Wear the Receipt: Why Citation QR Code Tees Matter
These T-shirts put verification front and center. Each tee is printed with a short, documented false statement plus a scannable QR code that jumps to the source material. Instead of asking people to take your word for it, you give them a direct path to primary documents and third-party fact checks, right from your chest. It is accountability you can wear.
Our goal is practical: make truth-telling portable, repeatable, and easy to verify. That is why every design prioritizes clarity and scanning reliability. Whether you are on a campus walkway, canvassing a neighborhood, or stepping into a newsroom, these cotton tees do what good documentation does - they reduce debate to the evidence.
Built by researchers and product engineers at Lie Library, this merch landing collection is focused on two things that matter most for credibility: readable claims and dependable, citation-first links that hold up over time.
How the Citation QR Code Works on This Product
The QR code on each shirt resolves to a permanent, maintained evidence page that contains:
- Primary sources like transcripts, court filings, or government data, tagged and dated
- Mirrors or archived snapshots to defend against link rot
- Independent fact-check reports from multiple outlets for context
Scanning is straightforward:
- Open your phone camera, point at the code, and tap the prompt
- If your device is older or you prefer manual entry, a short URL is printed below the code as a fallback
- All links default to HTTPS and redirect to a canonical page that is monitored and versioned
Technical notes for reliability:
- Code modules are rendered at a minimum 1.4 inch square on adult sizes with high-contrast inks for daytime and indoor lighting
- We include quiet zone padding so edge-to-edge shirt graphics do not interfere with scanning
- Each design is tested against common iOS and Android camera apps at arm’s length, mid torso, and close-up distances
Product Details - Materials, Printing, Durability
These T-shirts are designed for everyday wear and repeated washes while preserving legibility.
- Fabric: 100 percent combed ring-spun cotton on most colorways, heathered variants may include a small polyester blend for softness
- Weight: Midweight 4.3 oz to 5.3 oz fabrics for structure without bulk
- Fit: Unisex classic fit with shoulder taping to reduce twisting, side-seamed for shape retention
- Inks: Water-based or eco-conscious plastisol depending on colorway, selected for crisp edges on small QR modules
- Print method: Direct-to-garment for fine detail or screen print on high-run designs, both tuned for contrast and sharpness
- Care: Machine wash cold, inside out, with similar colors, tumble dry low, avoid fabric softeners, do not iron directly over the QR code
Durability expectations:
- QR codes are tested to remain scannable after 40 to 50 standard wash cycles when care guidelines are followed
- Short URLs remain maintained and redirect to active citations, so even if someone photographs your shirt, the link continues to work
- Printed text is sized for readability at typical conversation distance - roughly 3 to 6 feet
Design Principles - Typography, Readability, Attribution
Each design follows a documentation-first system so that your shirt performs like a citation in a conversation.
- Hierarchy: The lie is concise and bold, the QR code sits adjacent or below, and a compact attribution line provides date and context
- Typography: High x-height sans serif faces for maximum legibility, tight but readable leading, no fragile hairlines
- Contrast: White on black or black on light fabric to keep the QR error rate low, with generous margins around the code
- Length control: We keep claims short - typically one to two brief lines - to prevent wrap artifacts and to focus attention on the code
- Attribution: Designs include a small line with source type and date so viewers have immediate context even before they scan
- Fallback: A short URL printed under the code ensures access when cameras fail, crowd control or distance makes scanning hard, or someone prefers typing
Who These Tees Are For
- Journalists and producers: Wear a shirt to a community event and direct viewers straight to the receipts. For newsroom-friendly assets and sourcing workflows, see Lie Library for Journalists.
- Voters and volunteers: Turn a doorstep or rally into a quick, verifiable conversation by letting neighbors scan the claim and read the source while you talk
- Canvassers and organizers: Equip a team with consistent messaging, a unified link structure, and audit-ready citations
- Students and educators: Use a tee as a live teaching aid, then assign the linked primary documents for homework
- Civic technologists: Evaluate our link architecture, scan performance, and archive strategy, then integrate the approach into your own projects
How to Choose a Design That Matches Your Values
Pick the statement category that aligns with the conversations you are having. If you volunteer on voting rights or civic education, start with election-related designs. If your community work centers on public health, choose a claim from health policy. Matching the topic to your audience keeps the conversation grounded.
Use these tips to select the right tee:
- Audience first: If you are knocking doors in a district focused on turnout and access, start with Election Claims: Fact-Checked Archive | Lie Library and choose a design that addresses that topic
- Reading distance: If you expect most conversations to happen outdoors or at rallies, choose high-contrast colorways with larger module codes
- Tone control: Opt for designs with straightforward phrasing that invites scanning and questions instead of argument
- Group consistency: For teams, standardize on a single design so the QR resolves to the same evidence page across photos and videos
- Size and cut: Select unisex or fitted cuts based on your event schedule - fitted cuts can appear sharper on camera, unisex offers broader size flexibility for loaner sets
Shipping, Returns, and Sustainability Notes
We ship domestically and internationally with tracking. Most in-stock tees dispatch within 2 to 4 business days, while made-to-order prints may add a short production window depending on volume. At checkout you will see live timelines and carrier options. If you are outfitting a team with a firm event date, order a buffer ahead of time or contact support for schedule guidance.
Returns are accepted for unworn, unwashed items within a standard return window. Exchanges for size or color are available as inventory permits. QR codes do not affect returns - if a print arrives flawed or the code is not scannable out of the bag, we will replace it.
We prioritize responsible inputs. Most tees use cotton from suppliers participating in more sustainable cultivation practices. When available, we use water-based inks and package orders in recyclable or recycled materials. Printing on demand helps us avoid overproduction and deadstock.
Conclusion - Turn Disagreement Into Documentation
These T-shirts give you a simple pattern for hard conversations: present the claim, offer the evidence, and let people verify what they just read. The result is not louder debate, it is faster access to sources. Each purchase supports ongoing maintenance of Lie Library so that the link on your shirt keeps resolving to living, well-organized citations.
FAQ
Will the QR code still scan after lots of washes?
Yes, provided you follow care instructions. Codes are printed with high-contrast inks sized to maintain module integrity after repeated laundering. Washing inside out on cold and tumble drying on low preserves edge sharpness and minimizes cracking.
What happens if a source link changes or goes offline?
The QR resolves to a permanent evidence page with mirrors and archival snapshots. If a primary source moves, the canonical page is updated and your shirt continues to point to the maintained version. Short URLs are redirected to the same destination so photos and screenshots remain useful.
Are these tees 100 percent cotton?
Most colorways are 100 percent combed ring-spun cotton. Some heather colors include a small polyester blend for softness and stability. Each product listing specifies the exact blend so you can choose based on preference.
Can I order in bulk for a newsroom or campaign?
Yes. Bulk orders can align designs, establish a unified link strategy, and reduce per-unit cost. Contact support with your timeline and sizes so we can plan production and ensure scannability at your specific event settings. For newsroom integration tips, review Lie Library for Journalists.