When you shop online, it’s not always easy to know what kind of quality you’re getting. Many brands rely on print-on-demand (POD) services because they’re cheap and convenient. The problem? Those savings usually come at the expense of shirt quality, print durability, and long-term wear.
At Warm Water Tees, we take a different approach.
The Problem with Print-on-Demand
Print-on-demand is everywhere. It allows anyone to upload a design and have it printed onto a shirt whenever an order comes in. While that may sound efficient, here’s what often happens:
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Lower quality blanks – thinner fabric that feels rough and loses shape.
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Inconsistent printing – colors can appear dull, blurry, or misaligned.
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Shorter lifespan – prints may crack or fade after just a few washes.
If you’ve ever bought a shirt online that looked great in photos but disappointed in person, chances are it came from a POD shop.
Our Process: Local Printing, Premium Blanks
Instead of POD, we partner with a local print shop that knows our designs and takes pride in their craft. Every shirt is produced in small batches with hands-on care. Here’s what sets us apart:
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High-quality shirts – soft cotton blanks that fit well and last longer.
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Professional printing methods – sharper detail and richer colors.
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Durability – designs that stand up to repeated washes without fading or cracking.
This means when you buy from Warm Water Tees, you’re getting a shirt that feels better, looks better, and holds up over time.
See the Difference
We tested this ourselves by ordering the same design through a print-on-demand service and comparing it to our locally printed version. The results speak for themselves:
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Left: Warm Water Tees – crisp design, bold color, premium fabric.
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Right: POD shirt – faded print, rougher fabric, lower overall quality.
Our Shirt vs POD – Mexico
Our Shirt vs POD – Logos
Our Shirt vs POD – Hollywood
Why We Do It
Our mission has always been about more than just selling shirts. It’s about creating subtle activist apparel that people are proud to wear; pieces that last, that feel good, and that carry a message. Cutting corners with POD doesn’t align with that vision.
By keeping production local and choosing better materials, we can stand behind every shirt we ship out.
The Bottom Line
When you support Warm Water Tees, you’re not only backing subtle activism, you’re also getting a shirt that’s made with care and built to last.
Quality matters. And once you feel the difference, you’ll never go back.