What is a “Tech” or “Technical” shirt?
This term is applied to shirts that have a technical application to the use of the fabric. In the case of a running shirt it is referring to the moisture wicking capabilities of the fabric. The shirts wick moisture from your body and dry quicker which makes for a more comfortable experience. Many of these shirts have an antimicrobial applied to the fabric to reduce odors as well. Generally these shirts are 100% polyester but there are some moisture wicking shirts that are a poly/cotton blend. The polyester shirts come in two styles, smooth or "closed mesh" also called "birdseye". The picture to the right shows the smooth fabric in red and the grey fabric is closed mesh. They both have a smooth finish on the inside though.
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What does the weight of fabric mean?
You'll see weights listed on the shirts on our website typically from 3.8 oz. up to 6.1 oz. This is a general indication of how thick and heavy the fabric is. When it is in ounces (oz.) it is the weight a square yard of the fabric. Other factors such as the fabric being Ringspun and the thread count can also be a factor in how thick the shirt feels. Runners generally prefer a shirt 4.5 oz or lighter because it is lighter and will dry more quickly.
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What does the number of singles mean in the description of a t-shirt?
In some of the shirt descriptions you will see "30 singles". In cotton or cotton/poly shirts this is indicating how many threads are in a square inch of the fabric. It also means that the threads are finer so there are more within that square inch. Just like sheets, the higher the thread count means the softer the shirt. A typical basic t-shirt is 18-20 singles while a much softer shirt is 30-40 singles.
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What is Ringspun and Combed Ringspun Cotton?
Ringspun cotton is a process where the threads are constantly twisted and thinned while being made. This results in a finer and softer fabric when it is woven together. Combed ringspun has an additional step in which the threads are combed giving it an even smoother finish. A smoother finish is also a flatter finish and will give a better definition in the print. The shirt in the video on the Home page was combed ringspun cotton. See the flyer from Bella Canvas below.