For Fifth Column, punk t-shirt printing is where it all began. Way back when, we were the punk t-shirt printers. Those rock roots can never be removed. But so much else has changed in the intervening years. Without doubt, the world is a very different place. Attitudes have shifted quite radically and technology transformed our daily lives. An example, small in the grand scheme yet relevant to this article? Well, there wasn’t the huge choice of plain t-shirts for print and embroidery you find nowadays. No responsibly sourced organic alternatives easily available. We took what we get and inked them by hand. The screen printing carousels and ethical options came later.
Of course, we still print tees. And these days, it’s on a massive scale. But, we also customise plenty of other things. And do so in a variety of fashions. Whatever’s necessary to make customers smile. Perhaps that’s why we like to occasionally reflect on our humble origins. With this piece, we’ve picked some of the unforgettable faces that adorned those early punk t-shirt printing efforts. Before you ask, sadly none of these shirts are available now. This is merely homage to a past when mobile phones were more Star Trek than everyday essential. And websites the concern of real spiders rather than a shopping necessity.
1. Johnny
Any list of punk t-shirt printing favourites has to include this classic piece of ink on cotton. Our chaotically kaleidoscopic take on punk legend, Johnny Rotten. Mr Lydon was yet to be unveiled. As with many creative forces of the time, fierceness was softened with age. But we like to think we captured something of the moment.
2. Debbie
Here we have a stunning face. One which is instantly recognisable. Debbie Harry had everything, an echoingly unmistakeable voice and demanding stage presence. Diminutive stature driven to super star status by a sense of self which defies definitions of sexuality and feminism. In our opinion, we caught a little of that indefinable appeal.
3. Billy
Now, where would you think Billy Idol was a born? Not everyone will know that this moodily glowering countenance was the product of a London borough. Did we catch a glimpse of that rebellious ambition? Long before biking round the Hollywood Hills became a dangerous diversion? Maybe.
4. Iggy
If you want exceptional and enduringly innovative, Iggy Pop is probably your man. Those characteristics of quality, longevity and change are things we both admire and have striven to emulate. With some success. When this was created, printing thousands of tees each day was only a nice idea.
5. Marilyn
Punk t-shirt printing had few limits. And not all of the subjects were singers, bands or even involved with the music business. As illustrated by this Marilyn Monroe design. Sometimes, it was simply about being a voice for topics which moved people. The underground whispers which shivered folk’s perceptions and shook the establishment.
6. Siouxsie
A siren voice of the period. And an iconic face for punk t-shirt printing in London, Siouxsie Sioux doesn’t get a great deal of press these days. But that wasn’t the case in the late Seventies, early Eighties. From the very start, she was a standout act who commanded attention. And influenced many of those who followed.
7. Maggie
Okay, not everyone inspired universal love. Despite that, are there many faces more recognisable than that of Margaret Thatcher? Several commentators have observed that the UK punk revolution might not have been so popular without her. In many ways, this glorious bit of irreverent ink is a snapshot of those days.
8. With Love Since 1977
Fifth Column was born of a passion for printing. And it was a love for the art which fuelled our progress. From printing shirts by hand to commercial scale customisation, that passion has been a constant. All in all, it’s worked out well. As with many aspects of life, the past plays an important part in the future.