🔑 Key Takeaways
- We tested 20 different print-on-demand t-shirts for quality, comfort, and value
- Gildan 64000 emerged as the surprise winner for best overall value
- Price doesn't always indicate quality - some expensive options disappointed
- Comfort, print quality, and profit margin are crucial factors in POD t-shirt selection
- Proper sizing is essential for customer satisfaction in the POD business
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Great T-Shirt Challenge 🥊
Hey there, t-shirt enthusiasts and print-on-demand wizards! 👋 Are you ready for the most epic t-shirt showdown you've ever seen? We're about to dive deep into the world of POD t-shirts, comparing 20 different options to find the ultimate champion. Whether you're a seasoned POD pro or just starting out, this guide will help you make the best choices for your business and your customers. Let's get ready to rumble... in comfort and style! 🎨👚
Our Testing Methodology 🔬
We didn't just throw these t-shirts in a washing machine and call it a day. Oh no, we got scientific! Here's how we put these tees through their paces:
- 💰 Price and profit margin (because ka-ching matters!)
- 🧵 Material quality (rated out of 10, like fabric Olympics)
- 🎨 Print quality (rated out of 10, because fuzzy prints are a no-go)
- 🤗 Feel (from cloud-soft to sandpaper-rough)
- ⚖️ Weight (light as a feather or heavy as your gym bag?)
- 👕 Fit (because one size definitely doesn't fit all)
All shirts were ordered from the same supplier (Swift pod from Printify) to keep things fair. We used two designs to test print quality across the board. Now, let's meet our contenders!
Detailed Reviews of All 20 T-Shirts 📊
1. Bella Canvas 3001 - Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee
Price: $11.40 | Profit @ $26.99: $15.59
- Material Quality: 9/10
- Print Quality: 7/10
- Feel: Soft
- Weight: Light
- Fit: Tight (for a 5'6", 70kg person)
The Bella Canvas 3001 is a popular choice, and we can see why. It's soft, light, and has great material quality. The print quality is good, though not the best we've seen. The tight fit might not be for everyone, so consider sizing up.
2. Gildan 5000 - Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee
Price: $9.70 | Profit @ $26.99: $17.29
- Material Quality: 6/10
- Print Quality: 4/10
- Feel: Itchy
- Weight: Heavy
- Fit: Tight, uncomfortable
Oh, Gildan 5000, you're a bit of a disappointment. While the profit margin looks great, the comfort level leaves a lot to be desired. The itchy, heavy feel and tight fit make this a less-than-ideal choice for many customers.
3. Comfort Colors 1717 - Unisex Garment-Dyed T-Shirt
Price: $14.63 | Profit @ $26.99: $12.36
- Material Quality: 10/10
- Print Quality: 8/10
- Feel: Very soft
- Weight: Heavy but nice
- Fit: Tight (for a 5'6", 70kg person)
The Comfort Colors 1717 lives up to its name! It's super soft and has top-notch material quality. The print quality is great too. The heavier weight gives it a premium feel, but be aware of the tighter fit.
4. Gildan 64000 - Unisex Softstyle Tee
Price: $9.99 | Profit @ $26.99: $17.00
- Material Quality: 9/10
- Print Quality: 8/10
- Feel: Soft
- Weight: Light
- Fit: Regular
Surprise, surprise! The Gildan 64000 is our dark horse winner. It offers an amazing balance of quality, comfort, and profit margin. Soft feel, great print quality, and a regular fit make this an all-around excellent choice.
5. Gildan 2000 - Unisex Ultra Cotton Tee
Price: $10.52 | Profit @ $26.99: $16.47
- Material Quality: 4/10
- Print Quality: 3/10
- Feel: Horrible, thick, heavy
- Fit: EXTRA Tight
Yikes! The Gildan 2000 is not winning any popularity contests. The material feels thick and heavy in an unpleasant way, and the extra tight fit is a dealbreaker for many. The low print quality doesn't help its case either.
6. Next Level 3600 - Unisex Cotton Crew Tee
Price: $11.63 | Profit @ $26.99: $15.36
- Material Quality: 7/10
- Print Quality: 9/10
- Feel: Heavy
- Fit: Regular, comfortable
The Next Level 3600 is a solid contender. It boasts high print quality and a comfortable fit. The heavier feel might be a plus for some and a minus for others. Overall, it's a reliable choice for your POD lineup.
7. AS Colour 5001 - Mens Staple Tee
Price: $15.77 | Profit @ $26.99: $11.22
- Material Quality: 10/10
- Print Quality: 10/10
- Feel: Heavy but incredibly soft
- Fit: Tight, high neck
The AS Colour 5001 is a premium option that doesn't disappoint in quality. It scores perfect 10s for both material and print quality! The incredibly soft feel is a big plus, though the tight fit and high neck might not be for everyone.
8. American Apparel 2001 - Unisex Classic Tee
Price: $14.20
- Material Quality: Good (not specified numerically)
- Print Quality: 6/10
- Feel: Itchy, heavy
The American Apparel 2001 is a bit of a mixed bag. While the material quality is good, the itchy and heavy feel might turn some customers off. The print quality is just above average, which is disappointing for the price point.
