8 Best Quality T-Shirts for Printing
When launching a business that offers print-on-demand, it is important to choose the right products. Original designs can help you stand out, but high-quality products will also make your business more successful.
This guide will review eight top-quality tees and explain what makes them special so that you can choose the best one for your shop. We will also cover the different types of t-shirts, their weight, and transparency, and help you select the best fulfillment method.
We can help you whether you run a clothing company, are thinking about starting one, or want to find the best tees for printing. Let’s get started.
Best-quality t-shirts to print
To get the best results, you should consider several key factors when deciding on your t-shirt print options. Style, fabric and fit are the three most important factors. They will determine the comfort of your t-shirts and how well they stand out.
Consider your design goals as well as the printing methods that you would like to use. Popular options include:
Direct-to-film (DTF). DTF is known for its crisp colours and flexibility. It works well with a variety of fabrics, including cotton, poly and blends.
Direct-to-garment (DTG). DTG is ideal for colourful, intricate designs. It works best with cotton blends or fabrics.
Screen Printing. The bold and long-lasting effects of screen printing can be achieved on cotton or synthetic materials.
All-over printing. This method is ideal for printing patterns or continuous designs on polyester fabric.
Some custom tees are flexible enough to accommodate multiple printing techniques, including embroidery. This gives you greater flexibility in achieving your desired design. We’ll discuss customisation options in greater detail later in this blog. Let’s first look at some of the most popular custom tee shirt printing methods.
1. Unisex Staple T-Shirt | Bella + Canvas 3001
Bella + Canvas 3001 is an incredibly popular, premium T-shirt that fits a variety of sizes and styles, from XS to 5XL. This unisex tee is made of a medium-weight fabric that is both soft and comfortable and offers a flattering fit.
The Bella + Canvas 3001 is known for its versatility. It has the most colour options among Printful’s T-shirts, making it a great choice for a variety of design needs. Customization is possible with DTG and a branded label inside for a professional, polished finish.
Source: Printful
- Sizes: XS-5XL
- Colors: Black Heather (Black), Black, Oxblood Black Heather, Navy, Brown, Heather Midnight Navy (Brown), Heather Forest, Maroon Heather, Heather Forest, Navy, Dark Grey Heather, Berry Heather, Heather Olive, Heather Raspberry Heather, Heather Deep Teal Heather True Royal Heather, Kelly Heather Kelly, Mauve Heather, Leaf, Steel Blue Heather, Heather Prism Lilac Heather Prism Peach Heather Prism Lilac Heather Prism Mint Heather Prism
- Fabric: 100% Airlume cotton combed and spun or polycotton blend, depending on the fabric colour
- Customization techniques: DTG printing, embroidery
- Printing placement: Front and back prints, as well as sleeves
- Branding: Inside & Outside Labels
2. Gildan 64000
This Unisex Basic Softstyle T-shirt combines softness with durability. It is a staple for all budgets and has been a bestseller for years. It comes in many classic and vibrant colors suitable for everyday wear and business casual. With DTG printing, you can easily customize your t-shirt. You have the option to add sleeve customization, inside and outside labels, and additional branding options.
Source: Printable
- Sizes: S-3XL
- Colours : Black Heather, Navy, Purple Heather, Heather Navy Red, Royal, Graphite Heather Charcoal, Sport Grey, Sand, Light Blue Heather, Sport Grey, White
- Fabric: 100% cotton ring-spun or polycotton blend, depending on the fabric colour
- Customization techniques: DTG printing, embroidery
- Printing placement: Front and back prints, as well as sleeves
- Branding: Inside & Outside Labels
3. Unisex Organic Cotton T-Shirt | Stanley/Stella STTU169
Are you looking for an eco-friendly T-shirt? This Unisex Organic Cotton T-Shirt makes a great choice. It’s made from 100% organic cotton and is OEKOTEX Standard 100 Certified. PETA Approved Vegan. The regular-fit tee has been a favourite among customers for years. Available in 15 colours, it’s easy to match the vision of your brand. Create a professional look with DTG and custom labels inside or outside.
