Comparison Table: Screen Printing, DTG, and Heat Transfer for Custom Picture T-Shirts

100% Cotton vs. 50/50 Blend vs. Tri-Blends: Your Guide to Choosing the Best Fabric for Custom Picture T-Shirts

When designing custom picture t-shirts, the fabric you choose plays a crucial role in how your artwork looks, how the shirt feels, and how long it lasts. Three popular fabric options—100% cotton, 50/50 blends, and tri-blends—each offer distinct advantages and trade-offs. Here’s a breakdown to help you pick the perfect one for your project.

100% Cotton: Classic Comfort and Softness

Pros:
– Soft and Breathable: Offers a natural, soft hand feel that’s ideal for everyday wear, especially in warmer climates.
– Eco-Friendly Choice: Biodegradable and often made from renewable resources (especially if organic cotton is used).
– Excellent for Printing: Absorbs inks well, making it a top choice for vibrant screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing.
– Timeless Look: Provides a traditional, authentic t-shirt feel that many customers love.

Cons:
– Prone to Shrinking: Can shrink up to 5–7% if not pre-shrunk, especially after washing.
– Less Durable: More susceptible to pilling and wear over time compared to blended fabrics.
– Wrinkles Easily: Tends to wrinkle more than synthetic blends.

Best For: Casual, vintage-style designs; eco-conscious brands; screen-printed graphics needing rich color saturation.

50/50 Blend: The Balanced Performer

Pros:
– Durability: The polyester adds strength, making the shirt more resistant to shrinking, fading, and pilling.
– Soft with Structure: Offers a nice balance between cotton’s softness and polyester’s resilience.
– Affordable: Typically priced between 100% cotton and tri-blends.
– Low Maintenance: Holds its shape better and requires less ironing.

Cons:
– Less Breathable: Polyester reduces breathability slightly, which may be less comfortable in hot weather.
– Slight Sheen: May have a subtle synthetic shine that some find less appealing for a “natural” look.
– Ink Absorption: May not absorb water-based inks as well as 100% cotton, potentially affecting print softness.

Best For: Workwear, promotional shirts, and designs that need to endure frequent washing; great for budget-conscious bulk orders.

Tri-Blend: Premium Softness and Drape

Pros:
– Ultra-Soft Feel: Typically made from a mix of cotton, polyester, and rayon, tri-blends have a luxuriously soft, lightweight, and slightly heathered texture.
– Excellent Drape: Flatters the body with a smooth, relaxed fit—ideal for fashion-forward tees.
– Color-Rich Prints: The rayon content enhances print vibrancy and softness, making artwork pop.
– Minimal Shrinkage: More stable than 100% cotton when washed properly.

Cons:
– Higher Cost: Usually the most expensive of the three options.
– Less Durable: While soft, tri-blends can be more delicate and prone to snagging or thinning over time.
– Washing Sensitivity: Requires gentle washing to maintain quality and prevent pilling.

Best For: High-end fashion tees, boutique brands, and artistic designs where softness and visual appeal are top priorities.

Final Tips for Choosing Your Fabric

• Consider the Use: Will the shirt be worn daily, used for events, or given as a gift? Prioritize durability for work or active use.
• Think About Climate: Cotton and tri-blends are more breathable for warm weather; 50/50 blends offer year-round versatility.
• Match Your Print Method: DTG and screen printing work well on all three, but tri-blends offer a vintage, worn-in look that enhances artistic designs.
• Know Your Audience: Younger, fashion-focused buyers may prefer tri-blends; corporate clients may favor 50/50 blends for longevity.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of 100% cotton, 50/50 blends, and tri-blends, you can confidently choose the best fabric to showcase your custom picture designs in both style and substance.

How to Get the Best Price on Custom Picture T-Shirts (Bulk Discounts & Artwork Tips)

Ordering custom picture t-shirts in bulk can be a cost-effective way to promote your brand, event, or team. To maximize your savings and ensure a high-quality final product, it’s important to understand bulk pricing strategies and optimize your artwork. Here’s how to get the best value.

Understand Bulk Quantity Breaks

Most screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) companies offer tiered pricing based on order size. The more shirts you order, the lower the per-unit cost.

• Know the Thresholds: Common quantity breaks include 12, 24, 36, 50, 100, and 250 units. For example, prices might drop significantly at 50 or 100 shirts. Always ask for a detailed pricing chart.
• Order Just Above the Break: If 48 shirts cost $10 each but 50 cost $7 each, ordering 50 could save you money overall—even if you don’t need all 50.
• Combine Designs Strategically: Some vendors offer lower prices when multiple designs are printed on the same order (especially with screen printing), as setup costs are shared.
• Consider Future Needs: If you think you’ll need more shirts later, it’s often cheaper to order a larger batch now.

Choose the Right Printing Method

The printing technique impacts both cost and quality—especially with detailed or colorful artwork.

• Screen Printing: Best for large, simple designs and high-volume orders (50+ units). Costs go down significantly with volume due to setup fees being spread out.
• Direct-to-Garment (DTG): Ideal for detailed, full-color images and smaller runs. No setup fees, but per-shirt costs are higher. Bulk discounts are less dramatic than with screen printing.
• Dye Sublimation: Great for all-over prints on polyester blends. Cost-effective for bulk orders with full-coverage designs.

Optimize Your Artwork for Lower Costs

High-quality artwork reduces errors and reprints, and smart design choices can cut production costs.

• Use High-Resolution Files: Provide artwork at 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the actual print size. Low-res images may result in poor prints or require costly redesigns.
• Simplify Colors (for Screen Printing): Each color requires a separate screen and setup fee. Limiting your design to 1–3 colors can drastically reduce costs.
• Avoid Gradients and Photo Effects in Screen Printing: These can be difficult to reproduce and may require simulated process printing, which increases cost. Use solid colors when possible.
• Supply Vector Files When Possible: Vector artwork (AI, EPS, SVG) scales without losing quality and is preferred by printers. If not available, use high-res PNG or TIFF files.
• Confirm Print Area and Position: Larger prints or placements on both front and back increase costs. Stick to standard sizes (e.g., 10”x12”) to avoid surcharges.

Compare Multiple Vendors

Don’t settle for the first quote. Prices vary widely between suppliers.

• Request Detailed Quotes: Include shirt type, quantity, print method, colors, sizes, and delivery time.
• Check for Hidden Fees: Some vendors charge for setup, color changes, or extra locations (e.g., sleeve print). Look for all-inclusive pricing.
• Read Reviews and Ask for Samples: Quality matters. Request physical samples to check print durability and fabric feel before placing a large order.

Additional Cost-Saving Tips

• Choose Basic Shirt Styles: Premium or fashion-fit shirts cost more. Stick to standard cotton or cotton-blend tees for the best pricing.
• Limit Size Range: Ordering mostly one or two sizes reduces inventory complexity and can sometimes lead to better pricing.
• Plan Ahead: Rush orders often carry 20–50% surcharges. Give yourself 2–3 weeks for production and shipping.
• Negotiate: For very large orders (250+), don’t hesitate to ask for a custom discount or free setup fees.

By leveraging bulk quantity breaks, optimizing your artwork, and choosing the right printing method, you can significantly reduce the cost of custom picture t-shirts—without sacrificing quality.