Picking a blank is the first real decision in any print order. The shirt decides how the print looks, how the garment feels and how long people keep wearing it. This guide compares a few popular styles from the four brands we print on most: Gildan, Bella+Canvas, Independent Trading Co. and ALSTYLE.
Every spec below comes from the manufacturer's own product page. We only list what those pages say. Where a page left something out, we say so instead of guessing.
What to compare before you choose
Four things matter most when you look for the best blank t-shirts for screen printing. Keep them in this order.
- Fabric content. 100% cotton, a cotton-poly blend, or a blend with a cotton face. This changes feel, shrinkage and how ink behaves.
- Weight. Listed in ounces per square yard (oz/yd²) or grams per square metre (g/m² or GSM). Heavier fabric feels thicker and more structured.
- Yarn. Ring-spun and combed cotton gives a smoother surface. Bella+Canvas explains that ring-spun yarn is "smoother and longer" than open-end yarn, which is "bulky, fuzzy and creates an uneven knit."
- Fit. Classic, tailored, relaxed or generous. Fit decides who will actually wear the shirt.
Price and colour range matter too. We confirm both in your quote, because they change with the season and the supplier.
Tees side by side
These three tees cover the usual range, from a light, soft retail tee to a thick, heavyweight classic.
| Style | Fabric content (solids) | Weight | Fit (as listed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bella+Canvas 3001 Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee | 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, 32 singles | 4.2 oz | Tailored fit, side-seamed, unisex sizing |
| Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton Tee | 100% US cotton | 180 g/m² | Not listed on the page we checked |
| American Apparel (formerly ALSTYLE) 1301 Heavyweight Cotton Tee | 100% US cotton | 203 g/m² | Classic fit, tubular body |
Heather colours often use a different blend. For example, the 3001 in Ash is 99% cotton and 1% polyester. Bella+Canvas sells its heather colours as a separate style, the 3001CVC. Always check the exact colour you want.
A note on ALSTYLE
When we checked, ALSTYLE's product page for the 1301 redirected to American Apparel's site. That site now lists a 1301 Heavyweight Cotton Unisex T-Shirt. Gildan acquired American Apparel in 2017, so you may see either name on quotes and supplier lists.
Hoodies side by side
Hoodies vary even more than tees. Fleece weight, face yarn and fit all shift how a print sits on the chest.
| Style | Fabric content (solids) | Weight | Fit (as listed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend Hooded Sweatshirt | 50% US cotton, 50% polyester | 8.0 oz/yd² | Classic fit |
| Bella+Canvas 3719 Sponge Fleece Pullover Hoodie | 52% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester fleece | 8 oz | Retail fit, unisex sizing |
| Independent Trading Co. SS4500 Midweight Hood | 80% cotton, 20% polyester, 100% cotton 32 singles face yarn | 8.5 oz (280 g) | Generous fit |
| Independent Trading Co. IND4000 Heavyweight Hood | 70% cotton, 30% polyester, 100% cotton 32 singles face yarn | 10 oz (330 g) | Generous fit |
The phrase "cotton face yarn" is worth noticing. It means the outside surface is cotton even though the fabric overall is a blend. Bella+Canvas also makes the 3719 in "DTG colours" with a 100% cotton face.
What each brand is good for
Gildan
The 5000 Heavy Cotton tee is 100% US cotton at 180 g/m². It is a straightforward cotton tee for staff shirts, events and larger runs. The 18500 hoodie is a 50/50 blend with a brushed interior. Gildan says it uses "air combed MVS yarn for reduced pilling" and lists screen printing among the suitable decoration methods.
Bella+Canvas
The 3001 is the lightest tee here at 4.2 oz. Bella+Canvas calls it a tee "with a smooth surface perfect for printing of any kind." It suits merch meant to feel like a retail shirt. The 3719 hoodie is soft sponge fleece with a retail fit.
Independent Trading Co.
Most of Independent's featured styles are fleece. The SS4500 sits in the middle at 8.5 oz. The IND4000 steps up to 10 oz, three-end fleece and ring-spun cotton. Both list a generous fit, split-stitch double-needle seams and 1x1 ribbing. Pick the SS4500 for everyday wear and the IND4000 when you want real weight.
ALSTYLE / American Apparel
The 1301 is the heaviest tee in our table at 203 g/m², which works out to about 6 oz/yd². It is 100% US cotton with a tubular body, so there are no side seams. It suits anyone who wants a thick, classic cotton tee.
How fabric affects the print
Cotton and blends handle ink differently. Keep these points in mind when you pick a blank for a screen-printed design.
- Smooth surfaces help detail. Bella+Canvas says ring-spun yarn avoids the "uneven knit" of open-end yarn. An even surface gives fine lines and small text a better base.
- Polyester can affect ink colour. ScreenPrinting.com describes dye migration as dye moving from the garment into the ink. It says this happens in polyester and poly-cotton blends when heat makes the dye sublimate, and that low-bleed inks and a "low and slow" cure help prevent it.
- Heather colours are usually blends. Even a style sold as 100% cotton can include polyester in its heather shades. Check before you order.
We plan ink and curing around the garment you choose. If a blend needs special handling, we will tell you in the quote.
How we help you choose at XUSI
We are an Indigenous-owned screen printing shop in Saskatoon, on Treaty 6 territory. We print on Gildan, ALSTYLE, Independent and Bella+Canvas, and we can look at other brands on request.
Here is how our printing works:
- A 10 garment minimum per order.
- Up to 4 colours per design.
- Pricing based on the garments you pick, the number of colours and how many you order.
- Screens up to 23 x 31 inches.
- Design help included.
- A full quote before anything is printed. Timing depends on order size and time of year, and we confirm it in the quote.
Not sure which blank fits your group? Tell us who will wear the shirts and how you plan to use them. We will suggest a few styles and price them out. Start on our screen printing page, or contact us with your questions.
If you are ordering for a class, team or event, our guide on ordering custom shirts walks through the steps. You can also see how our own tees feel in our tee collection.
Related reading: Heavyweight vs regular t-shirts: GSM explained · Screen printing cost per shirt
Questions people ask
Which blank is best for screen printing?
There is no single answer. For a soft, retail feel, a ring-spun tee like the Bella+Canvas 3001 is a good start. For a thicker tee, look at the Gildan 5000 or the 1301. Match the shirt to the people wearing it.
Can you mix brands in one order?
Ask us in your quote request. We will confirm what works for your design and quantities before anything is printed.
Do you print on brands not listed here?
Yes, more brands are available on request. Send us the style number and we will look into it.
Why does the same style feel different in another colour?
Heather and some specialty colours often use a different cotton-poly blend. The manufacturer's page lists content by colour, so check the one you plan to order.
Sources
- BELLA+CANVAS: 3001 Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee
- BELLA+CANVAS: 3719 Unisex Sponge Fleece Pullover Hoodie
- BELLA+CANVAS: T-shirt Jargon 101
- Gildan Brands: Gildan Heavy Cotton 5000 T-Shirt
- Gildan: G18500 Heavy Blend Adult Hooded Sweatshirt
- Gildan Brands: American Apparel 1301
- American Apparel: 1301 Heavyweight Cotton Unisex T-Shirt
- Independent Trading Co.: SS4500 Midweight Pullover Hood
- Independent Trading Co.: IND4000 Heavyweight Pullover Hood
- Wikipedia: Gildan
- ScreenPrinting.com: What is dye migration
Written by XUSI, an Indigenous-owned clothing and screen printing brand from Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory. Our story · What the words mean