Best Blank T-Shirts for Screen Printing & Embroidery

The decoration is only as good as the blank underneath it. Whether you're running a screen printing shop, setting up an embroidery machine, or sourcing for a client, the t-shirt you choose affects ink adhesion, stitch quality, shrinkage, and how the finished piece holds up over time.

Here's our breakdown of the best blank tees for the most common decoration methods — and what to look for before you order.

What to Look for in a Printable Blank

Not all blanks are created equal when it comes to decoration. Before you commit to a style, consider:

Fabric content: 100% cotton is the gold standard for screen printing. Polyester blends can cause dye migration with plastisol inks.
Weight: Heavier fabrics (5.5–6.1 oz) hold up better to multiple print passes. Lighter tees (4.2–4.5 oz) are great for soft-hand prints and DTG.
Weave: Ring-spun and combed cotton creates a smoother surface for finer detail. Open-end cotton is more textured but very affordable.
Side seams vs. tubular: Side-seamed tees lay flatter on the platen, which helps with registration on multi-color prints.

Best Blanks for Screen Printing

Gildan G500 Heavy Cotton Tee

The industry workhorse. At 5.3 oz of 100% preshrunk cotton, the G500 is flat, consistent, and takes plastisol ink beautifully. It's the top choice for high-volume contract printing where cost control matters. Sizing runs slightly large, which gives you a forgiving print area.

Best for: Event tees, fundraisers, school spirit wear, bulk promotional orders.

Gildan G640 Softstyle Tee

A step up in feel from the G500, the Softstyle uses ring-spun cotton for a smoother hand. It's lighter (4.5 oz) and drapes better, making it a solid choice when you want a softer finished product without jumping to a premium price point.

Best for: Retail-adjacent projects, lifestyle brands on a budget, soft-hand ink prints.

Bella + Canvas 3001 Unisex Jersey Tee

The go-to blank for shops that want a premium finished product. The Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton creates an ultra-smooth surface that's ideal for detailed artwork and water-based inks. Side-seamed construction keeps it flat on the platen.

Best for: Boutique brands, influencer merch, retail-quality finished goods.

Best Blanks for Embroidery

Gildan G500 Heavy Cotton Tee

The weight and structure of the G500 make it a reliable embroidery blank. The fabric is stable enough to hold a backing without puckering, and the consistent weave gives you clean stitch definition.

A4 Performance Tees

If your client needs embroidered activewear — think sports teams, gyms, or corporate wellness programs — A4's moisture-wicking performance tees are built for it. The tighter weave holds stitches well, and the polyester construction is durable through repeated washing.

Best for: Athletic teams, corporate uniforms, outdoor and active use.

Best Blanks for DTG (Direct-to-Garment)

DTG printing works best on high-cotton fabrics with a tight, smooth weave. The ink bonds to cotton fibers, so blends with more than 50% polyester will produce muted, less vibrant results.

Bella + Canvas 3001

The smooth surface and high cotton content make this the top DTG blank on the market. Colors come out vivid, detail is sharp, and the soft hand feel of the finished print is excellent.

Comfort Colors 1717 Garment-Dyed Tee

The pre-washed, garment-dyed construction gives DTG prints a vintage, lived-in look right out of the gate. If your client wants that worn-in aesthetic with a full-color print, this is the blank to reach for.

Best for: Vintage-style brands, lifestyle apparel, creative studios.

Quick Reference: Blank by Decoration Method

Decoration Method	Top Pick	Budget Pick
Screen Print (plastisol)	Bella + Canvas 3001	Gildan G500
Screen Print (water-based)	Bella + Canvas 3001	Gildan G640 Softstyle
Embroidery	Gildan G500	A4 Performance Tee
DTG	Bella + Canvas 3001	Comfort Colors 1717
Heat Transfer / HTV	Gildan G640 Softstyle	Gildan G500

Shop Decoration-Ready Blanks at MCJ Crafts

We stock all of the blanks mentioned above, ready to ship. Browse by brand to find the right fit for your next run:

Not sure which blank is right for your decoration method or substrate? Reach out — we're happy to help you spec the right garment before you commit to a full order.

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