Best T-Shirts for HTV Printing

Custom print t-shirts are popular items for fans when printing quotes and memes about sports, music, movies, and TV shows. They're also great for charity causes and community events, helping raise awareness. Businesses can use custom print t-shirts to promote their brands.

HTV, or Heat Transfer Vinyl, is an excellent way to ensure a smooth design transfer onto a t-shirt. But what are the best t-shirts for HTV? This t-shirt printing guide will explain what to look for on a t-shirt for HTV printing and list some of the best t-shirts for Heat Transfer Vinyl.

Keep reading for more information.

What to Look for in a T-Shirt for HTV Printing

When selecting a t-shirt for HTV printing, it is essential to know which shirts are the best t-shirts for HTV. You want to ensure your design will look great and stand up over time.

Size and Color

You will want the shirt you select for your design to be available in several sizes and color options. Don't limit yourself to only black and white. For group events, you will want everyone to be able to have the same design in their size.

Fit and Style

The way the shirt hangs or drapes on the body is another essential part of t-shirt selection. Are you looking for a looser or baggier shirt style, or do you want a more fitted one? And for the necklines, there are the scoop, v-neck, or crew cut varieties. 

Shrinkage

HTV printing works the best on cotton, cotton-poly blends, and polyester. 100% cotton shirts will shrink 20% after their first wash. If you want to keep the integrity of your design intact, buy pre-shrunk cotton shirts or hang them to air-dry after washing them in cold water.

Weight of the Shirt

If the shirt is too thin, it will appear to be see-through and will not hold onto the design as well. However, if the shirt is too heavy, it may be too hot to wear in certain temperatures as it does not breathe. A medium-weight shirt between 5oz. and 6oz. is ideal—not too heavy and not too thin.

Fabric and Color Quality

The quality of the shirt will also determine its weight and shrinkage factors. Its ability to hold up to multiple washing cycles without the color fading or the shirt's fabric quality degrading is essential, too.

Considerations for HTV Printing

Heat transfer vinyl uses heat and pressure through a heat press to transfer a design onto fabric t-shirts. The adhesive on the back of the design is activated by the heat and sticks to the fibers of the t-shirt.

Airlume Combed and Ring-Spun Cotton

100% Airlume Combed and Ring-Spun Cotton is a versatile and durable fabric for heat press fabric t-shirts. They withstand higher temperatures and hold up better under longer printing times.

Popular t-shirt fabrics from Bella+Canvas and Gildan use them for their 100% Airlume Cotton and Poly Blend fabrics. They have a smooth surface free from stray fibers and provide a tight weave for superior design transfer.

Tri-blends

Tri-blends provide a lovely softness in a shirt due to their 25% rayon, 50% polyester, and 25% Airlume ring-spun and combed cotton fabric content.

However, tri-blends are not always recommended for heat press printing as the rayon burns under high heat. A low-temperature heat press and material are suggested for HTV printing.

Heather CVCs

Heathered Chief Value Cotton shirts contain a blend of 52% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton and 48% polyester. They combine the durability of polyester and all of the comforts of cotton.

They should not be used with high-heat transfers as synthetic materials are prone to burning.

Best T-Shirts for HTV

Do you feel you know more about heat press fabric t-shirts now? Well, then, it's time to compare some of our t-shirt products.

G185 Gildan Adult Heavy Blend 8oz. 5050 Hood

This Gildan Adult Heavy Blend 5050 hoodie is made from 50% pre-shrunk Soft Cotton and 50% polyester. Heathered styles are 60% polyester and 40% cotton.

This shirt is available in 39 different colors and sizes from Small up to 5XL. You are sure to find the color and size you want for your HTV printing design.

G420 Gildan Adult Performance 5oz. T-Shirt

The Gildan Adult Performance 5oz. t-shirt is made of 100% snag-free polyester. At 5oz., it's a perfect weight and fabric quality for sublimation printing and screen printing—not too thin or too thick.

It comes in 20 colors and sizes Small to 3XL.

G500 Gildan Adult Heavy Cotton 5.3oz. T-Shirt

The Gildan Adult Heavy Cotton 5.3oz. t-shirt comprises 100% pre-shrunk woven cotton. It provides comfort and the durability to outlast high-performance wear and will keep its size even after numerous washes.

This shirt is available in 70 colors from size Small to 5XL.

3001C Bella Canvas Unisex Jersey T-Shirt

Comfortable and casual, this Bella Canvas Unisex Jersey t-shirt is 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton with a crew-neck. 4.2oz. lightweight 32 single fabric. 

This shirt is available in 59 vibrant and pastel colors and in sizes Small to 5XL.

3005 Bella Canvas Unisex Jersey Short-Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt

A variation of the 3001 design, this Bella Canvas Unisex Jersey t-shirt comes with a v-neck cut instead. 

Marbled, mineral wash, heathered, and neons add to the palette of 56 color options. This shirt comes in sizes XS to 3XL.

6010 Next Level Men's Tri-Blend Crew

This Next Level Men's Triblend Crew combines 50% polyester, 25% combed and ring-spun cotton, and 25% rayon. Perfect for everyday use, this lightweight and stretchy 4.3oz weight shirt is one of the best t-shirts for HTV.

Choose from 21 colors and sizes XS to 3XL.

6410 Next Level Men's Sueded Crew

The Next Level Sueded Men's Crew has a 60% combed and ring-spun cotton and a 40% polyester blend for an extra silky finish. It is embedded with a unique fabric laundering material for reducing shrinkage in the wash.

Choose from 25 colors, including two heathered variations, in XS to 3XL sizes.

The Best Blank T-Shirts for Custom Print Tees

Custom-designed t-shirts have so many great uses! You can use them for charity events, school functions, business and organization gatherings, or everyday wear. You're sure to make an impact with your branded or personalized creation.

For all of the best t-shirts for HTV, screen printing, sublimation, and more, AllDayShirts.com has what you need in stock and at low prices.

As a second-generation U.S.-based owned and operated business with over 47 years of experience, AllDayShirts.com has the expertise and the wholesale prices you need. We carry all of the popular t-shirt styles and makes.

Place your order today or read about starting a t-shirt fashion brand on our blog.