Best Shirt Blanks for Sublimation [Polyester, Cotton, and Many More!]

Finding the best sublimation shirt blanks isn’t about only adhering sublimation ink to the shirt. You must also care about how it feels, lasts, and protects your skin. 

But even though there are many shirts available to provide you with the best comfort, not all of them support sublimation ink. 

So, we have accumulated the most trending sublimation shirt blank with honest reviews for you. By going through the article, you’ll find shirt blanks that’ll be worth your time and effort.   

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Shirt Blanks

While choosing the best shirts for sublimation, you must pay attention to 10 important factors. These are:

• Fabric materials
• Sizing options
• Color options
• Printing compatibility
• Thickness
• Durability
• Environmental Sustainability
• Cost
• Availability 
• Brand Reputation.  

Check out the following segments to learn what you should look for in these factors. 

Fabric Quality

First, you need to check the material and composition of the fabric. Shirts that have at least more than 65% polyester are good for sublimation. You can produce the most vibrant prints on 100% polyester shirts.  

However, if you intend to use 100% cotton for sublimation, you need to apply a heat transfer vinyl layer first. DTF printing or glitter vinyl also works best in this case. 

Tri-blend and heathered fabrics also allow you to be more creative with sublimation. Tri-blend is a mix of cotton, polyester, and rayon material. Heathered Fabrics uses 2 different types of threads which creates patterns on the shirt. 

So, you must also check the comfortability of the shirts as well. 

Fit and Sizing Options

Now, a high-quality fabric won’t make you comfortable unless the shirt fits you well. There are many well-known brands like Gildan, Jerzees, and Hanes that have multiple size options. 

Well, ordering the correct size shouldn’t be your only concern here. You must also check if the fabric is shrinkable or not. Most of the cotton blended shirts shrink with the first wash or in the dryer. In this case, you must order 1-2 sizes large. 

The fit can also change depending on the temperature of the water. So, it’s important to check the shirt tag always before buying.  

Color Range

Again, you should go for shirt brands that have multiple color options. Keep white as the first priority for sublimation designs. It’s because the dye of the fabric doesn’t fade with heat transfer.

Light-colored shirts also work great for sublimation projects. The lighter the color is, the more vivid the designs look after sublimation. However, make sure to choose a color that goes well contrasted with your designs.

Now, keep in mind that some apparel dyes can fade under less than 400℉ temperature. So, you should be aware of this matter while choosing the color of your fabric. 

Printing and Embroidery Compatibility

You need to choose a shirt that is compatible with sublimation printing. The vibrancy of sublimation prints depends on the polyester counts. The more polyester the shirt has, the more vibrant the prints will look. 

However, note that the printing quality also depends on sublimation ink, paper, and the process followed. You can also embroider on most of the sublimation-approved shirts.   

Conversely, it’s possible to sublimate on embroidered material. Just make sure the embroidery texture isn’t too thick. The area of the embroidery must be flat and have low thread counts where you’ll sublimate. 

Weight and Thickness of the Fabric

Thick fabrics help to create bold sublimation designs. The ink concentration looks great on the high-count polyester shirts. 

But you can choose any fabric depending on your intended use. For example, if you want a sports t-shirt, you can sublimate on a 4.5oz/m² for an XL size. 

Now, when you’re choosing a light-colored or white shirt, you should also consider the transparency. If you want to wear a tank under a see-through shirt, you must buy the shirt one size larger. 

You also need to choose a UV-protected shirt for both thin and thick shirts. It’ll help you to protect your skin from the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

Durability and Longevity

A higher polyester count means the fabric will be durable for a long time. You need to be careful about the wash time, wash cycle, and dry cycle. 

If the shirt isn’t capable of holding the ink after a few washes, it’s not a good sublimation shirt blank.

Again, you need to check if the shirt shrinks or loses color with each wash. The amount of temperature the shirt can take also impacts the sublimation ink quality. 

So, you need to check the washing instructions on the manufacturer’s tag before purchasing the shirt blank.  

Environmental Sustainability

If you’re looking for better breathability, environmentally sustainable shirts will be the best option for you. These shirts are made from recycled fabrics which produce zero waste after disposal.

The eco-conscious designs of these shirts make the polyesters feel more like cotton. So, they are soft and comfortable to wear in any weather. Not to mention they work best with eco-friendly screen printing and water-based inks. 

You can get environmentally sustainable sublimation shirt blanks from brands like Stanley, Stella, and Bella+Canvas. 