9. Bella Canvas 3005 - Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck Tee
Price: $14.28 | Profit @ $26.99: $12.71
- Material Quality: 6/10
- Print Quality: Good (not specified numerically)
- Feel: Soft, lightweight
- Fit: EXTRA Tight
If you're looking for a V-neck option, the Bella Canvas 3005 might be worth considering. It's soft and lightweight, which many customers will appreciate. However, the extra tight fit could be a dealbreaker for some. The material quality is just above average.
10. Prime Essentials - Unisex Jersey T-Shirt
Price: $10.38 | Profit @ $26.99: $16.61
- Material Quality: 4/10
- Print Quality: 6/10
- Feel: Hard, not soft
- Fit: Tight
The Prime Essentials tee is a budget option, but it shows in the quality. The hard feel and low material quality make it less than ideal for customer satisfaction. The print quality is just above average, which is its saving grace.
11. Bella Canvas 3010 - Unisex Oversized Boxy Tee
Price: $17.55 | Profit @ $26.99: $9.44
- Material Quality: 6/10
- Print Quality: Low (not specified numerically)
- Feel: Hard, not soft
- Weight: Very heavy
- Fit: Regular
The Bella Canvas 3010 offers a unique boxy fit, but it falls short in other areas. The hard feel and very heavy weight might not be what customers expect from a t-shirt. The low print quality is disappointing, especially given the higher price point.
12. Comfort Colors 1745 - Unisex Color Blast T-Shirt
Price: $20.67 | Profit @ $26.99: $6.32
- Material Quality: 10/10
- Print Quality: 10/10
- Feel: Very comfortable
- Note: Sent wrong size (Large)
The Comfort Colors 1745 is a premium option that lives up to its name. With perfect scores in both material and print quality, it's a top-tier choice. The very comfortable feel is a big plus. However, the high price point means a lower profit margin, and the sizing issue is something to watch out for.
13. Fruit of the Loom 3930R - Unisex HD Cotton T-Shirt
Price: $9.97 | Profit @ $26.99: $17.02
- Material Quality: 8/10
- Print Quality: 4/10
- Feel: Itchy
- Weight: Light
- Fit: Tight
The Fruit of the Loom 3930R offers a good profit margin, but comfort might be an issue. The itchy feel could be a turnoff for customers, despite the good material quality. The low print quality is concerning, especially for a POD business.
14. Next Level 3604 - Unisex Cotton Ringer T-Shirt
Price: $16.13 | Profit @ $26.99: $10.86
- Material Quality: 9/10
- Print Quality: 9/10
- Feel: Very soft, lightweight
- Fit: Regular, comfortable
The Next Level 3604 is a strong contender with its ringer style. High scores in both material and print quality make it a reliable choice. The very soft, lightweight feel and comfortable fit are big pluses. The profit margin is lower due to the higher price, but the quality might justify it.
15. Bella Canvas 3001U - USA Made Unisex Short Sleeve Jersey T-Shirt
Price: $17.03 | Profit @ $26.99: $9.96
- Material Quality: 9/10
- Print Quality: 9/10
- Feel: Very soft
- Weight: Lightweight
- Fit: Tight around chest and shoulders
The Bella Canvas 3001U offers high quality across the board. The very soft feel and lightweight nature are appealing. However, the tight fit around the chest and shoulders might not be for everyone. The higher price point means a lower profit margin.
16. Gildan 5000 - Tie-Dye Tee, Cyclone
Price: $16.28 | Profit @ $26.99: $10.71
- Material Quality: 5/10
- Print Quality: 9/10
- Feel: Itchy
- Weight: Heavy
- Fit: Tight, weird sleeve length
The Gildan 5000 Tie-Dye version is a mixed bag. While the print quality is excellent, the material quality and comfort leave much to be desired. The itchy feel and tight fit with odd sleeve length could be problematic for many customers.
17. Bella Canvas 3021 - Unisex Pocket T-Shirt
Price: $16.78 | Profit @ $26.99: $10.21
- Material Quality: 6/10
- Print Quality: Low (not specified numerically)
- Feel: Very soft
- Weight: Lightweight
- Fit: Tight
The Bella Canvas 3021 offers a unique pocket design. The very soft feel and lightweight nature are positives, but the tight fit might not suit everyone. The lower material quality and print quality are concerning, especially given the higher price point.
18. Bayside 5040 - Unisex Midweight T-Shirt Made in US
Price: $13.50 | Profit @ $26.99: $13.49
- Material Quality: 8/10
- Print Quality: 6/10
- Feel: Horrible, hard, itchy, scratchy
- Weight: Heavy
- Fit: Extremely tight
The Bayside 5040 is a disappointment in terms of comfort. Despite decent material quality, the horrible feel and extremely tight fit make it a risky choice for customer satisfaction. The print quality is just above average, which doesn't help its case.
