The Best Quality T-Shirts for Printing: Our Top Picks

When printing custom T-shirts, the quality of the shirt makes a huge difference. Choosing the right T-shirt brand can ensure that your T-shirt designs look crisp, vibrant, and professional, and that your tees have a good shot at becoming your customers’ favorites for their attractive imagery, softness, and wearability. So as you can see, finding the perfect T-shirt brand is crucial for getting the most out of your printing process.

We’ll unpack all of the specs for you, digging into how to identify the best T-shirt brands for printing, and getting you started with some great T-shirt brands like Bella+Canvas and Comfort Colors, known for their soft fabrics and durability. Our selection offers versatility, comfort, unisex sizing, and quality, whether combed cotton, ringspun, or garment dyed - so keep reading to find out which T-shirts will make the best of your custom print project, You can even put several of these brands to work for you in your Fourthwall store!

Factors to Consider When Choosing T-Shirts for Custom Printing

Target Audience

Considering the preferences of your target audience can definitely give you an advantage when choosing your T-shirts for custom printing. For example, if you’re catering to a younger crowd, trendy brands like Bella+Canvas or Next Level, with their soft, stylish tee cuts, may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re targeting bulk orders for corporate events or giveaways, you might want to go with a more durable and affordable option, like Gildan or Comfort Colors.

Fabric Type

Fabric plays a key role in how well your T-shirts take your printed designs; cotton, polyester, and blends each have their unique advantages. 100% cotton shirts like Bella+Canvas 3001 and Stanley/Stella STTU169 provide a smooth surface for DTG printing, while polyester blends are better suited for sublimation printing. For screen printing, you’ll want heavier cotton shirts like Gildan 5000 or Comfort Colors 1717, which offer durability and an excellent print surface.

T-Shirt Weight

The weight of the T-shirt also influences the print quality, and how well the shirt itself will interact with the printing method you choose. Lightweight T-shirts like the Next Level 3600 and Bella+Canvas 3001 are best for intricate designs and DTG printing, while those aforementioned heavyweight cotton T-shirts hold bolder prints better, especially when using screen printing techniques.

Neckline Styles

It’s not a factor you might immediately think of, but your T-shirt’s neckline style actually impacts your design placement when printing shirts. Crew neck styles are versatile and commonly used for most designs, while V-neck T-shirts are a popular choice for feminine styles, smaller designs, or more casual looks. When choosing your T-shirts, think about how the neckline will affect your design, and if it will complement your print placement.

Fit and Comfort

The fit of a T-shirt affects both the overall look and the comfort level of your T-shirts; and the type of knit structure impacts both how the fabric feels, and how it holds your print. Regular fits like those offered by Gildan and Comfort Colors are standard options that work well for most designs. For a more fitted look, you might consider ringspun cotton options like the Next Level 3600 or Bella+Canvas 3001, which offer a more tailored cut and smooth fabric, while still keeping a nice level of comfort and softness.

Fabric Transparency

You’ll want to use some caution with lighter fabric colors, as they may show the print more transparently, especially with vibrant inks. Gildan 5000 and Comfort Colors 1717 are more heavyweight T-shirts that reduce transparency, making them perfect for designs that require bold, dark, or vibrant colors.

Top 5 T-Shirt Choices for Custom Printing 

1. Bella+Canvas 3001 Supersoft T-Shirt

Bella+Canvas is widely regarded for its top tier, comfortable T-shirts, and the Bella+Canvas 3001 Supersoft T-shirt is no exception. This best-selling shirt is a popular choice for custom T-shirt printing because of its soft, lightweight fabric and its ability to hold intricate designs beautifully. The Bella+Canvas 3001 is an excellent option for brands looking for a modern, fashionable tee that works well for direct to garment (DTG) and screen printing.

Tee Specs:

• Fabric weight: Lightweight (4.2 oz)
• Fit: Regular / fashionable fit (preshrunk)
• Available sizes: Unisex sizing up to 5XL
• Color options: Over 90 shades available, including Heathers
• Best printing methods: Ideal for DTG and screen printing
• Recommended print placements: Front, back, sleeves

Fabric Composition:

• Solid colors: 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton
• Ash color: 99% combed and ringspun cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors: 52% combed and ringspun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic and Black Heather: 90% combed and ringspun cotton, 10% polyester
• Heather Prism colors: 99% combed and ringspun cotton, 1% polyester

Pro Tip: Using a product customizer like the one from Teeinblue is a great method to elevate your custom t-shirts. You can add design options and enable customers to see design changes in real time, providing an exciting shopping experience.

