In recent years, more people have become concerned about the effect that they and their habits are having on the environment. As consumers become more aware of the damaging effects that collective actions have on the atmosphere, eco-friendly alternatives have emerged as a trend for new and somewhat improved ways of carrying out particular actions. This has not escaped the t-shirt printing industry, with eco-friendly printing emerging as a viable mainstream option.

Enter Bamboo

As you are no doubt aware, fabrics such as cotton, silk, and polyester have been the main materials in the t-shirt industry for some years now, but a new competitor has just entered the scene, and it goes by the name of Bamboo. This is an abundant material that grows freely around the world, so if you are concerned about eco-friendly t-shirt printing, then this is the material you should be using.

When it comes to alternatives with anything, changes to regular comfort levels is always a concern. Bamboo has that covered. It is soft to the touch and feels extremely light on your body, making it an excellent material for anybody that wants to be kind to their skin. That’s the purpose of t-shirts after all; wearing an item that can be ‘thrown on’ and is comfortable for any occasion.

Bamboo itself is a moisture wicking material and also contains strong anti-bacterial proprieties. This means that it easily repels odors and toxins, helping you to maintain your freshness for as long as you wear the material. You can wash a Bamboo t-shirt multiple times and it won’t become worn or lose its anti-bacterial properties. These eco-friendly t-shirts can also assist with perspiration because they are efficient at absorbing moisture.

The process for producing these eco-friendly garments is quite unique. We start by using a local Canadian made 70% rayon from bamboo, and 30% organic cotton garment which is ring spun, pre-shrunk and pre-washed. Next we use water based ink that is the safest form of custom t-shirt printing. The blend itself depends on the type of garment – for those requiring greater fit and body, we traditionally take around 67% rayon from the bamboo, with 27% organic cotton and 6% spandex. This ensures that garments retain their green aspect and are ultra-violet resistant. We carry bamboo garments in both men’s and women’s in many different styles including t shirts, hoodies, golf shirts, tank tops and even dresses. We can also custom make any garment you have in mind.

The application of eco-friendly solutions to the screen printing industry is seen by some as pushing the boundaries of what t-shirt printing can accomplish. If anything, these environmentally friendly processes are likely to become more main stream as companies appreciate their benefits and the way in which they can be used. A simple rag and bucket of water can replace the regular aerosol screen opener by most suppliers, and simple water has taken over the cleaning process, removing the environment’s common enemies in the elements of mineral spirits and other chemically infused cleaning products.

Bamboo influenced eco-friendly clothing may require some time to take over as the staple fabric in the clothing industry, but it continues to gain momentum in an ever advancing environmentally conscious society. Screen printers have taken this ‘push’ on board and are making additional contributions by using inks that are eco-friendly to produce detailed, high quality prints. While these inks may take some getting used to, it is worth the effort to have eco-friendly inks moving forward for the screen printing industry.