The Numerous Types Of 50/50 ANSI Safety T-Shirts
The T-shirt has been a popular choice of warm weather garments since the 1950’s. Early T-Shirts were used as undergarments and still are but have become much more popular as an outer garment. Movie stars including Marlon Brando helped make 50/50 ANSI safety t-shirts popular and they have continued to thrive.
Modern T-Shirts
T-shirts have become quite common and can now be seen everywhere. They are very versatile and can be worn for many different reasons and feature many different styles. They can be worn loose or close to the body. They are made a lightweight breathable material that promotes comfort. They are relatively inexpensive and because there are so many options they are available for mass ordering. This is why many companies will make them the company uniform. They are comfortable and versatile, and can also feature a company logo.
Styles
T-shirts feature a variety of styles and logos. They can have short sleeves, long sleeves, pockets, crew necks, the list is endless. In addition to style the colors that are available are also quite extensive. This makes them a desirable product because they are able to feature company colors. Print and logos are also available for T-shirts which can aid in identifying the wearer such as a uniform on a construction site, or help advertise. The ability to print logos or quotes allows the wearer to express themselves more so than a uniform option.
Safety
Today t-shirts can be used to meet safety standards as well. What was once reserved for stiff uncomfortable safety vests can now be accomplished with a soft comfortable undershirt. Anyone who has ever worked outside in the heat would appreciate avoiding the added heat of a stiff scratchy vest. These t-shirts meet American National Safety Institute (ANSI) standards both in long sleeve and short sleeves. The t-shirts can have reflective strips on them and be produced in highly visible colors. The long sleeves can be used when the weather isn’t quite so hot or when long sleeve shirts are appropriate, like when working with hot materials.
Materials
Most t-shirts are made from cotton, polyester, or both. Generally they come as a knit fabric and have the ability to stretch. The combination of cotton and polyester creates a soft material that doesn’t shrink excessively. These qualities make t-shirts versatile and easy to fit to different sizes. Thread for the shirts can be made of different materials as well. Some t-shirts even use monofilament as thread which can be uneasy on the skin. The collars are typically reinforced in order to help keep their shape and strengthen the stress points on the garment.
Manufacturing
Because ANSI safety vests are relatively easy to design and manufacture, companies will often do the designing. Companies will create a tubular design in order to decrease the amount of seams that need to be sewn on the garment. If a machine can mass produce a t-shirt it leads to a much lower cost. Often times companies and the government will create standards for the 50/50 t-shirts. These standards include the number of stitches that must occur per seam, how the collar is supposed to lay on the wearer, and other qualities of t-shirts that most people take for granted. Labels also accompany the t-shirt with information regarding where the shirt originated and how to maintain the shirt.