2. Gildan 5000 Heavyweight T-shirt

The Gildan 5000 Heavyweight T-shirt is a great option for those looking for durability and affordability in bulk orders. Known for its heavier fabric and slightly relaxed fit, this classic-looking T-shirt is perfect for streetwear brands and large-scale custom printing projects. The Gildan 5000 also performs excellently with screen printing due to its sturdy fabric that holds up well to bold, long-lasting prints.

Tee Specs:

• Fabric weight: Midweight (5.3 oz)
• Fit: Classic (regular) fit
• Available sizes: Unisex sizing up to 5XL
• Color options: 75 colors available
• Best printing methods: Best suited for screen printing
• Recommended print placements: Front, back, sleeves

Fabric Composition:

• Most colors 100% cotton, with some color exceptions
• Sport Gray 90% cotton, 10% polyester

3. Comfort Colors 1717 Heavyweight T-Shirt

If you're looking for a more vintage inspired tee aesthetic, the Comfort Colors 1717 Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-shirt is a top pick. Made from ringspun cotton, Comfort Colors’ shirt offers a soft feel, while its heavyweight fabric adds a level of durability that’s great for screen printed designs. The garment-dyed finish gives this T-shirt a unique, soft, and comfortable pre-washed look that many T-shirt fans love.

Tee Specs:

• Fabric weight: Heavyweight (6.1 oz)
• Fit: Relaxed fit
• Available sizes: Unisex sizing up to 4XL
• Color options: 66 colors available
• Best printing methods: Works well with screen printing
• Recommended print placements: Front, back, sleeves

Fabric Composition:

• 100% garment dyed ringspun cotton

4. Stanley/Stella STTU169 Organic Cotton T-shirt

For eco-conscious brands, the Stanley/Stella STTU169 T-shirt is an excellent choice. Made from 100% organic ringspun cotton, this T-shirt combines sustainability with comfort, making it a great option for brands looking to appeal to environmentally aware customers while still offering a high quality base for printing. The midweight fabric makes it perfect for a variety of printing techniques, including screen printing and DTG.

Tee Specs:

• Fabric weight: Midweight (5.3 oz)
• Fit: Regular fit
• Available sizes: Unisex sizing up to 5XL
• Color options: 15 colors available
• Best printing methods: Works well with screen printing and DTG
• Recommended print placements: Front, back, sleeves

Fabric Composition:

• 100% organic ringspun cotton

5. Next Level 3600 T-shirt

If you're looking for a slimmer fit with that same soft feel, Next Level’s 3600 Supersoft T-shirt is a great choice. Made from 100% ringspun combed cotton, this shirt offers a smooth texture that is perfect for intricate design prints, especially DTG and screen printed ones. With its lightweight fabric and stretch, it’s an excellent option for fashion brands or anyone seeking a more fitted style. 

Tee Specs:

• Fabric weight: Lightweight (4.3 oz)
• Fit: Regular fit (prewashed)
• Available sizes: Unisex sizing up to 6XL
• Color options: 50 colors available (some colors may not be available in higher sizes)
• Best printing methods: Best suited for DTG printing and screen printing
• Recommended print placements: Front, back, sleeves

Fabric Composition:

• Most colors 100% ringspun combed cotton
• Heather gray 90% cotton, 10% polyester

Once you decide on the T-shirts you want to use for your printed garments, you can shop around to different print on demand providers to see who offers the base T-shirts that you prefer. Fourthwall actually offers several of the options above plus more, making them a great option if you’re planning to open a merch shop selling high quality custom tees!

