Black vs White Graphic Tees: Which to Buy First

Contrast and readability

White type on black is the highest-contrast combination available and keeps small type legible at distance. Black on white reads slightly softer, which suits gentler lines.

How each ages

Black cotton fades toward charcoal with heat; white cotton greys with detergent residue. Cold water and low heat fix most of both problems.

White ink on black shows cracking sooner than black ink on white, purely because the contrast makes any break visible.

Layering

Black disappears under outerwear and reads as a base layer. White interrupts a dark outfit and becomes a deliberate element, which is either the point or the problem.