PPB May 2020

Thanks to a micro-brushing process, the Unisex Sueded Snow Crew has an exceptionally soft hand. The suede jersey, peached snow yarn fabric, made from a blend of 60-percent combed ring-spun cotton and 40-percent polyester, features a blizzard snow effect in a crew neck style. Available in men’s S-3XL in five colors, shown in snow heather green. Next Level Appare l / PPAI 272027, S3 www.nextlevelapparel.com favorites. This year is no different with a selection of bold, brilliant and attention-grabbing styles but what is really making headlines are the fabrics. This year, the stars of 2020 are crafted of fabric blends made with Mother Earth top of mind. Kylie Waltz, production and marketing manager of distributor Sparkly Tees, says this year brings a greater push towards blends like 50-percent cotton and 50-percent polyester or, even more popular, a tri-blend of 50-percent polyester, 25-percent cotton and 25-percent rayon. “These t-shirts are popular because they don’t shrink in the wash—they have a high content of polyester, which keeps them from shrinking—they are soft, [and] no one wants a stiff, scratchy shirt, and they are easily decorated,” says Waltz. For high-volume orders and as a cotton alternative, Waltz adds that ring-spun cotton is also a top choice. The benefits of offering end users sustainable tees are multifaceted. For tees that are made from recycled materials, like plastic, end users can proudly sport the look knowing their garment helped give new life to recycled plastic bottles, or helped reduce the amount of waste in the world’s oceans or landfills. For clients, sustainable tees are a go-to choice for eco-focused events and businesses, from fundraisers held to support the opening of a nature preserve, to keepsakes offered in the gift shop of a butterfly sanctuary, to cause marketing gatherings to raise awareness about the importance of environmental cleanup efforts. Offering end users a tee that makes an impact in more ways than one is sure to leave a positive impression for as long as the t-shirt lasts—which is quite a while. Top-Notch Tees To Treasure | MAY 2020 | 21 INNOVATE