Best Blank T-Shirts for Screen Printing: 5 Picks
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The best blank T-shirt for screen printing is the one that fits your wearer, artwork and production plan. Start with the Gildan 5000 for a classic-fit, midweight brief, the 64000 for lighter ring-spun cotton, or the Comfort Colors 1717 for a heavier, relaxed look. Add the BELLA+CANVAS 3001 and Next Level 3600 to your sample shortlist when you want lightweight, side-seamed options.
A quick shortlist for your next print run
- Classic event or staff tee: compare the Gildan 5000 with the lighter Gildan 64000.
- Lightweight side-seamed merchandise: sample the BELLA+CANVAS 3001 and Next Level 3600.
- Heavier garment-dyed merchandise: consider the Comfort Colors 1717.
Choose the exact color before approving the print process: a heather can have a different fiber blend from the standard solid.
Compare five blank T-shirts for screen printing
| Blank T-shirt | Weight | Base fabric | Fit / construction | Consider for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton | 5.3 oz./yd² | 100% cotton | Classic fit | Event and staff tees with more fabric weight |
| Gildan 64000 Softstyle | 4.5 oz./yd² | 100% ring-spun cotton | Modern classic fit | A lighter ring-spun option for everyday merchandise |
| BELLA+CANVAS 3001 Jersey | 4.2 oz./yd² | 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton | Side-seamed; unisex sizing | Lightweight side-seamed tees for a retail merchandise brief |
| Next Level 3600 Cotton | 4.3 oz./yd² | 100% combed ring-spun cotton | Regular fit; side seams | Another lightweight cotton option to sample beside the 3001 |
| Comfort Colors 1717 | 6.1 oz./yd² | 100% ring-spun cotton; garment-dyed | Relaxed fit | Heavier, relaxed merchandise with a garment-dyed look |
Weight describes fabric per square yard, not the weight of a complete shirt. More weight does not automatically mean a softer, more durable or better-printing shirt.
Which shirt fits your project?
Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton
Start here for a classic-fit event or staff shirt when you want more fabric weight than the lighter tees below. Compare the actual color and size mix against your budget; the model name alone does not make it the least expensive option.
Check the color: Sport Grey is 90/10 cotton/polyester; Graphite Heather is 50/50.
See colors, sizes and current pricing
Gildan 64000 Softstyle
Put this on your shortlist when you want a lighter ring-spun tee without moving straight to a side-seamed style. Check the modern classic fit against a shirt you already like. For a closer look at the two Gildans, use our Heavy Cotton vs Softstyle comparison.
Check the color: Sport Grey is 90/10 cotton/polyester; many heathers contain more polyester.
See colors, sizes and current pricing
BELLA+CANVAS 3001 Jersey
Consider the 3001 for a lightweight, side-seamed blank when the finished shirt is part of the appeal of your merchandise. Its combed, ring-spun fabric is a useful selection point, but the ink deposit and artwork still affect the finished feel. Check the exact style code: 3001CVC is a different fabric family.
Check the color: Ash is 99/1 cotton/polyester. Do not substitute 3001CVC specs for 3001 solids.
See colors, sizes and current pricing
Next Level 3600 Cotton
Sample the 3600 alongside the 3001 if your brief calls for a lightweight combed-cotton tee. The small difference in listed fabric weight does not decide softness or print quality. Compare chest width, body length, your chosen shade and the feel of the finished print.
Check the color: Heather Grey is 90/10 cotton/polyester; supplier lists Oatmeal as 99/1.
See colors, sizes and current pricing
Comfort Colors 1717
Choose this direction when a heavier fabric and relaxed, garment-dyed look are part of the design brief. It is the heaviest shirt in this shortlist, not a claim that it is the highest quality. Approve your artwork on the actual garment color before committing to a production run.
Check the color: Approve the actual garment color and test the planned ink system.
See colors, sizes and current pricingDeciding between the two Gildans? Compare the Gildan 5000 and 64000 in more detail, including fabric, fit and color blends.
