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The 15 best quality t-shirts for printing in Australia at T-Shirt Plus are the AS Colour Staple Tee, AS Colour Shadow Tee, AS Colour Maple Tee, AS Colour Bevel Tee, AS Colour Youth Tee, Gildan Heavy Cotton Tee, Gildan Softstyle Women’s Tee, Gildan Youth Heavy Cotton Tee, American Apparel Fine Jersey Tee, American Apparel Fine Jersey Women’s Tee, JB’s Wear Tee, JB’s Wear Women’s Tee, JB’s Wear Kids Tee, Biz Collection Kids Tee, and the RAMO Kids Tee. The best t-shirt for custom printing depends on the fabric composition, fabric weight, intended printing method, and order quantity. A buyer can choose the right blank by considering their print type, budget, and audience. The best and most popular t-shirts for printing at T-Shirt Plus and their definitions are listed below.
- AS Colour Staple Tee: The Staple Tee is the premium everyday blank. It is the most popular custom t-shirt in Australia for screen printing, DTF, and DTG printing.
- AS Colour Shadow Tee: The Shadow Tee is a heavier-weight premium blank suited to large-format graphics and structured screen prints.
- AS Colour Maple Tee: The Maple Tee is the women’s equivalent of the Staple Tee. It delivers the same print quality in a tailored women’s fit.
- AS Colour Bevel Tee: The Bevel Tee is a cropped women’s blank popular with activewear brands, dance studios, and lifestyle labels.
- AS Colour Youth Tee: The Youth Tee brings the same AS Colour quality to kids’ sizing, making it a consistent choice for school and team orders.
- Gildan Heavy Cotton Tee: The Gildan Heavy Cotton is the gold standard for bulk printing orders across Australia. Reliable, affordable, and widely available.
- Gildan Softstyle Women’s Tee: A lighter, softer women’s blank that prints reliably and suits large-volume women’s orders at a budget-friendly price.
- Gildan Youth Heavy Cotton Tee: The most widely used kids’ blank for bulk printing in Australia. Preshrunk, durable, and cost-effective.
- American Apparel Fine Jersey Tee: A slim-fit, fashion-forward blank with a super-soft hand feel. The go-to for DTG printing and premium merch.
- American Apparel Fine Jersey Women’s Tee: The women’s version of the Fine Jersey Tee. A fitted, premium-feel blank popular with fashion and lifestyle brands.
- JB’s Wear Tee: A dependable cotton-poly blank suited to workwear, uniform programs, and bulk corporate orders.
- JB’s Wear Women’s Tee: A practical women’s uniform blank that prints cleanly and sizes consistently across large runs.
- JB’s Wear Kids Tee: A durable, budget-friendly kids’ blank for schools, sporting clubs, and community groups ordering in bulk.
- Biz Collection Kids Tee: A decoration-focused kids’ blank built for school uniform programs and junior team wear.
- RAMO Kids Tee: A lightweight kids’ blank suited to Australian summers, outdoor events, and school sports days.
Custom Printed T-Shirts
Make your fashion statement with Garment Printing. begin your journey today.
| Use Case | Recommended T-Shirt |
| Best for premium brands | AS Colour Staple Tee, AS Colour Shadow Tee |
| Best for bulk orders | Gildan Heavy Cotton Tee, JB’s Wear Tee |
| Best for DTG printing | American Apparel Fine Jersey Tee, AS Colour Staple Tee |
| Best for women’s fashion merch | AS Colour Maple Tee, American Apparel Women’s Tee |
| Best for women’s uniform programs | JB’s Wear Women’s Tee, Gildan Softstyle Women’s Tee |
| Best for kids’ school wear | AS Colour Youth Tee, Gildan Youth Heavy Cotton Tee |
| Best for kids’ bulk orders | Gildan Youth Heavy Cotton Tee, JB’s Wear Kids Tee |
| Best for summer/lightweight | American Apparel Fine Jersey, RAMO Kids Tee |
| Best for workwear/uniforms | JB’s Wear Tee, Biz Collection Kids Tee |
Best Men’s T-Shirts for Printing
1. AS Colour Staple Tee
The AS Colour Staple Tee is one of the best t-shirts for custom printing in Australia. It is a unisex blank suited to screen printing, DTF printing, DTG printing, and embroidery, making it one of the most versatile options in the T-Shirt Plus range. The Staple Tee is made from combed cotton, which gives it a smooth, consistent surface that holds ink cleanly and produces sharp edges on detailed artwork. The relaxed, boxy fit suits a wide range of audiences including streetwear brands, event organisers, lifestyle labels, and corporate teams.