Source Printful
- Sizes: S-5XL
- Colours Black (default), French Navy (default), Dark Heather Grey (default), Burgundy, Red Anthracite Stargazer Khaki Dark Heather Blue Desert Dust Heather Grey Fraiche Peche Cotton Pink Lavender White
- Fabric: 100% organic ring-spun cotton
- Customization techniques: DTG printing, embroidery
- Printing placement: Front, back and sleeve prints
- Branding: Inside & Outside Labels
4. Cotton Heritage MC1086
Try our Men’s Heavyweight Premium Tee for a refined, modern look. This timeless tee is made from premium combed cotton ring-spun. It offers a relaxed fitting that allows for comfort, style, and easy movement. It’s available in sophisticated colours such as Black, Charcoal, Heather, and White. It can be customized with DTG or DTF printing for durable and vibrant results. Add a professional touch by adding personalized labels to the inside and outside of your product.
Source: Printful
- Sizes: S-4XL
- Colors Black (charcoal Heather), Agave (carbon grey), Vintage Gold, White
- Fabric: 100% combed ring-spun cotton
- Customization Techniques: DTG Printing, DTF Printing, and Embroidery
- Print placement on front, back and short sleeves:
- DTG Print Placement: Front and Back
- Branding: Inside label (DTG, DTF), outside label (DTG)
5. All Over Print Men’s Crewneck T-Shirt
This All-Over Print Crew Neck T-shirt for Men is perfect for those who like to be noticed. Sublimation printing allows you to cover the entire shirt from seam to seam in your design. This t-shirt, made from a mid-weight premium polyester jersey, is OEKOTEX Standard 100-certified. The fabric composition is resistant to shrinkage, and prints remain crisp and long-lasting. This makes it an excellent choice for patterns and artwork with bold and eye-catching designs.
Source Printful
- Sizes: XS-2XL
- Colour: white
- Fabric: 95% Polyester, 5% Elastane
- Customization techniques: All-over print sublimation
- Print placement: Seam-to-seam
6. Comfort Colors 1717
This is the shirt for you if you want durability and a classic, relaxed fit. The Unisex Garment-Dyed T-Shirt features a thick 100% cotton fabric that offers all-day comfort. The softness and quality of this t-shirt have earned it rave reviews. It’s available in low- and high-saturation tones. This is perfect for creating vintage-inspired designs or a new spring clothing line. It can be customized using DTG or DTF, which both deliver lasting results. Try out different placements of the design to create a tee that your customers will want to wear every day.
Source: Printable
- Sizes: S-4XL
- Colors Black, True Navy, Graphite, Brick, Blue Spruce, Berry, Espresso, Crimson, Flo Blue, Moss, Paprika, Watermelon, Light Green, Yam, Blue Jean, Ice Blue, Grey, Violet, Crunchberry, Seafoam, Terracotta, Granite, Bay, Lagoon Blue, Blos
- Fabric: 100% ring-spun cotton
- Customization techniques: DTG printing, DTF printing, embroidery
- Print placement on front, back and short sleeves:
- DTG Print Placement: Front, back and sleeves
- Branding: Outside label (DTG)
7. All-over Print Women’s Crewneck T-Shirt
The All-Over Print Women’s Crew Neck T-shirt is made of smooth polyester and offers comfort and flexibility. It’s perfect for casual wear. With all-over sublimation, you can print your design from seam to seam on the entire garment. The fabric is also OEKOTEX Standard 100-certified, ensuring premium materials and safety for you and your customers.
8. Bella + Canvas 6400
The Women’s Relaxed T-Shirt is a relaxed, comfortable fit that is perfect for everyday wear. It is made from a blend of polycotton and soft, smooth cotton ring-spun combed. You can customize it using DTG printing to create intricate, crisp designs. Take it one step further and add personalized labels on the inside and outside of your shirt.
Source: Printful
- Sizes: S-3XL
- Colours: Navy (black), Dark Grey Heather (berry, Heather Mauve), Heather Marmalade (heather blue lagoon), Heather Stone, Heather Prism Lilac and Pink, Heather Prism Natural.
- Fabric: 100% combed ring-spun cotton
- Customization techniques: DTG printing, embroidery
- Print Placement: Front and Back
- Branding: Inside & Outside Labels
High-quality t-shirts using properties
Many factors affect a fabric’s look and feel. Understanding these factors will help you choose a tee shirt that feels good, looks great, and lasts a long time. We’ll look at the qualities of a good T-shirt.
Fabric blends
The key to understanding fabric blends is the name. Blends are made by combining various types of fibres. Clothing is popular because fabric blends combine the best qualities of two or three fibres.
Synthetic fibres are known for being strong, wrinkle-resistant, and shrinkage-resistant. Natural fibres, on the other hand, are soft and absorbent.
