9 Best-quality t-shirts for printing in 2025

Choosing the right t-shirt base is the key to long-lasting, colorful, sharp designs.

This guide covers the top 9 best quality t-shirts for printing, ranked by material, construction, color, and customization options. Whether you’re building a clothing brand or looking for the best t-shirt for your creative project, we’ve got you covered.

1. Unisex Staple T-Shirt | Bella + Canvas 3001

The Bella + Canvas 3001 is a top choice for custom t-shirts. It’s made from extra soft ring-spun cotton or poly-cotton blend that works well with direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, and embroidery. This tee stands out with a modern fitted look and a huge selection of colors. Add a custom inside label to showcase your brand logo.

Design this t-shirt with Printful:

• Price: From $11.69

• Sizes: XS–5XL

• Colors: 80+

• Fabric: 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton or poly-cotton blend, depending on the fabric color

• Customization techniques: DTG and DTF printing, embroidery

• Print placement: Front, back, and sleeves 

• Branding: Inside and outside labels

2. Unisex Classic Tee | Gildan 5000

The Gildan 5000 is known for its heavyweight fabric and classic, boxy fit, which suits a wide range of body types. Made from open-end cotton yarn, it has a coarser texture than ring-spun cotton, helping it hold ink and resist shrinkage. This budget-friendly tee is considered one of the best shirts for screen printing, but also supports DTG printing and embroidery.

Design this t-shirt with Printful:

• Price: From $7.50

• Sizes: S–5XL

• Colors: 35

• Fabric: 100% cotton or poly-cotton blend, depending on the fabric color

• Customization techniques: DTG and DTF printing, embroidery

• DTG print placement: Front, back, and sleeves

• DTF print placement: Front and back

• Branding: Inside and outside labels

“I tried samples from a bunch of different companies – I wanted to make sure the quality was really good. Out of the samples I got, Printful was by far the best one. I recommend them to all my friends. For me, Printful has relieved so many anxieties I have about shipping, printing, and the whole process of being a creator and selling your merch. It’s a cool way to put my art and designs onto actual products that people can wear.”

– Ben Aqua, Ben Aqua Shop

3. Unisex Basic Softstyle T-Shirt | Gildan 64000

The Unisex Basic Softstyle T-Shirt is another budget-friendly custom t-shirt choice. This relaxed, soft shirt offers dependable quality and covers common sizing options. It’s made from ring-spun cotton or poly-cotton blends, depending on the color, and can be customized with DTG printing and embroidery. 

The unisex boxy fit suits a wide range of body types, making it ideal for bulk orders, company merch, and stores selling custom apparel to a broad audience.

Design this t-shirt with Printful:

• Price: From $7.50

• Sizes: S–3XL

• Colors: 30

• Fabric: 100% ring-spun cotton or poly-cotton blend, depending on the fabric color

• Customization techniques: DTG printing, embroidery

• Print placement: Front, back, and sleeves 

• Branding: Inside and outside labels

Read also: The Top 5 Softest T-Shirts for Your Perfect Custom Tee

4. Unisex Organic Cotton T-Shirt | Stanley/Stella STTU169

Looking for an eco-friendly tee? The Unisex Organic Cotton T-Shirt is an excellent pick. This 100% organic cotton t-shirt is certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and PETA-Approved Vegan, meaning it’s produced without harmful chemicals or materials derived from animal products. It comes in 15 colors to fit any brand’s color palette. Customize it with DTG printing and create a professional finish with custom inside or outside labels.

Design this t-shirt with Printful:

• Price: From $14.25

• Sizes: S–5XL

• Colors: 15

• Fabric: 100% organic ring-spun cotton

• Customization techniques: DTG printing, DTF printing, embroidery

• DTG print placement: Front, back, and sleeves

• DTF print placement: Front and back

• Branding: Inside and outside labels

5. Men’s Premium Heavyweight Tee | Cotton Heritage MC1086 

The Men’s Premium Heavyweight Tee has a laidback look and modern edge. This t-shirt is made from combed ring-spun cotton, giving it a smooth surface for sharp DTG and DTF prints. 

