Our Guide to Blank T-Shirts for Screen Printing
- Tom Andrews
- Apr 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 30
At Done London Print Co. we know that a high-quality screen print starts with the right blank. The T-shirt you choose affects everything from print quality and ink absorption to fit, feel, and the overall look of your final product. Whether you're producing fashion-forward garments, streetwear drops, corporate merch or ethical clothing lines, selecting the right blank T-shirt is a crucial step in the production process.
This guide will take you through the different fits, fabric weights, and a detailed breakdown of each brand we work with—including their specialisations, origins, and pros & cons.
T-Shirt Fits: Choosing the Right Silhouette
The fit of a T-shirt is super important to the end user and everyone has their preferred fit. The fit of a shirt style will differ a lot from brand to brand, even if it's the same style. These are the primary fit categories we offer:
Regular Box Fit – Straight cut through the body and sleeves. Universal and versatile, often used for unisex options.
Oversized Fit – A more contemporary square silhouette, shorter in length with dropped shoulders.
Relaxed Fit – Looser across the chest and shoulders. Popular in streetwear and brands that have an oversized aesthetic.
Slim Fit – Tapered through the torso and arms. Ideal for retail and fashion applications.
Women's Fit – Tailored for female proportions, often with shorter sleeves, a narrower waist, and varied neckline options.
Fabric Weights: GSM Explained
Fabric weight determines the feel and wear of a T-shirt but it also affects how a print will sit on it. Lighter weight fabrics need a softer ink and thicker heavier fabrics work best with a solid print with thicker inks. Fabric weight is measured in grams per square metre (GSM):
Lightweight (120–150 GSM) – Breathable and ideal for warmer climates or layering. Water-based and discharged inks work best on these weights
Midweight (150–180 GSM) – Balanced between softness and structure; suitable for most general-purpose applications. Plastisol, water-based and discharge inks all work well.
Heavyweight (180–250 GSM) – Durable with more structure and opacity; preferred in streetwear, premium fashion, and colder climates. Plastisol and high solid water-based inks work best. A thick solid print works well on a thicker fabric.
Brand Profiles: Comparing Blank T-Shirt Manufacturers
Below is a breakdown of each brand we offer at Done London Print Co. including their origins, product specialisations, and a list of pros and cons. We have also included a couple of our favourite styles with links to the products online. There are so many more blank garment manufacturers, but these are the ones we use and like the most.
AS Colour
📍 Origin: New Zealand
🛠 Specialisation: Retail-quality blanks, clean cuts, premium fabrics
Unique Selling Points: AS Colour is favoured by fashion brands for its consistent sizing, soft hand-feel, and high manufacturing standards. Their blanks, like the 5050 Staple Tee (180 GSM) and 5001 Classic Tee (220 GSM), are ideal for both screen printing and retail finishing.
Pros:
✔ Premium-quality combed cotton
✔ Ethical certifications (FSC, GOTS, OEKO-TEX)
✔ True-to-size with a modern silhouette
Cons:
✖ Higher price point for most styles
Favourite Styles - Classic Tee , Faded Heavy Tee
Casual Classics by Absolute Apparel
📍 Origin: United Kingdom
🛠 Specialisation: Retail-quality blanks, clean cuts, premium organic fabrics
Unique Selling Points: Absolute Apparel are a B2B blank garment wholeseller that sell the staple blank garment brands we all know and love, but they also own a sister company Casual Classic, which houses a unique collection of blank garments which they manufacture and sell via the Absolute Apparel business. The cotton used on all the Casual Classic products is organic cotton.
Pros:
✔ Premium-quality combed cotton
✔ 100% Organic Cotton
✔ Very Reasonable price point
Cons:
✖ Low colour choice
Continental Clothing
📍 Origin: United Kingdom
🛠 Specialisation: Sustainable production, ethical fashion
Unique Selling Points: Known for its EarthPositive®, Salvage®, and Fair Share ranges, Continental Clothing leads the industry in sustainable and socially responsible manufacturing.
