In the 1960s, the T-shirt became a means of self-expression, as well as to send advertising messages and protests. People began to dye and screen print the basic cotton T-shirt, making it an even bigger commercial success. Advances in printing and dying allowed more variety in the look of the T-shirt, and various styles in the cut of T-shirt, such as the tank top and V-neck, came in to fashion. The T-shirt was inexpensive, stylish, and could make any statement you cared to print on it. The American T-shirt came into its own in the late sixties. Rock ‘n’ roll hands realized that they could make significant amounts of money selling T-shirts printed with the name of their group. Professional sports followed the bands example, and soon the officially licensed team T-shirt became hot merchandise.