Our Top 5 Favorite T-Shirts for Custom Printing
When it comes to choosing garments for your custom printing order, the options are nearly endless. From fabric and fit to price and print quality, there are several things to consider. To help make your decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of our top 5 t-shirts for custom printing–along with the recommended decoration method for each.
What to Look for in a Great Custom T-Shirt
Whether you’re printing for your brand, an event, a client, the blank t-shirt you choose directly impacts the final product. Here’s what to consider before selecting your garment.
Fabric Composition and Feel
Fabric plays a big role in comfort, print quality, and price. Here are common options:
- Ringspun Cotton: Known for its soft, smooth texture–great for high-quality, vibrant prints.
- Tri-Blends: Ultra-soft and stretchy, offering a lightweight feel, though they may affect how certain inks absorb.
- Cotton/Polyester Blends: Durable and cost-effective, but may not provide the same print clarity as 100% cotton.
If softness is your top priority, we recommend ringspun cotton or tri-blends. For durability or budget-friendliness, standard cotton is a solid choice.
Fit and Style
The fit of a t-shirt is important for the look you’re trying to achieve.
- Tailored Fit: Brands like Next Level and District offer modern, retail-style cuts.
- Classic Fit: Brands like Gildan, Port & Company, and Comfort Colors are more relaxed and loose-fitting.
Color Variety and Consistency
Some brands offer tons of vibrant colors, while others have more classic or muted tones. Make sure the color complements your design and printing method. Color consistency is another important factor, as some brands tend to change their stock on specific colors.
Printability
Different fabrics work better with specific decoration methods:
- DTG (Direct-to-Garment): Best on smooth, tightly woven cotton–especially ringspun.
- Screen Printing: More versatile, can handle a range of fabrics including blends and finished textures.
Our Top 5 T-Shirt Picks
Here are our favorite t-shirts for custom printing, based on performance, comfort, and value:
- Fabric: Lightweight, 100% ringspun cotton
- Feel: Soft and affordable
- Best For: Budget-friendly prints
- Print Methods: DTG and screen printing
- Fabric: Tri-blend (polyester/cotton/rayon), lightweight and slightly heathered
- Feel: Ultra-soft with a trendy retail fit
- Best For: Stylish, breathable custom tees
- Print Methods: Great for DTG; screen printing may be tricky due to the blend
- Fabric: Heavyweight, pigment-dyed 100% cotton
- Feel: Vintage, lived-in look
- Best For: Retro, casual styles
- Print Methods: Screen printing is best, DTG results vary based on garment dye
- Fabric: Ultra-soft ringspun cotton
- Feel: Smooth, retail fit
- Best For: Fashion-forward, high-quality prints
- Print Methods: Great for both DTG and screen printing
- Fabric: Midweight 100% cotton
- Feel: Classic, universal cut
- Best For: Reliable bulk orders
- Print Methods: Best for screen printing; DTG possible, but creates less vibrant prints
Recommended Decoration Methods
DTG (Direct-to-Garment)
Perfect for:
- Small batch or one-off prints
- Full-color detailed artwork
- Cotton-based shirts with smooth surfaces
Best T-Shirts for DTG
- Gildan 64000
- Next Level 3600
- District DM130
Screen Printing
Perfect for:
- Large bulk orders
- Simple designs with limited colors
- Long-lasting, vibrant results
Best T-Shirts for Screen Printing
- Comfort Colors 1717
- Port & Company PC54
- Gildan 64000
Conclusion
Choosing the right blank t-shirt is just as important as the design itself. From the ultra-soft feel of the District DM130 to the vintage style of Comfort Colors 1717, each shirt offers unique strengths for custom printing. Whether you’re going for the premium retail quality or budget-friendly bulk orders, the picks above are excellent starting points.
Need Help Finding the Perfect T-Shirt?
Insignia is here to help! Contact us today for personalized recommendations, samples, or quotes for your next custom printing order. Need help with artwork as well? We also offer graphic design services.