3 Printing Methods for Your Custom T-Shirt

Now that you’ve chosen your T-shirts, it’s time to get printing! Here’s a quick overview of the three most popular methods for getting your great custom designs onto your tees:

Direct to Garment (DTG)

Direct to Garment (DTG) printing is an advanced method using inkjet technology to print directly onto fabric. This method provides exceptional print quality with full color reproduction, making it ideal for more complex artwork like detailed designs and photos. It works best with smooth fabrics (and can be more expensive for larger quantities), but is the perfect choice if you want vibrant colors. On soft shirts like the Bella+Canvas 3001 or the Stanley/Stella STTU169, DTG printing will give you crisp, clear designs that really stand out.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is one of the most well known methods for T-shirt printing. It involves creating a stencil (the "screen") and applying ink through the stencil onto the fabric. Known for its durability, vibrant colors, and cost effectiveness, screen printing works well for big orders with simpler designs. It’s ideal for companies looking to bulk produce a large amount of T-shirts, especially on shirts like the Gildan 5000 or Comfort Colors 1717.

Sublimation Printing

Sublimation is a unique method where the dye is transferred onto fabric using heat. This technique creates brilliant, full color prints and works especially well for all over designs and vibrant graphics. Keep in mind, though, that sublimation printing is limited to synthetic fabrics like polyester, and it works best on light-colored garments. It’s a good choice for sportswear or other items that require extensive print coverage, but isn’t suitable for cotton-based shirts.

Kickstart Your T-Shirt Printing Business with Fourthwall!

Ready to turn your T-shirt designs into reality? Fourthwall makes it easy to start your own T-shirt printing business with custom tees plus other print on demand products! You can set up your own store, design products, and leave the printing and fulfillment to Fourthwall, letting you focus on creating designs and marketing your brand.

Fourthwall offers a wide range of customization options beyond tees from apparel to accessories, giving you so much flexibility to build your brand, including T-shirt options from Bella+Canvas to Comfort Colors, Stanley/Stella to Gildan. You can also connect with your audience through memberships, personalized video messages, and exclusive offers, making Fourthwall the best tool for building a loyal customer base. Join Fourthwall today and get your T-shirt printing business moving on up!

FAQ: Printing T-Shirts

What are the best T-shirt brands for custom printing?

Some of the best shirts for custom printing come from trusted clothing brands like Bella+Canvas, Next Level Apparel, Comfort Colors, and Gildan. 

These unisex T-shirts offer excellent softness, durability, and smooth surfaces that hold ink beautifully during printing. 

Whether you’re after combed cotton, garment-dyed, or poly-cotton blends, these brands provide high-quality options that fit nearly every print style and audience.

Which T-shirts work best for DTG printing?

DTG printing performs best on combed cotton T-shirts with a tight weave, such as the Bella+Canvas 3001 or Next Level Apparel 3600. 

These soft, lightweight, and premium blanks absorb ink evenly, producing crisp, vibrant prints with exceptional color accuracy. 

Avoid rough or heavily textured fabrics, as smoother shirts deliver the most detailed and professional-looking DTG results.

What’s the difference between screen printing, DTG, and sublimation?

Screen printing uses stencils and layers of ink to create bold, durable prints, which are perfect for bulk orders and simpler designs. 

DTG printing (Direct-to-Garment) applies ink directly onto cotton fabric, ideal for colorful, detailed artwork on short sleeve tees or crew neck styles. 

Sublimation printing, on the other hand, uses heat to transfer dye into poly-cotton or polyester blends, making it best for all-over prints or performance apparel.

How do I choose the right T-shirt fabric for printing?

Choosing the right T-shirt fabric depends on your printing method and target audience. 

Combed cotton and ringspun cotton are perfect for DTG and screen printing, offering softness and vibrant color retention. 

For sublimation, go with poly-cotton blends or 100% polyester shirts, and if you’re aiming for a vintage or faded look, garment-dyed fabrics like Comfort Colors are an excellent choice.

Are heavyweight or lightweight shirts better for custom prints?

Both heavyweight and lightweight shirts have their place depending on your design and apparel brand goals. 

Lightweight cotton shirts, such as those from Bella+Canvas, are ideal for DTG printing and modern cut designs that prioritize softness and comfort. 

Heavyweight or garment-dyed shirts, like Comfort Colors 1717, are better for screen printing, offering structure, durability, and reduced shrinkage after washing.