The thicker fabric and relaxed fit add structure, making it a solid option for retail-quality apparel. Choose from 7 colors and add custom labels to reinforce your brand.

Design this t-shirt with Printful:

• Price: From $16.69

• Sizes: S–4XL

• Colors: Black, Charcoal Heather, Brick Red, Agave, Carbon Grey, Vintage Gold, White 

• Fabric: 100% combed ring-spun cotton

• Customization techniques: DTG printing, DTF printing, and embroidery

• DTF print placement: Front, back, and sleeves

• DTG print placement: Front and back 

Read also: What Is a Heavyweight T-Shirt: A Short Guide

6. All-Over Print Men’s Crew Neck T-Shirt

The All-Over Print Men’s Crew Neck T-Shirt is ideal for full-coverage designs achieved with sublimation printing. This mid-weight polyester t-shirt is a strong option for standout prints that push creative limits with patterns or gradients. The fabric resists shrinkage, maintains color vibrancy over time, and is OEKO-TEX certified – perfect for those who prefer to wear vegan clothing.

Design this t-shirt with Printful:

• Price: From $25.95

• Sizes: XS–2XL

• Color: White

• Fabric: 95% polyester, 5% elastane

• Customization techniques: All-over print sublimation

• Print placement: Seam-to-seam

7. Unisex Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt | Comfort Colors 1717

If you’re after a high-quality t-shirt with a relaxed fit and lived-in feel, the Unisex Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt is a great option. This t-shirt has earned rave reviews for its softness and high-quality construction. Available in low- and high-saturation tones, it’s ideal for creating vintage-inspired designs or a fresh spring clothing line.

Customize it with DTG or DTF printing for long-lasting print quality that your customers will return to.

Design this t-shirt with Printful:

• Price: From $15.29

• Sizes: S–4XL

• Colors: 45

• Fabric: 100% ring-spun cotton

• Customization techniques: DTG printing, DTF printing, embroidery

• DTF print placement: Front and back

• DTG print placement: Front, back, and sleeves

• Branding: Outside label (DTG)

8. All-Over Print Women’s Crew Neck T-Shirt

Made of stretchy, smooth fabric, the All-Over Print Women’s Crew Neck T-Shirt provides exceptional comfort for daily wear. All-over sublimation printing lets you cover the entire garment seam-to-seam with your original design. The fabric is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, ensuring safe, premium-quality materials for you or your customers.

Design this t-shirt with Printful:

• Price: From $24.75

• Sizes: XS–2XL

• Color: White

• Fabric: 93% polyester, 7% elastane

• Customization techniques: Cut & sew sublimation

• Print placement: Seam-to-seam

9. Women’s Relaxed T-Shirt | Bella + Canvas 6400

True to its name, the Women’s Relaxed T-Shirt has a comfortable fit that’s made for everyday wear. Crafted from soft, smooth combed ring-spun cotton or a poly-cotton blend, depending on the color, it has a premium feel and look. 

Customize it with DTG printing for crisp designs and add inside or outside labels to showcase your t-shirt brand’s logo.

Design this t-shirt with Printful:

• Price: From $13.69

• Sizes: S–3XL

• Colors: 16

• Fabric: 100% combed ring-spun cotton

• Customization techniques: DTG printing, embroidery

• Print placement: Front and back

• Branding: Inside and outside labels

How to choose good-quality shirts for printing

Customers love stand-out designs, and they love them even more on high-quality shirts. Choosing the right fabric, fit, and finish for your prints is the key to more sales and repeat customers.

Let’s review what characteristics to look for in a quality shirt when choosing styles for your print-on-demand apparel brand. 

