Cart
close

The Best Shirts for Sublimation

By ShirtSpace | Dec 04, 2024 |  Updated Dec 04, 2024

It’s finally here! A guide that lays out the best shirts for sublimation. With sublimation printing on the rise in popularity among apparel decorators, finding the perfect sublimation t-shirt becomes a pressing matter…see what we did there? But all jokes aside, not all shirts are created equal when it comes to sublimation printing. The best sublimation shirts must check several boxes. Read out to see which shirts made the cut.

Hero image credit: Djavan Rodriguez
 

'>

The Best Shirts for Sublimation: Best Fabrics & Styles for Perfect Prints

Sublimation printing cannot be carried out on just any t-shirt material. This is because sublimation printing must be done out on a piece of clothing that has enough polyester in the mix. Sublimation printing is rather scientific – achieved when solid ink is transformed into gas without passing through the liquid phase. The gas bonds with the fibers of the fabric. So, instead of the ink depositing a layer on top of the material, the fibers themselves are dyed. The process of creating a sublimation print does not work correctly on natural fibers. You absolutely need a synthetic, such as polyester material.

Additionally, since sublimation ink dyes the fibers, rather than a layer of ink displaying the design on top of the fabric, you must consider how the shirt color will impact the colors used for your print. If you are going for a color print, white is often the best choice since the colors will not be impacted. Light colors will still work, but they might impact how colors are displayed, except black, of course. Dark colors are off-limits since the design will be difficult to see or invisible altogether.

What Shirts Are Best for Sublimation?

So, what are the best tees for sublimation? There are two main criteria you will want to consider:

  • POLYESTER COUNT
    • At least 60-65% polyester in the material makeup.
    • The closer to 100% polyester you go, the more vibrant the colors of your print.
    • You can dip below 60%, but your design will look more faded the less polyester you have.
  • FABRIC COLOR
    • Stick to light-colored shirts.
    • Unless you have a blended fabric and want to bleach a “window” to sublimation print on (see image below).
    • Opt for white if you have a multicolored design or are concerned about color distortion. 

A “Dark Heather” Gildan G640 Adult Softstyle® T-Shirt with a bleached window for sublimation printing laid out flat on a wood plank background.
Shirt pictured: Gildan G640 Adult Softstyle® T-Shirt in “Dark Heather” with a bleached window for sublimation printing. 
Image credit: Hello Primary Designs
 

Best Fabric Types for Sublimation Printing

  • 100% Polyester: For clean, bold prints and vivid colors.
    • Athletic Polyester: Shiny, sleek, and naturally resistant to fading, snags and pilling. Often has some stretch to it. 
    • 100% Polyester That Feels Just Like Cotton: Cotton-like touch but with more moisture-wicking properties than a standard cotton tee.
       
  • Polyester Blends: For versatility, fashion and comfort.
    • Polyester-Cotton Blends: Enjoy the best of both fabrics, with just enough polyester for sublimation prints, and enough cotton for style and comfort.
    • 65% Polyester + 35% Viscose: Flowy fabric with a nice drape. For prints intended to have a faded, vintage look.


The Top Blank Shirts for Sublimation

There are many suitable shirts that you can sublimate on, but we aren’t looking for average. There isn’t a single “best shirt for sublimation,” but here are a handful of our top picks:
 

100% Polyester T-Shirts (Athletic-Feel)
 


 


 

100% Polyester T-Shirts (That Feel Just Like Cotton)
 


 

Polyester Blend T-Shirts
 

How to Choose the Right Shirt for Sublimation Projects

A woman standing in front of a clothes rack of white t-shirts while holding up a white tee printed with a sublimation print. 
Image credit: LightFieldStudios from Getty Images

If you are torn on which blank t-shirt to pick for your next sublimation project, we have some suggestions. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Will these shirts be worn in extreme heat? 
    • If yes, we recommend opting for 100% polyester with an athletic feel due to the moisture-wicking properties it provides. 
    • If not, you might consider a 100% polyester that feels like cotton or a polyester blend, since these tend to be trendier in available cut and color options. 
  • How many colors are in your design?
    • If there are multiple colors, consider a polyester-heavy white tee so that there is no color distortion.
    • If only dark ink colors are used, you may consider another light shirt color.
  • Aiming for an athletic or everyday casual look?
    • If you are printing shirts for sports, fitness or a physically demanding job site, athletic shirts are probably your best bet.
    • For standard daytime wear, and those that prefer the look and feel of cotton, we recommend going for a polyester blend. These options will be more fashion-forward and retail-inspired. 
       

Finding the Perfect Sublimation Shirt for Your Needs

A person printing a black design on a white t-shirt that depicts the words “Think Big” and a doodle-like graphic of a muscular man flexing. 
Image credit: Andrey Popov of Getty Images

Thanks for reading up on the best shirts for sublimation printing. We hope you feel inspired to go out and work your sublimation sorcery to create something magical. If you have a favorite sublimation blank, we would love to hear about it in the comments! 

Other Blogs We Think You’ll Love:

Leave a Comment

All fields marked with * are required

We take your privacy seriously and will not share or publish your email address.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.