Cost and Budget Considerations

Now, the price is a huge factor when it comes to choosing the best t-shirts for sublimation. The cost will vary depending on the quality of the fabric, polyester counts, shipping costs, and discounts (if available). 

Usually, polyester fabrics are less expensive than cotton fabrics. But the quality matters too. If you notice that a sublimation blank is expensive but it checks out all the necessary elements you need for sublimation, you should buy it. 

Again, you must consider the longevity of the product as well while buying the product. If the shirts have high longevity and a high yield capacity, you must buy them even if it’s expensive. 

Availability and Lead Times

If you’re a sublimation t-shirt business owner, you must check the availability and lead times of the blanks. Finding the perfect shirt blank can go in vain if the manufacturer doesn’t have enough blanks available for your order.

Moreover, you shouldn’t choose a supplier with long lead times that will hamper your business. As a hobbyist, lead time can be the least of your concerns.   

Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews

Finally, you can’t select the best sublimation shirt blanks without checking the customer reviews. You need to purchase blanks from trusted brands. This will help you to make the best investments. 

By checking customer reviews, you can also prevent any fraudulent activities. It will also give you an idea of how your design will look on the shirt.  

7 Best Tshirt Blanks For Sublimation

Some of the trusted brands you can rely on are Gildan, Cricut, Hanes, and Jarzees. You can check out the quality and honest reviews of these brands from the next segments below.

1. Gildan Men’s Crew T-Shirts, Multipack, Style G1100

The first t-shirt blank for sublimation we have is the Gildan Men’s Crew Style G1100 T-Shirt. It’s a 100% cotton t-shirt that has excellent breathability, even at Arizona’s 110℉ temperature!

Despite being 100% cotton, you can sublimate on it smoothly. But you’ll need to put on a heat-transfer vinyl layer before sublimating.  

The reason we chose this Gildan product is its moisture-wicking technology. It’s a thin shirt that you can wear as an inner layer. The shirt also tucks in very well providing a sleek outlook.  

Not to mention the strong threads of this shirt. Even after machine washing, the shirt stays intact (both color and thread). 

Special Features

2. Hanes Women’s Crewneck Sweatshirt

Next, we have the Hanes Women’s Crewneck Sweatshirt. It’s made of thick fleece material that contains 50% cotton and 50% polyester.

The sweatshirt sublimates really well giving almost a soft plush feel. The material is good enough for the sublimation colors to pop. 

Most importantly, this sweatshirt is machine washable. This means you can wash in the machine for multiple times. The colors won’t fade at all. 

Now, speaking of style and comfort, this shirt has a ribbed collar, cuffs, and waistband with a classic silhouette look. The material is also a bit stretchy which makes it perfect for workouts.   

Special Features 

3. Cricut Men’s T-Shirt Blank, Crew Neck

Moving on to one of the famous sublimation brands, Cricut offers amazing Crew-Neck Men’s T-shirt blanks. The shirts are made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex but almost feel like cotton. 

This t-shirt comes in 4 options – One Size, Medium, Large, and Large X. It perfectly infuses infusible ink into the shirt. 

Using Cricut sublimation supplies, you can create permanent sublimation designs. The ink won’t peel or crack even after 50 machine-washes.

Moreover, you’ll feel comfortable wearing this lightweight T-shirt in the summer. If you’re a sublimation T-shirt business owner, you can buy them in bulk to use for any custom orders. 

Special Features 

4. Jerzees Men’s Dri-Power Cotton Blend Long Sleeve Tees

The Jerzees Men’s Dri-Power Cotton Blend Long Sleeve Tees are quite popular for the perfect fit and size. They have 6 sizing options that cover all major body types. 

Any complicated sublimation design looks flawless and bright on this t-shirt. Being 50-50 polyester and cotton blend,  these shirts have a raspy feel compared to other soft t-shirts.  

The best part is that these shirts absorb moisture and dry fast. So, you’ll feel comfortable wearing it in the summer. It’s best for safety construction work. 

Moreover, you can wash the shirt with hot water. They don’t fade or shrink with washing or drying. 

Special Features 

5. Gildan DryBlend T-Shirt, Style G8000

Here’s another cotton-soft Gilden sublimation blank – the Gildan DryBlend T-Shirt, Style G8000. It’s also a 50-50 cotton/polyester t-shirt that supports screen printing, iron-on-transfers, DTG, discharge, and embroidery.

