4 Ways to Make Your American Flag T-Shirt Stand Out

by John Amato

The British have the royal family; Americans have the Old Glory. Also known as the American flag, this piece of fabric has been revered by generations.

It’s a symbol of justice and patriotism that has been used in sports, military activities, diplomacy, national holidays, and public displays. But perhaps one of its most potent uses, which we will highlight, is as a form of personal expression through fashion.

American flag t-shirts are bold fashion statements that:

  • Can be dressed up or down depending on your mood or the occasion. 
  • Invoke a sense of nostalgia; back to the good old, simpler days.
  • Will turn heads with their eye-catching design and striking blue, red, and white colors.

We know you want unique t-shirts, so at Jupmode, we offer custom screen printing for your American flag t-shirts. 

And the best part? If you want to include any embroidery ideas to give your t-shirt that lasting impression, we can more than rise to the challenge. 

Fun Fact: A person who studies flags is called a vexillologist. Fascinating, right? 

Now, on that note, the following are some of the ways to make your American flag t-shirt stand out.

lady holding Toledo American Flag Youth T-shirt

1 - Personalize Your T-Shirt

lady wearing “USA” Jupmode t-shirt

What you wear is an expression of your essence—your personality and values. With American flag t-shirts, the options are limitless as to how you can customize them and make them unique. 

Try experimenting with these exuberant styles:

  • Tie-dye: Instead of having static, fixed flag colors (which is still a beautiful choice), you can order custom-made tie-dye flag t-shirts with a distinct color scheme and pattern, while still retaining the flag’s constituent features.

    If you have any new techniques in mind, don’t hesitate to reach us.

  • Cut or tie it: Turn your American flag t-shirt into a crop top, or if you’re more conservative, tie your oversized shirt into a knot for the beach.

Expert Tip: When personalizing American flag t-shirts, don’t overdo it. Maintain the flag’s colors and arrangement. 

2 - Add Embellishments to Your T-Shirt

Embellish your American flag t-shirt to make it bedazzling, sparkling, and interesting. If you find your t-shirt a bit too plain for your liking, or you simply want to make a bold statement, adorn it with beautiful applique designs and pieces. 

Some embellishments you can use include rhinestones, beads, and sequins. They jazz up a simple t-shirt and add dimension to it, so you’ll stand out in any crowd. 

Here’s a list of options for how to bedazzle your t-shirt like a pro—feel free to tweak any of the options according to your liking: 

  • Put rhinestones on the flag’s canton (or Union), that is, the top left corner of the flag that consists of the 50 stars.
  • Use red, blue, and white beads to line the flag, or any words included on the t-shirt, such as “USA” or “America.”
  • Attach sequins to the embroidered section of your flag. 

You can use all three embellishments interchangeably.

3 - Accessorize Your T-Shirt

Another way to make your t-shirt stand out is by accessorizing it according to your taste. Some people prefer wearing an American flag t-shirt with no other flag attire, while some like to mix and match.

If you belong to the latter category, you can accessorize your t-shirt with a denim jacket for that edgy, rugged, and casual look.

lady wearing denim jacket and pants in a “Toledo Votes” t-shirt

You can also tie a bandana around your neck or wrist in flag colors. And how about wearing bold blue or red sneakers for that extra flair? 

Wearing patriotic jewelry, such as a necklace in the shape of the flag, or star earrings, can also amplify the whole nationalistic fashion vibe. 

Continuing in the spirit of patriotism, you can also complement your look with accesories displaying other patriotic symbols, such as the bald eagle, Statue of Liberty, or Liberty Bell. 

An American flag t-shirt can be accessorized differently so that you can dress it up or down depending on the occasion. 

With this in mind, it’s a fun way to change up your wardrobe without spending a dime on new clothes. 

4 - Utilize Screen Printing

For precise and high-quality designs, use screen printing for your American flag t-shirts. The process involves pressing ink through a stencil or mesh screen to create the intended design—in this case, the flag or any related words or phrases. 

All our shirts use the softest polyester, cotton, and rayon tri-blend fabric to produce some of the best quality apparel on the market. The material allows a better impression of screen-printed designs that will last long.

Using this process on your American flag t-shirt enables it to:

  • Produce bold and vibrant colors so that the flag’s blue is navy, not royal, contrary to popular belief. 
  • Emphasize intricate designs, such as precise US borderlines and star shapes.
  • Provide a wide range of customizable options, such as italicized phrases.
  • Guarantee durability to withstand multiple washes and wears.

And did we say that our turnaround time works according to your schedule? Our Custom Work Request form allows you to specify your due date. If you need your “Vote USA” t-shirt within two days, we can and will make it happen.

Jupmode’s Custom Work Request form

“Your company did an amazing job! Faster turnaround on our t-shirt order than expected! I would highly recommend …. ” 
Patrick P

make American flag t-shirt stand out featured image

Screen Printing vs. Embroidery

We provide both screen printing and embroidery services. The former is done on high-quality t-shirts, while the latter is done on polos, jackets, bags, and hats.

Jupmode’s custom embroidery services

In the following table, we further compare screen printing and embroidery:

Feature Screen Printing Embroidery
Technique Uses a stencil to transfer ink onto a fabric Uses a needle and thread to sew directly onto a fabric
Design Smooth and flat motif on the surface Textured embossed pattern that lifts off the surface
Cost Cost-effective for large quantities and designs with few colors More expensive due to its labor-intensive nature

The Flag Code Paradox: Is Flag Clothing Veneration or Violation?

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”
- Elmer Davis

In October 1968, a political and social activist wore an American flag t-shirt to a court hearing. Consequently, he was arrested. While most people viewed his decision as controversial, since it disrespected a national symbol, others felt that it was a display of free speech and patriotism.

His name was Abbie Hoffman, and his action influenced the interpretation of the flag's sanctity.

The US Flag Code is very specific when it comes to how the national flag can and cannot be used. It cannot, for instance, be used as apparel of any kind, except by special forces. 

Later, the Supreme Court overturned its conviction. claiming that Hoffman’s actions were indeed protected by the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech. 

The purpose of this anecdote is to highlight a very important facet in making, wearing, and using American flag t-shirts (and clothes), which Marc Leepson, author of Flag: An American Biography best abridges. 

When asked if wearing clothes made out of the American flag was illegal, and if one could be arrested for it, Leepson said, "You're violating the Flag Code, but you won't be arrested for it."

So, you can be at ease, for there is no flag police to be worried about. Wear your American flag t-shirt with confidence

Make a Fashion Statement With Our American Flag T-Shirts

The crux of the matter is this: An American flag t-shirt is an impressive fashion choice, and you can customize it further to make it even more fashionable.

Gone are the days when these t-shirts were reserved for patriotic national holidays, such as the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. Now, people wear American flag t-shirts to casual outings, such as hanging out with friends, concerts, and musical festivals.

And don’t just take our word for it. Try our amazing American flag t-shirts for yourself. We have all you need and more. 

To convince you further, take a tour of our Jupmode store and production facility on Adams Street or our FPV fly-through tour to assure you of our commitment to producing the perfect tees for you.

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