Types of t-shirts: the definitive guide

This is the key when deciding what product you are going to offer in your online business. No eccentricities or generic products: your customers will be looking not only for a good design but also for a way to show it off. A very good way to get started in the world of e-commerce is by selling custom t-shirts. For very simple reasons:

They are very easy to customize. Especially if you use our Layout Creator! They adapt to any style and activity: from sports shirts to embroidered shirts for the most elegant. They are a basic product that never goes out of style. Everyone has at least one! There are endless types of t-shirts to bring to life with your designs. In this article, we review all the options available to help you choose the perfect garment for your business.

Short sleeve t-shirts

The classic of the classics.

The great thing about short-sleeved funny men’s t shirts is that they work in both winter and summer: in the hottest season, a lightweight short-sleeved t-shirt is all you need for a cool look. And in the colder season, you can wear it under your favourite sweatshirt or jacket. Or even on top of another long-sleeved shirt!

Plus, with Printful you have many ways to customize these types of t-shirts:

• T-shirts with DTG printing. They are t-shirts that are printed using the direct-to-garment (DTG) method. This type of t-shirt is perfect if you have a design to wear on the front or back of the garment. Additionally, some allow you to print on the sleeves or even add your custom inner or outer label.
• Embroidered t-shirts. The perfect choice for the simplest and most refined designs! These shirts allow you to add your embroidered design on the left chest. Don’t forget to follow our embroidery guide to ensure a result of 10.
• All-over t-shirts. All-over t-shirts allow you to add your design to the entire garment using the sublimation technique. They are a perfect choice if you have a pattern design. 

Beyond the printing or embroidery techniques used, you can also choose the t-shirt according to its style: round neck or V-neck? Are you looking for a slim fit or a more oversized t-shirt? Or are you still looking for a crop top or short t-shirt?

All these and many more options are available in our catalogue. Take a look and discover your next favourite short sleeve t-shirt!

Long-sleeved and half-sleeved T-shirts

The arrival of winter is the perfect occasion to add some long-sleeved shirts to your business: they offer you extra protection against the cold without losing an iota of style!

With Printful, you can customize your long sleeve mens t shirts uk with DTG printing or embroidery techniques (you can also go all over on our compression shirt).

And if you want to give your designs a different touch with an extra colour on the sleeves, you can try printing them on our half-sleeved raglan t-shirts.

T-shirts dress

If you are targeting a more feminine audience, this garment is for you.

The dress t-shirt is one of the latest additions to our catalogue and, without a doubt, it is here to stay. Oversize and comfort are in fashion, and this garment offers both qualities!

Add your printed design using DTG printing or embroidery and create a versatile product suitable for any occasion. New Fashion Hoodie Trend

Sport shirts

If you are going to direct your business to a niche interested in sports, this is your section!

Sports t-shirts are distinguished from regular t-shirts by their materials: while the t-shirts we wear every day usually have a high percentage of cotton, sports t-shirts are usually mainly polyester, since this material is more breathable and suitable for activities. sports.

Within the sports shirts, you can choose between:

• Compression shirts. Long-sleeved, made of polyester and lycra and with ultraviolet protection. Perfect for outdoor activities!
• Basic Sports Shirts: Made primarily of polyester and with antimicrobial and moisture management technology. The best choice for gym and team sports enthusiasts.

These t-shirts, being made mainly of synthetic fabrics, are available for all-over printing.

Polo shirts, or collared shirts, are perfect for more formal looks and fans of sports like golf.

This type of t-shirt allows you to add your embroidered design, making it perfect for more demanding customers looking for a premium product.

T-shirts according to the fabric

We have already reviewed all the types of shirts according to their style or function, but… what materials are they made of?

T-shirts are typically made of cotton, polyester, or a mix of the two. Our guide to cotton, polyester and mixed fabrics can help you understand this part. In summary:

• 100% cotton t-shirts are the most natural and soft, perfect for DTG printing.
• On the other hand, polyester t-shirts are very resistant, as well as perfect for sublimation printing. With this combination, the colours are bright and long-lasting. As we indicated above, this material is the most suitable for sportswear.

T-shirts made from a combination of both materials will benefit to a greater or lesser extent from the benefits of these depending on their percentages. The higher the percentage of cotton, the softer the fabric. The higher the percentage of polyester, the more resistant and breathable it will be.

You can also check the thickness of your t-shirt fabric by looking at the weight of the fabric. To give you an idea, a thin t-shirt like the Anvil 980 weighs 145.79 g/m². A thick T-shirt, such as Gildan 5000, weighs between 170–180 g/m². Do you see the difference?

Environmentally friendly t-shirts

There are several ways a t-shirt can be more environmentally friendly. From how it has been produced to how it reaches its end customer, through the inks used for its printing.

Normally you can find two types of t-shirts made with more eco-friendly materials:

• T-shirts are made with organic cotton, whose production uses less or no pesticides.
• T-shirts are made with recycled materials, which give a second chance to pre-existing fabrics or plastics from bottles (such as rPET polyester).

As you can see, there are many types of shirts that you can customize. But don’t worry: the key to choosing the perfect product is knowing the needs and style of your niche. In this video, we tell you more about that process. We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect t-shirt for you! Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog to read more articles like this one.

Conclusion 

There are a few things you can do to make sure your T-shirt looks its best. Here are some tips and tricks for men’s tees: Match the shirt to the outfit. Just like with any other piece of clothing, it’s important to match the shirt to the outfit. This means that you should always choose a color that complements your skin and clothes. If you’re wearing dark colors, try lightening up your shirt with a pattern or a stripe. If you’re wearing a bright color, go with a darker color.

Choose a fabric that feels good on you. There’s no need to overpay for a T-shirt just because it has the word “luxe” in the title. Many cheap T-shirts are made from thin and synthetic materials that don’t feel very comfortable when you wear them. Instead, look for T-shirts made from cotton or other natural fabrics. They’ll be more comfortable and durable, too.

Take care of your T-shirt collar. You don’t have to wear a collared shirt every day—in fact, it can be quite stylish to go without one sometimes—but it’s important to take care of