The fabric weight of the Staple Tee sits at approximately 180 GSM, which is a midweight build suited to year-round wear across most Australian climates. The preshrunk construction reduces post-wash shrinkage, keeping the print area flat over time. The Staple Tee is available in sizes XS to 3XL and comes in an extensive colour range. It is one of the most consistent blanks for bulk orders, with tight sizing and quality control across production runs.
Printing methods: Screen printing, DTF printing, DTG printing, embroidery
Best uses: Brand merch, event tees, retail collections, corporate uniforms
2. AS Colour Shadow Tee
The AS Colour Shadow Tee is a heavyweight premium blank and one of the best t-shirts for large-format screen printing. It is a unisex style built for buyers who want a more substantial, structured garment that sits flat and holds print detail precisely. The Shadow Tee is made from combed cotton and sits at a higher fabric weight than the Staple Tee, giving it a more premium drape and feel on the body.
The increased weight makes the Shadow Tee particularly well suited to oversized front chest graphics and detailed artwork where the print needs a firm, stable surface. It is a popular choice for premium brand collections, corporate gifting programs, and fashion drops where the garment quality needs to match the quality of the print. The Shadow Tee is available in a curated colour range and runs from XS to 3XL.
Printing methods: Screen printing, DTF printing, DTG printing
Best uses: Premium brand collections, corporate gifting, fashion merch, structured screen prints
3. AS Colour Maple Tee
The AS Colour Maple Tee is the best women’s t-shirt for custom printing at T-Shirt Plus. It is the women’s equivalent of the Staple Tee and uses the same combed cotton construction, delivering identical print quality in a cut designed specifically for women. The Maple Tee avoids the boxy oversizing that occurs when women size down in men’s blanks, producing a clean, well-proportioned result across a range of body types.
The Maple Tee suits screen printing, DTF printing, and DTG printing equally well. The smooth combed cotton surface holds ink cleanly, making it a reliable blank for both simple logos and detailed multi-colour artwork. It is a popular choice for brands that offer a coordinated his-and-hers range, as the print results are consistent between the Maple Tee and the men’s Staple Tee. The Maple Tee is available in sizes XS to 2XL and comes in a wide colour range.
Printing methods: Screen printing, DTF printing, DTG printing
Best uses: Women’s brand collections, matching sets, retail merch, lifestyle labels
4. AS Colour Bevel Tee
The AS Colour Bevel Tee is a cropped women’s blank and one of the best t-shirts for activewear and fashion-forward custom printing. It is made from the same premium combed cotton as the rest of the AS Colour range, giving it a smooth print surface that holds screen prints and DTF graphics cleanly. The cropped silhouette sits above the hip and is popular with activewear brands, dance studios, yoga studios, fitness labels, and lifestyle merch programs.
The Bevel Tee still provides ample chest and back print area for logos and artwork despite the shorter length. It is available in a colour range that suits both neutral brand palettes and bold fashion-forward collections. The Bevel Tee is available in women’s sizes XS to 2XL.
Printing methods: Screen printing, DTF printing, DTG printing
Best uses: Activewear brands, dance and fitness studios, fashion merch, lifestyle labels
5. AS Colour Youth Tee
The AS Colour Youth Tee is the best kids’ t-shirt for premium custom printing. It uses the same combed cotton construction as the adult AS Colour range, producing consistent print quality across adult and kids’ sizes in the same order. The Youth Tee is suited to screen printing, DTF printing, and DTG printing, making it a versatile blank for school uniform programs, junior sports teams, and children’s brand lines.
The preshrunk fabric handles repeated washing without the print fading or cracking, which is particularly important for garments worn and washed regularly by children. Sizing is consistent across production runs, making it easy to manage orders that include multiple children’s sizes alongside adult styles. The Youth Tee is available in sizes 4 to 14.
Printing methods: Screen printing, DTF printing, DTG printing
Best uses: School uniforms, kids’ sports teams, family event tees, children’s brand lines
6. Gildan Heavy Cotton Tee
The Gildan Heavy Cotton Tee is the most popular blank for bulk custom t-shirt printing in Australia. It is a unisex t-shirt made from preshrunk cotton that minimises post-wash shrinkage and keeps the print area flat over the life of the garment. The Gildan Heavy Cotton sits at approximately 180 GSM and produces reliable, vibrant results with screen printing, DTF printing, and DTG printing.
