Best Shirts For Sublimation Printing in 2023 (Buying Guide)

Whether you are selecting the best shirts for sublimation printing or the best sweatshirts for sublimation, the rule of thumb is that the fabric should contain a higher percentage of polyester. Though the best fabric for sublimation is 100% polyester, but with blends, the overall polyester content is important because of its ability to infuse the sublimation dyes efficiently and withstand heat while performing sublimation. 

Hence we have listed some brands that produce T-shirts that are reliable for the sublimation process and give excellent results. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Polyester is the best material to sublimate on, so instead of blends, try to go for 100% polyester like Gildan, Cricut, or Hanes –  for the best results.
2. The best colors of shirts for sublimation are white and light colors. You need Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) for sublimation for dark and black colors.

If you don’t have time to explore all options or are still confused about which one you should select.
This one is my top recommendation: Amazon Essentials Tech Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Bird’s Eye View:

Brand	Sizes	Material	Type – Unisex/Male/Female
Amazon Essentials Tech Short Sleeve T-Shirt	XSmall – 6XLarge	100% Polyester	Male
Hanes Sport Men’s T-Shirt	Small – 3XLarge	100% Polyester	Male
Gildan Men’s DryBlend T-Shirt	Small – XXLarge	50% cotton, 50% polyester	Male
Cricut Women’s T-Shirt Blank	Small – XX Large	100% polyester	Female
Bella Canvas Unisex Viscose Fashion T-Shirt	XSmall – XXLarge	65% polyester, 35% viscose	Unisex
Satinior Blank Sublimation T-Shirts	Small, Medium, Large	100% Polyester	Unisex
Jerzees 21MR Short Sleeved T-shirt	Small – 3XLarge	100% Polyester	Male
Sublivie 100% Polyester Crew Neck Short Sleeve Sublimation T-Shirt	Small – 3XLarge	100% Polyester	Unisex

8 Most Popular Shirt Choices For Sublimation Printing:

1. Amazon Essentials Tech Stretch Short-Sleeve T-Shirt

These t-shirts are made of 100% Polyester making them the perfect choice for sublimation. They guarantee vibrant colors and quick and efficient color transfer. Moreover, the quality is designed for extreme comfort with moisture-resistant, ultra-soft knit fabric. With quick drying properties, it aids with the heat transfer of the dye, allowing it to dry quickly and reducing the chances of any color bleeds. It also makes it ideal as a sportswear. 

2. Hanes Sport Men’s T-Shirt

Hanes Sport is the perfect combination of performance, style, and comfort. They’re made from Cool DRI technology and Cool Comfort fabric, making them a quick-drying, breathable, and odor-resistant option for everyday wear. They are used mainly as sportswear because of their enhanced qualities. The fabric is 100% polyester which makes them great blanks for sublimation. The dyes are intensely absorbed and the material keeps the colors from washing off or fading away. 

3. Gildan Men’s Dry Blend Poly-Cotton T-Shirt

If pure polyester is not your cup of tea, you can go for the Gildan Dry Blend T-Shirt. It’s 50% cotton and 50% polyester. Besides being a perfect choice for those who want to stay cool and dry all day long, it can be decorated conveniently using sublimation.

The Poly Cotton blend is great for vintage images, as there is some color discharge after the first wash. But if you are seeking a reliable and durable material to wear and perform sublimation as well, then these are the best Gildan shirts for sublimation. It broadens the options of sublimating with faded colors which are as trendy as conventional sublimation. 

4. Cricut Women’s T-Shirt Blank

This is one of the best sublimation t-shirts for women because of the extra soft material and the endless possibilities of sublimation. The fabric is 100% polyester. The sublimation designs always come out looking fantastic. It’s a versatile option for multi-purpose use.

5. Bella Canvas Unisex Viscose Fashion T-Shirt

This t-shirt contains 65% polyester and 35% viscose. It is one of the best bella canvas shirts for sublimation. The polyester blend makes it a good fabric for any weather and equally great for sublimation.

6. Satinior Blank Sublimation T-Shirts For Kids

If you are looking for sublimation shirts for kids, these white 100% polyester t-shirts are the best choice. The toddler size is comfortable and perfect for soft skin. The pack includes 6 shirts so you can satisfy your design cravings and apply different sublimation patterns and projects.

7. Jerzees 21MR Short Sleeved T-shirt

Jerzees 21MR is designed to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable. It has a smooth feel and is easy to wash, making it one of the most versatile items in your wardrobe. With its moisture management performance, odor control, and sublimation capabilities, this shirt can be worn for any occasion. Its 100% polyester fabric is lightweight and breathable. It features shoulder-to-shoulder taping with efficient moisture-resistant properties to help your body stay cool in warm conditions.

8. Sublivie 100% Polyester Crew Neck Short Sleeve Sublimation T-Shirt

An extremely lightweight and breathable fabric, this 100% polyester fabric is perfect for sublimation printing. The lightweight material makes the t-shirt comfortable to wear in warm weather conditions without irritating the skin. It features a crew neck with double-needle sleeves and a bottom hem for durability. Looks good and feels even better with the classic fit.

How To Choose The Best Shirts For Sublimation Printing

The Material

100% Polyester is the hands-down choice when it comes to choosing the best sublimating shirts. However, if you are looking for other options, review the material thoroughly or perform a sample sublimation test before starting with the actual procedure. Make sure to wash your sublimation shirt properly as well to test if it fades away or not.

Colors

Make sure your dark-colored shirts are fast-colored. The last thing you would want is the color from the shirt bleeding out onto the design or fading away and ruining the project.

Availability

Make sure that the brand of T-shirts you start using is widely available so you can restock easily. When working on commercial levels, staying consistent with your products is essential.

Quality

T-shirts used for sublimation should have a good knitting and thread count, enabling them to withstand heat transfer without damaging the fabric. The overall quality of the shirt should be durable and long-lasting. Sublimating on a less reliable shirt material will be a waste of effort and irreversible loss. 

Mistakes You Should Avoid 

Selecting The Wrong T-shirt Material For Sublimation

Remember ≥ 70% polyester is an excellent material to sublimate on T-shirts. Anything below that requires some research, or the use of HTV and other precautions, and trial and error techniques.

Useful Article: Can You Use Premium Vinyl On Shirts?

Not Choosing The Right Color

Do not believe in the fact that if your design has light colors, it will easily sublimate on dark-colored T-shirts. Pure cotton T-shirts and dark-colored ones require using HTV instead of Sublimation paper; otherwise, there will be no sublimation at all.

Using a Rare Brand 

Once you start sublimating on a large scale, ensure you have a consistent supply of shirts for various projects. Avoid selecting a rare brand that may offer you affordable rates but leave you in the lurch when seeking the products again. 

Conclusion

I’ve not only shared the best options but also made sure that I guide you well on the selection process too, so you never make a wrong choice. I hope this sums up all the necessary aspects you need to consider. This list is comprehensive, and it will help you find the perfect shirt for your sublimation needs!