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Monarch butterfly front and back print · 100% ring-spun cotton · six garment-dyed colors · Comfort Colors 1717 · printed graphic, nothing stitched on

Garment-Dyed Tee · Front & Back · Our Bestseller

Monarch Butterfly

Quiet from the front. Unforgettable from behind.

Monarch Butterfly Front and Back T-Shirt in Blue Jean - large line-art monarch across the back of a garment-dyed Comfort Colors tee

Shown in Blue Jean. Garment-dyed 6.1 oz cotton, soft from the very first wear.

Front and back, on the shirt and in motion.

A small monarch over the heart, and a full one in flight across the back. Both are drawn in a single fine black line — the forewing and hindwing, the veins that divide them into cells, the row of white dots along the margin that every monarch carries — with nothing filled in, so the shirt color is the butterfly's color. There is no text anywhere on it. From the front it reads as a plain, well-made tee with a small mark at the chest; the design shows itself when you turn around. This is the design that started the shop, and still the one people come back for.

The Design

Front: a small monarch at the left chest, about the size of a real one

Back: a large monarch centered between the shoulder blades, wings fully open

Style: minimalist line art in black ink — a single clean outline, no fill, no color panel

No text. There is no lettering, slogan, place name or wordmark anywhere in this design

Technique: a printed graphic — the ink sits in the cotton with no heavy patch, and nothing is stitched or sewn on

Monarch Butterfly Front and Back T-Shirt in Espresso, back view - large black line-art monarch on dark brown garment-dyed cotton

The back, in Espresso. One continuous line on garment-dyed cotton — no fill, no frame.

Monarch Butterfly Front and Back T-Shirt in Chalky Mint, front view - small monarch at the chest of a garment-dyed Comfort Colors tee

The front, in Chalky Mint. Small enough to miss until you look twice.

The generation that makes the flight is not the generation that comes back. Monarchs heading to Mexico live around eight months rather than the usual few weeks, travel up to three thousand miles, and arrive at groves in the Sierra Madre none of them has ever seen — navigating by the sun with a clock in their antennae that corrects for the time of day. Their great-grandchildren make the return trip north. Nobody in the family ever completes the round journey, and the route survives anyway.

The Story Behind It

✦ ✦ ✦

She wore it to the airport the morning she left for the job in the other city. Her mother walked her to security and did not cry, which took some doing, and then stood there watching the back of the shirt move away through the line — the butterfly between the shoulder blades, wings open, getting smaller.

It was the first thing she had ever bought her daughter without a word on it. No school name, no slogan, nothing to grow out of. Just the small one at the chest, where her daughter would see it every morning in the mirror and think of nothing in particular, and the big one on the back, which her mother would remember for a long time.

✦ ✦ ✦

Wear it for the thing you carry quietly, and let the people behind you see the rest.

Monarch Butterfly Front and Back T-Shirt in Bay sage green, back view - line-art monarch on a garment-dyed Comfort Colors tee

Bay. The softest of the six, and the one that disappears into a garden.

A gift for a daughter leaving home, for a friend in the middle of a change, for a mother who has never once asked for anything with words on it, or for yourself on the first warm day. It is the most-given shirt in the shop for a reason: it is impossible to get wrong. If you want the same monarch with more color, the Monarch & Wildflowers front-and-back tee is the painted version.