The Gildan Heavy Cotton is available in one of the largest size ranges of any blank in the T-Shirt Plus catalogue, running from small through to 5XL, which makes it a practical choice for teams and organisations with diverse sizing needs. It is available in over 30 colours including black, white, navy, royal blue, red, sport grey, maroon, forest green, and more. For sporting clubs, schools, events, and corporate teams needing large quantities at a competitive price, the Gildan Heavy Cotton is the most dependable choice.
Printing methods: Screen printing, DTF printing, DTG printing
Best uses: Bulk orders, sporting clubs, school events, corporate uniforms, promotional wear
7. Gildan Softstyle Women’s Tee
The Gildan Softstyle Women’s Tee is the best budget-friendly women’s blank for custom printing in Australia. It is made from ring-spun cotton, which produces a noticeably softer hand feel compared to standard Gildan cotton while still delivering reliable results with screen printing, DTG printing, and DTF printing. The semi-fitted cut is flattering without being restrictive, making it a versatile blank for a broad female audience.
The Softstyle Women’s Tee is lighter in weight than the Heavy Cotton, sitting at approximately 150 GSM, which suits warmer weather and lighter garment applications. It is a practical choice for brands running large-volume women’s orders where budget matters alongside print quality. The Softstyle Women’s Tee is available in sizes S to 2XL and comes in a solid colour range.
Printing methods: Screen printing, DTG printing, DTF printing
Best uses: Bulk women’s orders, promotional tees, event merchandise, sporting clubs
8. Gildan Youth Heavy Cotton Tee
The Gildan Youth Heavy Cotton Tee is the most widely used kids’ blank for bulk printing in Australia. It uses the same preshrunk cotton construction as the adult Gildan Heavy Cotton, which reduces post-wash shrinkage and keeps the print looking consistent over time. The fabric sits at approximately 180 GSM and handles the wear and tear children put on their clothes without compromising the garment or the print.
The Youth Heavy Cotton is available in a wide range of children’s sizes and comes in the same extensive colour range as the adult Gildan Heavy Cotton, making it easy to match adult and kids’ styles in the same order. It is the most practical and cost-effective choice for schools, junior sporting clubs, and community groups ordering large quantities. Printing methods supported include screen printing, DTG printing, and DTF printing.
Printing methods: Screen printing, DTG printing, DTF printing
Best uses: School programs, junior sporting clubs, community events, bulk kids’ orders
9. American Apparel Fine Jersey Tee
The American Apparel Fine Jersey Tee is the best t-shirt for DTG printing and premium fashion merch. It is a unisex blank made from fine jersey cotton that is lighter in weight and finer in texture than standard blanks, producing a garment that feels noticeably softer and more premium against the skin. The smooth, tight weave of the fine jersey surface makes it the preferred blank for DTG printing, where photographic-quality artwork, colour gradients, and fine detail need a flat, consistent base to print on.
The Fine Jersey Tee has a slim-fit silhouette that suits fashion brands, musician and artist merch programs, and lifestyle labels where the look of the garment is as important as the print. It is available in sizes XS to 2XL and comes in a range of colours including black, white, heather grey, navy, and more.
Printing methods: DTG printing, screen printing, DTF printing
Best uses: Fashion merch, lifestyle brands, music and artist merch, retail collections
10. American Apparel Fine Jersey Women’s Tee
The American Apparel Fine Jersey Women’s Tee is a fitted women’s blank made from the same fine jersey cotton as the unisex Fine Jersey Tee. It is one of the best women’s t-shirts for DTG printing and fashion-forward custom merch. The fabric is lightweight and smooth, delivering clean, detailed print results even on complex artwork. The fitted cut is popular with fashion brands, boutique retailers, and merch programs targeting a fashion-conscious female audience.
The Fine Jersey Women’s Tee is available in sizes XS to XL and comes in a curated colour range. It photographs well, which is an advantage for brands shooting product content for online sales and social media.
Printing methods: DTG printing, screen printing, DTF printing
Best uses: Fashion merch, artist and musician merch, lifestyle brands, boutique retail
11. JB’s Wear Tee
The JB’s Wear Tee is a reliable men’s blank suited to workwear, uniform programs, and bulk corporate orders. It is made from a cotton-poly blend that handles screen printing and embroidery consistently and holds up well through repeated washing without the print degrading. The cotton-poly blend also adds shape retention compared to 100% cotton blanks, making it a practical choice for garments worn and washed regularly in work environments.
