Custom printed t-shirts are some of the best promotional products your brand can use to build brand awareness. Whether it’s branded merchandise , a big event, or a new hire kit for your team - you can feel confident that your target audience will obsess over the custom t-shirts.
However, you should never just invest in the lowest-cost option. You should be mindful of your audience’s likes and dislikes and look for t-shirt brands that resonate with the individual. What colors are they most likely to wear? What sizes will fit them? Would they like a simple and subtle design or something big and bold?
You should consider the material, quality, and style. This ensures that the recipient will keep the shirt for years to come and it will become a staple in their wardrobe.
We’re here to show the best t-shirt brands for printing, so you can find the best option for your branding initiatives.
Let’s take a closer look:
What to Look For In Popular T-Shirt Brands
- Quality: To ensure your customers or employees hold on to the shirts for a while, you want to invest in quantity over quality. This ensures the shirt will still look and feel its best, even after going through the washer and dryer a few times.
- Size and Fit: When looking for the best quality custom t-shirts, you’ll want to consider the size and fit of your shirts. Many popular t-shirt brands have unisex, female, and male sizing options. You also want to ensure the brand has all the sizes you need to accommodate your audience. If the shirt only comes in S-XL - it could leave a negative impression on your audience - since you're limiting who can and can't receive the shirt.
- Colors: The most popular t-shirt brands come in different colors and styles. This ensures you can find an option that complements your event, brand messaging, or logo.
Our Top 5 Popular T-Shirt Brands
Bella Canvas
Bella Canvas carries a wide variety of soft-to-touch t-shirts that are perfect for any occasion. They have long sleeves, t-shirts, v-necks, and tank tops in different sizes, colors, and styles. Their shirts are perfect for universities, events, new hire welcome kits, and employee uniforms. Bella Canvas is considered a fashion t-shirt and will have the highest quality feel, making it great for branded merchandise, too.
Bella + Canvas Ladies Relaxed Jersey Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
- Made of 4.2 oz 100% combed and ringspun cotton
- Available in over 20 different colors
- Comes in women’s size S-3XL
Gildan
Gildan offers some of the most high-quality t-shirts for printing. They have ultra cotton shirts with densely made material designed for all genders and sizes. This brand is known for producing well-made, low-cost options that do not tarnish easily. You also don’t need to worry about the color of the shirt fading anytime soon. They have a variety of 100% cotton and cotton blend options available.
Gildan Adult Heavy Cotton T-Shirt
- Available in over 87 different colors
- Made of preshrunk 100% cotton jersey material
- Available in sizes S to 5XL
District
District t-shirts are comparable to Bella Canvas. They have an extensive collection of t-shirts for printing available to brands. This ensures you find the best fit and material for your team or customers. The district has flattering silhouettes that will accommodate all individuals, and most of their sizes vary from XS to 4XL. However, many of their most popular options feature a slimmer body and shorter sleeves, which is something to be mindful of when considering the best t-shirt brands for printing.
District The Concert T-Shirt
- Comes in 15 different colors
- Made of 100% soft-spun cotton
- Available in sizes XS to 4XL
Port & Company
This brand offers soft, cotton-made shirts that are true to size. They are created with a heavier fabric that doesn’t tarnish easily. They have made-in-the-USA options, preshrunk shirts, cotton blends, and 100% cotton options. This is a great reliable shirt that is great for printing and embroidery.
Custom Printed Port & Company Core Blend T-Shirt
- Option to choose from 39 fun and vibrant colors
- Made of 50/50 cotton & polyester blend
- Limited sizes; only available in S to 3XL
Sport-Tek
If you’re looking for a sporty, outdoorsy alternative - Sport-Tek is the best t-shirt brand for you. This brand is known for its high-quality performance tees. Their shirts are moisture-wicking, and great for outdoor events, sports, hikes, and other activities. These shirts are typically made with a polyester and spandex blend. Since these aren't 100% cotton, you’ll want to work for a professional to ensure your screen print design is high-quality and meets your standards. Even though extra care goes into printing, this is still one of the best t-shirt brands for printing.
Sport-Tek Ultimate Performance Crew T-Shirt
- Available in six different colors
- Made of a 95/5 Polyester/Spandex
- Available in sizes XS to XL
Invest in The Best Quality Custom TShirts With Bagmasters
At Bagmasters, we have all of these popular t-shirt brands and more. Whether you’re looking for new shirts for an upcoming event or to surprise your team, we have what you need. All our shirts are available in different colors, styles, and sizes. We also have unique branding capabilities to help you bring your vision to life. Whether you're ready to get custom-branded merchandise or t-shirts for your team - we're here to help.
Explore our collection of the best shirt brands for printing today to get started.
FAQs about The Best Custom T-Shirts
What are the highest quality t-shirts made of?
The highest quality promotional t-shirts are made with 100% cotton. These shirts are durable and increase the longevity of the branded t-shirt. Consider a cotton and poly blend if you're looking for a durable and soft option that your target audience will love. These are great for printing and have that soft feel that consumers want.
What t-shirts are best for embroidery?
Shirts with natural fibers like cotton work best for embroidery. Thicker and more durable materials are preferred to ensure the embroidered design is readable and doesn't get warped during the printing process.
What t-shirts are best to print on?
The best and most common material for high-quality t-shirt for printing is cotton. Cotton is a durable, soft, and low-cost material that absorbs ink, creating the perfect canvas for printing. If you're looking for a fully-sublimated design, you'll want to consider a polyester or a polyester blend.
