On a mission to create a better shirt for a better tomorrow Allmade® launched Space Black as it’s first color in 2017. Built from eco-friendlier™ materials and dyed twice to give it an almost solid charcoal black appearance, Space Black is a heavier weight premium hand tri-blend fabric that prints and wears great.

20-some screen printers representing 12 distinct print shops stood around a fabric cutting table at LIFE SA in Tabarre Haiti, just outside Port Au Prince, looking over samples of tri-blend and cotton fabric. We set out to create a premium fabric that would wear great and print great. We had no idea how we were going to make it or what we would make it from. We had never done anything like this before and so much could go wrong. With the best intentions and most altruistic hearts, we decided on a direction and commissioned the first 3,000 yard sample run of what we called, double-dye black.

We decided on premium components to create a heavier weight and smoother printing surface. We used mainly US sourced components and moreover committed to use eco-friendly components. We started with Recycled Polyester. It is more expensive than virgin polyester but we believe it is much better to reuse recycled water bottles than further contribute to the plastic crisis the planet is facing. Recycled polyester makes up 50% of the blend. Next we chose to use Organic Cotton, sourced in Texas. This cotton is super soft and avoids the extensive use of petrochemical and water pollution associated with conventional cotton. Organic cotton makes up 25% of the blend. Finally we opted for Lenzing Tencel™ Modal fiber over traditional rayon used in tri-blends to round out the last 25%. Our experience is that Lenzing Tencel™ Modal is much softer, smoother, stronger, and it’s significantly more eco friendly to produce than rayon.

Our first commissioned color was a double-dye that used two GOTS Certified dyes one for the polyester content and one for the natural fiber content. We chose a lighter dye on the polyester to minimize dye migration issues.

We couldn’t have been happier. When we got our hands on it for the first time at the ISS trade show in Long Beach, CA in 2017, the fabric felt absolutely amazing. Soft, substantial, and smooth. Not only did it feel incredible but it printed great with minimal fibrillation and it even discharged very well for a being a dyed polyester tri-blend. Immediately, we knew we had a winner and this has been our #1 selling color ever since.

When our IndieGoGo campaign kicked off we decided to auction off naming the colors as an option. Our good friend and partner in Green Galaxy and ROQ, Bobby Panico, jumped on the first color which we collaboratively coined “Space Black” in homage to the Green Galaxy outer space reference and a nod to exploring new territories with Allmade®.

Technical Information:

PMS: Black 3C

Weight: Approx 4.2 Ounce

Polyester Dye: GOTS Certified Medium Grey

Natural Fiber Dye: GOTS Certified Black

Dischargeability: B+ (slightly lower rank due to its light polyester dye)

Dye Migration: Minimal to none.

Print TDS

Screen Mesh: 156-230 mesh for a nice soft and pliable ink deposit. If possible, use thin thread mesh for more control over your print deposit.

Ink Type: While all ink types can be used, Water Base inks are preferable since they have a super soft finish and drape with the fabric when worn.

Flash: Flash long enough to evaporate the water in WB inks. You should not need to exceed 220 degrees and 10 seconds. Ink should be dry to the touch. Plastisol should be around 180-220 degrees for under 6 seconds depending on the ink used. Ink should be tack free and not dry to the touch.

Curing: Follow manufacturers cure recommendations. There are many different inks with different cure temps on the market. These temps range from 250-320 degrees. Do not exceed 350 degrees on the garment and do not exceed more than 3 min 30 seconds cure time within your dryer.

For optimal soft hand printing: Incorporate a smoothing screen, an Iron, or a tool like the Stampinator to smooth out your prints and help create a thinner and more pliable print.

Wear and Wash Instructions

For best results, hand wash or machine wash inside out on gentle cycle and hang dry or dry on low. Do not bleach.