It’s extremely common for fashion trends to go as quickly as they come into being. While this can be a good thing — think cumbersome, bulky shoulder pads from the 1980’s — it can also make it difficult to stay ahead and especially on top of what’s hot and what’s not. Luckily, however, somethings are always hot. Aside from the little black dress, t shirts have always been a fashion staple. In fact, they’re much more. T shirts, especially custom print tees, can be used as a powerful marketing and social tool.

Whether it’s a plain white t shirt or a quality printed t shirts with snazzy custom designs, t shirts are staple in American fashion and culture. They’re about as American as apple pie, if not more. Did you that 95% of Americans wear t shirts? In fact, Americans love t shirts so much that 9 out of every 10 Americans own at least one t shirt they refuse to get rid of due to its sentimental value. Not only is kind of nostalgia powerful, but it’s provides the perfect platform for promoting your brand or cause.

For example, following the death of Eric Garner last summer — who died shortly after being placed in a choke hold maneuver by a Long Island police officer — protesters used two key instruments in order to raise awareness for their cause: social media and custom printing on t shirts. From protesters on the streets of New York City, to celebrity and business moguls, to professional athletes, it seemed as though everyone was wearing the digital print tee shirts emblazoned with Garner’s last words, “I can’t breath.”

Businesses can also harness the brand power of custom designed t shirts as well by choosing to design and order printed t shirts. Custom print services are pleased to help their clients create and order printed t shirts, so if you’re not a design whiz, it’s no problem at all.