It has 23 color variations. You will get heavily pixelated images on each colored shirt. But the texture can slightly differ. You should also note that the safety green color is actually neon yellow in real life. 

Combining moisture-wicking technology, and lightweight, and stretchy material, this shirt is the ultimate comfort on summer days. It doesn’t shrink with wash either. However, you should wash the solid-colored shirts separately to prevent ink smudges.

Special Features 

6. Hanes Sport Men’s Heathered Training Tee

If you’re looking for sports sublimation t-shirt blanks, the Hanes Sport Men’s Heathered Training Tee will be a great option for you. It’s made from 100% polyester with a blend of white cotton thread. 

It has a double-needle ribbed binding on the neck, bottom, and armholes. This gives the shirt a sleek classy look while keeping the threads strongly bound. So, with every machine wash, the shirt doesn’t fade or tear. 

The cool DRI technology dries the fabric fast. Moreover, it has a 50+ UPF rating that protects you from harmful UV rays. 

To sum up, this shirt is an absolute gem for high-intensity exercises or outdoor activities.

Special Features 

7. Gildan Adult Heavy Cotton 3/4 Raglan T-Shirt, Style G5700

Finally, our last favorite sublimation shirt blank is Gildan’s Adult Heavy Cotton 3/4 Raglan T-Shirt, Style G5700. 

It comes in 100% cotton material in case of solid colors. Only the sports grey consists of  90% Cotton and 10% Polyester material. 

So, the sports grey shirt sublimates better than the solids. But they are made of premium-quality fabric that supports sublimation. You’ll be able to create vibrant designs on each color. 

One positive aspect of this shirt is that the elastic collars are stretchy enough to pull easily over your head. You can machine wash it safely in a warm or cold cycle. However, make sure to low tumble dry it.

Special Features 

3 Best Jersey Sublimation Blanks

1. Hat and Beyond Mens Baseball Jersey

The Hat and Beyond Mens Baseball Jersey is a great option if you have a big baseball sublimated jersey order. It’s made of 100% polyester which ticks off the finest material to sublimate on.

Apart from white, you get 5 more solid color options with this blank. Moreover, they have up to 3XL (Chest-54”, Length-36, Sleeve-11.5”) size.

The material is also soft and lightweight. So, you won’t feel heavy while playing baseball. Moreover, the knit fibers are all tight-fitted. This means your sublimation ink will adhere strongly to the threads. 

Also, the jersey has double-hemmed stitches. So, it’s durable and can withstand the wear and tear caused by baseball.    

Special Features 

2. Augusta Sportswear Men’s Sleeve Stripe Jersey

If you’re looking for no-closure men’s jerseys, the Augusta Sportswear Men’s Sleeve Stripe Jersey would catch your eye. It has fantastic contrasted strips on the sleeves – making it more casually sleek looking. 

It’s consisted of 50% polyester/ 50% cotton and has a V-neckline. Both solid and glitter sublimations look nice on the shirt. What’s great is that it comes in more than 40+ colors. So, you can sublimate on your preferred background. 

The sleeves and bottom are double-needle hemmed. It assures the jersey will last for a long time. That’s why, it’s safe for machine washing too.  

Special Features 

3. Russell Athletic Men’s Performance T-Shirt

For plain solid athletic t-shirts, you should check out the Russell Athletic Men’s Performance T-Shirt. It also comes in 40+ color options and up to 4XL size.

Compared to the Augusta Sportswear Men’s Sleeve Stripe Jersey, you can sublimate on this t-shirt better. It’s because the sportswear doesn’t have any cotton blends in it. It’s made of 100% polyester material.

More features like Dri-power moisture-wicking technology and odor protection make the shirt suitable for summer. In fact, it also has UPF 30+ that will protect you from harmful UV rays.   

The shirts don’t shrink and you can also wash them in a washing machine. Overall, it’s a good deal under $15. 

Special Features 

2 Best Sublimation Blanks for Cotton Tshirt

1. Gildan DryBlend T-Shirt, Style G8000, Multipack

Well, you’ve already learned about the  Gildan DryBlend T-Shirt, Style G8000 above. But we listed it twice for emphasizing its quality as a cotton T-shirt blank.

You won’t find as many cotton T-shirts as the Gildan DryBlend G8000 which supports many printing technologies. Whether it’s screen printing, embroidery, iron-on transfers, discharge, or DTG, they all look wonderful on this T-shirt.