The JB’s Wear Tee is available in a wide size range and comes in a solid colour selection suited to corporate and team colour palettes. It is one of the most competitively priced blanks in the T-Shirt Plus range for bulk uniform orders. Sizing is consistent across production runs, which is important for uniform coordinators managing large and diverse teams.
Printing methods: Screen printing, embroidery
Best uses: Workwear, uniform programs, trade and construction teams, bulk corporate orders
12. JB’s Wear Women’s Tee
The JB’s Wear Women’s Tee is a practical women’s blank designed for uniform programs and bulk orders. It is cut for a women’s fit without being overly body-conscious, making it suitable for workwear, hospitality, healthcare, and team uniform applications where comfort and practicality are the priority. The cotton-poly blend handles screen printing and embroidery cleanly and sizes consistently across large production runs.
The JB’s Wear Women’s Tee pairs well with the men’s JB’s Wear Tee for organisations ordering matching male and female uniform styles. It is available in a colour range suited to corporate and team branding and runs from size 8 to size 24.
Printing methods: Screen printing, embroidery
Best uses: Women’s workwear, uniform programs, hospitality and healthcare teams
13. JB’s Wear Kids Tee
The JB’s Wear Kids Tee is a budget-friendly kids’ blank suited to schools, sporting clubs, and community groups ordering in bulk. It is made from a cotton-poly blend that is durable, prints cleanly with screen printing and DTF, and handles frequent washing without the garment or print deteriorating. The cotton-poly construction also adds shape retention, helping the tee maintain its fit through regular use by active children.
The JB’s Wear Kids Tee coordinates with the adult JB’s Wear Tee and Women’s Tee, making it a practical choice for organisations ordering matching styles across all age groups. It is available in a colour range that suits school and team colour palettes and runs from size 4 to 14.
Printing methods: Screen printing, DTF printing
Best uses: Schools, junior sporting clubs, community groups, matched team kits
14. Biz Collection Kids Tee
The Biz Collection Kids Tee is a decoration-focused kids’ blank built for school uniform programs and junior team wear. It is designed with custom printing in mind, with a smooth, consistent fabric surface that produces clean results with screen printing and embroidery. Biz Collection is a well-established brand in the Australian corporate and team apparel market, and the Kids Tee reflects the same quality control and sizing consistency that makes the brand popular with uniform coordinators.
The Biz Collection Kids Tee is available in a range of children’s sizes and comes in a solid colour selection suited to school and team branding. It is a reliable choice for organisations that need a decoration-ready kids’ blank with predictable results across large runs.
Printing methods: Screen printing, embroidery
Best uses: School uniforms, junior sports teams, kids’ uniform programs
15. RAMO Kids Tee
The RAMO Kids Tee is a lightweight kids’ blank suited to warmer Australian climates, outdoor events, and school sports days. It is made from a softer, lighter fabric than standard kids’ blanks, making it comfortable for children to wear throughout the day in warm conditions. The fabric prints reliably with screen printing and DTG printing, producing clean, vibrant results on a surface that is suited to both simple logos and more detailed artwork.
The RAMO Kids Tee is a practical choice for outdoor events, school carnivals, and community programs where comfort in the heat matters alongside print quality. It is available in a range of kids’ sizes and comes in a colour selection that suits bright, bold event palettes.
Printing methods: Screen printing, DTG printing
Best uses: Summer events, school sports days, outdoor community programs, kids’ event merch
What Makes a T-Shirt Good for Printing?
The blank t-shirt you choose sets the ceiling for print quality. Here is what actually matters:
Fabric composition: Cotton absorbs water-based inks well and is the gold standard for screen printing and DTG (direct-to-garment) printing. A cotton-poly blend adds shape retention and reduces shrinkage while still printing reliably. For dye sublimation, you need a high polyester content. Knowing your printing method first helps you choose the right fabric.
Fabric weight: Measured in grams per square metre (GSM), t-shirt fabric weight affects how the garment drapes, how it feels, and how well it holds a print. Lightweight tees (130-160 GSM) are great for summer and activewear. Midweight tees (160-200 GSM) are the everyday workhorse. Heavyweight tees (200 GSM+) are better for premium brands and structured prints.
Weave and surface quality: Ring-spun cotton produces a tighter, smoother surface than standard open-end spun cotton. Combed cotton goes further, removing short fibres to leave a finer, softer result. A smoother surface means sharper print edges and more vibrant colour.
