Updated January 3, 2024
Broken Arrow T-Shirt Printing and Embroidery has been making the best custom T-shirts for more than 30 years. The best T-shirts brands (our customer and staff favorites) for customization are listed below. These are the most popular T-shirts and the best fitting T-shirts for the reasons listed. If you’d like, get a quick no-obligation quote while you browse.
1. Best Overall Favorite
Bella + Canvas 3413
This super-soft tri-blend fabric, unisex tee is a customer and staff favorite and one of Bella+Canvas all-time best sellers. Made from a blend of three fabrics; polyester, cotton, and rayon (referred to as a tri-blend) this most popular t-shirt is breathable, lightweight, super comfortable, drapes nicely, and is well made. Customers rank it as one the best fitting t-shirts in their closet as it drapes well over both straight and curvy frames. Even though it’s lightweight, it is not see-through and retains its shape wash after wash. Companion ladies cut and youth size t-shirts are also available in this best-selling T-shirt brand. Tri-blend T-shirts, like the 3413, have a vintage look and feel right out of the box. Once you order this tri-blend T-shirt, it will likely become your go-to shirt. Often sold by retailers, we sell this favorite Bella+Canvas T-shirt custom decorated at a price typically lower than plain shirts you’ll find in department stores.
| Material | 3.8 oz 50/25/25 polyester/airlume combed and ringspun cotton/rayon |
| Colors | 66 colors |
| Sizes | XS-3XL |
| Fit | Retail fit |
2. Best Custom T-Shirts
Next Level N6210
Made from a poly/cotton fabric blend, the unisex Next Level 6210 T-shirt serves as a great middle-of-the-road tee that falls between budget-friendly and higher-end retail. Customers rank it as one of the best custom T-shirts, as it is nearly as soft as a tri-blend and features a sleek, modern fit. Unlike heavier solid cotton shirts, this T-shirt gives easily as your body moves while maintaining its shape wear after wear. The Next level 6210 dries quickly and has a slightly heathered look on all colors except solid black and white. It is number 2 in the ranking of the most popular T-shirts we sell. There is a companion ladies’ tee that is equally as appealing but note that many of our staffers prefer to size up on the ladies cut as it’s more fitted and a little shorter than the unisex.
| Material | 4.3oz 60/40 Cotton/Poly Premium Fitted CVC Crew |
| Colors | 41 colors |
| Sizes | XS-6XL |
| Fit | Retail fit |
3. Best Fitting T-Shirts
American Apparel 2001
The American Apparel 2001CVC tee is made from fine jersey cotton and creates superior screen-printing results. It is available in a wide range of colors and sizes. Fine jersey is a medium-weight, soft cotton fabric that, when washed in cold water and tumbled dry on low heat, won’t shrink. It is seamless on the sides for a super comfortable fit that gives more than heavy cotton and drapes nicely. This great fitting T-shirt looks awesome custom-screen printed wash after wash. It is ranked number 3 by our customers in terms of best fitting T-shirts, best T-shirt brands, and best custom T-shirts.
| Material | 4.6 oz 60/40 Cotton/Recyled Polyester Unisex CVC Tshirt |
| Colors | 38 colors |
| Sizes | XS-4XL |
| Fit | Retail fit |
4. Best Value T-Shirts
Gildan 67000
The Glidan 67000 is a value-priced soft T-shirt with a modern fit. Made from a cotton and polyester blend, the cheap T-shirt is available in an array of colors. Gildan calls the fit “modern-classic,” which means it’s slightly fitted—but not as loose as some styles. The fabric is snag and wrinkle resistant. This budget-conscious T-shirt makes an excellent choice for events, work, sports, or business giveaways.
