Brands
Screen Stars
A comprehensive resource of defunct t-shirt labels manufactured prior to the year 2000.
Brand #1: Screen Stars
Circulation: Common
Era: 1980 – Mid 90s
Information: Screen Stars is a staple within the vintage tee community and considered by some enthusiasts as one of the best fitting, best quality vintage t-shirt brands. The tag has featured numerous design incarnations throughout its existence which has featured sizing from kids to a rare vintage adult XXXL. Typically a poly-cotton blend Screen Stars also had a 100% cotton tee characterized by a blue logo on the tag.
It was first manufactured by Fruit of the Loom in 1980 specifically for the “imprint” market and went on to become the screen printing industry’s choice blank throughout the decade. In the late 1980s the label read “Screen Stars Best” which was an extension of the Fruit of the Loom corporation. The RN links it to the Union Underwear Company which has been around since 1926, based out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. In 1938 Union was licensed to use Fruit of the Loom for its garments.
Have a photo of a tag design we missed? Please share it by clicking on “+image” below the comments field!
- View our vintage t-shirt brand guide.
- Check out our forum discussions with later versions of Screen Stars tags.
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![[ LINK IN BIO ] In honor of May the 4th we connected with a gentleman named Shawn whose father, Ira, worked for ILM. He designed the Biker Scout, need we say more? Shawn shared an epic tale of a bootleg Star Wars tee his dad heroically stashed away despite George Lucas' attempt to have it destroyed.
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RIP Ira Keeler. Long live the resistance.
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Hermosa Vintage
February 1, 2010 at 1:17 pm
There was one last variation on the screen stars tag from the mid 90’s, white nylon, with blue and black lettering. (and like a jerk i deleted the old photos of it i had from a couple years back). Also I’ve seen new poly blend tees branded with the screen stars tag, are they bringing it back?
jesvox
March 5, 2010 at 7:05 am
the most comfort! nice to see the timeline, screen stars are the best and coolest prints, screen stars BEST are not that great the sizes are bigger and the fabric is thickr.
Groovy Post~
Cheers!
Katelyn
March 6, 2010 at 10:11 am
Can anyone date the tag in the middle?
Jimmy J
March 6, 2010 at 10:19 am
It was used throughout the 80s – I have found shirts with that tag from 1989, even beyond. I think the tag on the right replaced it on the production line at the end of the decade. However, since so many blanks with the middle tag were manufactured, they were printed on for years after they were discontinued.
Prof Polyester
April 7, 2010 at 10:22 am
Let us not forget this beautiful blue label
In a weird twist, over in the UK around 1995 they started manufacturing cotton tees with a white Screen Stars tag. Quality was mixed.
A couple years back I went to the Long Beach Imprinted Sportswear convention and talked to the Fruit of the Loom people and one rep told me they were planning on bringing Screen Stars back…as 100% cotton shirts. I was like, “Say whah????” That’s like unfreezing John Wayne and putting him in a samurai flick!!!
Tommy C.
November 9, 2010 at 9:29 pm
I was browsing at a 99cent store one day and stumbled upon a gigantic cart full of assorted t-shirts. Found some in my size and color and bought them for $0.99 each. To my surprise, these are the best fitting t’s I’ve ever worn. Some were 100% cotton and some were 50/50. I love both. I’ve asked the owner of the 99cent store where he got them and if he’ll get more but he was unsure and quite secretive about his supplier. Does anyone know where I can buy some more of these fabulous t-shirts?
kim
April 18, 2011 at 10:53 am
does this company still exists?
Oldelectric
August 22, 2011 at 4:31 am
Thought I’d add a good example of the blue label Screen Stars. I don’t think it was ever worn.
Anonymous
August 22, 2011 at 7:35 pm
test
Anonymous
August 22, 2011 at 11:21 pm
This is a test comment by Disqus employee Tyler using Chrome 13.0.782.112’s Incognito mode. A .jpeg image of a cute puppy is attached.
Anonymous
August 22, 2011 at 11:23 pm
this is a test test test
Oldelectric
August 23, 2011 at 2:47 am
Blue label Screen Stars example. This shirt is from an event in 1981.