Sizing consistency: For bulk and repeat orders, consistent sizing across a production run matters. Brands with tight quality control mean fewer fit complaints and returns.
How to Choose the Right Printing Method for Your T-Shirt?
The blank and the printing method need to work together. Here is a quick breakdown of which methods suit which fabrics and order types.
Screen printing is the most cost-effective method for bulk orders with a fixed design and a limited number of colours. It works best on cotton-rich blanks with a smooth face fabric. The AS Colour and Gildan ranges are particularly well suited to screen printing.
Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is the best option for detailed, full-colour designs or smaller runs where screen printing setup costs are not justified. DTF works across cotton, cotton-poly blends, and most fabric types, producing a flexible, durable transfer that holds up well through washing.
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is ideal for photographic-quality artwork, complex colour gradients, and small-run personalisation. It works best on 100% cotton or high-cotton blanks. The AS Colour Staple Tee and American Apparel Fine Jersey range are excellent for DTG.
Embroidery works on virtually any t-shirt but is better suited to heavier-weight blanks where the fabric can support the needle and thread without puckering. It is the right choice for logos, text, and left-chest branding on corporate and team wear.
Dye sublimation requires a high-polyester or polyester-blend fabric and produces all-over, edge-to-edge colour. It is the preferred method for sportswear and performance apparel. Talk to the T-Shirt Plus team about polyester blank options if dye sublimation is your required method.
Not sure which method suits your project? Get a free quote from the T-Shirt Plus team and they will help you work through the options based on your artwork, fabric choice, and order quantity.
What is the difference between screen printing and DTF printing?
Screen printing uses ink pushed directly through a mesh screen onto the fabric, making it cost-effective for bulk orders with a fixed design and limited colours. DTF (direct-to-film) printing involves printing a design onto a film, which is then heat-pressed onto the garment, making it suitable for detailed, full-colour artwork and smaller runs where screen printing setup costs are not practical. Both methods produce durable, long-lasting prints when applied correctly to the right blank.
What fabric is best for DTG printing?
100% cotton or high-cotton blends are the best fabric for DTG (direct-to-garment) printing. Cotton fibres absorb the water-based inks used in DTG printing more evenly than polyester, resulting in sharper detail and more vibrant colour. The AS Colour Staple Tee and the American Apparel Fine Jersey Tee are both excellent DTG blanks available at T-Shirt Plus.
What is the best t-shirt for screen printing in Australia?
The AS Colour Staple Tee and the Gildan Heavy Cotton Tee are the two most reliable blanks for screen printing in Australia. The AS Colour Staple Tee delivers premium print results and suits fashion and brand merch, while the Gildan Heavy Cotton is the practical choice for bulk orders at a cost-effective price. Both use cotton-rich fabrics that absorb water-based inks cleanly and hold the print through repeated washing.
Can you print on kids’ t-shirts?
Yes, T-Shirt Plus prints on kids’ t-shirts in a full range of children’s sizes. Blanks like the AS Colour Youth Tee, Gildan Youth Heavy Cotton Tee, and JB’s Wear Kids Tee are all available for screen printing, DTF, and DTG printing. These are popular for school uniforms, junior sports teams, and kids’ event merchandise across Australia.
Do you offer custom t-shirt printing for businesses?
Yes, T-Shirt Plus offers custom t-shirt printing for businesses of all sizes, including corporate uniform programs, promotional merchandise, branded workwear, and team apparel. Volume discounts are available for bulk orders. You can get a quote online or contact the team directly to discuss your requirements.
What is the minimum order quantity for custom printed t-shirts?
T-Shirt Plus caters to both small and large orders. The minimum order quantity varies depending on the printing method selected. Screen printing typically suits larger runs, while DTF and DTG are more suitable for smaller or one-off orders. Contact the T-Shirt Plus team at (02) 8806 5402 or sales@tshirtplus.com.au to get the right recommendation for your order size.
Do you print t-shirts in Sydney?
Yes, T-Shirt Plus prints custom t-shirts in Sydney and delivers Australia-wide. The facility is based in Castle Hill, NSW, and services clients across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and every other state and territory. You can place your order online or visit in person during business hours.
All t-shirts featured in this guide are available to customise through T-Shirt Plus. You can use the online designer tool to upload your artwork, choose your garment and colour, and preview your design before placing your order. For larger orders, bulk pricing, or advice on the right blank for your specific project, the T-Shirt Plus team is available to help.
T-Shirt Plus also accepts Bring Your Own Garments (BYO) if you have already sourced your blanks and need decoration only.