What makes a good blank for screen printing?
Choose the fabric and color together
For a first cotton-based project, an all-cotton solid is a practical starting point to discuss with your printer. Confirm the fiber content for the exact color, not just the model’s headline description. On the 5000 and 64000, for example, Sport Grey adds polyester, while Graphite Heather is a 50/50 blend. These are not interchangeable printing surfaces.
Polyester-containing fabrics need an ink and curing plan that accounts for dye migration, where garment dye can discolor the print. Avient recommends pretesting new garments and dye lots. Have the printer choose the appropriate ink system and follow its technical instructions rather than applying a universal temperature to every shirt.
Match the fit to the wearer
Classic, modern classic, regular and relaxed are different fit descriptions, not instructions to size up or down. Lay a shirt your wearer likes flat and compare its chest width and body length with the product’s chart. Check the smallest and largest sizes in a group order before approving one artwork size for everyone.
For retail merchandise, the undecorated fit and the finished print both matter. A lightweight shirt with a large, heavy ink deposit can feel different from the blank sample. Approve the combination you intend to sell.
Use the artwork to narrow the shortlist
Tell the printer the number of ink colors, placement, finished dimensions and garment color. A small chest logo and a large opaque front print ask different things of the production setup. Dark garments may require an underbase; discuss how that changes the price and finished feel before treating two quotes as equivalent.
Side seams describe construction, not a guarantee of easier printing or a better fit. Likewise, a garment-dyed finish does not establish how a particular discharge ink will react. If you want discharge printing, ask for an actual test of the selected shade; do not assume every cotton shirt or every dye responds the same way.
Before you buy blanks in bulk
- Write the brief. Record who will wear the shirt, preferred fit, garment color, artwork, quantities by size and the event or delivery deadline.
- Shortlist two or three exact styles. Compare the same color and size mix on Bear’s product pages. Include any larger-size price differences.
- Check a physical sample. Compare fit and fabric, then have the intended decoration applied to the actual garment color. One blank alone cannot tell you how the finished print will feel.
- Approve a production proof and wash test. Follow the ink maker’s cure instructions and the garment’s care label. ScreenPrinting.com recommends a wash test to confirm cure; a print looking good as it leaves the dryer is not the whole check.
- Compare the complete order. Include blanks, print setup, ink colors, placements and delivery. Check current stock for every size and color before placing the order.
There is no permanent lowest-price winner here. Supplier changes, promotions, size choices and order totals can change the comparison. Use the current product and cart totals for your planned order rather than multiplying a headline starting price across every size. For sample availability and conditions, check the selected product page.
Want help choosing the blank and the print?
Send us your artwork, preferred garment color, size breakdown and deadline. We can help you compare suitable blanks and plan the decoration before you commit to a bulk run.
Talk to Bear ImprintExplore custom apparelCommon buying questions
Is 100% cotton always the best choice?
No. Cotton solids are a useful starting point, but the finished garment, wearer and ink system decide the choice. Polyester-containing blends can be printed with an appropriate process. Confirm the exact color’s fiber content and test for the intended result.
Should I choose the Gildan 5000 or 64000?
The 5000 is the heavier, classic-fit option at 5.3 oz./yd²; the 64000 is a lighter ring-spun option at 4.5 oz./yd² with a modern classic fit. Compare the actual color, measurements and order pricing, then approve a sample for your project.
Is the BELLA+CANVAS 3001 the same as 3001CVC?
No. The manufacturer lists 3001 solids as an Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton style, with an Ash exception, and directs heather buyers to 3001CVC. Match the full style code and selected color before using a specification or approving ink settings.
Can I use one print size across every shirt size?
It may be possible, but approve its placement on the smallest garment first and consider how it looks on the largest. Check your printer’s usable print area and whether a second artwork size is appropriate for the size range.
Can I switch models after approving the sample?
Recheck the fit, color, fabric and print result before making the substitution. Similar names and the same letter size do not ensure that another blank will match your approved shirt.