Here are the shirts our clients have chosen the most over the last 12 months.

We can’t really say any of them are better than the others on this list because the custom needs of each of our clients are subjective. What is better or best for you depends heavily on the priorities of your project. For that reason, we’ve broken down the choices into sub-categories like Most Popular Overall, Wash Wear, Low Cost, etc.

If you’re looking for more in-depth info on shirt fabric type, we discuss the differences between them in detail here: Very Very Soft Prints

Most Popular Tees Overall

1. Bella Canvas 3001CVC Unisex Heather

2. Next Level 6210 CVC Crew

3. Bella Canvas 3001 Unisex Jersey

4. Next Level 3600 Cotton Crew

5. Bella Canvas 3413 Unisex Tri-Blend

6. Next Level 6010 Tri-Blend Crew

Personal favorites of this category

Alternative Apparel Go-To tee

AS Colour 5051 Basic Tee

Since American Apparel changed the shape and feel of the shirt in the early 2000s, 4.3 ounce ring spun combed cotton jersey and a fashion fit has become synonymous with quality. That’s likely why these make up the vast majority of what we print on, and although they’re made in different factories and are different brand names, these shirts are interchangeable in my mind.

Cost – same.

Fit – same.

Wash and wear – same.

Printability – same.

Tear out tags – yes.

If you want a tee at a competitive price, that’s a cut above most in quality, these are all great options.

The 3413 and 6010 are tri-blends which tend to be a bit softer out of the box, but pill after 7-10 wash cycles.

Wash Wear Winner

7. AS Colour 5001 Staple Tee

If you want a shirt that will last forever: AS Colour 5001

About 90% of what we print is 4.3 ounce ring spun, combed cotton. Wonderful print surface, and it’s what people like.

This tee is 5.3 ounce combed cotton. Beyond the extra ounce in weight, the yarn is made from a blend of Indian and Australian long staple cotton. The fabric is combed, dyed, and preshrunk. The tee does shrink in the initial washing, but after that continues looking nearly new and crisp wash after wash.

This may seem counter-intuitive, but the added ounce in weight really doesn’t make me warmer in these hot southern summers. The fabric seems to stay cool like a really high-end set of bed sheets.

It’s my favorite tee. I wear it all the time.
Highly recommended for uniforms and fashion, when durability and quality are priorities.
Cost is higher than the 4.3 ounce fashion fit tees.

Low Cost Winner

8. M&O 4800

This brand is new to me, but has existed for decades. I’ve washed and worn the shirt for months and it’s done surprisingly well. It’s not scratchy or uncomfortable. The fit is not boxy, but is relaxed. Cost beats the Gildan 2000.

Lower Cost Versions of the Most Popular Tees

9. Cotton Heritage M1045 Tubular Shirt

10. Gildan 64000 soft style Tee

The Cotton Heritage M1045 wash tested better than the Bella Canvas 3001 and cost is 20% less on average.

Gildan’s 64000 soft style tee is another good lower cost fashion soft tee. Cost is only slightly more than the Cotton Heritage M1045.

Softest Tee

I’ve intentionally left “softest tee” options off of this list. All the shirts on the list are soft with the exception of the low cost winner. I’ve done this because soft to the touch is subjective and it’s enough of a conversation to be an article by itself. Example: I think the AS Color 5001 is softer than the Canvas 3413. My office-mate Jason disagrees. All that in mind, you cannot go wrong with any of these if you want a soft tee.

When you’ve chosen the shirt you like or if you’re still unsure what the best option for your project is, email us at hello@dangerpress.com for a quote.

Editors note: This article was originally published in September 2019 and has been updated to reflect our latest recommendations.

Ed Jewell

Ed enjoys working, spending time with his family, and has been screen printing since 2002. When he’s not doing any of those things you might find him in his yard making it look oh-so-nice. Overall, he’s a boring guy really.

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