The 6 Best Shirts for Your Sublimation Projects!

Are you looking for the best shirts to use for your sublimation projects?

If you’re printing shirts with dye sublimation, it’s important to find the right shirt that will ensure your design transfers correctly and won’t fade out after a few washes. We have done all the research and found 6 of the best shirts for sublimation projects!

With these 6 options, you can be sure that your designs will look great every time. The fabric is soft and comfortable, so your friends, family, or customers will love wearing them. Plus, they are durable enough to withstand multiple washes without fading or losing their shape.

How We Picked The Best Shirts For Sublimation

Finding the best sublimation shirts can be a daunting task. With so many options out there, it's hard to know which ones will provide you with the quality and performance you need.

We've got you covered!  We've personally read thousands of reviews in order to bring you only the best shirts for sublimation. So now all that's left is for you to pick your favorite design and start printing!

Basics For Picking A Shirt For Sublimation

Sublimation printing is one of the most popular methods for producing unique, high-quality garments. Sublimation inks, when applied with heat and pressure using a heat press machine, turn from a solid to a gas and transfer to the sublimation blank or garment. This process allows for vibrant colors and intricate designs that won't fade over time.

When selecting shirts for sublimation, it is important to keep the following in mind

• Choose a shirt with at least 65% polyester content — Polyester is the best fabric for dye sublimation because it can absorb and hold the ink more effectively than other fabrics. Cotton t-shirts do not work because the sublimation dye does not bond with cotton fibers.
• Choose a shirt with a light-colored background — Light colors are better for sublimation printing since they allow the inks to pop out and become more vibrant.
• Choose a shirt that is smooth or has minimal texture — The smoother the fabric, the better it will absorb the ink.

The Best Shirt Material For Sublimation

Sublimation printing offers some of the most vivid, beautiful prints possible. When it comes to choosing a fabric to make your prints with, polyester garments stand out as the best choice. With polyester, your designs will be bold and vibrant, while also lasting for much longer than other materials. Sublimation printer ink is best suited to polyester fabrics, so when it comes to this type of printing, make sure to use garments that are 100% polyester or have a high percentage of polyester in the fabric blend. Doing so will ensure the best results and the most beautiful prints.

When considering the fabric for your design, you may want to opt for a cotton blend if you're looking to achieve that vintage, distressed look. Cotton blends yield softer and more faded designs, which can help create an eye-catching aesthetic. Although these blended fabrics may not last as long as pure polyester shirts, they can still provide a unique, vintage look that isn't otherwise achievable. For the best results, try to use a shirt with at least 65% polyester. This ensures that you'll be able to achieve your desired outcome without having to worry about designs fading away too quickly.

The Best Colors For Sublimation

Sublimation printing has several advantages, and one of the most important is the ability to create vibrant and eye-catching designs with fantastic colors. However, it's important to note that the color of your shirt can have a big impact on how your design will look when printed. Light-colored shirts or white ones are generally best, as the colors will show up more vividly and accurately than they would on a darker-colored shirt.

Another thing to remember is that there is no way to print white on the shirt. This is because sublimation printers use primary colors and thus cannot create white ink. The only way to add white to a design is to use a white shirt and leave the area where you want white to have no ink.

If you don’t use a white shirt, the colors of your design will be affected by the color of the shirt. Any negative space in your sublimation prints will show as the same color as the shirt, meaning that a colored shirt might make some designs look odd.

Our Top Picks

We take pride in picking only the highest-quality products that are both affordable and available to everyone. We strive to make sure anyone who visits our website can find what they need quickly and easily. Our top picks are carefully selected based on brand quality, availability, and affordability.

Jerzees 21M T-Shirt

Best overall shirt for sublimation

Why It Gets A High Rev Rating

Experience comfort and style with the Jerzees 21M T-Shirt - one of the best options when it comes to sublimation printing. Crafted from lightweight and ultra-soft polyester, this t-shirt is an absolute dream to wear. Plus, you can rest assured that your printed design will look amazing thanks to top-notch sublimation results. Treat yourself or a loved one to the perfect combination of fashion meets function with the Jerzees 21M T-Shirt!

Important Points

Jerzees 21M T-Shirts are a superior choice when it comes to quality and comfort. Made of 100% polyester, these tees provide the perfect fit with their classic cut design. They come in both short-sleeve and long-sleeve options, so you can find the right style for any occasion. The fabric is lightweight yet durable, ensuring that your shirt will last through countless washes without fading or shrinking. Plus, they're available in an array of colors to suit any wardrobe. However, due to their thinness, white shirts may be somewhat see-through - something to consider before making your purchase!