It’s not surprising that polycotton blends are the most popular. Cotton fibres are breathable and comfortable, while polyester fibres offer durability and colour fastness.
Fabric composition
Our top 8 tees all contain 100% cotton, but they are not identical. Cotton is the most basic, followed by ring-spun and, finally, combed cotton, the king of the ball.
These types of cotton are created using different processes. Let’s look at the details.
Regular Cotton
Cotton is a fabric made from fibres that are found in cotton seeds. The fibres are twisted to form yarn, and then the cloth is woven. Standard in the industry is a regular cotton tee shirt. The cotton t-shirt is cheaper to produce, so it’s easier to sell.
Ring-spun cotton
Ring-spun yarn is created by twisting and thinning cotton strands into a soft, fine rope. The fibres have been softened and straightened by a spinning procedure.
Ring-spun cotton T-shirts are durable and more affordable than regular cotton t-shirts.
Combed Cotton
Combed cotton is, as the name implies, combed to remove shorter fibres and impurities and produce softer and more robust yarns. Combed cotton is smoother and higher quality than regular cotton.
Ring-spun combed cotton
The combined cotton ring-spun is more refined. After they are spun, the cotton fibres are combed to remove any imperfections or impurities. The knit becomes soft and durable. It also creates a smooth surface.
Fabric Weight
Fabric weight is affected by fibre type, weave method and finishing technique. Understanding fabric weight will help you select the perfect t-shirt for any occasion.
The weight of the fabric is expressed in ounces (or grams in the metric system). The weight of a square yard of fabric is shown. The denser the fabric is, the higher the number of oz./yd.2(g/m2).
In the past, there was a strong correlation between weight and fabric quality. Heavier fabrics were superior, and lighter fabrics were worse. This is not the case anymore. The quality of a lightweight shirt is just as high as that of a heavier shirt.
What’s the difference between them? Just as furry boots and flip-flops are designed for the winter, a heavier shirt is warmer than one that’s lightweight. It is your job to know your audience and convey the benefits of your products.
Fabric Transparency
Transparency is affected by the weight and colour of the fabric. The lighter the material, the more translucent it will be.
But these aren’t all the factors. Fabric thickness and transparency are also affected by the type of fabric and its weave.
You can check the product description to see the exact transparency level.
What is the most popular method of fulfilment for printed T-shirts?
If you want your design ideas to come out as you wish, you’ll need to choose the best fulfilment method for your custom-made tee shirt. Let’s look at your options.
Direct-to-garment printing (DTG)
DTG printing works well for multicoloured, complex designs such as photos. The print is absorbed into the fibres of the fabric instead of being atop it. The garment is comfortable to wear because the surface is smooth. DTG works best with cotton and natural fabrics. The more cotton in the fabric, the more vibrant the print.
Direct-to-film printing (DTF).
DTF printing produces vibrant, durable designs on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, blends, and polyester. It is different from DTG because it involves printing a design on a special transfer sheet, adding adhesive powder, and heat pressing the film onto the garment.
This technique produces multi-colour, highly detailed prints that are resistant to cracking and fading. DTF also works on fabrics with lower cotton contents, giving you greater flexibility when choosing your materials.
Sublimation print all-over
The all-over printing technique is a good choice if you’re looking to cover your shirt with patterns or designs.
Only polyester fabrics are suitable for sublimation. The ink needs to bond with the fabric’s polymers to produce vibrant, long-lasting prints.
Your artwork is first printed on special sublimation paper. Then, it is transferred to fabric using a heat-pressing machine. Our in-house experts cut and sew the fabric into a T-shirt.
Best branding options for T-shirts
Custom branding is the next step after you have chosen your perfect tee shirt and printing method.
Add labels to the inside and outside of your tee shirt for a more professional appearance. Some premium tees also offer the option of customizing sleeves. Custom branding increases customer loyalty by reminding them of your brand each time they wear a tee.
Check out our guide to tee shirt logo placement if you are unsure of where to put your logo.
Discover how to brand your product and create a unique customer experience.
What is the best T-shirt to print on?
Which tee shirt wins the title of “best tee”? One size does not fit all. Consider the purpose of the shirt, the design you would like to create and most importantly, who your customer is.
It is important to produce high-quality tee shirts that your customers enjoy and pay for. This will bring you profit.
When choosing the perfect t-shirt, consider the material, weight and transparency of the shirt, as well as the price.
Order samples to test the quality of your t-shirt and designs.
Browse our Product Catalog to find more options. Happy t-shirt sales, and good luck!