Details

Small front print at the left chest and a large back print between the shoulders

Relaxed unisex fit, roomy through the chest, a touch shorter in the body than a classic tee

Crew neck, short sleeves, no pocket

Ribbed collar; twill-taped shoulder-to-shoulder; double-needle sleeves and hem

Tubular body with no side seams, so it keeps its shape

Six colors — Blue Jean, Bay, Chambray, Chalky Mint, Chili and Espresso — sizes S to 4XL (not every color runs the full range; the options above show what is in stock)

Ready-made design — choose a color and size, nothing to upload or customize

Made to order in the USA, printed and shipped in 2–5 business days · free US shipping, no minimum

Fabric

Printed on a Comfort Colors 1717 garment-dyed t-shirt blank

100% ring-spun US cotton, 6.1 oz — heavier and softer than a standard tee, with a little structure to it

Soft-washed after dyeing, so it arrives already broken in

Dyed after the garment is sewn, using salt-free pigment dyes; OEKO-TEX certified

Holds its shape through the wash, with almost no shrinkage at home

The graphic will not crack or peel. It is printed flat into the face of the cotton — no heavy vinyl patch, no rubbery texture, nothing to pull loose

Choosing a Color

The line is black, so every color works; the lighter the shirt, the crisper the butterfly reads.

Blue Jean. Washed mid-denim blue, the one on the hero photo and our most-ordered color. Goes with everything you already own.

Chambray. A paler, dustier blue — the summer version of Blue Jean.

Bay. Soft sage green. The quietest of the six; the butterfly looks like it landed on a leaf.

Chalky Mint. Pale cool mint. The crispest contrast and the most spring.

Chili. Muted brick red. The black line turns bold here — the one for someone who wants the back to be seen from across the street.

Espresso. Deep washed brown. Low-contrast and tonal; the butterfly is there when the light hits it.

Garment-dyed colors look softer and more muted in person than on a screen, and each piece varies slightly. That lived-in tone is part of the charm.

Sizing

Fit at a glance: relaxed fit, roomy through the chest · length hits at the hip · short sleeve · 6.1 oz heavyweight cotton · runs true to size

A relaxed unisex cut that most people wear true to size. Size down one for a closer fit; size up for an oversized look.

Adult sizes only, S to 4XL. Between sizes? We will make it right, free.

See the full size guide →

Care

Machine wash cold, inside out. Tumble dry low. Avoid bleach, high heat, and ironing directly over the artwork.

Pairs Well With

The painted monarchs, and the rest of the front-and-back designs.

Monarch & WildflowersMilkweed & MonarchMidnight Firefly — Front & BackAll Front & BackAll Butterflies

There's always a butterfly.

Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 5 / 5 from 66 reviews.

It’s a Christmas present for my sister so time will tell.

Wildflower Heart Wreath T-Shirt

Store owner replied: Thank you, Marian! A wildflower wreath is such a beautiful and thoughtful choice for a sister. We hope she absolutely loves it and that it makes her smile!

Honestly, I just really like the message. I overthink a lot, so it’s a nice little reminder to give myself more credit.

Stronger Braver Smarter Daisy T-Shirt

The bay color is really pretty and goes so well with the butterfly and floral design. The artwork has a lot of little details that look even nicer in person. The shirt is soft and comfortable, and the fit is just the way I like it.

Butterfly Graphic Tee — Wings of Jade

I absolutely love this sweatshirt! The butterfly design is beautiful and has such a cool vintage feel. It’s soft, cozy, and comfortable for everyday wear. The relaxed fit and muted colors make it easy to style. Really happy with it!

Vintage Monarch — Butterfly Sweatshirt

I was expecting a men’s size small so it was smaller than expected. The color was a bit different than what I thought but it’s still nice.

Monarch Butterfly Front & Back T-Shirt

Pretty shirt and the bird is even nicer in person. I like the flowers around it and the colors are soft, not too bright. The fit was what I expected.

Painted Bunting T-Shirt — A Song in Color

The sweatshirt has a nice weight to it and feels comfortable without being stiff. The tiger is really detailed and I like how the bamboo and magnolia frame the design. I went with my usual size and it fits roomy.

Tiger, Magnolia & Bamboo Sweatshirt — Garment-Dyed Fleece

My dog brings the pawsitive energy. I mostly bring the treats! The saying made me smile, and it’s just the kind of slightly cheesy dog humor I love.

