Tag guide · RN 81139
Giant by Tee Jays
Giant by Tee Jays tag history
Giant was a heavyweight 100% cotton blank linked to Tee Jays and widely used for licensed band, rap and pop-culture merch in the early-to-mid 1990s. Many of the most recognized grunge and hip-hop shirts of the era turn up on Giant blanks.
The fabric is noticeably thicker and boxier than 80s 50/50 blanks, with a sturdier collar. That weight means Giant tees often survive in better condition, but it also makes them a popular target for tag swaps onto modern heavy blanks.
When you find a Giant tag, the job is to confirm that the shirt around it matches: heavy cotton, era-correct stitching and a print that has aged naturally.
How to date a Giant by Tee Jays tag by era
1989–1992
Black tag with white "GIANT" lettering, made in USA.
1993–1997
Same tag, sometimes with "Made in USA" variations and size tab.
Single stitch vs double stitch on Giant by Tee Jays
Single stitch through about 1994, then a transition to double stitch.
Real signs
- Heavy cotton with a boxy fit
- Woven-feel black tag with slight curl
- RN 81139 printed on tag
Red flags
- Glossy printed tag
- Wrong RN number
- Thin, soft modern tri-blend fabric
How to authenticate a Giant by Tee Jays tee
Fabric weight
Authentic Giant shirts are heavy, dense cotton with a boxy cut. A thin, stretchy or tri-blend body with a Giant tag is a red flag.
Tag finish
Compare the tag's material and print with known examples. Glossy, overly crisp or plasticky tags deserve a close look.
Stitch transition
Earlier Giant shirts tend to be single stitch, with double stitch appearing as the decade went on. Treat stitching as one clue among several.
Copyright and licensing
Licensed band and rap tees on Giant usually carry a printed copyright line with a year. Check it matches the tour or release.
Archive tees on Giant by Tee Jays blanks
What collectors should know about Giant by Tee Jays
Giant is associated with heavyweight 100% cotton and a generous, boxy cut. That heavier hand feel is one reason Giant-tagged band and rap shirts are among the most sought-after in the 90s market.
Many collectors cite Giant as a key blank for early-90s alternative and grunge merch. Because those shirts are so valuable, Giant tags are also one of the most commonly reproduced labels.
Late-90s Giant tags often move away from "Made in USA" toward imported or mixed origin lines, which collectors use to separate early and late runs.
Anatomy of a Giant by Tee Jays tag: what to read, line by line
Front of the tag
On a Giant by Tee Jays tag, start with the logo, font and colors. Compare letter spacing and ink tone against confirmed examples from the same era; modern reproductions often look too crisp, too bright or slightly off in proportion.
Size marking
Look at how the size is shown on the Giant by Tee Jays tag: printed directly, on a separate size tab, or stamped. Era changes often show up first in small details like size placement.
Fabric content line
The fiber content line (for example 50/50, 100% cotton or tri-blend) should match how the shirt actually feels. A heavy, stiff shirt with a tag claiming paper-thin 50/50 is a mismatch worth questioning.
Country of origin
"Made in USA" lines are common on older Giant by Tee Jays tags. Later shirts may say assembled elsewhere from U.S. components, or list a fully offshore origin. This one line often narrows the date range more than anything else.
RN number and care text
The RN number identifies the company responsible for the garment. Care instructions and symbols also changed over time; modern pictogram-heavy care labels on a supposedly early tee are a red flag.
How the tag is attached
Check the thread holding the tag. Original stitching should look as aged as the collar. Fresh, bright thread or extra needle holes suggest a tag was swapped or re-sewn.
Giant by Tee Jays country of origin timeline
Late 1970s – 1980s
Most Giant by Tee Jays shirts collectors encounter from this period are U.S.-made, often in thin 50/50 or soft cotton, with single-stitch sleeves and hems.
Early – mid 1990s
Fabric weights increase across the industry and 100% cotton becomes more common. Single stitch gradually gives way to double stitch around 1994–1996.
Late 1990s
Production shifts offshore across most U.S. apparel brands. Tags begin listing Mexico, Central America or other origins, and double stitch becomes the norm.
2000s and later
Any Giant by Tee Jays tag produced in this era should be treated as modern for collecting purposes, even if the graphic references an older band, film or event.
Vintage Giant by Tee Jays sizing: pit to pit and length
Vintage sizes run differently from modern ones and vary shirt to shirt. These are typical ranges collectors report; always ask for real measurements before buying.
| Tag size | Pit to pit | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Small (vintage) | 17–18 in | 25–26 in |
| Medium (vintage) | 19–20 in | 26–27 in |
| Large (vintage) | 20–21.5 in | 27–28 in |
| XL (vintage) | 22–23.5 in | 28–30 in |
| XXL (vintage) | 24–26 in | 29–31 in |
Shirts commonly found on Giant by Tee Jays blanks
- Early-90s grunge and alternative band merch
- 1990s rap tour and album promo tees
- Movie promotional shirts
- Heavy metal and hardcore merch
- Licensed cartoon and character prints
How Giant by Tee Jays fakes and reprints are made
Reproduced tags on modern blanks
Some sellers attach printed copies of a Giant by Tee Jays tag to new shirts. The giveaway is usually the blank itself: modern double-stitched hems, tubular vs side-seam construction mismatches, and fabric that feels too uniform.
Swapped tags
A genuine old tag can be cut from a cheap shirt and sewn into a reprint. Look for extra needle holes in the collar, mismatched thread color, and tags that are noticeably cleaner or dirtier than the collar around them.
Artificial aging
Sanding, bleaching and heavy washing can fake fade. Real age wears unevenly: collars, cuffs, armpits and print edges fade first, while protected areas stay darker.
Too-perfect prints
Digitally printed or freshly screen-printed reproductions often have flat, plastic-feeling ink with no cracking. Vintage plastisol and water-based prints show cracking, softening and fading that follows the fabric's wear.
Buying a Giant by Tee Jays tee online: checklist
- Ask the seller for clear photos of both sides of the Giant by Tee Jays tag, the sleeve hem, bottom hem and any copyright line on the print.
- Request pit-to-pit and length measurements in inches; vintage tag sizes run differently from modern sizing.
- Check for holes, stains and dry rot by asking for photos in natural light, held up to a window.
- Compare the listing against several confirmed examples, not just one reference photo.
- Be extra careful with high-value graphics: the more valuable a shirt is, the more likely it has been reproduced.
Giant by Tee Jays tag FAQ
What RN number does Giant use?
Authentic Giant tags carry RN 81139.
Why are so many valuable 90s tees on Giant?
Giant was a common choice for licensed merch companies in the early 90s, the same years many now-iconic grunge and rap shirts were printed.
Are double stitch Giant tees still vintage?
Yes, many are. Double stitch usually points later in the 90s, not to a fake on its own.
Does a Giant by Tee Jays tag prove a shirt is vintage?
No. Tags can be cut from old shirts and sewn into new ones. Confirm the tag agrees with the stitching, fabric weight, print method and wear before trusting it.
How much is a vintage Giant by Tee Jays tee worth?
The blank rarely sets the price. The graphic, band or subject, size, condition and whether it is single stitch drive value. The Giant by Tee Jays tag mainly helps confirm age.
How do I fit a vintage Giant by Tee Jays shirt?
Ignore the size on the tag and measure pit to pit and length. Decades of washing shrink and twist old cotton, so a tagged XL often fits like a modern medium or large.