Anonymous
September 26, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Heavy Screen Stars…
defunkd
May 8, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Premium Screen Stars compliments of Fatandyz
Cotton Salvage
July 18, 2012 at 11:46 pm
All cotton Value Weight T from ’95
Cotton Salvage
July 19, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Super, green accents
Ryan Brennan
August 31, 2012 at 2:13 am
This is from a shirt I’m selling on ebay. This is one of the oldest tag designs I’ve seen for Screen Stars. Here’s a link to the shirt if anyone is interested.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Thin-Screen-Stars-Novelty-Arrow-T-Shirt-If-Youre-Looking-For-A-Fool-/271048186181?pt=Vintage_Unisex_T_Shirts&hash=item3f1bbb1945
Jeremy Jordan
December 21, 2012 at 12:05 pm
The “BEST” shirts are thicker because “BEST” was their premium shirt. The Screen Stars label with out “Best” was their basic weight weight economy tee.
blackcat1369
January 10, 2013 at 11:35 am
nothing beats the old paper thin screen stars shirts!! i too found a few .99 cent ones in a basket at a local grocery store. they were 50/50’s but still feel and fit great. ive just never liked how the newer heavier shirts feel or look. they just dont ‘hang’ right!!
defunkd
March 4, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Junior Stars!!
Stephen Voland
May 21, 2013 at 2:51 pm
A SS Tag From a 1994 Pink Floyd Italy Tour Shirt “Made In England”
defunkd
August 15, 2013 at 12:02 am
Screen Stars from a sweatshirt!
defunkd
October 21, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Screen Stars distant cousin. RN indicates same company: Union Underwear Company.
defunkd
December 15, 2013 at 3:46 am
What the eff is this? embroidered SS tag?
it's just me
March 18, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Not embroidery – it’s a woven label. Looks like a woven edge needle loom with a panel weave.
Thanks for sharing this image – I didn’t know they did a woven label.
defunkd
July 14, 2014 at 11:15 am
Screen Stars Made in Canada
defunkd
July 21, 2014 at 7:49 pm
Weird elongated – boxed SS tag!
Jojo818
September 8, 2014 at 6:17 am
I have a screen stars tshirt 50/50 blend. 32 years old and still wear it. It is the most comfortable tshirt I’ve ever owned. Made in the USA.
enVie of Florida
September 10, 2014 at 8:16 pm
1980s Screen Star labels were blue for 100% cotton. This one’s from a 1982 Police Tour T.
enVie of Florida
September 10, 2014 at 8:17 pm
1980s Screen Star labels were red for cotton/poly blends. This one is from 1982 as well.
enVie of Florida
September 10, 2014 at 8:17 pm
This tag came from my 1981 Dan Fogleberg Concert Tour T.
Fashion Urbia
June 20, 2015 at 9:04 pm
are these not fakes from Pakistan ?
Fashion Urbia
June 20, 2015 at 9:04 pm
what era was this ?
defunkd
August 28, 2015 at 2:29 pm
Long tag from 96…perhaps made for Mexico.
Becky
September 22, 2015 at 7:20 pm
Screen stars sweatshirt?! says made in Ireland on the other side of label. no idea how old, can you tell me anything about it?
defunkd
September 24, 2015 at 8:17 pm
Prob early 90s.
Tropical Efforts
November 29, 2015 at 11:43 pm
I have a 1990 screen stars XXXL Janet Jackson tee. Is it rarer/worth more because of the sizing?
defunkd
December 6, 2015 at 9:30 pm
Probably worth something to a Janet fan who can’t find anything in their size, yes. But also depends on the design.
Visnu Soprano
May 2, 2016 at 2:23 pm
I bought a Guns N Roses Use Your Illusions II tee from 1991 Licensed to Brockum. The tag says Screen Stars but its Made in Ireland and at the back of the tag it says “Manufactured by Fruit Of The Loom International Ltd, Buncrana, CO Donegal, Ireland.
Theres a CA and RN number too.
Is this an authentic vintage tee?
The tee looks too new to me…
defunkd
May 7, 2016 at 3:01 pm
The front of the tag is a terrible photo, but from what I can see – looks okay. screen stars were manufactured in many countries, USA, Canada, Ireland.
Visnu Soprano
May 8, 2016 at 4:17 am
Thanks a whole bunch! 🙂
Alex777
September 28, 2016 at 6:00 am
just bought a shirt and i would like to know the date and hoping is authentic?
Front is a “tooth washes” screenprint
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ffea849ae69891a6704ed80dc6d1c03e80d83209d71bffd5cf25137c4b21e35c.jpg
defunkd
October 1, 2016 at 3:31 pm
90s era.
yuhhhhhhhturnup
February 7, 2017 at 10:19 pm
I would love to find some blank Screen stars shirts from S-XL in black, pre owned preferably. If anyone has any, I will pay $15 per shirt. Please send me an email t.wil22soccer@gmail.com Thanks!
april proveaux
October 13, 2017 at 12:48 am
From a shirt from 1981 https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6986fb9bb6d4b264492b5e58114104b3a29070dc0ca25228b675692d9ec2532c.jpg