • smoother

  • more beautiful

How long does printing on a t-shirt last?

This is one of the biggest concerns.

A good t-shirt print :

  • does not crack

  • does not fade quickly

  • remains in place for several years

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing provides the best detail for t-shirts with text , quotes , humor , illustrations and pop art motifs .

Are prints on t-shirts cracking?

Just in case:

  • you are washing too hot

  • tumblers

  • iron directly on the print

How to wash a printed t-shirt:

  • Inside out

  • 30 °C

  • No dryer

Why does printing on t-shirts come off?

Common causes:

  • low-quality print

  • HEAT

  • chemicals in detergents

Why do t-shirts smell after washing?

Often:

  • too low temperature

  • too much detergent

  • synthetic material

Cotton generally smells less than polyester.

Are printed t-shirts a good gift?

Yes – extremely.

Popular choices:

  • funny t-shirt gift

  • t-shirt for dad

  • t-shirt for mom

  • t-shirt for colleague

  • Father's Day T-shirt

  • Mother's Day T-shirt

A t-shirt with funny text , ironic quote or Swedish humor almost always works.

What t-shirts are trendy right now?

Right now this is big:

  • retro t-shirt

  • vintage t-shirt

  • pop art t-shirt

  • minimalist t-shirts

  • t-shirts with text

  • ironic t-shirt

  • sarcastic t-shirt

  • socially critical t-shirt

  • political t-shirt

  • provocative t-shirt

T-shirts with Swedish text & humor

T-shirts with Swedish text and Swedish humor are especially popular:

  • proverb

  • ironic quotes

  • political one-liners

  • crude humor

  • bitter humor

That's often what makes a t-shirt unique – something that no one else has .

Where to buy t-shirts online?

Choose a store that:

  • shows material clearly

  • has size guide

  • offers free shipping

  • prints on demand

That's how you get the best printed t-shirt , not mass-produced junk.

What makes a t-shirt from Shirty different?

  • Swedish motifs

  • Swedish humor

  • Printed on demand

  • Premium quality

  • T-shirts that stand out

A Shirty t-shirt is not just a garment – ​​it's a message.

We make t-shirts with attitude .
Humor, nostalgia, pop culture, Swedish references, absurd motifs – all in a unique style.
A Shirty-tisha is not just a garment, but a statement piece.

What does the letter T in T-shirt mean?

The letter T in the word t-shirt simply refers to the shape of the garment. When you hang or hold the shirt up, it forms a clear T-silhouette: the body is the vertical part and the sleeves are the horizontal. The name is literal – it is about how the garment looks, not about any symbolism.

The T-shirt originated as a simple undergarment. In the early 1900s, American soldiers began using it as a cool, practical garment under their uniforms. Its simple construction without a collar, buttons, or long sleeves made it easy to wear in hot environments.

Today, the word t-shirt is also used directly in Swedish, but the meaning is the same as then: a short-sleeved, collarless garment whose name comes directly from its characteristic shape.

Is there a difference between cheap and expensive printed t-shirts?

Yes, the difference is often bigger than you think. More expensive t-shirts use better cotton, more stable seams and garments that are pre-shrunk already in production. The result is that the t-shirt keeps its shape, fits better and feels better on the body – even after many washes. Cheap t-shirts may look good on first use but quickly lose their fit, become crooked or feel “dead” in the fabric.


Why do some t-shirts feel soft right away and others stiff?

It depends on how the cotton is treated. Ring-spun and combed cotton produce a softer, smoother fabric. Cheaper t-shirts often use coarser fibers and simpler finishing, which makes them feel stiff or rough against the skin.


Is a thicker t-shirt always better quality?

Not always, but often. A t-shirt with a higher grammage feels more stable, drapes better and is less transparent – ​​especially important for white t-shirts. At the same time, thinner t-shirts can be more comfortable on hot summer days, but they generally wear out faster.


Why do the necklines on some t-shirts become loose?

A limp neck is usually caused by:

  • low quality of ribs

  • bad sewing

  • dryer

A good t-shirt has a reinforced neckline that retains its shape even after many washes.


Why do the side seams twist after washing?

This is a classic problem with low-quality t-shirts. The cause is unbalanced fabric and the garment is not pre-shrunk. The result is that the shirt “spins” after washing and sits crookedly on the body.


Is a black t-shirt harder to keep looking good than a white one?

Yes, in different ways.
Black t-shirts:

  • fades faster

  • shows lint and dust more clearly

White t-shirts:

  • may turn yellow

  • are sensitive to the wrong detergent

Proper washing makes a big difference regardless of color.


What is the difference between screen printing and DTG printing?

Screen printing is best suited for large runs with few colors.
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is ideal for:

  • t-shirts with text

  • quote

  • humor

  • detailed illustrations

  • pop art motif

DTG provides smoother printing and better detail.


Are printed t-shirts worse than plain t-shirts?

No. A correctly done print does not negatively affect the lifespan of the garment. It is washing, heat and quality that determine how long both the t-shirt and the print last.


Can you iron a printed t-shirt?

Yes, but never directly on the print.
Iron from the wrong side and use low heat to avoid damage.


Why do some t-shirts feel plasticky?

This is often due to high polyester content or chemical finishing. A good cotton t-shirt should feel natural, soft and breathable – not slick or synthetic.


Are organic t-shirts always better?

Organic cotton is better for the environment, but the quality still depends on how the fabric is spun, woven and sewn. Organic ring-spun cotton is the best of both worlds.


How many t-shirts should you have in rotation?

For everyday use, 7–10 t-shirts are enough. This reduces the wear and tear on each garment and makes your favorites last longer.


Are oversized t-shirts just a trend?

No. Oversized t-shirts have become an established style, especially in streetwear and for graphic prints. They allow more space for motifs and a relaxed expression.


Why are t-shirts with text still so popular?

To text:

  • is direct

  • is personal

  • can be funny, ironic or provocative

T-shirts with quotes, messages and humor are still among the best-selling varieties.


Why do t-shirts with Swedish text sell better in Sweden?

Swedish text is recognizable. Jokes, irony and expressions land better in the native language and feel more personal than standard English phrases.


Are political and provocative t-shirts too narrow?

No. They evoke emotions – and emotions sell. Many people buy them for themselves, others as gifts. You either love them, or you give them away.


Is on-demand printing better than stock production?

Yes. On demand means:

  • less waste

  • no overlays

  • fresher print

  • better environmental footprint

It is both smarter and more sustainable.


Why do some t-shirts cost more despite having the “same” motif?

To:

  • the garment is of higher quality

  • the pressure is better

  • production is more expensive

  • the lifespan is longer

Cheapness is visible – often faster than you think.


Is the t-shirt still relevant as a fashion item?

Yes. The T-shirt is both a basic garment and a statement piece. It functions as a uniform, a gift, a message carrier and a style marker. No other garment is as timeless.


Why do many people choose Shirty?

Because Shirty does:

  • unique t-shirts

  • t-shirts with Swedish text

  • humor, irony and attitude

  • garments that stand out

A Shirty t-shirt is not neutral. It says something.