Dog Mom T-Shirt — Pawsitive Energy

The flowers and hot air balloon are such a pretty combination. A little whimsical, which I love. This one caught my eye right away.

Floral Hot Air Balloon T-Shirt

The butterfly print is really pretty and there are a lot of little details in the flowers. Shirt is soft and comfortable. It looks nice with jeans and I’ve already worn it a few times

Floral Butterfly Wing T-Shirt — Garment-Dyed Cotton

Love the saying on this shirt. Walking with my dog is one of my favorite parts of the day, so it feels very me. A cute design that makes me smile.

Dog Kisses Fix Everything

Bought this for my girlfriend and she really liked it. The blue butterfly is beautiful and the colors look even better in person. She said it’s really comfortable and the relaxed fit works well. Definitely glad I picked this one.

Blue Morpho & Hydrangea Sweatshirt — Garment-Dyed Fleece

Really love the flower bouquet on this one. The little butterflies are a sweet detail, and the whole design feels cheerful without being too much. Just my kind of shirt.

Good-Mood Energy Wildflower Bouquet T-Shirt

Picked this out for my stepmom’s birthday. The wildflowers and little butterflies are so pretty, and the design felt like something she would enjoy. A sweet find that made choosing her gift a little easier.

Wildflower Meadow Butterfly T-Shirt — Garment-Dyed Cotton

Nice quality shirt and the bee/sunflower design is very well done. I ordered the darker color and the artwork shows up really nicely against it. Fits good and the fabric feels substantial.

Bee & Sunflower Crest T-Shirt — Garment-Dyed Cotton

Love this design! The sunflower turning into butterflies is such a pretty touch. It just feels cheerful.

Sunflower Flutter Butterfly T-Shirt

Really like this tee. The Luna moth and moonflower design looks even better in person, and the shirt is comfortable without feeling too heavy. The fit is pretty good and it washes well so far. Definitely a nice addition to my wardrobe.

Luna Moth & Moonflowers Botanical T-Shirt

This has a different look than most of the celestial shirts I’ve seen. I like the folk-art style and all the little details around the sun and moon. The shirt itself is comfortable and the print looks good.

Folk Fauna Celestial Sun & Moon T-Shirt

The front is pretty simple, but the back is what really caught my attention. I like all the little details in the sun, moon, and flowers, and the design has a nice vintage feel to it. The shirt is soft and comfortable, and the fit is relaxed like I expected. The print looks really good in person too.

Celestial Sun & Moon Wildflower T-Shirt — Garment-Dyed Cotton

My daughter received the shirt the other day (I had ordered it for her as a surprise). She loved the color and she loved the texture. (she also loves butterflies). Said it was so soft Thanks.

Butterfly Flutter Watercolor Tee

Store owner replied: Thank you, MaDonna! A surprise gift for a daughter who loves butterflies, that is exactly why we make these. So happy it arrived soft and landed well. Please enjoy. Max

I like the shirt overall. The design looks nice and it’s pretty comfortable, although the fit was a little different than I expected. The material is decent and I’ve worn it a few times already. I’m happy with it.

Be You. Do You. For You. Wildflower T-Shirt

Such a cute and comfortable tee! I love the simple design and the message feels so positive without being over the top. The fabric is soft and it fits really nicely. It’s one of those easy everyday shirts I know I’ll be wearing a lot.

Collect Beautiful Moments Butterfly T-Shirt

Good everyday long sleeve. The fabric has some weight to it but it’s still comfortable for layering. I like the message on this one and the relaxed fit worked well for me.

Where Joy Leads Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Really nice shirt. The design is pretty and I like the message without it feeling too over the top. The fabric is soft and the fit is comfortable and a little relaxed. I got the Chambray color and the flowers and butterflies look really nice against the blue. It’s an easy everyday shirt and I’ve already worn it a few times.

Be You. Do You. For You. Wildflower T-Shirt

Perfect fit color and perfect monarch!

