More than a cheap article of clothing, the T-shirt is a portable personal ad, its wearers declaring their political/musical/social affiliations for the world to see. Since the 1960s, the T-shirt has provided a forum for expression where anti-war slogans mixed with early counter-culture classics such as 'Keep on Truckin', and tie-dye mingled with that hardy perennial, the tour T-shirt - album cover graphic on the front, venue details listed on the back. This book reflects the diverse and rich graphic culture that has arisen from the medium, considering its use in areas such as music, politics and fashion. Featuring photographs of T-shirts worn on the street, specially commissioned T-shirt graphics, T-shirt collections, and the best and coolest graphics from around the world, 300% Cotton will appeal to designers, illustrators and art directors, as well as a general market of T-shirt enthusiasts and collectors.

Helen Walters, a design writer and editor, is based in New York. Formerly features editor for Creative Review magazine in the UK, she is currently its contributing editor. She is the author of 200% Cotton: New T-Shirt Graphics and co-author, with Liz Faber, of Animation Unlimited: Innovative Short Films since 1940.