Custom t shirts are the giveaway item of choice.  Coveted by young and all alike, these inexpensive promotional shirts have changed the way businesses spend their advertising dollars. Where else can a company find a willing “walking” billboard to carry its message, logo, and product information to a wide variety of potentially interested future customers?  Custom t shirts are found everywhere: in the grocery store, in the doctor’s waiting room, the reception area of the local dentist’s office, and the principal’s office …to name but a few.  Similarly, custom t shirts can be found on almost everyone: infants, toddlers, school-aged children, teenagers, adults, grandparents, and everyone in between. As a matter of fact, custom t shirts are a main staple in almost every teenager’s wardrobe!

Yet in addition to the business aspect of custom t shirts, the personal use of these shirts has spread as well.  Many a photo shop now offers the opportunity to have one’s favorite picture screened unto a shirt.  As such, custom t shirts make for some great presents and mementos, as well as serve to commemorate family gatherings, and other celebratory occasions that mark a family’s life. Another wonderful use for custom t shirts may be found within the classroom.  The creation of such shirts makes for a wonderful end of the year projects, and whether the children create shirts for themselves, their classmates, or perhaps the teacher is doing the creating for the children, these custom t shirts are sure to bring a smile, and perhaps even a tear, to many.

 The process for creating some child friendly custom t shirts is a varied as the daring teacher of parent who wishes to attempt it.  There is the tie dye method, which is a bit messy for some folks’ comfort.  Iron on transfers are on the other side of the spectrum when it comes to messiness, and this method actually allows for a large number of shirts to be created in a somewhat uniform manner. 

For those with a more adventurous spirit, batiking (with or without wax) may be the best route to go. In order to achieve the desired results, simply use glue to paint a design onto a blank shirt. Since the design will be reversed, it is best to either keep things simple of make a few practice runs first.  Once the glue has dried, dye may be applied to the areas that are supposed to be colored…this is a good time to remember that a thick sheet of cardboard, or some plastic reinforced paper be inserted in between the front and back of the shirt to prevent any paint from seeping through. After the paint had a chance to dry (preferably overnight), the shirt may be gently hand-washed in cold water to soften up the glue.  Then the shirt may be machine washed in hot water with regular detergent to help set the color. This process allows for those truly creative custom t shirts children love to wear!