Monarch Butterfly Front & Back – Tee

Store owner replied: Pamela, thank you! This made our whole day. The Monarch is the design that started it all for us, so hearing that the fit, the color, and the butterfly all landed perfectly is everything we hope for. Thank you for supporting our small shop. Max & Anya, The Known Pack

The chambray color is really pretty and goes nicely with the floral design. I like the vintage look of the artwork and the colors are just right, not too bright. The shirt is soft and comfortable, and the fit is relaxed without being too loose. It’s an easy shirt to wear with jeans or shorts.

Sunkissed & Thriving Retro Floral T-Shirt

Beautiful!

Bee Gentle Tee

Store owner replied: Thank you, Mary - she's one of our gentlest designs, glad she found a good home. Max

Beautiful Shirt & fast shipping!

Be You. Do You. For You. — Wildflower Tee

Store owner replied: Thank you so much, Lori! "Be You. Do You. For You." is one of our favorites too. Hand-drawn wildflowers with a reminder we all need. So glad it reached you quickly, and it only gets softer with every wash. Max, The Known Pack

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Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 5 / 5 from 66 reviews.

It’s a Christmas present for my sister so time will tell.

Wildflower Heart Wreath T-Shirt

Store owner replied: Thank you, Marian! A wildflower wreath is such a beautiful and thoughtful choice for a sister. We hope she absolutely loves it and that it makes her smile!

Honestly, I just really like the message. I overthink a lot, so it’s a nice little reminder to give myself more credit.

Stronger Braver Smarter Daisy T-Shirt

The bay color is really pretty and goes so well with the butterfly and floral design. The artwork has a lot of little details that look even nicer in person. The shirt is soft and comfortable, and the fit is just the way I like it.

Butterfly Graphic Tee — Wings of Jade

I absolutely love this sweatshirt! The butterfly design is beautiful and has such a cool vintage feel. It’s soft, cozy, and comfortable for everyday wear. The relaxed fit and muted colors make it easy to style. Really happy with it!

Vintage Monarch — Butterfly Sweatshirt

I was expecting a men’s size small so it was smaller than expected. The color was a bit different than what I thought but it’s still nice.

Monarch Butterfly Front & Back T-Shirt

Pretty shirt and the bird is even nicer in person. I like the flowers around it and the colors are soft, not too bright. The fit was what I expected.

Painted Bunting T-Shirt — A Song in Color

The sweatshirt has a nice weight to it and feels comfortable without being stiff. The tiger is really detailed and I like how the bamboo and magnolia frame the design. I went with my usual size and it fits roomy.

Tiger, Magnolia & Bamboo Sweatshirt — Garment-Dyed Fleece

My dog brings the pawsitive energy. I mostly bring the treats! The saying made me smile, and it’s just the kind of slightly cheesy dog humor I love.

Dog Mom T-Shirt — Pawsitive Energy

The flowers and hot air balloon are such a pretty combination. A little whimsical, which I love. This one caught my eye right away.

Floral Hot Air Balloon T-Shirt

The butterfly print is really pretty and there are a lot of little details in the flowers. Shirt is soft and comfortable. It looks nice with jeans and I’ve already worn it a few times

Floral Butterfly Wing T-Shirt — Garment-Dyed Cotton

Love the saying on this shirt. Walking with my dog is one of my favorite parts of the day, so it feels very me. A cute design that makes me smile.

Dog Kisses Fix Everything

Bought this for my girlfriend and she really liked it. The blue butterfly is beautiful and the colors look even better in person. She said it’s really comfortable and the relaxed fit works well. Definitely glad I picked this one.

Blue Morpho & Hydrangea Sweatshirt — Garment-Dyed Fleece

Really love the flower bouquet on this one. The little butterflies are a sweet detail, and the whole design feels cheerful without being too much. Just my kind of shirt.

