A little over a week ago, I got Lion from Thriving Ink in the mail. I’ve been meaning to blog about it ever since then, but since last week was the sort of week that keeps throwing things at you and just doesn’t let up, I never found the time to write my review. So apologies to you, dear readers, and to the kind folks at Thriving Ink, for dragging my feet on this one!
When I first saw the package, I was surprised to find myself greeted by a rather largish poster mailing tube. (Sorry—no pictures of this one! You’ll have to use your imagination.) Inside was the shirt, as well as a couple of small Thriving Ink posters. The posters had gotten all rolled up from being in the mailing tube (as posters are wont to do), but the shirt was in perfect condition.
I suspect the distinctive packaging style has to do with Thriving Ink’s philosophy of “t-shirts as art”. From their About Us page:
Thriving Ink shirts are designed by real artists from around the world as art for art’s sake; Thriving Ink has simply put the art onto a wearable canvas – shirts.
So just as you would send an art print through the mail in a poster tube, they’re sending out their t-shirts that way, too. Or at least, that’s my interpretation.
Anyway, on to the real stuff.
The shirt is American Apparel, so you know you’re getting good-quality stuff as far as the actual shirt itself is concerned. In fact, I had never tried on a black AA tee before, and I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was. Nearly every other black shirt I own has an uncomfortably heaviness to it; this one, on the other hand, was good times all around.
Click on image for larger verson.
Not only was the shirt comfy, but the print itself was surprisingly soft. Not perfectly soft, of course—it’s a big print with light colors on a dark background—but much better than one might reasonably expect.
All in all, I’m a big fan of this shirt, which makes me look forward to getting my grubby mitts on some more quality stuff from Thriving Ink. Awesome work!
Link: [Lion from Thriving Ink]
Expensiveness: $29.95
Subscribe to our Feed!
Thanks Greg, for the amazing review! We really appreciate it! I wanted to let you and all of your readers know that we are having a Sprig Sale! Our shirts are only $19.95 right now! http://www.thrivingink.com
Peace!
I don’t know if that ink will last through a lot of washes though.
Ron: the design is screenprinted (presumably with plastisol inks), so the print should hold up quite well through repeated washes!
Our shirts are printed with plastisols and water based inks. They will definately stand up to the test of time!!
I learned about these guys through Flickr. Some really nice designs.
Waterbase is a miracle. Just started using it on Anvil Organics for Stonyfield Yogurt (we’re their sole contract printer) and I was AMAZED by the waterbase discharge agent. It’s heat activated. No need for a flash. Little pricey, but the “magic trick” is worth standing at the end of your drier for, most def.
Dig this print.
Cheers.
Jcup