Comparison: Screen Printing, DTG, and Heat Transfer for Comfort Colors T-Shirts

Guide to Choosing Fabrics for Custom T-Shirts: Comfort Colors – 100% Cotton vs. 50/50 Blend vs. Tri-Blends

When ordering custom T-shirts from Comfort Colors, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right fabric. The material affects comfort, durability, appearance, and how well your design prints. Here’s a breakdown of the three most popular fabric options: 100% Cotton, 50/50 Cotton-Polyester Blend, and Tri-Blends.

100% Cotton

Pros:
– Soft and Breathable: Offers natural comfort and excellent breathability, ideal for warm weather or active wear.
– Eco-Friendly: Made from a renewable resource and typically biodegradable.
– Great for Printing: Holds screen prints and DTG (Direct-to-Garment) designs beautifully, with vibrant color reproduction.
– Classic Feel: Delivers the traditional, heavyweight T-shirt feel that many customers love.

Cons:
– Prone to Shrinkage: May shrink after washing, especially if not pre-shrunk (though Comfort Colors garments are pre-shrunk).
– Less Durable Over Time: Can wear out faster with repeated washing and may fade more than blended fabrics.
– Wrinkles Easily: Tends to wrinkle and lose shape more than synthetic blends.

Best For: Everyday wear, casual events, eco-conscious customers, and designs requiring rich, opaque prints.

50/50 Cotton-Polyester Blend

Pros:
– Durable and Resilient: The polyester adds strength, reducing pilling and wear over time.
– Minimal Shrinkage: Holds its shape better after washing compared to 100% cotton.
– Lightweight and Soft: Offers a softer hand feel than 100% cotton, with a slightly smoother texture.
– Cost-Effective: Often priced lower than tri-blends, making it a budget-friendly custom option.

Cons:
– Less Breathable: Polyester doesn’t breathe as well as cotton, which may feel warmer in hot climates.
– Less Eco-Friendly: Contains synthetic fibers derived from petroleum.
– Print Quality: May not hold ink as vividly as 100% cotton, especially with lighter colors.

Best For: High-use apparel like promotional shirts, workwear, or events where durability and value are key.

Tri-Blend (Typically 50% Poly, 25% Cotton, 25% Rayon)

Pros:
– Ultra-Soft Feel: Known for its buttery-soft texture and luxurious drape—often compared to vintage or worn-in tees.
– Excellent Drape: Flattering fit that moves smoothly with the body, ideal for fashion-forward styles.
– Color-Rich Appearance: Blends create a heathered, vintage look that complements retro or artistic designs.
– Reduced Shrinkage: More stable than 100% cotton due to synthetic content.

Cons:
– Less Durable: The rayon content can make the fabric less resilient to frequent washing and heavy use.
– Higher Cost: Typically more expensive than cotton or 50/50 blends.
– Not Ideal for Heavy Prints: The soft fabric can be more delicate, so complex or thick ink applications may crack over time.

Best For: Fashion T-shirts, boutique brands, lifestyle apparel, and customers seeking a premium, vintage-inspired feel.

Which Should You Choose?

• Choose 100% Cotton for classic comfort, breathability, and eco-friendliness.
• Pick 50/50 Blend for durability, affordability, and everyday use.
• Opt for Tri-Blend when softness, drape, and a vintage aesthetic are top priorities.

Consider your audience, use case, and design style to select the perfect Comfort Colors fabric for your custom T-shirts.

How to Get the Best Price for Custom T-Shirts from Comfort Colors (Bulk Quantity Breaks & Artwork Tips)

If you’re looking to order custom T-shirts from Comfort Colors, especially in bulk, knowing how to leverage quantity breaks and optimize your artwork can save you significant money while ensuring high-quality results. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get the best price without sacrificing quality.

Understanding Bulk Quantity Breaks

Comfort Colors, known for their soft, vintage-style cotton tees, offers attractive pricing through volume discounts. Here’s how to take full advantage:

1. Order in Larger Quantities

• Standard Quantity Breaks: Most screen printers offer price breaks at common thresholds—50, 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 units.
• Example: Ordering 250 shirts instead of 100 can reduce the per-unit cost by 20–40%, depending on the printer.
• Tip: Even if you don’t need 500 shirts now, consider pre-paying and storing extras for future use—many groups or businesses re-order within a year.

2. Combine Designs to Hit Volume Tiers

• If you have multiple designs (e.g., different departments or event types), use the same shirt style, color, and size range across designs.
• Many printers will combine total quantities across designs when calculating bulk pricing, lowering your cost per shirt.

3. Stick to One Color and Style

• Single color per design: The more ink colors used in your artwork, the higher the printing cost. Limit to 1–2 colors to reduce setup and printing fees.
• Minimize shirt variations: Ordering only one shirt model (e.g., Comfort Colors 1717) and fewer color options streamlines production and lowers costs.

Artwork Tips to Reduce Costs and Improve Results

High-quality artwork not only looks better but can also reduce printing errors and reprints—saving you money in the long run.

1. Use Vector Art for Sharp Prints

• Always provide vector files (AI, EPS, or SVG) for logos and text.
• Vectors scale infinitely without losing quality, ensuring clean prints even on large formats.
• If you only have a PNG or JPG, make sure it’s 300 DPI at the actual print size.

2. Simplify Your Design

• Fewer colors = lower printing cost. Convert complex designs to 1–2 spot colors.
• Avoid gradients or photorealistic elements unless using digital printing (which costs more).
• Use flat colors and bold lines for a retro look that matches Comfort Colors’ vintage aesthetic.

3. Optimize Print Placement

• Chest prints (4″–5″ wide) are less expensive than full front or back prints.
• Avoid printing on sleeves or odd locations unless necessary—each new location increases setup time and cost.

4. Confirm Color Matching

• Request Pantone (PMS) color matching to ensure brand consistency.
• Avoid metallic or specialty inks unless essential—these increase per-unit costs.

Additional Cost-Saving Strategies

1. Choose the Right Printer

• Compare quotes from multiple screen printers—especially those specializing in Comfort Colors.
• Look for printers offering free screens or setup fees for bulk orders.

2. Time Your Order

• Avoid peak seasons (spring/summer for events, back-to-school). Order early to avoid rush fees.
• Some printers offer off-season discounts or promotional pricing.

3. Bundle Services

• Order design help, packaging, and folding as part of your quote. Bundling often reduces overall costs.

Final Tips

• Request a physical sample before full production to confirm color, fit, and print quality.
• Get a detailed quote breakdown—know what you’re paying for (setup, ink colors, printing location).
• Negotiate—especially for repeat or large orders; many printers offer discounts for loyalty.

By leveraging bulk quantity breaks and optimizing your artwork, you can significantly reduce the cost per custom Comfort Colors T-shirt—making your project more affordable and professional.