Good-Mood Energy Wildflower Bouquet T-Shirt

Picked this out for my stepmom’s birthday. The wildflowers and little butterflies are so pretty, and the design felt like something she would enjoy. A sweet find that made choosing her gift a little easier.

Wildflower Meadow Butterfly T-Shirt — Garment-Dyed Cotton

Nice quality shirt and the bee/sunflower design is very well done. I ordered the darker color and the artwork shows up really nicely against it. Fits good and the fabric feels substantial.

Bee & Sunflower Crest T-Shirt — Garment-Dyed Cotton

Love this design! The sunflower turning into butterflies is such a pretty touch. It just feels cheerful.

Sunflower Flutter Butterfly T-Shirt

Really like this tee. The Luna moth and moonflower design looks even better in person, and the shirt is comfortable without feeling too heavy. The fit is pretty good and it washes well so far. Definitely a nice addition to my wardrobe.

Luna Moth & Moonflowers Botanical T-Shirt

This has a different look than most of the celestial shirts I’ve seen. I like the folk-art style and all the little details around the sun and moon. The shirt itself is comfortable and the print looks good.

Folk Fauna Celestial Sun & Moon T-Shirt

The front is pretty simple, but the back is what really caught my attention. I like all the little details in the sun, moon, and flowers, and the design has a nice vintage feel to it. The shirt is soft and comfortable, and the fit is relaxed like I expected. The print looks really good in person too.

Celestial Sun & Moon Wildflower T-Shirt — Garment-Dyed Cotton

My daughter received the shirt the other day (I had ordered it for her as a surprise). She loved the color and she loved the texture. (she also loves butterflies). Said it was so soft Thanks.

Butterfly Flutter Watercolor Tee

Store owner replied: Thank you, MaDonna! A surprise gift for a daughter who loves butterflies, that is exactly why we make these. So happy it arrived soft and landed well. Please enjoy. Max

I like the shirt overall. The design looks nice and it’s pretty comfortable, although the fit was a little different than I expected. The material is decent and I’ve worn it a few times already. I’m happy with it.

Be You. Do You. For You. Wildflower T-Shirt

Such a cute and comfortable tee! I love the simple design and the message feels so positive without being over the top. The fabric is soft and it fits really nicely. It’s one of those easy everyday shirts I know I’ll be wearing a lot.

Collect Beautiful Moments Butterfly T-Shirt

Good everyday long sleeve. The fabric has some weight to it but it’s still comfortable for layering. I like the message on this one and the relaxed fit worked well for me.

Where Joy Leads Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Really nice shirt. The design is pretty and I like the message without it feeling too over the top. The fabric is soft and the fit is comfortable and a little relaxed. I got the Chambray color and the flowers and butterflies look really nice against the blue. It’s an easy everyday shirt and I’ve already worn it a few times.

Be You. Do You. For You. Wildflower T-Shirt

Perfect fit color and perfect monarch!

Monarch Butterfly Front & Back – Tee

Store owner replied: Pamela, thank you! This made our whole day. The Monarch is the design that started it all for us, so hearing that the fit, the color, and the butterfly all landed perfectly is everything we hope for. Thank you for supporting our small shop. Max & Anya, The Known Pack

The chambray color is really pretty and goes nicely with the floral design. I like the vintage look of the artwork and the colors are just right, not too bright. The shirt is soft and comfortable, and the fit is relaxed without being too loose. It’s an easy shirt to wear with jeans or shorts.

Sunkissed & Thriving Retro Floral T-Shirt

Beautiful!

Bee Gentle Tee

Store owner replied: Thank you, Mary - she's one of our gentlest designs, glad she found a good home. Max

Beautiful Shirt & fast shipping!

Be You. Do You. For You. — Wildflower Tee

Store owner replied: Thank you so much, Lori! "Be You. Do You. For You." is one of our favorites too. Hand-drawn wildflowers with a reminder we all need. So glad it reached you quickly, and it only gets softer with every wash. Max, The Known Pack