| Material | 4.6oz Softstyle CVC Cotton/Recycled Polyester CVC T-Shirt |
| Colors | 26 colors |
| Sizes | XS-4XL |
| Fit | Modern fit |
5. Best Pigment Dyed T-Shirts
Comfort Colors 1717
This heavy-weight 100-percent-cotton pigment-dyed T-shirt is available in 81 different colors (that’s not a typo). Pigment-dyed is a fiber coloring process that continues to soften and age with washing. The T-shirt is washed multiple times before it is custom decorated, so it will have a fashionably worn heathered appearance upon arrival. Because of the dying process, don’t wash it with other colors, at least for the first few times, as fading and color transfer may occur. The fit is casual, not too tight, and most Broken Arrow customers really appreciate the way it looks and feels. It is ranked number 5 as our most popular t-shirts.
| Material | 6.1 oz., pre-shrunk 100% ringspun cotton |
| Colors | 75 colors |
| Sizes | S-4XL |
| Fit | Casual fit |
6. Best Cheap T-Shirts
Fruit of the Loom 3930R
If the cheapest price is what matters the most to you, this shirt is the way to go. Available in 55 colors, it’s made from high-density 5-ounce jersey cotton, which means the clarity of your screen-printed design will be exceptional. And good news, this Fruit-of-the-Loom T-shirt is also the best durable T-Shirt ,as its made from sturdy cotton. The shirt is pre-shrunk, and features a standard straight cut, not fitted. Fruit of the Loom is still one of the best T-shirt brands year-after-year due to its affordability and durability.
| Material | 5.0 oz., pre-shrunk 100% cotton |
| Colors | 55 colors |
| Sizes | S-6XL |
| Fit | Standard fit |
7. Best Budget-Friendly T-Shirts
Next Level 3600
This budget friendly T-shirt is nearly as cheap as the previously listed one but is made from 100-percent combed and ring spun cotton, making it smoother and still stronger than many other T-shirts. It’s available in 31 colors and both youth and ladies companion T-shirts are available. It’s lightweight, soft, and comfortable and comes in at number 7 in terms of best T-shirt brands.
| Material | 4.3 oz, 100% combed ringspun cotton |
| Colors | 31 colors |
| Sizes | XS-4XL |
| Fit | Casual fit |
8. Best Athleisure T-Shirts
Nike NKBQ5231
This Nike performance T-shirt is made from 60/40 cotton/poly Dri-FIT fabric to help keep you dry and comfortable. You’ll like the feel of it equally well on the court, in the office, or on the couch. Available in 9 colors, the Nike swoosh is located on the left sleeve so there is plenty of room for your logo or design on the front and back. If you love a swoosh, this shirt is for you.
| Material | 4.7 oz, 60/40 cotton/poly Dri-FIT fabric |
| Colors | 9 colors |
| Sizes | XS-4XL |
| Fit | Casual fit |
9. Best Moisture-Wicking T-Shirts
Sport-Tek ST350
The Sport-Tek ST350 is a budget-friendly performance T-shirt that will also help keep you dry and comfortable. Made from 100-percent polyester, the shirt is also available in youth, ladies, tall, and long sleeve companions. You’ll find 25 different color options, too. Sport-Tek is one of our most popular t-shirt brands due to its price point and quick dry technology.
| Material | 3.8oz 100% Polyester PosiCharge Competitor Tee |
| Colors | 25 colors |
| Sizes | XS-4XL |
| Fit | Casual fit |
10. Best Popular T-Shirts
Gildan 2000
This heavyweight cotton t-shirt is likely already in a closet near you. You’ll find it in many big box and discount stores such as Walmart and Target. Budget friendly, the t-shirt comes in 51 colors and has companion, youth, ladies, and long sleeve options. The Gildan 2000 has been one of the best custom t-shirt brands for decades and will likely remain popular for those that love a heavy, dependable workhorse of a shirt.
| Material | 6.0 oz., pre-shrunk 100% ultra cotton |
| Colors | 51 colors |
| Sizes | S-5XL |
| Fit | Casual fit |
Still not sure which T-shirt is best for you? Check out our entire T-shirt catalog or take our T-shirt quiz to determine which shirt is best for your needs.