A great custom t-shirt comes down to three things: the right blank, the right print method, and the right fit. Get those dialed in and your design looks sharp, feels good, and lasts for years. This guide walks you through all three so you can order with confidence — whether it's 12 shirts for a family reunion or 500 for a company event.
Choosing the Right T-Shirt Fabric
The blank you start with shapes everything about how the final shirt looks and feels. Here are the four fabric families we work with most:
- 100% Cotton: Soft, breathable, and the classic choice. Ring-spun and combed cotton feel noticeably smoother than basic cotton and take screen printing beautifully. Great for everyday tees and bulk orders on a budget.
- Cotton/Poly Blends: The "best of both" option. Blends resist shrinking and wrinkling, hold their shape wash after wash, and have a slightly lighter feel than all-cotton. A safe pick for almost any project.
- Tri-Blends: A mix of cotton, polyester, and rayon that gives a vintage-soft, slightly heathered look with a relaxed drape. Popular for retail-style and premium tees.
- Performance Polyester: Moisture-wicking and quick-drying, built for athletics and the job site. Pairs best with DTF or sublimation printing.
Not sure which to choose? Tell us your use case and budget and we'll recommend the perfect blank — and send a free mockup before you pay.
Screen Printing vs. DTF: Which Is Right for Your Shirts?
Screen Printing
Ink is pushed through a mesh screen, one screen per color. It delivers bright, durable prints at a low per-shirt cost on larger runs. Best for orders of 24 or more with a handful of solid colors — think team shirts, event tees, and company merch.
Direct to Film (DTF)
A full-color design is printed to film and heat-pressed onto the shirt. DTF handles fine detail, gradients, and photo-style artwork with no minimum, which makes it ideal for small orders and complex designs.
The short version: small order or detailed full-color art, DTF wins. Large order with simple colors, screen printing wins. We'll always recommend the method that gives you the best result for your design and quantity.
Getting the Fit Right
Even the best print falls flat on the wrong fit. A few things to think through before you order:
- Unisex vs. fitted: Standard unisex tees run roomy and suit most groups. Fitted and women's cuts offer a more tailored silhouette.
- Weight: Mid-weight shirts (around 4.5 to 6 oz) hit the sweet spot of substance and comfort. Heavyweight tees feel premium and structured; lightweight tees feel airy and relaxed.
- Range of sizes: Ordering for a group? We carry youth through 5XL in most popular styles so everyone is covered.
If you're outfitting a team or family, we're happy to walk you through sizing so every shirt lands right.
Logo Placement & Print Size
Where your design sits — and how big it is — makes the difference between a shirt that looks pro and one that feels off. The most common placements:
- Left chest: 3 to 4 inches wide. Clean and professional, perfect for company logos and uniforms.
- Center chest: 8 to 10 inches wide. Great for bolder logos and text designs.
- Full front: 10 to 12 inches wide. The go-to for graphic tees and statement designs.
- Full back: 10 to 14 inches wide. Ideal for big artwork, slogans, or sponsor logos.
Send us your artwork and our team will scale and place it for the cleanest possible result — and you'll see it all on your free mockup first.
How Ordering Works
Request a Quote
Tell us the shirt, quantity, and your design idea.
Free Mockup
We send a digital proof — before you pay a dime.
Approve
Review, request changes, and give the green light.
Delivered
Most orders ship in about two weeks. Rush available.