Gildan 42000 T-Shirt

Runner up to the best overall shirt for sublimation

Why It Gets A High Rev Rating

Gildan 42000 T-Shirts are the perfect choice for any printing project. Made from 100% polyester, these shirts feature a vibrant array of colors and their high-quality construction means they look amazing and last a long time. Equally suitable for personal or professional use, Gildan products have earned themselves an enviable reputation in the printing industry. Whether you're customizing a design yourself or looking to create something unique, Gildan 42000 is sure to add a touch of class to any creation!

Important Points

When choosing apparel for custom sublimation printing, Gildan offers a wide selection of shirts and other products that are perfect for the job. However, it is important to pay attention to the fabric composition when selecting Gildan garments for this type of printing. To ensure optimal results, we recommend opting for garments with at least 65% polyester content; anything less than this may not produce satisfactory results.

A4 N3142 T-Shirt

Best for activewear

Why It Gets A High Rev Rating

The A4 N3142 t-shirt is a perfect companion for any activewear needs! Crafted with a silky, dri-fit fabric that offers maximum comfort and breathability whatever you're doing, this t-shirt also features moisture-wicking properties and is resistant to odors and stains.  With the N3142 from A4, you can feel confident knowing that your printing project will turn out great and will keep up with your hustle all day long.

Important Points

For those constantly on the move, these high-quality t-shirts offer a great option, but they are not as comfortable as some of the other shirts on our list.  If you’re looking for a t-shirt with a soft cotton feel then one of the other shirts on the list will be a better choice.

Team 365 TT11 T-Shirt

Comparable to the Jerzees 21M at a cheaper price

Why It Gets A High Rev Rating

The Team 365 TT11 T-Shirt is a great choice for anyone looking for high quality and affordability. This 100 percent polyester shirt has the same soft cotton feel as Jerzees 21M but at a lower price. It also takes sublimation printing extremely well, meaning you can choose any light color to create your desired look - it will turn out vibrant and beautiful every time! The Team 365 TT11 T-Shirt offers an ideal combination of durability, comfort, and affordability that will make it perfect for any project.

Important Points

Team 365 TT11 has options for both men and women, as well as young ones too. Whether you're looking for a long-sleeved shirt or a short-sleeved option, there's something here to suit your needs.  With so many choices available, you'll be able to create the perfect look whatever the occasion.

Amazon Essentials Performance Tech T-Shirt

Best for budget

Why It Gets A High Rev Rating

Are you looking for a t-shirt that is both comfortable and stylish? Check out the Amazon Essentials Performance Tech T-Shirt! Made of 100% polyester, this loose-fit shirt offers a relaxed silhouette. It also features an ultra-soft, quick dry knit fabric with gentle stretch that makes it great for any activity. With its moisture-wicking capabilities, you can stay active in style no matter the conditions. Get one today and feel the difference this performance tech t-shirt provides!

Important Points

The 2-pack of this shirt is an attractive option for those looking for a 100% polyester shirt at a competitive price.  However, some users have reported that the fabric can snag easily in certain situations.

Next Level 6200 T-Shirt

Best for vintage designs

Why It Gets A High Rev Rating

The Next Level 6200 T-Shirt is an ultra-soft, comfortable and stylish option when it comes to t-shirts. Crafted with 40 single fabrics, this top is one of the highest-quality pieces in the marketplace today. With a soft cotton feel, you won’t have to sacrifice comfort for style. Whether you’re looking for something to wear around town or just lounging at home, this shirt has got you covered!

Important Points

The Next Level 6200 T-Shirt is a great option for those looking for an affordable, comfortable and stylish t-shirt. This shirt is made from a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton that gives it a soft feel and breathability, making it ideal for everyday wear.  Unfortunately, due to the material blend, this shirt won't create vibrant designs like a 100% polyester shirt.  However, if you're after vintage or faded looks then this could be a perfect choice!

Best Shirts For You Sublimation Project

In this article, we gave you our top picks for t-shirts to use for sublimation transfers as well as covered some top questions that people have when picking a shirt for their project. To sum it up the best sublimation t-shirts are 100% polyester because they will bond with the ink the best resulting in vibrant colors that will look good for years. If you are going for a vintage look you can use a blended garment, but be aware that your image may lose a little of its sharpness, and may not last as long.  If using a blend make sure it is at least 65 percent polyester.  Using less will result in poor quality results that won't last.