In recent years, t-shirt printing has seen a massive increase in popularity, and for good reason. It's a great way to get creative with your clothing options, promote your business brand, or make a statement, whether artistic or political. However, as with everyone else, not all t-shirts are created equal, and it's important to take some time to choose the right one to ensure that you get the best out of your prints. In this article, we'll share some thoughts on the best 5 best t-shirt brands for printing on, depending on what you want from your prints.
It should go without saying that there's no single 'best' t-shirt option - rather, there are a range of factors to keep in mind that will help you find the best option for your specific needs. The first is the quality of the fabric, which can affect the longevity of the print - you want something that lasts and that people can wear for a long time to come. The surface of the t-shirt is also important, as a smooth surface will allow for a clearer, more vibrant print. For a lot of users, the brand's environmental impact and sustainability practices will also be something to keep in mind, something that's becoming increasingly important to more eco-conscious consumers.
First up, Gildan. Gildan is a Canadian clothing company that has grown in popularity in the UK market, renowned for its high-quality t-shirts that are specifically designed for printing on. Most Gildan t-shirts are made from 100% cotton, which makes them soft, durable, and incredibly comfortable to wear. They also have a tight-knit surface, ensuring the print is long-lasting - t-shirts with a looser knit can stretch more, which with most kinds of printing techniques, can wrap the design, decreasing the durability of the end product. If you're putting money an thought into a batch of t-shirts, you want them to last, making it important that you consider this point when choosing a t-shirt.
In the UK, Gildan t-shirts are especially trendy with small businesses and sports teams. They offer a great balance between affordability and quality, making them an excellent choice for those looking to print t-shirts in bulk without having to break the bank. If you are interested in what exactly makes Gildan so popular, we have a guide that you can read here.
Many of you will be familiar with Fruit of the Loom, a British clothing company that has been around since 1851. They're renowned for their high-quality t-shirts, specifically designed for printing on. Fruit of the Loom t-shirts are typically made using a blend of cotton and polyester, which makes them soft, while also being durable and easy to care for. That being said, the brand does also offer pure cotton options for those who want to go for an all-natural feel. The t-shirts also have a very smooth surface, which helps to ensure that the print remains strong in the long run.
Fruit of the Loom t-shirts are commonly used by promotional product companies and event organisers - you'll likely have seen the label on the inside of promotional t-shirts at gigs and art galleries. They offer a wide range of styles, sizes and colours, making finding the perfect t-shirt for your needs simpler than ever. If you are interested in printing on Fruit of the Loom t-shirts, we have a guide on why you should choose them - you can read it here.
Next, another British option - Continental Clothing is a company that offers a wide range of t-shirts in different styles, colours, and fabrics. They're famous for their high-quality t-shirts that are designed especially with printing in mind. For those looking for a slightly fancy base material, you'll be pleased to hear that Continental Clothing t-shirts are made from organic cotton, which makes them extra soft, durable, and eco-friendly. They're well-made, and the fabric is very even with a tight weave, helping to make sure that the end product lasts for years to come.
As a result of their sustainable approach to manufacturing, Continental Clothing t-shirts are mostly used by environmentally-conscious brands and consumers. They provide a sustainable solution for t-shirt printing, making them a great choice for anyone hoping to reduce their environmental impact.
Stanley/Stella is a Belgian clothing manufacturer that's rapidly becoming popular in the UK market for their high-quality t-shirts that are just perfect for printing. Most of the t-shirts made by Stanley/Stella are manufactured using a high-quality blend of organic cotton and recycled polyester, making them highly durable, extra soft, and environmentally sustainable.
Stanley/Stella t-shirts are perhaps especially well-known amongst fashion brands with a more ethical edge, brands who are aiming to target sustainability-conscious consumers. They offer a sustainable, ethically conscious option for printing t-shirts, making them an excellent choice for those looking to align their values with their purchasing decisions.
While they may be slightly more expensive than their competitors, that extra cost should be seen as a valuable investment. If the t-shirt ends up being worn for twice as long (or more) as compared to a cheaper alternative, then your brand name will be out there for twice the amount of time, being exposed to twice the number of people.
Finally, AS Colour is an Australian clothing company that has recently made its way to the UK market. They're coming to be quite well known for their high-quality t-shirts, which have been designed specifically for printing on, and for good reason.
AS Colour t-shirts are made using a blend of combed cotton and polyester, which results in a t-shirt that's soft, durable, and very easy to care for. Like the other options on this list, they're woven with care to create a smooth printing surface, ensuring that the ink or other medium of choice can stick to the base fabric. T-shirts from AS Colour are another particularly popular option among streetwear brands and fashion-forward consumers. They offer a modern, stylish option for printing t-shirts, making them an excellent choice for those looking to make a slightly more nuanced statement.
Hopefully, these t-shirt products have given you some promising options to consider. Each has a different focus, from quality and eco-friendliness to sustainability. Depending on the priorities of your brand, you can then choose one which ticks as many boxes as possible.