High-quality fabrics

Cotton, polyester, and blends behave differently when printed on. Cotton is breathable and soft, but lower-grade knits produce grainy or fuzzy results. Ring-spun and combed cotton are the most refined cotton types and provide a smooth surface for sharp detail and high print quality.

Fabric blends like poly-cotton combine cotton’s comfort with polyester’s strength, reducing shrinkage and improving durability.

Fabric weight

Fabric weight is measured in oz./yd.² or g/m² and tells you how dense the material is. The higher the number, the denser and heavier the fabric. 

Heavyweight t-shirts hold their shape better, while lighter ones feel cooler and drape easier. One isn’t better than the other – it depends on use and preference. Selling custom apparel for summer? Go light. Need structure and warmth? Choose a heavier t-shirt.

Knit

Most t-shirts are jersey knit. They have a slight stretch and a flat surface that helps designs go on evenly. A tighter knit means fewer gaps between fibers, which reduces grainy edges and helps preserve fine details during t-shirt printing.

Search for product descriptions that mention “tight knit” or “fine gauge.” These signal higher-quality t-shirts that hold their shape well.

Transparency

Fabric weight and color affect how see-through a shirt is. If the fabric’s too thin, your custom t-shirt design can look washed out or uneven. Likewise, light-colored fabrics allow the wearer’s skin to show through and can make your design lose contrast. 

Check the product description for terms like “lightweight” or “sheer” – they often signal higher transparency. If you’re unsure about how a design will turn out, order a sample to see if it looks as expected.

How to pick the right decoration method for your t-shirt

Your shirt’s fabric, design, order size, and audience will determine the best decoration technique. Pick a method that works best for your t-shirt style and material – like sublimation for polyester sportswear or screen printing for bulk orders. 

Let’s check out the options and which shirts they pair best with. 

DTG printing

DTG printing is excellent for complex, multicolor designs. The print soaks into the clothing fibers instead of sitting atop the fabric. This provides a smooth surface and makes the garment comfortable to wear. DTG printing works best on cotton and other natural fabrics. The higher the cotton percentage, the more vivid the print.

DTF printing

DTF printing produces vibrant and durable designs on various fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends. It involves printing the design onto a special transfer film and then heat pressing it onto the garment. This technique allows for highly detailed and multicolor prints with excellent stretch and resistance to cracking or fading over time. It’s the go-to method for printing photos and other hyper-detailed designs. 

Screen printing

Screen printing is best for simple designs with few colors, as each design requires setting up a separate screen. Once set up, production is fast and cost-efficient, making it ideal for high-volume runs. Screen printing works best on heavyweight t-shirts made from cotton or cotton blends, which absorb ink well, producing durable, vibrant results.

All-over printing

AOP (sublimation) is ideal for apparel where the design needs to cover the entire garment – like sportswear, performance shirts, festival merch, or apparel with all-over patterns. Sublimation only works on polyester because the ink must bond with the polymers in the fabric to produce rich, long-lasting prints. Designs are printed on special sublimation paper, heat-pressed onto the fabric, then cut and sewn to produce the finished shirt.

Embroidery

Embroidery is a decoration technique where a design is stitched onto the custom t-shirt, giving it a premium, tactile feel. It’s best for logos, text, and simple graphics rather than highly detailed or photo-like images. This method works well on medium to heavyweight t-shirts with a tight knit, which prevents puckering and helps the design keep its shape.

The best t-shirt for printing: Conclusion

The best t-shirt is the one that makes your design look great and keeps customers coming back. 

Once you’ve narrowed down t-shirt brands for printing that fit your style and budget, order a few samples with your preferred decoration method and compare results. Then, build your line around the shirt that delivers the best mix of comfort, durability, and print quality. 

Printful is the perfect place to browse different t-shirt styles and custom apparel and start building a brand. Our printing services are fast, our design tools are easy to use, and we offer the most popular printing methods and t-shirts on the market. 

Start designing your custom-printed t-shirts with Printful today to add a fun new piece to your wardrobe or start an apparel brand! 

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