It can be hard to choose the right t-shirt for your custom apparel order.
Some clients know exactly the brand and model of shirt they're looking for. Some of you have no idea, and that's fine! Here's some info and options to help you choose:
Fabric
Knowing the fabric you want will help narrow it down. Three types of t-shirts are available: cotton, poly, and blends.
- Cotton: Known for its softness and breathability, cotton is a popular choice for custom t-shirts. It's comfortable to wear and absorbs moisture well, making it suitable for everyday wear. They can be the cheapest option if you are on a budget.
- Polyester: Polyester t-shirts are prized for their durability and resistance to wrinkles and shrinking. They're also excellent for moisture-wicking, making them ideal for athletic or outdoor activities. Some people love the smooth feel, while others hate the plastic-y feel. They are more expensive than basic cotton tees.
- Blends: Blended fabrics, such as cotton-polyester blends, offer the best of both worlds. They combine the softness of cotton with the durability of polyester, resulting in comfortable and long-lasting t-shirts. On first impression they feel very soft and stretchy. But some will start to pill. These are often some of the most expensive shirts you can buy.
If you know the fabric you want, here are some of our popular choices:
Cotton:
- Gildan 5000 - this is the most popular shirt on the market. Tons of colours, with adult unisex, youth, and ladies sizing. Very budget-friendly.
- M&O 4800 - another popular budget-friendly option. Fits a little larger and boxier than the 5000, and has slightly lighter cotton.
- American Apparel 1301 - A favourite in the shop. This is one of the heaviest cotton shirts available in Canada, and is available in many colours.
- Bella+Canvas 3001 - a premium ring-spun cotton option. Very popular for it's soft and light feel.
- Comfort Colors 1717 - another heavyweight shirt with some unique colour options. Garment dyed, which means its dyed after the shirt is sewn.
Polyester:
- ATC3600 - this is a popular choice for sweaty activities, and fits quite loose.
- Gildan 42000 - another popular choice for teams, and the only 100% poly option that has a heathered sport grey.
Blends:
- Jerzees 29MR - even 50/50 blend of cotton/poly, with a great fit and feel.
- Gildan 8000 - another top choice with tons of colours, very budget friendly.
- Bella+Canvas 3413 - a premium tri-blend option with 75/15/15 ring-spun cotton, polyester, and rayon.
- Russell 64STTM - this 60/40 cotton/poly blend is an affordable premium option for sports clubs and teams.
We use many of these shirts for our regular products and clients. The Russell 64STTM is used by Ladner Minor Baseball's Essential Tee, the Gildan 5000 for Sibylla Kiddle School, the American Apparel 1301 for DSS Pacerwear, and the Jerzees 29MR for Strange Advance's new T-shirts.
You can see samples of these shirts at our shop - just reach out using our quote form below. If you are looking for something else, we can source just about any shirt available.