Novelty T-Shirts
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Novelty t-shirts are printed tees whose design is the point: funny shirts, graphic tees, retro vintage styles and licensed characters. This guide explains the term, the fine line a joke shirt walks, where such shirts are sold, and how to have your own illustrations printed.
Novelty T-shirts
Novelty is the quality of being new, original, or unusual. The word novelty is actually derived from the Latin word novus for "new”.
The term also applies to a novelty item such as a collectible. Novelty is used in the fashion industry to describe some licensed products such as cartoon characters, comic book characters, movie characters, etc. For example, novelty underwear or t-shirts can be graphically printed with imagery of Darth Vader from Star Wars and be considered as novelty apparel.
You have probably seen the t-shirt that says, “I’m with stupid”, with an arrow. That shirt was rather funny when it first surfaced. But after seeing it repeatedly, it obviously loses a bit of the “novelty”. Unfortunately, like anything else sometimes when the newness of something fades so does the enjoyment. Also, when it comes to the concept of humorous shirts there is a fine line between wit and stupidity. Be careful what you wear because a joke that may be funny to you after a few drinks, may wind up making you look like an ass when you sober up. Also, you don’t want someone posting a picture of you wearing a ridiculously rude short and your mother seeing it on Facebook. There are "okay to wear" novelty shirts, and the ones you probably should frown away from if you want some sort of real job in the future. Every time you put on your silly tee, keep in mind that a future boss may not find it funny. If you are the boss, wear whatever the heck you want.
Novelty may be the shared experience of a new cultural phenomenon or the subjective perception of something being individually striking or new.
What are novelty t-shirts?
Funny t-shirts, graphic tees, retro vintage tees, and other printed or embroidered t-shirts are often referred to as novelty tees or novelty t-shirts. You will find that by doing a few simple searches on the internet you will find tons of funny t-shirts to choose from as well as cool t-shirts, geek shirts, movie t-shirts, TV tee's, and even offensive tee shirts. Even band t-shirts could be considered as novelty tees.
Some novelty shirt websites are updated every week with new designs. If you enjoy ready funny shirts, you would definitely stop by your favorite online retailers often.
Here are a few stores you may find to be of interest:
What do you do if you want to print your own novelty t-shirts?
If you want to have your own illustrations printed for you, you can consult with local print shops. In addition to investigating traditional printing methods such as silk screen printing, you can learn about digital printers which may be a better option if you only need a small number of shirts printed. Learn more about printing t-shirts. Find more information about custom apparel printing options.
Funny t-shirts or joke tees are a type of novelty t-shirt.
You may also want to learn about concert t-shirts, Hawaiian print shirts and American flag clothing.
By the way, that is a very funny t-shirt you are wearing. I hope you did not just look down to see what you were wearing.
If you love novelty designs, you may want to also check the novelty sock page. You may want to also learn about hoodies because they can be designed as novelty as well.
Learn about different types of t-shirts in our fashion terms section.
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Choosing a Joke That Ages Well
The guide above gives the honest warning: every wearer of a silly tee should remember that photographs outlast the moment, and a future employer may not share the joke. The designs that age best are the ones whose humor does not depend on a single week's reference or on mocking a person — wordplay, retro graphics, licensed characters and hobby humor keep working for years, which is why retro vintage tees and band shirts, novelty by definition, hold a permanent place in the category while last season's topical joke is cleared out.
Print method decides how the shirt itself ages. Screen printing lays down durable ink that suits bold, limited-color designs and larger runs; digital printing handles full-color artwork and photographs and makes small runs practical, at some cost in wash fastness on cheaper services. On either method, a midweight cotton or cotton-blend shirt, washed inside out in cool water, keeps the print legible longest. Fit and base-shirt quality matter more than wearers expect: a great design on a thin, twisting shirt gets worn less than a modest design on a good one.
The same novelty idea runs through the rest of the wardrobe — novelty socks are covered in their own guide in this letter, and hoodies and Hawaiian print shirts carry novelty designs as well — but the t-shirt remains its home ground: the largest flat canvas in everyday clothing, and the cheapest to reprint when the next new idea arrives.
Common Questions
What counts as a novelty t-shirt?
Funny t-shirts, graphic tees, retro vintage tees and other printed or embroidered t-shirts are often called novelty tees, including geek shirts, movie and TV tees, band t-shirts and licensed designs such as a shirt printed with a Star Wars character.
Why does a novelty shirt lose its effect over time?
Novelty means the quality of being new, original or unusual, from the Latin novus for new. Once a joke has been seen repeatedly, the newness fades and so does the enjoyment, and there is a fine line between wit and stupidity in a humorous shirt.
How can someone print their own novelty t-shirts?
Through local print shops, investigating traditional silk screen printing, or digital printers, which may be a better option when only a small number of shirts is needed.