19. Bella Canvas 3006 - Unisex Long Body Urban Tee
Price: $17.66 | Profit @ $26.99: $9.33
- Material Quality: 9/10
- Print Quality: 6/10
- Feel: Very soft
- Weight: Not heavy
- Fit: Slightly tight, long body
The Bella Canvas 3006 offers a unique long body style. The very soft feel and good material quality are positives. However, the slightly tight fit and lower print quality might be issues for some. The higher price point also means a lower profit margin.
20. American Apparel 2001W - Unisex Classic Crewneck T-Shirt
Price: $19.22 | Profit @ $26.99: $7.77
- Material Quality: 8/10
- Print Quality: 8/10
- Feel: Itchy, plasticky print
- Fit: Tight, baggy around neck
The American Apparel 2001W offers good material and print quality, but comfort seems to be an issue. The itchy feel and plasticky print could be off-putting for customers. The fit is described as tight but baggy around the neck, which might not be ideal for everyone. The high price point also results in a lower profit margin.
The Unexpected Winner: Gildan 64000 🏆
After this exhaustive review, the Gildan 64000 emerges as our surprise champion! Here's why it takes the crown:
- 🎯 Perfect balance of quality and affordability
- 😌 Soft feel and lightweight comfort
- 👕 Regular fit that suits most body types
- 💰 Excellent profit margin at $17 when sold at $26.99
- 🖨️ Great print quality (8/10) that won't disappoint your customers
The Gildan 64000 proves that you don't need to break the bank to offer a high-quality product that your customers will love!
Comprehensive T-Shirt Comparison Table| T-Shirt | Price | Material Quality | Print Quality | Overall Feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan 64000 | $9.99 | 9/10 | 8/10 | Soft & Light |
| AS Colour 5001 | $15.77 | 10/10 | 10/10 | Soft & Heavy |
| Bella Canvas 3001 | $11.40 | 10/10 | 7/10 | Soft & Light |
| Next Level 3604 | $16.13 | 9/10 | 9/10 | Soft & Light |
| Comfort Colors 1717 | $14.63 | 10/10 | 8/10 | Soft & Heavy |
| Gildan 5000 | $9.70 | 6/10 | 4/10 | Itchy & Heavy |
| Gildan 2000 | $10.52 | 4/10 | 3/10 | Horrible, Thick & Heavy |
| Next Level 3600 | $11.63 | 7/10 | 9/10 | Heavy |
| American Apparel 2001 | $14.20 | Good (not specified) | 6/10 | Itchy & Heavy |
| Bella Canvas 3005 | $14.28 | 6/10 | Good (not specified) | Soft & Light |
| Prime Essentials | $10.38 | 4/10 | 6/10 | Hard, Not Soft |
| Bella Canvas 3010 | $17.55 | 6/10 | Low (not specified) | Hard & Very Heavy |
| Comfort Colors 1745 | $20.67 | 10/10 | 10/10 | Very Comfortable |
| Fruit of the Loom 3930R | $9.97 | 8/10 | 4/10 | Itchy & Light |
| Bella Canvas 3001U | $17.03 | 9/10 | 9/10 | Very Soft & Light |
| Gildan 5000 (Tie-Dye) | $16.28 | 5/10 | 9/10 | Itchy & Heavy |
| Bella Canvas 3021 | $16.78 | 6/10 | Low (not specified) | Very Soft & Light |
| Bayside 5040 | $13.50 | 8/10 | 6/10 | Horrible, Hard, Itchy & Heavy |
| Bella Canvas 3006 | $17.66 | 9/10 | 6/10 | Very Soft & Not Heavy |
| American Apparel 2001W | $19.22 | 8/10 | 8/10 | Itchy, Plasticky Print |
Key Lessons for POD Entrepreneurs 📚
After putting these 20 t-shirts through their paces, here are the big takeaways for your POD business:
- Price doesn't always equal quality. Our winner, the Gildan 64000, outperformed many pricier options.
- Comfort is king! Customers won't come back if their t-shirt feels like sandpaper.
- Print quality can make or break a design. Even the softest shirt won't sell if the print is subpar.
- Fit matters. Consider offering multiple fit options to cater to different preferences.
- Balance profit margins with quality. The cheapest option isn't always the best for your brand in the long run.
- Always test your products. What looks good on paper might not feel good in real life.
Explore Our Awesome Collections 🛍️
Now that you're a t-shirt expert, why not check out some of our amazing collections? We've got something for everyone, from spooky vibes to trendy graphics!
🎃 Free Halloween Treat Tags 🎁 Printable Gift Tags 💀 Skeleton Halloween Chick Apparel 🎨 Trendy Tees Graphic Glory 👻 Spooky-er Crew Halloween Shirts 🕰️ Vintage Boneyard Bargains 🧟 Haunting Deals Halloween Horror TeesRemember, whether you're rocking our winning Gildan 64000 or any other awesome tee from our collections, you're not just wearing a shirt – you're wearing a piece of print-on-demand magic! So go forth, be comfy, and let your t-shirt flag fly! 🚩👕