The Best 5 T-shirts for Printing

A Comprehensive Guide to Screen Printing, DTF, and Embroidery

When it comes to creating high-quality custom apparel, choosing the right blank T-shirt is key to achieving the best results in screen printing, DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing, and embroidery. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which T-shirt will provide the best canvas for your designs. In this article, we’ll dive into the best 5 T-shirts for printing, exploring their features, and how they perform with different printing methods.

1. Gildan Softstyle® T-shirt

The Gildan Softstyle® T-shirt is one of the most popular choices for custom printing, and for good reason. Made from 100% ringspun cotton (or a cotton/polyester blend in some colors), this T-shirt offers a soft, comfortable feel that is perfect for casual wear. With a modern fitted cut and a smooth surface, it’s an excellent choice for all three printing methods: screen printing, DTF, and embroidery.

Screen Printing: The smooth, even fabric of the Softstyle® T-shirt allows for sharp, vibrant prints. The cotton material holds ink well, ensuring your designs will pop with lasting color.
DTF Printing: This T-shirt is a great choice for DTF printing as the fabric’s smoothness helps the ink bond well to the shirt, delivering high-quality, durable prints that last through numerous washes.
Embroidery: While the fabric is lightweight, its smooth texture allows for clean and professional embroidery results. The ringspun cotton provides a smooth surface that allows thread to sit evenly without snagging, making it a great option for logos and text.

Pros: Soft, comfortable, and a great all-around choice for printing. Cons: The lightweight fabric might not be suitable for extremely heavy designs in embroidery.

2. Gildan Heavy Cotton® T-shirt

If you’re looking for a durable and classic option, the Gildan Heavy Cotton® T-shirt is a perfect fit. Made from 100% cotton with a sturdy feel, this T-shirt holds up exceptionally well with screen printing, DTF, and embroidery. It’s an ideal choice for designs that need to make a bold statement, as the fabric allows for vibrant, lasting prints.

Screen Printing: With its thicker cotton construction, the Heavy Cotton® T-shirt is perfect for screen printing. It handles heavy inks well and ensures the design remains vibrant over time. The thick fabric also provides a stable surface for multi-color prints.
DTF Printing: The slightly thicker fabric helps DTF prints adhere well, creating long-lasting designs with excellent clarity and precision.
Embroidery: The thickness and sturdiness of the fabric make it an excellent choice for embroidery, especially for larger designs or those with a lot of stitching. The cotton holds the embroidery thread well, ensuring a professional finish.

Pros: Durable and long-lasting, excellent for bold designs. Cons: Slightly heavier, which may not be ideal for warmer climates or lightweight designs.

3. Fruit of the Loom Valueweight T-Shirt

The Fruit of the Loom Valueweight T-shirt is an affordable yet reliable option for custom printing. Made from 100% cotton, this T-shirt provides a good balance between comfort, durability, and affordability, making it a top choice for both businesses and individuals.

Screen Printing: The Valueweight T-shirt provides a smooth surface for screen printing, with vibrant colors that pop when used with high-quality inks. It’s a cost-effective option without sacrificing print quality.
DTF Printing: Similar to screen printing, the smooth cotton surface of the Valueweight T-shirt ensures great results with DTF printing, delivering vibrant, long-lasting prints.
Embroidery: While not as thick as some other options, the Valueweight T-shirt still holds up well under embroidery, delivering a clean, professional look for logos or text.

Pros: Affordable, durable, and great for bulk printing. Cons: Slightly less premium feeling than higher-end options, but still highly effective for many applications.

4. Stanley Stella Coaster 2 T-shirt

For a more sustainable option, the Stanley Stella Coaster 2 T-shirt stands out. Made from 100% organic cotton, this T-shirt offers a high-quality feel and environmentally conscious production process. Stanley Stella is known for their commitment to sustainability, making this T-shirt a great choice for eco-friendly businesses.

Screen Printing: The organic cotton fabric provides a smooth surface for screen printing, ensuring vibrant prints with a soft feel. The T-shirt’s quality means that the design will last through many washes without fading.
DTF Printing: The Coaster 2’s organic cotton material works well with DTF printing, creating sharp, crisp designs that stand the test of time. Organic cotton holds the ink well, resulting in prints that feel soft and are durable.
Embroidery: Embroidering on the Coaster 2 gives a high-end result. The smooth surface of the organic cotton ensures that the stitching sits neatly, giving a premium finish.

Pros: Sustainable, high-quality fabric with a modern fit. Cons: Slightly higher price point due to its sustainable production.

5. Stanley Stella Blaster T-shirt

The Stanley Stella Blaster T-shirt is another sustainable option that delivers high-quality performance in all printing methods. Made from 100% organic cotton, this T-shirt has a soft feel and is designed for a stylish, modern fit. It’s a premium choice for eco-conscious businesses and customers.

Screen Printing: The Blaster T-shirt’s organic cotton surface is perfect for screen printing, delivering vibrant colors with a soft feel. The fabric’s high quality ensures a premium finish for multi-color prints.
DTF Printing: The fabric works well with DTF printing, ensuring that designs come out sharp, vibrant, and durable. The smooth cotton surface helps the ink bond perfectly to the fabric.
Embroidery: With its smooth texture and high-end feel, the Blaster T-shirt is an excellent choice for embroidery. It holds thread well, ensuring clean, professional results, especially for intricate logos or small text.

Pros: Premium, eco-friendly, and high-quality fabric perfect for both businesses and custom designs. Cons: The premium quality comes at a slightly higher price.

Conclusion

Choosing the right T-shirt for your custom printing needs depends on your desired quality, budget, and printing method. Whether you’re looking for something affordable and durable like the Gildan Heavy Cotton or something sustainable like the Stanley Stella Coaster 2, each of these five T-shirts offers unique benefits for screen printing, DTF printing, and embroidery.

The best 5 T-shirts for printing provide a mix of durability, comfort, and quality, making them ideal for a range of projects. No matter what your printing method, you can rely on these shirts to deliver excellent results for your custom designs. Whether for bulk orders, team uniforms, or personalized merchandise, these T-shirts are sure to meet your needs.

By choosing any of these best 5 T-shirts for printing, you ensure high-quality prints that will last, along with a comfortable and stylish fit for your customers or team.