A good graphic gets a shirt into your bag. Fit and fabric decide whether it stays in your rotation after a week on the road. This guide covers how to pick the right size, what fabric weight actually tells you, how our two main tees compare, and how to wash printed and embroidered pieces at a truck-stop laundromat without ruining them.
Start with a shirt you already like
Before choosing your next tee, take a few minutes with one you already enjoy wearing. It's a better starting point than assuming every brand's large fits the same way.
Lay the shirt flat without stretching it. Measure across the chest from armpit to armpit, then from the top of the shoulder to the hem. Then read the new shirt's size guide carefully. Some charts give garment measurements and others give body measurements, so only compare numbers taken the same way. Every product page in our shop has a size table for that specific garment.
Think about the whole shape for long hours in the seat. Many drivers want some room through the chest and belly and enough length that the hem doesn't ride up when they're seated or climbing into the cab. If you're between sizes, choose based on the fit you want and the measurements, not an automatic size-up rule. The exception is a garment that carries a fit note: our pullover hoodies run small, and we say so on the page.
What fabric weight tells you, and what it doesn't
Fabric weight is listed in ounces per square yard (oz/yd²) or grams per square meter (g/m²). It describes how much a given area of fabric weighs. It doesn't tell you everything about softness, stretch, construction or fit.
A lighter tee feels less bulky under a hoodie and can be more comfortable in a warm cab. A heavier tee drapes more and holds its shape when it's your outer layer. Neither is better for every driver or every season. Choose for how and where you'll wear it.
Everyday tee vs heavyweight tee
Most of our tees are printed on one of two blanks. Here's how they compare, based on the specifications listed on our product pages.
Everyday weight: Bella+Canvas 3001
- Fabric: 100% combed and ring-spun cotton in solid colors; heather colors contain polyester.
- Weight: about 4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²).
- Build: pre-shrunk, side-seamed, shoulder-to-shoulder taping.
- Keep in mind: the fabric is slightly sheer, so light colors can show through in some lighting.
- Good for: warm cabs, southern lanes, layering under a hoodie.
You'll find it in many of our trucker tees, including gift designs like The Real Sleigh Has 18 Wheels Christmas Trucker Tee and the Trucker Dad Christmas Tee.
Heavyweight: Comfort Colors 1717
- Fabric: 100% ring-spun cotton.
- Weight: about 6.1 oz/yd² (206.8 g/m²).
- Build: garment-dyed for a broken-in feel, relaxed fit, twill-taped neck and shoulders.
- Keep in mind: garment dyeing can produce slight color differences from one shirt to the next. Many drivers like that lived-in look.
- Good for: wearing on its own, cooler routes, drivers who want a sturdier shirt.
You'll find it in our heavyweight tees, such as the Dispatch Standard Heavyweight Tee, and in Collection 01 tees like Office With A View ($39.99–$45.99).
How to choose
The difference in weight alone won't settle which shirt you'll prefer, so think about the outfit you have in mind. If the tee lives under a hoodie most of the year, the lighter shirt usually wins. If it's the outer layer and you want it to look sharp at a shipper's office, the heavyweight is the safer pick. When both appeal, choose the one that adds something your rotation is missing: a new color, a different fit, or a design you'll actually enjoy wearing.
Front, back or chest: decoration matters
Check where the design sits before you order. A small chest mark is easy to wear anywhere. A big back print makes a statement at the truck stop. Also check whether the design is printed or embroidered. A printed logo and a stitched logo need different care, even when they look alike in a photo.
Caring for printed tees on the road
Laundry on the road usually means a truck-stop or roadside laundromat, a single load, and not much time. A simple routine keeps prints looking good longer. These pointers follow Printful's care guidance for direct-to-garment prints. Always check the garment label first; it takes precedence if it differs.
- Turn printed shirts inside out before washing.
- Wash cold on a gentle cycle with similar colors and mild detergent.
- Skip fabric softener and dry cleaning.
- Hang-dry, or tumble-dry on low. Shared dryers often run hot, so if you can, pull printed tees early and let them finish on a hanger in the cab.
- Never iron directly on the print.
Caring for embroidered pieces and caps
Embroidered polos and caps have different needs from printed tees. Again following Printful's guidance:
- Embroidered clothing, such as the 53 FT Polo ($49.99–$57.99): wash cold, inside out, on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Don't wring it out or leave it piled up wet. Dry on a cool setting. If you iron, do it inside out, ideally between two cloths, and don't steam or wet the embroidery.
- Caps, such as the 525 FT Trucker ($34.99) or the Fluent Dad Cap ($36.99): skip the washing machine, which can ruin the shape and damage the embroidery. Hand-wash or spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent in lukewarm water, no bleach and no brushes. Let the cap air-dry on something round so the crown keeps its shape.
$49.99–$57.99
$34.99
One habit that helps: take a photo of the care label and the product name on your phone. At the laundromat it's easier to check than to remember which logo was printed and which was stitched. If you're unsure about an item, email office@truckingapparel.com with the product name and a photo of the label.
Look at the outfit as a whole
If you usually wear a tee under a hoodie, compare the layers together. A shirt that feels great on its own can feel different under a closer-fitting layer. Check the collar, the sleeve opening and the hem in the combination you'll actually wear.
Ready to choose? Browse trucker tees and tanks, or compare everyday and heavyweight tees side by side in ROAD ISSUE short sleeves. Heading out soon? Our clothing packing list helps turn a few good shirts into a week's rotation.