It also comes under $15. So, if you’re looking for a cotton blend for sublimation, you can definitely go for the Gildan DryBlend G8000.   

2. Loom Men’s Eversoft Cotton Stay Tucked Crew T-Shirt

The second best cotton sublimation blank t-shirt is the  Loom Men’s Eversoft Cotton Stay Tucked Crew T-Shirt. It’s a pull-on closure t-shirt with a solid background.

You’ll be amazed by the sublimation print it can hold onto. Despite being a cotton t-shirt, it has excellent moisture-wicking capacity. Moreover, you can wash the T-shirt in a washing machine. So, you don’t have to put a lot of manual energy into cleaning it.  

In case of styling, you can go all classic with this t-shirt. It tucks in pretty nicely. Moreover, the collar stays flat so you have a sleek look. 

Special Features 

2 Best Sublimation Blanks for Nylon & Polyester Tshirt

1. Nylon – Comfort Colors C1717 6.1 oz. Ringspun Garment-Dyed T-Shirt

The Comfort Colors C1717 6.1 oz. Ringspun Garment-Dyed T-Shirt will provide you more with a vintage outlook. This sublimation blank is great for sublimating logos, and fonts with contrasted colors. 

The ink sticks perfectly with the fabric. Not to mention how soft the shirt feels on hot summer days. It holds its original shape even after multiple washes. 

However, if you make sublimation mistakes, you need to be careful while removing them. The shirt dye pigments might get a bit faded with hot water. That’s why Comfort Colors recommend washing this shirt with cold water. 

Special Features 

2. Polyester – Gildan 5.6 oz. Ultra/Dry Blend 50/50 T-Shirt>5XL WHITE G800

Finally, we’ll finish with the Gildan 5.6 oz. Ultra/Dry Blend 50/50 T-Shirt>5XL WHITE G800 T-shirt. This Gildan product is a true mix of comfort, style, and durability as a sublimation blank.

This t-shirt has the most colorful options among all the t-shirts we’ve reviewed. You’ll be thrilled to wear it for the tubular fit which allows the perfect torque. However, this shirt is only available for men. 

You can sublimate it pretty well as it consists of 50% polyester material. Any complicated designs will look good on this shirt.

It’s also highly durable. Thanks to the taped neck, shoulders, and double-needle sleeve and bottom hem. This shirt also dries up fast and it’s machine washable.  

Special Features 

Some of the well-known Brand Names that sell Tshirt Blanks

You still couldn’t find your favorite sublimation blank? Well, you can check out the famous brands for sublimation then! The following brands have the best quality t-shirt blanks that you can use however you like. 

Cricut

Cricut is the most trusted brand when it comes to anything regarding sublimation. Their sublimation shirt blanks are no exception. From baby to adult, they have all of the sizing options in different materials. 

By using Cricut sublimation appliances, you can create beautiful sublimation prints on these blanks. They don’t fade or peel. So, you can be assured of the durability of the shirts.  

Jiffyshirts

Again, Jiffyshirts have sublimation t-shirt blanks for youth to adults. They come in a variety of styles including long sleeves, short sleeves, and performance tees. You’ll also get a tag, tag-less, and tear-away tag options.

You can consider Jiffyshirts as the haven of solid-colored t-shirts. However, you should make sure to read the washing instructions before washing the shirt.   

Gildan

Now, you can imagine how good Gildan sublimation blank t-shirts are from the reviews above. They have multiple fabric options that support sublimation printing, screen printing, embroidery, and DTG. 

 All Gildan shirts come with a durable stitching finish. You can wash up to 50 washes on average and not a thread will come out. 

Bella+Canvas

Bella+Canvas launches sublimation blank t-shirts only after ensuring the quality of the fabric. They use eco-friendly dyes on their shirts – wasting 7 times less water than a regular t-shirt brand. 

Moreover, they ensure accurate sewing and cutting powered by solar panels. They mostly dominate in creating flattering tubular-styled t-shirts. 

Stanley/Stella

Stanley/Stella also focuses more on the environmental sustainability aspect. They emphasize more on ethical working conditions of their workers as well as creating premium-quality tees. 

You’ll have to worry less about staining dyes using the Stanley/Stella sublimation shirt blanks. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

So, there you go! These are all the best sublimation shirt blanks that you must know about. Using any of the reviewed shirt blanks will bring you great output and a reputation as a business owner. Even if you’re looking to sublimate shirts for you, you can use them for a long time.