T-shirt properties
There are many ways to manufacture a fabric that changes its durability, look, and feel. If you want to select a high-quality t-shirt like a pro, these elements are worth remembering.
Fabric blends
When it comes to fabric blends, the key is in the name—blends are created by combining different types of fibers. Fabric blends are very popular in clothing because it’s a way of selecting the best characteristics of 2 or more fibers and compensating for the weaker traits.
Synthetic fibers are known for their strength, good wrinkle resistance, and low shrinkage. However, natural fibers have great absorbency, plus they feel incredibly soft on the skin. Making them perfect for everyday wear, especially on hot summer days.
So it’s no surprise that poly-cotton is one of the most common fabric blends. It combines the best of both (fiber) worlds. Polyester fibers have high durability and good color fastness (resistance to fading or running) while cotton provides breathability and comfort.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the different types of fabrics and their properties, take a look at our guide to cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics.
Fabric composition
Most of our top 7 tees are made of 100% cotton, yet they’re not all the same. There’s the plain Jane, aka cotton, followed by its prettier cousin, ring-spun cotton, and finally, we have the queen of the ball—combed cotton.
The processes for creating regular cotton, ring-spun cotton, combed cotton, and ring-spun combed cotton are definitely not the same. So let’s figure out the specifics of each of these fabrics.
Regular cotton
Regular cotton is made from soft vegetable fibers that are twisted together to make yarn, which is then woven to make the material. The regular cotton t-shirt is the industry standard. It’s less expensive to make, which means it’s a big seller.
Ring-spun cotton
The yarn for ring-spun cotton is made by twisting and thinning the cotton strands to make a very fine, strong, soft rope of cotton fibers. They’ve been through a spinning process that softens and straightens each fiber.
Ring-spun cotton t-shirts are more durable than their regular cotton tee counterparts, but are a bit more expensive.
Ring-spun cotton t-shirts: Comfort Colors 1717, Stanley/Stella STTU755
Combed cotton
Combed cotton has been combed to make the yarn stronger and softer. This combing process also rids the batch of shorter fibers and impurities, which results in finer, stronger, and more compact cotton. Combed cotton is considered higher quality and softer than cotton that hasn’t been combed.
Ring-spun combed cotton
Ring-spun combed cotton is a step up in quality as it’s even more refined. After the cotton fibers have been spun, they’re combed to remove any impurities or imperfect strands. This way, the knit that is produced is soft and extremely durable. Plus, it creates a smooth surface on the t-shirt fabric.
Ring-spun combed cotton t-shirts: Bella + Canvas 3001, Cotton Heritage MC1086
Fabric weight
One of the most important factors to consider is the weight of the fabric. Fabric weight is the outcome of how the fabric has been woven, its finish, and the fiber type.
In the US, the fabric is measured in ounces per square yard (oz/yd2), but everyone else out there might have an easier time understanding the metric unit—grams per square meter (g/m2). G/m2 and Oz/yd2 show how much 1 square meter/yard of fabric weighs. The higher the g/m2 or oz/yd2 number, the denser the fabric will be.
Let’s take a look at the fabric weight for our top 7 t-shirts:
| |
Bella + Canvas 3001 |
Stanley/Stella STTU755 |
Cotton Heritage MC1086 |
All-Over Print Men's Crew Neck T-Shirt |
Comfort Colors 1717 |
All-Over Print Women's Crew Neck T-Shirt |
Bella + Canvas 6400 |
| Fabric weight (oz/yd2) |
4.2 oz/yd² |
5.3 oz/yd² |
6.5 oz/yd² |
6.19 oz/yd² |
6.1 oz/yd² |
6.19 oz/yd² |
4.2 oz/yd² |
| Fabric weight (g/m2) |
142 g/m² |
180 g/m² |
220 g/m² |
210 g/m² |
206.8 g/m² |
210 g/m² |
142 g/m² |
There used to be a close connection between weight and quality—heavy shirts were good, light shirts were cheap. That’s not always the case these days. A lightweight shirt can be just as good when it comes to quality as a heavier one.
What’s the difference then? Well, just like furry boots are made for winter and flip-flops for summer, a heavier shirt is more durable and warmer than a lightweight one. Alternatively, a lightweight tee is a better layering piece and a hands-down winner when it gets warm and sunny.
So your task is not only to understand the needs of your audience but also to properly present this info in your product descriptions.
Fabric transparency
We’ve looked at the basic checklist, fabric types, and weight. But there’s another nifty thing to think about: transparency.
Fabric transparency is usually affected by fabric weight and color. The heavier the fabric is, the more opaque it will be. The closer to the white color it is, the more it will show through. And, as mentioned before, the higher the g/m2 or oz/yd2 number, the denser the fabric is, and the less sheer it’s going to be.
These aren’t the only factors, though. The weave of a fabric and the type of yarn used also come into play. It determines how sheer and thick the fabric is going to be.
To understand fabric transparency better, you can go back to the fabric weight comparison table. As we’re talking about cotton and polyester t-shirts here, weight and color will be the most important factors to keep in mind.
Fulfillment methods
To make sure your design turns out the way you envision it, you’ll have to find the right fulfillment method for your tee of choice. Each method has specific requirements for custom t-shirt printing, so here’s how to select the best one for you.
DTG (direct-to-garment) printing
DTG (direct-to-garment) printing is perfect for photos or designs that include intricate details or lots of colors. It’s comfortable and long-lasting, because the print soaks into the clothing fibers. The best quality t-shirts for DTG printing are made from cotton. The higher the percentage of cotton, the more vivid the print.
Embroidery
For text design, bold logos, and thick lines check out embroidery.
DTG printing and embroidery are available for:
All-over print sublimation
If you’ve created a pattern or large-scale design, then choose all-over print. First, your artwork will be printed on fabric. Then, it’ll be cut and sewn into the t-shirt you’ve chosen. The best blank t-shirts for all-over print sublimation contain a high percentage of polyester. That way, in the printing process, the ink can bond with polymers in the fabric. On polyester t-shirts, this technique creates richer and longer-lasting designs.
It’s available for:
Remember to read the print file guidelines for the chosen fulfillment method to ensure your designs turn out perfect.
Branding options
After you’ve chosen the perfect tee and decided on a fulfillment method, it’s now time for that cherry on top. Give a professional look to your designed t-shirt by adding an inside/outside label or sleeve print. It’ll strengthen your customer loyalty, and remind them of your brand every time the t-shirt is worn.
Learn more about different branding options and create the perfect unboxing experience for your customers.
What’s the best t-shirt for printing?
So who wins the ultimate battle of the tees? Simply put, it’s the shirt you know your customers are going to love. Think about fiber content, fabric composition, weight, transparency, and fulfillment method.
But, don’t forget about the price. Take into consideration your profit margins and how much your customers are willing to pay for custom t-shirts. If you’re still not sure, order some samples to test your designs and the quality of the shirts.
