Why are you doing this project?
This project is an experiment in exploring the fringe of information dissemination.
Our audience include the people who might not feel compelled to look at today’s paper, or read the top headlines online. The shabby t-shirt is uniquely suited for a project such as this—there is no other item that affords its physical size and relative low cost.
We aim to inform the viewer, but we also realize that there are obvious limitations on the scope and depth of the information a t-shirt can effectively convey. We aren’t trying to replace the in-depth news article, we are interested in facilitating a texture of awareness that might incite a person to find out more. Advertising works to drive sales—we work to drive news readership.
How do I get a shirt?
Subscribe to the project and we will send you each shirt as they are released. We charge you all at once for five shirts in each subscription. We expect to print about ten shirts throughout the course of the project - that’s two subscriptions if you want to get them all.
Those of you afraid of commitment can simply pre-order the next shirt we print.
Or, you can choose from shirts we’ve already printed on the shirts page.
Can I refund or exchange shirts?
We carefully inspect each shirt before it’s shipped for defects. Because of the nature of our project and its subscription system, we have limited stock for exchanges and we can’t refund shirts. Sorry!
If there is a problem with your shirt let us know right away and we’ll work something out.
How will the shirts be shipped?
We ship via USPS Priority Mail. Your shirt should arrive within five days of being shipped anywhere in the continental U.S.
Domestic shipping is included in the cost of each shirt.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship internationally via USPS Priority International. International subscribers may opt to send the additional shipping fees when purchasing or subscribing, or wait to be invoiced the additional amount once we receive the order.
Canada/Mexico: $10 per shirt (Add $25 per subscription)
All international: $12 per shirt (Add $35 per subscription)
You can also see the rates at the USPS Priority International page. Please contact us if you have any questions about international shipping.
What are the shirts printed on? How do you print them?
We print on two shirts from American Apparel. For men, we print on the 2001 Fine Jersey Short Sleeve T-Shirt. And for ladies, we print on the 2102 Fine Jersey Short Sleeve T.
Kayrock screenprints our shirts in Brooklyn.
Do you have a size chart?
Here are measurements for men and women, adapted from
American Apparel's sizing charts. American Apparel shirts fit snugger than regular t-shirts, so remember to order a size up if you want a relaxed fit.
| Men |
S |
M |
L |
XL |
| Chest (inches) |
34-36 |
38-40 |
42-44 |
46-48 |
| Waist (inches) |
30-32 |
32-33 |
33-34 |
36-38 |
| Women |
S |
M |
L |
| Chest (inches) |
30-32 |
32-34 |
36-38 |
| Waist (inches) |
25-26 |
27-28 |
30-32 |
How do I cancel my subscription?
You have the option to cancel at any time before the shirts are shipped. Email us at and we’ll stop sending you shirts. We’ll also stop liking you.
How do you make any money selling these shirts?
We don’t.
The Shirt Project is a not-for-profit experiment supported by funding from the Rhoda Lubalin Fellowship, a fellowship annually awarded to design students graduating from the Cooper Union School of Art.
Any money we make from selling shirts and subscriptions goes back into printing. That’s how we keep the prices low.
Who is behind this project?
Rich and Louise.
We got a lot of help from Mike Essl and Emily Roz.
