Resource Guide
How to Choose the
Perfect T-Shirt
Everything you need to know before choosing your next tee.
From fabric and fit to weight and construction, this guide will help you pick the right t-shirt for your brand, team, event, or retail line.
What Makes a Great T-Shirt?
A great tee comes down to the fabric, the cut, and how it's put together. The right combination feels good on skin, holds its shape wash after wash, and prints clean — whether it's headed for a retail rack or a team event.
Perfect for:
Choosing the Right Fabric
100% Cotton
Soft, breathable, and easy to print on. The classic choice for everyday comfort.
Cotton/Poly Blend
A 50/50 or 60/40 mix that resists shrinking and wrinkles while staying soft.
Tri-Blend
Cotton, polyester, and rayon combine for an ultra-soft, vintage-washed feel.
Performance Poly
Moisture-wicking and lightweight — built for workouts and outdoor wear.
Ring-Spun vs Carded (Open-End)
Ring-Spun (32s)
Fibers are combed to remove short, uneven strands, then tightly twisted into a fine 32-singles yarn — smooth, strong, and resistant to pilling, with a flat surface that's ideal for detailed prints.
Best for:
- Premium tees
- Retail apparel
- Detailed screen printing
Carded (20s)
Skips the combing step, so short fibers stay in the mix and get spun into a thicker 20-singles yarn — a heavier, more textured fabric that's tough and breathable, just less refined on the surface.
Best for:
- Bulk orders
- Budget-friendly runs
- Heavyweight tees
Heather vs Solid Colors
Heather
Made by blending different fiber types, like cotton and polyester, into one yarn. Since each fiber takes dye differently, that contrast is what creates the soft, marbled look.
Perfect for:
- Vintage branding
- Athletic wear
- Casual retail
Solid
Typically made from a single fiber type — 100% cotton or 100% polyester — which dyes evenly for a clean, uniform color with sharp print contrast.
Perfect for:
- Logos and branding
- Team uniforms
- High-contrast designs
Fabric Weight Guide
| Weight | Best For |
|---|---|
| 3.5–4.0 oz | Lightweight, fashion & summer tees |
| 4.5–5.0 oz | Mid-weight, everyday & retail wear |
| 5.5–6.0 oz | Classic weight, screen printing standard |
| 6.1+ oz | Heavyweight, workwear & structured fit |
Construction & Finishing
How a tee is sewn together affects its fit, durability, and how it wears over time just as much as the fabric itself.
- Side-seamed for a tailored, fitted shape
- Tubular construction for a classic, boxy fit
- Garment-dyed for a soft, lived-in look
- Shoulder-to-shoulder taping for durability
Popular Brands
We stock blanks from the brands screen printers and retailers trust most.
Bella+Canvas
Next Level
Royal Apparel
Hanes
AS Colour
LAT Apparel
Fit Guide
Classic Fit
Straight-cut through the body, true to size, and universally flattering.
Slim Fit
Tapered through the body and sleeves for a more fitted silhouette.
Relaxed Fit
Extra room through the chest and body for a looser, easy wear.
Boxy Fit
Cropped and wide with a dropped shoulder, streetwear-inspired.
Sizing Guide
| Size | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 18" | 20" | 22" | 24" | 26" | 28" | 30" | 32" |
| Length | 28" | 29" | 30" | 31" | 32" | 33" | 34" | 35" |
Measurements shown are approximate averages for a standard unisex tee and can vary by brand and style. Untreated cotton may also shrink 3–5% after the first wash unless pre-shrunk.
Artwork Tips
- Vector artwork is preferred
- Use high-resolution images (300 DPI or higher)
- Convert fonts to outlines
- Consider fabric color when choosing ink colors
- Leave space around seams and necklines
- Avoid extremely fine detail for screen printing
Frequently Asked Questions
Untreated cotton can shrink 3–5% after the first wash. Pre-shrunk and blended fabrics shrink much less.
Ring-spun cotton is combed and tightly twisted into a fine 32-singles yarn, while carded (open-end) cotton skips combing and spins into a thicker, more affordable 20-singles yarn.
Yes, you can mix sizes and even colors within a single design order.
After you reach out and we email back and forth to finalize all the order details, you'll receive an order form for review and approval along with an invoice. Once the order form is approved and a 50% deposit is received, you can expect your order to be completed no later than 10–12 business days.
It depends on how many colors are in your artwork. The minimum order size starts at 24 pieces for a single-color print and increases from there for multi-color prints — more colors means more material costs, plus increased setup time and labor.
Check our size chart and fit guide above, or reach out and our team can help you pick the right one.
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