Pros:
✔ 100% organic cotton options
✔ Climate-neutral & Fair Wear Foundation accredited
✔ EU-based production reduces carbon footprint
Cons:
✖ Premium pricing tier
Stanley/Stella
📍 Origin: Belgium
🛠 Specialisation: Ethical and fashion-forward blanks
Unique Selling Points: GOTS-certified across the board, Stanley/Stella is the go-to for high-end fashion labels looking for sustainability, consistent dye quality, and trend-led silhouettes.
Pros:
✔ Fully organic cotton range
✔ Large range of fashion fits and colours
✔ PETA-approved vegan
Cons:
✖ Premium pricing tier
Favourite Styles - Freestyler Tee , Blaster Tee
Bella+Canvas
📍 Origin: Los Angeles, USA
🛠 Specialisation: Retail-quality triblends, soft cotton, USA manufacturing
Unique Selling Points: Bella+Canvas is known for its Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, creating an ultra-soft finish that’s ideal for fashion brands. The 3001 Unisex Tee is one of the most widely used blanks in premium merch.
Pros:
✔ Lightweight, ultra-soft handle
✔ Extensive women’s and fashion fit range
✔ Sustainably manufactured in USA
Cons:
✖ Slim cut may not fit all demographics
Favourite Styles - 6oz Heavyweight Tee , 7.5oz Heavyweight Tee
Build Your Brand
📍 Origin: Germany
🛠 Specialisation: Streetwear blanks and oversized silhouettes
Unique Selling Points: Created for contemporary brands, Build Your Brand offers fashion-driven silhouettes, such as the Oversized Tee (240 GSM).
Pros:
✔ Oversized and boxy fits for streetwear markets
✔ Competitive price point
✔ Easy to relabel with tearaway tags
Cons:
✖ Smaller colour range
Favourite Styles - Heavy Oversized Tee , Cotton Loose Tee
Russell Athletic
📍 Origin: USA
🛠 Specialisation: Workwear and collegiate-style apparel
Unique Selling Points: Offers classic, durable pieces suitable for sportswear, teamwear, and promotional garments.
Pros:
✔ Affordable and dependable
✔ Sturdy collars and construction
✔ Recognised legacy brand
Cons:
✖ Basic styling
Gildan
📍 Origin: Canada
🛠 Specialisation: High-volume, cost-effective basics
Unique Selling Points: Gildan is the global standard for budget blanks, often used for bulk jobs. The Gildan 5000 and 64000 Softstyle are most common.
Pros:
✔ Excellent value
✔ Massive size and colour options
✔ Readily available stock
Cons:
✖ Rougher cotton in entry-level lines
Favourite Styles - Hammer Tee , Ultra Tee
Hanes
📍 Origin: USA
🛠 Specialisation: Basic tees and undergarments
Unique Selling Points: Recognised globally, Hanes is a go-to for entry-level promotional wear with comfort-first design.
Pros:
✔ Trusted household brand
✔ Soft and breathable cotton
✔ Cost-effective for events or giveaways
Cons:
✖ Limited stock in the UK
Favourite Styles - Beefy Tee , Beefy Street Tee
Colour Plane
📍 Origin: Australia
🛠 Specialisation: Short-run fashion blanks, niche market focus
Unique Selling Points: A newer brand offering fashion-grade blanks made in limited runs for brands seeking something different.
Pros:
✔ Exclusive styles not found elsewhere
✔ Local production for fast turnarounds
✔ Great for boutique fashion labels
Cons:
✖ Limited style choice
Favourite Styles - Heavyweight Tee
Final Thoughts: Selecting the Right Blank
When choosing a blank T-shirt for your screen printing project, consider your priorities:
Retail Quality – AS Colour, Stanley/Stella, Bella+Canvas
Sustainability – Continental Clothing, Stanley/Stella, Colour Plane
Budget Conscious – Gildan, Hanes, Russell Athletic
Streetwear – Build Your Brand, AS Colour, Colour Plane
At Done London Print Co. we guide every client through the blank garment selection process to ensure optimal results across print, fit, and finish.
📩 Need Samples or Expert Advice? Get in touch with our team to book a consultation or request samples - print@donelondon.co.uk
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